Single vendor vs. best of breed: Choosing the right meeting room AV

When it comes to outfitting meeting rooms with technology products, organizations typically face two strategic choices — adopt a full solution from a single supplier or assemble a best-of-breed system using components from multiple specialized vendors. Each approach has its merits and trade-offs.

When single vendor works — and when it doesn’t

A full solution from a single supplier offers simplicity and accountability, where they provide the display, camera, microphone, control system and software, often pre-integrated, tested and supported under a single warranty. This approach has been promoted as minimizing compatibility issues and streamlining procurement, deployment and support. For IT teams with limited resources or a preference for standardization, this can be an attractive option.

However, the downside is reduced flexibility and possibly performance. A single-vendor solution may not offer the best performance in every category. You might get a great camera but a mediocre microphone, or a solid control interface but limited customization. Over time, this type of setup can limit the user experience and the ability to adapt to evolving needs.

Why best of breed is gaining ground

The best-of-breed approach allows organizations to select top-performing components in each category, choosing the best camera, the most intuitive control panel, the clearest audio system and the most reliable collaboration software. This approach can result in a superior overall experience.

Historically, the challenge with best of breed was integration. Different devices didn’t always “talk” to each other easily, requiring custom programming and ongoing maintenance. But that’s changed over the past few years. Today, with plug-and-play compatibility and certification programs from major platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, best-of-breed solutions are easier to deploy than ever. Certified devices are tested to standards that mean they work seamlessly together, reducing the risk and complexity that once made this approach daunting.

Today, vendors know that a prime customer priority is that their products work with other systems and components. Ensuring compatibility is in everyone’s interest to deliver on customer needs and their technological vision.

In fact, universities have been leading the way in taking the best-of-breed approach for years. Their classrooms almost always combine displays, audio systems and control interfaces from different vendors, optimized for performance and cost without sacrificing usability or reliability.

Now, corporate environments can confidently follow suit. With modern standards like USB connectivity, open APIs and robust certification ecosystems, organizations no longer have to choose between simplicity and performance. They can have both.

A winning strategy

Best of breed is no longer a compromise — it’s a strategy. And with the right planning, it’s the most effective way to deliver exceptional meeting experiences that empower teams and maximize technology investments over the short and long term.