Revolutionising AV technologies: The need for infrastructure modernisation

Recent research from Kinly's Trusted Connections 2025 study reveals that one in ten organisations are propelling forward by investing in transformative technologies like holograms and avatars. Yet, amidst rapid advancement in immersive innovation, the spotlight turns to a significant obstacle—outdated infrastructures.

The study shows a striking disparity. Only 36% are replacing legacy technologies despite the prevailing admission from 63% of organisations that their existing AV setups hamper productivity. The race for personal avatars and VR headsets is intense, with half (50%) of enterprises adopting avatars for virtual calls and 52% testing VR headsets in their AV portfolio.

Nevertheless, infrastructure issues are worsening. Up from 24% in 2024, defective network structures now hinder 32% of businesses. System interoperability woes, affecting 34% of organisations, mirror a 9% increase year over year. Compounding this, 27% of businesses identify disjointed supply chains as a growing snag in unleashing significant value from innovative investments.

To elevate their tech investments, firms need a strategic shift. Addressing foundational infrastructure can dramatically enhance the potential of tools like holograms and avatars. Robust systems lay the groundwork for these advancements to fulfil their promise of heightened productivity.

Significantly, this strategic transition is underway. The research unveils a positive trend - 61% of businesses prioritise AI as a pivotal AV technology this year. Concurrently, 71% proactively integrate it to enhance workflow efficiency - a testament to leadership recognition of the urgency for adaptable systems to bridge the gap between ambition and execution.

Moreover, this foundational-first approach encompasses crisis readiness. The study highlights that 68% of organisations have curated specific AV continuity plans anticipating future pandemics, accentuating the importance of resilient infrastructure when normalcy is disrupted.

Simon Watson, Global Head of Innovation at Kinly, commented: “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."