Greetings, and welcome to the winter edition of AV Integration magazine.

The second quarter of 2019 has brought a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities for the professional AV and integrated technologies industry in our region. There is little doubt that the depressed economic climate in South Africa, and in many of our neighbouring states, continues to place pressure on distributors and installers of professional AV and integrated technology solutions.

While it is tempting to become disheartened, the changing economic climate, rapidly evolving technologies and end-users’ need to reduce overheads, streamline processes and engage with clients abroad presents an opportunity to rethink, restructure and evolve product offerings to drive growth, both for the professional AV industry and the clients that it serves.

Nowhere was the energy to innovate more apparent than on the showroom floor at Mediatech Africa 2019, held at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg between 17 and 19 July. A range of equipment manufacturers, both local and international, used the opportunity to showcase a range of display, audio and collaboration solutions – specifically chosen to answer the unique needs of the African market. In our post-show report, presented in this issue, we have highlighted some of the exhibitors and the products that they brought to the show.

In this issue, our team have focused on the role that integrated technologies play in education. As highlighted by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa in his latest State of the Nation Address, ensuring that our children are empowered to become active and productive participants in the fourth industrial revolution is of paramount importance in safeguarding the country’s future. The integrated technologies industry in South Africa has a huge role to play in achieving success in this regard – not only by ensuring that appropriate technologies are available and well supported but also in an advisory role.

As always, I hope that you enjoy the read and encourage you to contact me with any comments, suggestions or story ideas.

Regards
David Cornwell and the AV Integration team