AI agents can now communicate directly and take action autonomously, but they need a common language, which is where the Model Context Protocol (MCP) comes in. A look at MCP and how it will transform the AV industry.

At ISE 2025, Xyte VP of Sales Andrew Gross spoke with Gerald Wintersinger, Head of Service Solutions at Macom, to discuss why sustainability and flexibility have become priorities for customers, and how the AV industry should respond.

From cloud integration to analytics, from asset management to evolving business models, here are the key trends the Xyte team identified at ISE 2025. (Hint: our platform’s relevance across the value chain was abundantly clear).

Cloud-based remote monitoring and management (RMM) is transforming how higher education institutions oversee their AV infrastructure. A unified, vendor-agnostic platform provides real-time visibility and ensures seamless operations at scale.

Adopting RMM for AV isn’t just a technical improvement - it’s a strategic move that aligns IT operations with broader business goals.

The best AV consultants aren't just keeping up with trends - they're anticipating what's coming next and helping their clients prepare for it.

Xyte’s inaugural AV Cloud Data Report: State of the Industry 2025 provides a snapshot of cloud adoption trends within the AV industry, offering insights from anonymized data collected through our platform and from the first-ever AV Cloud Summit.

In an increasingly complex IT landscape, more and more AV manufacturers and system integrators are turning to cloud-based centralized file repositories as a simple, effective and cost-effective way to stay organized and improve collaboration.

In the multi-layered and interconnected AV industry, effective warranty management is how manufacturers, distributors and integrators oversee and optimize the lifecycle of multiple and diverse products and systems.

Trends and reality met in Xyte’s recent AV Cloud Summit, as our insights were backed up by real-time industry sentiments from the hands-on AV decision makers in the audience.

The discussions at the first AV Cloud Summit centered on the need for a unified, interoperable cloud platform that enables effective, seamless, centralized and efficient management.

For integrators and end-users alike, cloud-to-cloud connections – or the lack thereof – is a huge challenge in the AV industry. Nearly every AV equipment manufacturer has its own cloud environment and APIs, which means that anyone using devices from multiple brands (i.e. everyone) must navigate the complexities of different cloud systems for each. 

One big challenge facing AV/UC systems integrators and dealers is the number of solutions they need to juggle. Until now, there's been no way to manage UC devices, audio devices, displays, as well Zoom or MS Teams from different vendors in one place.

Smart buildings rely on a network of sensors, systems, and software to manage lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), security, and energy consumption, requiring the implementation of a centralized IoT device management system. 

Instead of purchasing, maintaining, and updating robots, Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) enables companies to access advanced robotics through cloud-based services. This lets them scale robotic operations as needed.

In the AV industry, license management has evolved to address an increasingly complex ecosystem of devices and services. Offering software-based licenses can be a first step and entry strategy for manufacturers considering full AV-as-a-Service models. 

AV dealers and systems integrators operate in a notoriously competitive and challenging market, lacking end-to-end remote device monitoring, a unified view of customers, devices, and services, and the ability to manage multiple tenants in a single platform. What can they do to come out on top?

IoT remote control is the ability to operate internet-connected devices or systems from a distant location, empowering users to monitor the operational status of IoT devices, gather and analyze relevant data, and exert control over device functions.

IoT fleet management is a comprehensive system that employs internet-connected devices to systematically collect, analyze, and use data derived from a group of vehicles or assets.

An IoT platform is software designed to manage and derive value from interconnected IoT devices. Core capabilities of an IoT platform usually include device management alongside data ingestion, processing, and storage that enable collection, transformation, and preservation of data generated by devices.

With servitization, manufacturers bundle physical products with additional services. This creates a solution that caters to the customer's overall needs, and not just their need for the product itself, which benefits all parties.

Traditional industries are undergoing a transformation through servitization. This shift moves beyond selling physical products and focuses on delivering comprehensive service packages.

IoT monetization refers to turning the Internet of Things (IoT) devices and ecosystems into revenue streams. Beyond simply selling the devices themselves, companies can achieve IoT monetization through various models.

According to a recent report, it’s taking much longer to launch IoT products today compared to even just a few years ago, an 80% increase since 2020. What’s causing the delays, and what can be done about it?

From fitness trackers to smart speakers, IoT devices are becoming increasingly common, used in industries from healthcare to agriculture to create automation and improve efficiency. However, with this growth comes the critical need for robust security measures to safeguard the data these devices collect.

Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) is a subscription model that bundles hardware, software, and device management for businesses, through which customers pay a monthly fee per user instead of purchasing devices outright. The DaaS provider takes care of everything from initial setup and deployment to ongoing maintenance, security updates, and data backups.

Remote Device Management (RDM) enables remote control and maintenance of various devices. Like a virtual IT helper, RDM allows you to set up, monitor, and maintain smartphones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and even industrial or infrastructure equipment - all without being physically present.

IoT Device Management acts as the central nervous system for your connected devices, ensuring they operate securely and efficiently, and deliver valuable data for informed decision-making.

