What makes a media system "good"? As we can all attest, "good" is a relative term. So to know if something is good, we have to consider the right parameters by which to measure. In the world of media, we look for three main things: Outcome, Quality, and Cost. Let's look closer.
Outcome
Outcome is the end result of your system. It is able to accomplish something. The scale of positive to negative outcome ranges between accomplishing your goals verses prohibiting your goals. Of course, the more clearly defined your goals are, the better you can evaluate this metric. Most people only loosely think about their goals. This makes it really hard for both them and their consultant to make the best decisions. I suggest that most dissatisfaction in the business place is related to unclear expectations from the start.
Takeaway: ask yourself, does the system do or does the system prevent what I want?
Quality
Quality needs to be broken down into its own metrics. I look for three things to determine quality: Functionality, Aesthetics, and Longevity.
Functionality means: how easy is it for you to use/access and does it have glitches? If you can't access it, it's not functional. If you can't use it, it's not functional, if it keeps quitting on you, it's not functional. Even a really expensive system is dysfunctional if you, the consumer, can't use it. If your intend for technicians to use the set-up then they are the users.
Aesthetics means: does it look the part? Let's face it, most of the time we just want something to work reliably, but a LOT of our purchases are based on how it looks. That's not a bad thing. How something looks plays into our expectations. A lot depends on if we are using the system behind the scenes or in front of our constituents. Some people are willing to pay a lot of money simply so that it looks the way they want it to. That's for you, the consumer, to set the tone of what you want.
Longevity means: "am I going to have to change/replace the system any time soon?" Unless the desired outcome includes regular updates, most people just want to set up a system and not worry about it for years. As long as it works, then don't fix it. While there are great reasons to regularly evaluate your system, longevity is a huge part of picking out a new system. Will the equipment itself break? Will the system become incompatible with future technology or event expectations? Is the system only designed for one thing alone, or is it possible to add to it or use it in a variety of ways?
Takeaway: ask yourself, How easy is the system to use? Does it look like it should? Does it last as long as I would like?
Cost
Here is everyone's favorite metric: the bottom dollar! I would venture to guess most people are willing to bend much of the above considerations depending on the cost. "Spare no expense" is usually only found when building dinosaur parks. Cost is the hardest of the metrics to evaluate clearly, because it depends completely upon the previous two. There are two approaches: one is to find the best Outcome and Quality system and just bite the bullet on Cost. The other is to start with a range of budgets and find the best Quality system in that price range which meets the preferred Outcome. This second option is my personal preference. After I consult with my clients to determine their Outcomes, I provide three price points which present the best quality products for their price. Sometimes I add a few more options to accommodate those who don't yet have a firm Outcome in mind.
Where Cost matters most is getting the best outcome and quality for the dollar. Some systems are unrivaled in their quality, but are five times as expensive as a system which still meets the desired outcome. I have found this discussion the greatest cost saver to my clients. A lot of businesses (ones who have an invested interest in how much you spend) are going to push for Quality of product beyond the reasonable balance of Outcome and Cost.
Takeaway: Each three of these metrics: Outcome, Quality, and Cost form a triangle. The BEST systems, the ones we can call really good are the triangles where all three sides are equal. If one side is to be shorter, it would be great if it were cost! And sometimes we get lucky there. But most of the time, the cost is the base of the triangle, in which you can still build a sturdy system no matter the size, but your end results and the quality must not be so great as to tip over the low-budget triangle.
Good luck on evaluating your system! I stand ready to help with free initial consultations. Send me an email! Call my number! Get your best quality for your budget.
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