Part 1: Why Small Displays Are the Next Big Opportunity in ProAV
In ProAV, conversations about displays usually focus on the biggest screens in the room such as large-format displays, LED walls, and projection systems. But if you step into almost any modern AV deployment today, you’ll notice something else:
Small displays are everywhere.
From room scheduling panels and digital signage endpoints to kiosks, control interfaces, and collaboration tools, small-format displays (7"–32") have quietly become one of the most important components in modern AV environments.
For systems integrators and AV consultants, this shift represents a significant opportunity both in how AV systems are designed and in where the real user interaction happens.
Welcome to The Small Display Playbook for Systems Integrators, a series from Mimo exploring how small displays are reshaping AV deployments across workplaces, healthcare environments, retail spaces, hospitality venues, and smart buildings.
The Evolution of AV System Architecture
Traditional AV systems were built around a centralized model:
- One large display
- One control interface
- A rack of equipment managing sources and switching
- A limited number of interaction points
In this architecture, most of the technology lived behind the scenes. The large display was the centerpiece, and the rest of the system supported it. But AV environments have evolved.
Today’s systems are increasingly distributed, interactive, and network-driven. Instead of a single focal point, AV infrastructure now connects multiple devices and endpoints throughout a facility. And many of those endpoints are small displays.
Introducing the “Small Display Layer”
As AV systems become more connected and user-centric, a new architectural layer has emerged: what we can think of as the Small Display Layer.
This layer consists of the interactive display endpoints spread across a space or building that allow users to engage with AV systems and digital information. Examples include:
- Room scheduling displays outside meeting rooms
- Touch panels controlling conferencing systems
- Digital signage endpoints in hallways or lobbies
- Self-service kiosks and check-in stations
- Wayfinding displays in large facilities
- Collaboration displays used for wireless content sharing
These displays are typically smaller than the main presentation screen, but they play an outsized role in the day-to-day experience of the technology environment. In fact, in many spaces they represent the primary interaction point between users and AV systems.
The “Last Three Feet” of the AV Experience
Large displays deliver content to a room. Small displays deliver the user experience. Consider where people actually interact with AV technology:
- Checking room availability outside a conference space
- Starting or controlling a meeting from a touch panel
- Checking into an appointment or event at a kiosk
- Navigating a building using wayfinding displays
- Sharing content wirelessly during a meeting
These interactions typically happen within arm’s reach of the user. In other words, they occur in the last three feet of the AV experience. For systems integrators, this is where design decisions can have the greatest impact on usability. If these interfaces are intuitive and reliable, technology adoption improves. If they are confusing or unreliable, even the most advanced AV system can feel frustrating to users.
Why Small Displays Matter More Than Ever
Several industry trends are accelerating the importance of small display endpoints.
1. The Rise of Hybrid Work
Modern workplaces require flexible meeting environments, room scheduling systems, and intuitive collaboration tools. Small displays enable many of these capabilities.
2. Smart Buildings and IoT Integration
Facilities are becoming more connected, with displays acting as endpoints for building management systems, dashboards, and data visualization.
3. Distributed AV Systems
With AV-over-IP architectures, devices no longer need to be centralized in a rack. Displays can be deployed wherever users need access to information or control.
4. User-Centric Design
Organizations increasingly prioritize ease of use and user experience when designing technology environments. Small interactive displays play a central role in delivering that experience.
New Opportunities for Systems Integrators
For integrators and consultants, small displays aren’t just accessories - they represent new design opportunities. They allow integrators to:
- Improve user experience - Intuitive interfaces make technology easier to use and support faster adoption.
- Expand system functionality - Displays can serve multiple purposes such as control panels, signage endpoints, information displays, or collaboration tools.
- Enable scalable deployments - Networked display endpoints can be deployed across large campuses, hospitals, corporate offices, and hospitality environments.
- Create new revenue streams - Small display deployments often expand the scope of AV projects beyond traditional meeting spaces.
In many environments, the number of small displays deployed may actually exceed the number of large displays.
Not All Small Displays Are Built for Commercial AV
As the demand for small displays increases, integrators face an important consideration: choosing hardware designed for commercial AV environments. Consumer tablets or commodity displays can sometimes appear attractive for simple installations, but they often introduce long-term challenges such as:
- Short product lifecycles
- Limited mounting and integration options
- Thermal constraints in continuous-use environments
- Lack of centralized device management
- Inconsistent availability for multi-year deployments
Commercial-grade displays designed specifically for professional environments address these challenges with features like:
- Long lifecycle availability
- Flexible mounting and integration options
- Reliable touch performance
- Continuous-use durability
- Enterprise device management capabilities
As small displays become integral components of AV infrastructure, these design factors become increasingly important.
The Opportunity Ahead
The ProAV industry is entering an era where systems are becoming more distributed, more interactive, and more user-centric. Small displays sit right at the center of this transformation.
They create the interface layer between users and the technology systems around them, shaping how people interact with spaces, information, and collaboration tools.
For systems integrators, understanding how to design, specify, and deploy these devices effectively will become an increasingly valuable skill.
Coming Next in the Series
The Small Display Playbook for Systems Integrators – Part 2
The “Last Mile” of AV: Where Small Displays Deliver the Most Value
In the next article, we’ll explore real-world deployment scenarios where small displays deliver the greatest impact, including:
- Room scheduling systems
- Meeting room control interfaces
- Digital signage endpoints
- Self-service kiosks and check-in systems
- Wayfinding and facility navigation
Understanding these applications can help integrators unlock new opportunities and deliver better user experiences across modern AV environments.