Remote Asset Management (RAM) uses technology to oversee and manage equipment distributed across large distances or located in hard-to-access locations. From wind farms monitoring turbines to factories tracking machinery, RAM enhances overall efficiency, maximizes asset lifespan, and ensures smooth operations.

LoRaWAN, a long-range IoT protocol, connects devices across vast distances for applications like smart cities and asset tracking. Yet its true power lies in transforming raw sensor data at scale into actionable insights via a smart application layer.

Instead of a hefty upfront cost, Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS) offers predictable payments and removes the burden of ownership. The EaaS provider, often the manufacturer, handles maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, ensuring you have the latest equipment. This is particularly attractive for complex machinery, where breakdowns can be costly.

IoT predictive maintenance is a data-driven approach to equipment care. It utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) by embedding sensors directly in machines. These sensors continuously gather information on vital metrics like temperature, vibration, and other operational data.

Sensors in factories, wearables on our bodies, and smart appliances in our homes all contribute to a massive stream of raw information. But this data is like a locked vault – its true value lies in what we can unlock and understand. IoT Data Visualization is the process of transforming raw data into clear and actionable visuals.

Forward-thinking device manufacturers across multiple industries are taking advantage of always-on cellular connectivity to ensure frictionless customer experiences while offering integrated solutions and increasing their margins. In the era of digitalization, how can device manufacturers leverage their current fleet of devices to develop high-margin services as a new growth engine?

Remote Management and Monitoring (RMM) has become mission-critical for AV manufacturers and OEMs to ensure seamless product functionality and customer satisfaction. That makes choosing the right RMM platform a strategic decision that organizations can’t afford to take lightly.

The benefits of cloud connectivity for hardware and device manufacturers and their customers can be substantial. Yet hardware manufacturers remain understandably hesitant to connect their devices to the cloud – primarily owing to security concerns. What are the key capabilities manufacturers need to effectively secure devices and enjoy the full potential of revenue, functionality and user experience that device connectivity offers?

The servitization business model revolutionizes how companies meet customer needs. It moves manufacturers and OEMs beyond selling products only and enables them to offer a comprehensive solution that encompasses both the product itself and ongoing services.

IoT remote monitoring involves placing sensors in various devices to collect data like temperature, energy use, or pressure in real-time. From industrial giants to smart home users, IoT remote monitoring is revolutionizing the way we manage our world.

IoT connectivity is the nervous system of the Internet of Things (IoT). It's what allows smart devices - from thermostats to wearables and everything in between - to talk to each other and the outside world.

The as-a-service mindset and framework, coupled with the right software tech stack, can unlock the true potential of the aftermarket.

ISE 2024 showcased numerous emerging trends within the commercial AV industry, highlighting the increasing emphasis on sustainability, command and control systems, and the ongoing software revolution.

The shift to servitization is transforming industries, from manufacturing to retail and everything in-between. In this blog, we’ll explore the fundamentals of servitization – methods, benefits, challenges and more.

IoT connections literally span the globe, and IoT devices are integrated into nearly every facet of modern life. Drill down into what makes B2B IoT tick, and how to kick yours into gear.

Xyte was born of the realization that device and hardware manufacturers must transform their businesses in order to navigate the changing tides of economy, technology, and consumer behavior.

A deep dive into the financial side of the HaaS revolution – how to navigate the multifaceted matrix of HaaS payment models versus the traditional model of upfront capital commitments.

How would it change your business if you or your channel partners could monitor, configure, update and maintain equipment and devices from anywhere, in real time?

Embracing a proven ecosystem helps you shift focus from building to benefits.

Can a business model actually have a significant impact in the future of our planet? XaaS can. The XaaS (Anything-as-a-Service) model optimizes resource use, and reduces waste.

Customers' needs have changed. So has the business models in the manufacturing industry. Read the insights from Intel and Xyte.

Explore the revolutionary shift to as-a-Service business models with insights from Xyte and Volvo Group Digital & IT. Dive into the considerations that are redefining product value for manufacturers, channel partners, and end-users.

Understand what the hardware as a service model consists of and why it makes good business sense for manufacturers and end users.

The surrounding digital infrastructure is important to enable repeatable revenue streams from your hardware. So how can hardware manufacturers achieve Business Essentials–like capabilities, despite their focus on hardware development?

Even though Hardware-as-a-Service encapsulates tremendous opportunities for hardware manufacturers, so far only a handful of companies have successfully introduced new HaaS/HWaaS business models. This is surprising – after all, no one wants to be the Blockbuster of their industry.

Usage-based pricing enables the customer to be billed based on their actual usage of the service or device rather than paying for access to features that they may or may not ultimately take advantage of. This model can be advantageous for both the manufacturer and the customer, as it allows for more cost-effective pricing based on actual usage.

The proliferation of the subscription economy, cloud technology, and the Internet of Things over the past decade has led to a significant shift in customer expectations, forcing device manufacturers to rethink the services they provide and transform their go-to-market strategy.

Channel partners play a central role in every B2B supply chain. While hardware and software providers might be the brands we all know, no complex B2B project can be completed without the domain expertise of channel partners offering pre- and post-sales professional services.