340: Special Episode: Unlock XTEN-AV: What's New, What's Next

Higher Ed AV Podcast Episode 340 In this special episode, Joe Way is joined by Sahil Dhingra, Cofounder & CEO of XTEN-AV, and Chris Dechter, University of Wyoming and AV SuperFriends, for a practical, higher ed focused walk-through of how teams are using XTEN-AV to design, document, standardize, and scale AV work as more institutions bring design/installation in-house. They break down “where do I even start?” for new users, share real workflows from fast departmental refreshes to integrator handoff packages, and preview what’s coming next for the product.Featured Guests Sahil Dhingra: Cofounder & CEO, XTEN-AV Chris Dechter: Manager for Instructional Technology, University of Wyoming; Founder/Host, AV SuperFriends Why this conversation matters (higher ed context)Higher ed teams are increasingly operating like in-house integrators, but many don’t have the same tools or documentation workflows as traditional integrators. This episode focuses on how XTEN-AV can become the “single source of truth” for BOMs, schematics, rack elevations, cable schedules, proposals, and handoff documentation without living in a mess of disconnected spreadsheets and files.Key Highlights Joe frames the session as tips, tricks, and power-user workflows—not a sales pitch—plus a reminder that opinions shared are personal/experience-based. Sahil explains why higher ed tends to be a strong fit: more aligned workflows, more realistic expectations for subscription software, and strong adoption/retention patterns. Chris shares his “power user” reality: hundreds of projects, a massive personal library, and a workflow that covers schematics, rack elevations, lectern layouts, and internal labor tracking—all in one platform. A major theme: standardization + rapid duplication (template room types) while still allowing the “departmental one-off” variations that always come back 1–2 years later. Real-world documentation strategy: don’t overwhelm clients with a full BOM unless requested; give them a clear scope and a number—keep flexibility for substitutions and supply chain changes. Sahil demos the ecosystem: XTEN-AV modules (drawing, docs/proposals, project management) plus the AI layer (XAVIA) and how it can generate a starting design fast. The “time savers” get loud: auto cable schedules, front elevations, submittals/spec-sheet bundles, and export options for downstream workflows. ISE teaser: improvements to AI personalization, plus better organization for multi-room/multi-floor projects and “areas” that let multiple rooms live under one umbrella. Training question answered: XTEN-AV describes an onboarding approach with dedicated support/CSM access early on (as discussed in the session). Practical takeaways (tips & tricks you can steal immediately) Start with a project you already know (ideally one you just completed). You’ll learn faster when the room, gear, and constraints are real—not demo-fiction. Build standards as templates (room types / kits), then duplicate + tweak for departments. This is where the time savings compound. Create and curate your own library: clone from the shared catalog, remove “junk ports,” add placeholders (“existing TV,” “OFE projector”), and keep blocks readable. Use “packages/kits” for paired items (encoder/decoder sets, extender pairs) to reduce BOM mistakes. Document every request (even the “10% chance” departments). Future-you will thank present-you when they reappear two years later. Separate client clarity from engineering detail: clients want outcomes + total cost; engineers want cable IDs, ports, rack units, and layouts. Add a contingency buffer to protect estimates against unknowns (Chris uses a larger buffer so the final cost often lands under the estimate). When working with integrators: hand them your design intent and documentation so you’re not stuck supporting someone else’s inconsistent as-builts later. Leverage auto-generated documentation (cable schedules, rack elevations, submittals/spec sheets) to reclaim hours that are pure “busy work.” Treat AI output as a fast starting point—then apply your campus standards (naming, port conventions, network rules, drawing style) before it becomes the “truth.” What’s new / what’s next (from the discussion) XAVIA AI agent: create a BOM and generate designs from prompts (typed or voice), then refine to match institutional standards. Stronger project organization: a “locations” concept (e.g., building → floors → rooms) to reduce project sprawl and improve navigation. Multi-room/area workflows: support for grouping multiple rooms into a single structured deliverable (especially useful outside higher ed, but still relevant for multi-space campus work). Connect with Sahil Dhingra and XTEN-AV: Website: https://www.xtenav.com Free Trial: https://app.xtenav.com/register?utm_source=HETMA&utm_medium=14jan&utm_campaign=webinar 40% Off: https://app.xtenav.com/josiahway-payment-link Sahil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahildhingra00/ Connect with Chris Dechter and AV SuperFriends: Website: https://www.AVSuperFriends.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdechter/ Connect with Joe Way: Web: https://www.josiahway.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/josiahway X (Formerly Twitter): https://www.x.com/josiahway Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josiahway