Businesses chase AV innovation but struggle with old systems

Techday NZ

5 days ago

One in ten organisations are investing in holograms and other immersive AV technologies, but many are facing challenges due to outdated infrastructure.
Research from Kinly's Trusted Connections 2025 study reveals that while businesses are increasingly adopting technologies such as holograms, avatars, and 3D AV, there is a significant gap between ambition and the foundational infrastructure required to fully realise the benefits of these investments.
The report highlights that 36% of organisations are replacing legacy technology, despite 63% of respondents admitting their current AV systems are harming productivity. There is widespread interest in immersive technology, reflected in findings that 50% of organisations are adopting personal avatars for remote calls and 52% are trialling VR headsets as part of their AV setup.
Infrastructure challenges
The study points to persistent issues with technology infrastructure. Outdated network infrastructure is impacting 32% of businesses, an increase from 24% recorded the previous year. Similarly, poor system interoperability affects 34% of organisations, up 9% from the year before. A quarter of enterprises (27%) also report that disjointed supply chains are a growing barrier, limiting the potential benefits of advanced technology deployments.
Addressing these issues is considered a straightforward but essential step. The report suggests that organisations will not see meaningful improvements in productivity from new tools unless core infrastructure is updated and robust, ensuring that advanced technologies can be deployed reliably and at scale.
AI and continuity planning
Artificial intelligence is now seen as the most important AV technology for the year by 61% of respondents. The data indicates that 71% are already deploying AI to improve workflows, signalling a trend towards investing in scalable and intelligent systems to close the gap between innovation ambitions and operational realities.
The emphasis on strong foundations also extends to preparedness for disruptions. Kinly's research shows that 68% of organisations have drawn up dedicated AV continuity plans for future pandemic scenarios, reflecting a broader shift towards building resilient infrastructure to support uninterrupted operations.
Industry perspective "It's incredibly exciting to see businesses embracing immersive tools like avatars and holograms, but without solid foundations, these technologies just won't deliver the productivity gains companies are expecting. You need stable infrastructure, reliable connectivity, and systems that talk to each other in order to maximise the full potential of every technology investment. Our research shows that the most successful organisations get this balance right. They're ambitious about new technology but smart about building the basics first."
These comments from Simon Watson, Global Head of Innovation at Kinly, underline the importance of foundational technology investments alongside innovation in cutting-edge tools.
As companies continue to test and deploy immersive AV technologies at a steady pace, the findings of the Trusted Connections 2025 report suggest that organisations seeking significant gains in productivity and collaboration will need to match innovation with improvements to infrastructure. The process of replacing ageing systems and addressing bottlenecks in connectivity and interoperability remains critical if the transition to a more immersive and dynamic working environment is to succeed.
The research also indicates that organisations are increasingly aware of the need for flexibility and resilience in their AV systems, particularly in response to the experiences of recent global disruptions. This focus on continuity planning and infrastructure renewal is expected to play a key role in supporting the next wave of AV technology adoption.
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