Shiten Patel, Partner Manager at Exacta Technologies, explores the uptake of AV technology across the public sector and how the UK can better integrate core solutions to elevate the delivery of public services now and in the future.
The public sector’s relationship with audio-visual (AV) technology has evolved significantly over the course of the last decade. Previously viewed as a luxury add-on to basic infrastructure, it is now recognised as essential technology that underpins everything from national defence training to emergency response coordination. Yet despite this growing importance, many public sector organisations are still failing to truly harness AV’s potential.
Photo by Alex Litvin / Unsplash
Public sector AV in action: aviation and defence manufacturing
AV technology has become a vital part of the UK’s public sector infrastructure, from council chambers to defence training centres. In local and central government, we’re seeing a wider adoption of tools like digital signage, hybrid meeting setups and real-time display systems for control rooms. Across the defence sector, the technology is being pushed even further – to support simulation, visualisation and secure communication in mission-critical environments.
As a leading global server manufacturer and solution provider, our work with Boeing Defence UK (BDUK) – a private contractor delivering advanced training capabilities on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) – shows the true value of AV solutions. Boeing needed a custom computing system to power its high-fidelity flight simulator, used to train RAF pilots.
The simulator blends real-world and synthetic training, offering operational benefits like reduced fuel consumption and longer aircraft lifespan, while also delivering a highly realistic, immersive training environment. Our team delivered 54 custom systems, built to exacting specs and tight deadlines, to ensure the simulator would perform flawlessly. It’s a great example of AV and hardware converging to deliver something genuinely cutting-edge.
Key requirements and the need for a strategic mindset
AV solutions for the public sector need to be reliable, secure and simple to use, especially when systems are used in environments like control rooms, command centres or training simulators. Operating across emergency services and ensuring the entire safety of British citizens is paramount. Therefore, the technology in place simply cannot fail. There’s also an increasing need for solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing IT and legacy platforms, as well as growing interest in future scalability.
That said, key challenges from budget pressures, complex procurement processes and legacy infrastructure can all slow down decision making. Security and compliance are also major factors. Organisations are often handling sensitive data, which means every part of the system – hardware included – needs to be robust and secure.
Looking at the wider public sector, we’re seeing momentum in areas like defence, transport and emergency services. But some organisations are still playing catch-up. A lot of this comes down to constrained budgets, lengthy procurement cycles and sometimes a lack of awareness in what modern AV can offer. We’d love to see more strategic thinking in this space, where AV isn’t just seen as a bolt-on but as a core tool that supports public service delivery, whether that’s keeping the public informed, training emergency responders or enabling collaboration between remote teams.
The key lies in understanding how public sector procurement works – frameworks, regulations, social value and building strong relationships based on trust and delivery.
For us, being awarded the Boeing simulator contract was a great example of that. We won the work during the pandemic, under tough circumstances, and delivered everything on time and to spec. That level of consistency and service is exactly what the public sector needs.
Wider investment in AV and role of high-quality hardware in the future
Current public spending pressures are clear for all to see, with increased scrutiny on return on investment across all technology purchases. However, mission-critical sectors like defence and emergency services continue to invest, but with greater focus on solutions that deliver measurable efficiency gains, time savings and long-term resilience. The shift towards more flexible procurement models, including leasing arrangements, reflects this new reality. Organisations are seeking ways to access cutting-edge technology without the traditional capital expenditure burden.
Looking ahead, we expect to see a continued push towards hybrid working solutions, enhanced video capabilities and more intelligent, integrated AV systems, especially in transport, defence and emergency response. AI-driven video analytics, real-time monitoring tools and immersive technologies such as VR and AR are also becoming more prevalent, particularly for training and simulation.
As public sector organisations look to maximise value while improving performance, there’s a clear demand for reliable, high spec, on-premise hardware that can handle the increasingly complex software powering modern AV solutions. That’s where companies like Exacta Technologies come in. We work closely with software providers to deliver purpose-built, branded hardware that’s optimised, secure and ready to deploy.
We believe that investing in dedicated hardware, built to the exact needs of the application, not only ensures performance and reliability but also gives software companies greater control, better long-term support options and a stronger value proposition when delivering into the public sector.
The path forward requires partnership between public sector buyers and technology suppliers who understand the unique requirements of the market. It demands solutions that meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs and challenges. Most importantly, it requires acknowledging that in a digital world, AV technology isn’t just about supporting frontline public services, it’s enabling public sector leaders to evolve and improve in ways that bring direct value to the general public.
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