AV technology isn’t just evolving. It’s redefining how businesses collaborate, communicate and innovate. Now in its third year, Trusted Connections 2025 presents a deep dive into how businesses are investing in, deploying and relying on AV technology to stay ahead.
From global banks through to universities and major consumer brands, organisations are using AV to strengthen operations, enhance experiences and future-proof their business. But as economic pressures mount and workforce expectations shift, how is the industry evolving to meet these challenges head on?
Drawing on insights from 425 AV professionals across the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordics, this report provides an in-depth analysis of the trends, challenges and priorities shaping enterprise AV in 2025.
Here’s what we found:
Innovation takes centre stage
This year’s findings reveal a shift in the priorities of global enterprises towards innovation. In fact, nearly half (40%) of AV professionals surveyed state that introducing new innovations, such as immersive technologies, is their top priority this year.
Alongside innovation, 36% of enterprises are targeting productivity, improved security and replacing legacy technology. 35% are balancing sustainability with profitability, demonstrating a shift towards AV as a driver of both business success and environmental goals.
Workplace flexibility remains a key theme, as 34% of enterprises focus on enabling employees to ‘work from anywhere’, while 29% are prioritising employee wellbeing. It appears hybrid and remote work still dominate, but 19% of those surveyed are actively encouraging a return to the office.
AV spending in 2025 – who’s feeling the pinch?
Despite the growing recognition of AV technology’s role in business growth, innovation and workplace transformation, budget constraints continue to be a major challenge for enterprises in 2025.
Nearly half of those surveyed (46%) have had their budgets reduced in 2025, with some industries facing even steeper cuts. In law enforcement and higher education, nearly two-thirds (63%) have seen funding decrease, while the banking (47%), legal and judicial (45%) and government (46%) sectors are also feeling the strain.
The situation varies by region. In the UK, 55% of enterprises have experienced budget reductions, a slight increase from 54% in 2024. In Germany, there has been a notable improvement, with budget cuts dropping from 60% last year to 42% in 2025.
Lurking in the shadows – AV challenges
In 2023, our Trusted Connections report identified the ‘great rollback,’ as enterprises began dismantling the rushed hybrid tech deployed during Covid. This trend persisted in 2024, with backlogs and poorly integrated workflows leading to inefficiencies.
Now in 2025, many enterprises have upgraded to more advanced systems, but new challenges have emerged in terms of optimising these technologies and managing rising operational costs.
Despite financial pressures, enterprises remain committed to strategic AV investments. This year, 41% are focusing on network infrastructure and 36% are prioritising unified communication and collaboration (UCC) software.
Sustainability meets strategy
As enterprises grapple with interoperability challenges and the high cost of maintaining in-house AV equipment, many are planning for the future in more ways than one.
Sustainability has emerged as a key driver, with 72% of organisations now having clearly defined sustainability targets. However, sustainable solutions are also proving to be practical answers to today’s biggest AV issues.
AV as a Service (AVaaS) is a prime example. In fact, nearly half (44%) of those surveyed are planning to switch to AVaaS in 2025, which reduces the need for purchasing and replacing hardware. This allows companies to refurbish their existing kit, which can have a positive impact on cutting down on e-waste.
By aligning sustainability with business efficiency, enterprises are reducing costs, improving long-term resilience, and creating smarter AV ecosystems that balance innovation with environmental responsibility.
Immersive innovation
Whether it’s transforming all-hands meetings or stepping into the metaverse, innovation is reshaping workplace communication in 2025.
In fact, 44% of businesses now have an immersive reality strategy, with 49% actively using XR as part of their AV setups. And 50% of AV professionals are pushing this further with the use of personal avatars for remote calls.
However, adoption rates vary across industries. While law enforcement (50%), banking (49%), and higher education (46%) are embracing immersive AV, the government and public sector remain cautious, with only 29% prioritising these innovations.
As enterprises navigate this shift, digital literacy, privacy considerations, and leadership adaptation will be essential to unlocking the full potential of immersive AV.
Reshaping the office with data
The workplace has changed dramatically in recent years, shifting from fully remote setups to a gradual return to physical offices. In 2024, 63% of enterprises encouraged employees back, but in 2025, that number has dipped to 58%, reflecting ongoing debates around hybrid work models.
However, many enterprises still lack the right infrastructure to support hybrid work and 46% of AV professionals say their current setups aren’t fit for purpose.
As organisations seek smarter ways to manage their office space, 68% are turning to IoT technology. 31% are investing in analytics platforms to optimise layouts and address issues including overcrowded hot-desking and inadequate meeting rooms.
With 95% of enterprises recognising the value of workspace data, it’s clear that flexible, data-driven office strategies will be key to balancing in-person and hybrid work effectively.
IoT and worker wellbeing
Whether it’s the return to work or a focus on employee wellbeing, data remains king in 2025, but priorities are shifting.
While enterprises still rely on data to shape hybrid and remote work, the focus is changing. Fewer businesses (57%) are encouraging staff to install IoT technology at home, down from 65% in 2024.
Instead, monitoring technologies are being used to rebuild trust in the hybrid era. 61% of respondents see home analytics as a way to prevent quiet quitting by tracking workloads, burnout risks and promoting healthier work habits.
Security is also a growing priority. 71% of enterprises are collecting or planning to collect IP and location data. Meanwhile, 64% report productivity gains from analytics tracking.
Left to their own devices – AV and security
Hybrid work has expanded how and where employees connect, but it’s also introduced new security challenges.
57% of AV professionals are struggling to secure devices outside the office. While most (77%) guarantee strong encryption for in-office AV, this drops to 66% for remote setups, exposing vulnerabilities.
Shadow AV is also major issue, with 49% of enterprises affected as employees continue using unapproved personal devices.
More than half (52%) of enterprises are considering a ban on personal devices for work and 46% believe these devices are undermining remote working security.
To find out more about how global enterprises are changing their approach to AV and what the impact of changing working practices could have on your own organisation, see the full report here.
