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Higher Ed AV Podcast
Episode 340
In this special episode, Joe Way is joined by Sahil Dhingra, Cofounder & CEO of XTEN-AV, and Chris Dechter, University of Wyoming and AV SuperFriends, for a practical, higher ed focused walk-through of how teams are using XTEN-AV to design, document, standardize, and scale AV work as more institutions bring design/installation in-house. They break down “where do I even start?” for new users, share real workflows from fast departmental refreshes to integrator handoff packages, and preview what’s coming next for the product.Featured Guests
- Sahil Dhingra: Cofounder & CEO, XTEN-AV
- Chris Dechter: Manager for Instructional Technology, University of Wyoming; Founder/Host, AV SuperFriends
Why this conversation matters (higher ed context)Higher ed teams are increasingly operating like in-house integrators, but many don’t have the same tools or documentation workflows as traditional integrators. This episode focuses on how XTEN-AV can become the “single source of truth” for BOMs, schematics, rack elevations, cable schedules, proposals, and handoff documentation without living in a mess of disconnected spreadsheets and files.Key Highlights
- Joe frames the session as tips, tricks, and power-user workflows—not a sales pitch—plus a reminder that opinions shared are personal/experience-based.
- Sahil explains why higher ed tends to be a strong fit: more aligned workflows, more realistic expectations for subscription software, and strong adoption/retention patterns.
- Chris shares his “power user” reality: hundreds of projects, a massive personal library, and a workflow that covers schematics, rack elevations, lectern layouts, and internal labor tracking—all in one platform.
- A major theme: standardization + rapid duplication (template room types) while still allowing the “departmental one-off” variations that always come back 1–2 years later.
- Real-world documentation strategy: don’t overwhelm clients with a full BOM unless requested; give them a clear scope and a number—keep flexibility for substitutions and supply chain changes.
- Sahil demos the ecosystem: XTEN-AV modules (drawing, docs/proposals, project management) plus the AI layer (XAVIA) and how it can generate a starting design fast.
- The “time savers” get loud: auto cable schedules, front elevations, submittals/spec-sheet bundles, and export options for downstream workflows.
- ISE teaser: improvements to AI personalization, plus better organization for multi-room/multi-floor projects and “areas” that let multiple rooms live under one umbrella.
- Training question answered: XTEN-AV describes an onboarding approach with dedicated support/CSM access early on (as discussed in the session).
Practical takeaways (tips & tricks you can steal immediately)
- Start with a project you already know (ideally one you just completed). You’ll learn faster when the room, gear, and constraints are real—not demo-fiction.
- Build standards as templates (room types / kits), then duplicate + tweak for departments. This is where the time savings compound.
- Create and curate your own library: clone from the shared catalog, remove “junk ports,” add placeholders (“existing TV,” “OFE projector”), and keep blocks readable.
- Use “packages/kits” for paired items (encoder/decoder sets, extender pairs) to reduce BOM mistakes.
- Document every request (even the “10% chance” departments). Future-you will thank present-you when they reappear two years later.
- Separate client clarity from engineering detail: clients want outcomes + total cost; engineers want cable IDs, ports, rack units, and layouts.
- Add a contingency buffer to protect estimates against unknowns (Chris uses a larger buffer so the final cost often lands under the estimate).
- When working with integrators: hand them your design intent and documentation so you’re not stuck supporting someone else’s inconsistent as-builts later.
- Leverage auto-generated documentation (cable schedules, rack elevations, submittals/spec sheets) to reclaim hours that are pure “busy work.”
- Treat AI output as a fast starting point—then apply your campus standards (naming, port conventions, network rules, drawing style) before it becomes the “truth.”
What’s new / what’s next (from the discussion)
- XAVIA AI agent: create a BOM and generate designs from prompts (typed or voice), then refine to match institutional standards.
- Stronger project organization: a “locations” concept (e.g., building → floors → rooms) to reduce project sprawl and improve navigation.
- Multi-room/area workflows: support for grouping multiple rooms into a single structured deliverable (especially useful outside higher ed, but still relevant for multi-space campus work).
Connect with Sahil Dhingra and XTEN-AV:
Connect with Chris Dechter and AV SuperFriends:
