In this episode of Pro AV Today, host Ben Thomas sits down with Mark Barragan and Jeff Fox from Zoom to discuss the critical role of partner certifications in the world of Pro AV. Here's what they covered: The Need for Collaboration & Certifications: There is a growing importance of collaboration across industries and working closely with software providers to certify products. Jeff and Mark agree that in today's environment, clarity in guidelines and alignment of devices, software, and equipment is vital. Historical Shift in the Pro AV World: Mark notes the historical tendency of the Pro AV world to work within exclusive ecosystems. However, the pandemic accelerated a shift towards greater collaboration with different platforms, hardware manufacturers, and software providers. This change has been essential for both Pro AV and Zoom, ensuring that customers' spaces are standardized and outfitted for video collaboration. The Certification Process: Jeff provides insight into the Zoom certification process, emphasizing the inclusive approach that aims to make it straightforward for manufacturers. By working closely with them and aligning with third-party labs, Zoom ensures a clear path to certification and integration into their ecosystem. The Weight of Certification with End Users: According to Mark, while smaller deployments may not value certification as much, larger customers consider it a must. Ensuring certified equipment and software gives customers the confidence that what they're installing will be supported both by Zoom and the AV community. This enlightening conversation highlights the shifting landscape of the Pro AV industry, the significant role of certifications, and the mutual benefits of collaboration. Tune in to hear directly from the experts at Zoom about how certifications are shaping the future of Pro AV.