Deploying technology globally can be a great help to many organizations, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Anyone that has traveled to another country knows that technology — things as simple as outlets to voltage inputs/outputs — can change drastically from place to place. It only becomes more complicated when high-tech, integrated technology needs to operate across multiple countries at the same time. This kind of project results in some complicated considerations and needs an expert touch to help successfully and seamlessly get to the finish line.
With this in mind, here are some special considerations when looking to begin this kind of project:
Beware and Budget for Taxes
When purchasing technology for or from other countries, it is important to be aware of value-added tax (VAT), “a consumption tax that applies to all goods and services, whether physical or digital” (according to Quaderno). This means every time a customer purchases a good or service in the European Union, they pay VAT on the spot. The cost also changes depending on where the customer is located and can range from 17% to 27%. If VAT is not pre-budgeted properly, a project’s bottom line could turn red very quickly.
Know the Regulations
Compliance has become one of the most complicated aspects of any business, and that’s especially true for companies that work internationally. From security to video conferencing tools, laws and regulations for technology are constantly changing and largely differ from country to country. Technology projects can experience regulations on one level or multiple, including but not limited to nation-wide, city, county, building code, and industry-specific.
To make this even more complicated, regulations on new technology in the United States is still being debated and discussed, so it’s important to pick a technology or audiovisual integrator that is educated on the continuing discussions on U.S. regulations, as well as international compliance laws. Extra steps (and costs) may have to be added for certain projects to meet all the different requirements.
Consider the ‘Simple’ Things
At the most basic level, deploying globally can be challenging from simple things like differing outlets and voltage; basic technology, like displays, might need to be adjusted to whatever the current technology in-house is. But lets even go a step further and go to every-day devices like cell phones and computers. As the Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) movement grows, as well as more and more of the workforce transitions to remote work, integrated technology needs be be able to adapt to each country’s preference in technology brands.
These are just a few basic examples of the quirks that come with deploying technology globally. As a PSNI Global Alliance affiliate, Vistacom is connected to a vast network of 74 global partners in 40 countries across six continents. PSNI Global Alliance has created a unique program that addresses all systems integration challenges when companies improve and expand their presence anywhere in the world. The PSNI Global Deployment Certification prepares and certifies integration firms to work with clients and other integrators around the world so they can deliver consistent, high-quality results by using the same standards and best practices. They also hold each other accountable through peer reviews to ensure all integration teams meet or exceed customer expectations.
As a Global Deployment Certified company, Vistacom has been able to work with PSNI affiliates around the world to successfully complete AV projects outside of the United States. Establishing relationships with fellow certified PSNI affiliates enables Vistacom’s customers to be assured that they are always going to get the same standardized, superior service regardless of where in the world they are located.
To learn more about taking your business global, contact us today.