Forté Acquires Vega Global Highlighting Shift to Service Ownership in AV Solutions

Forté's acquisition of Vega Global, announced in late August 2026, marks a significant consolidation in the enterprise audiovisual (AV) sector, adding over 750 employees across 17 Asia-Pacific countries. This move signals a shift in how global enterprises approach AV solutions, transitioning from fragmented local projects to a unified operating model that emphasizes service ownership and standardized outcomes. As AV integrators increasingly prioritize scale, the implications for procurement strategies and vendor relationships are profound.

The InfoComm 2026 event showcased this trend, with major players like Cisco, Crestron, and HP highlighting platforms that focus on ongoing management rather than isolated installations. Cisco's introduction of RoomOS 26, which integrates AI capabilities directly into meeting rooms, illustrates the evolution of these spaces into sophisticated operational nodes rather than mere hardware setups. This shift is indicative of a broader market trend where the emphasis is on service continuity, uptime, and lifecycle management, rather than simply the bill of materials associated with AV installations.

As service revenue now accounts for 38% of channel income, surpassing hardware at 36%, the criteria for evaluating integrators have fundamentally changed. Enterprises are increasingly looking for providers who can ensure consistent performance and manage complex systems across multiple locations. Forté's transition from a federation model to direct ownership reflects this demand for accountability and streamlined service delivery, as multinationals prefer a single provider capable of enforcing standards and managing security across their AV operations.

The introduction of "edge AI" capabilities, such as those found in Cisco's RoomOS 26, further complicates the landscape. These on-device agents enhance room functionality while reducing reliance on cloud connectivity, but they also impose new requirements for endpoint governance and device lifecycle management. The expectation for real-time performance monitoring and proactive maintenance is reshaping how companies assess their AV needs, pushing IT operations to the forefront of decision-making processes that were traditionally handled by facilities managers.

HP's integration of Poly Lens into its Workforce Experience Platform at InfoComm 2026 underscores the growing importance of management visibility in the AV space. This trend is echoed by Crestron, which is positioning its offerings to meet the demands of enterprises seeking venue-class operations. The focus has shifted from merely enhancing the in-room experience to optimizing the entire fleet of AV devices, emphasizing standardized configurations and predictable service outcomes.

Cisco's broader Webex AI roadmap indicates that these advancements are not confined to meeting rooms. New AI-driven features are set to extend into contact center operations, raising questions about governance and performance metrics across both collaboration and customer-facing environments. This integration of AI across platforms suggests that companies will need to adopt a holistic approach to managing both human and AI interactions, ensuring that operational efficiencies are realized throughout the organization.

The accelerating consolidation in the AV market reflects a strategic pivot towards managed services, which are increasingly viewed as the primary growth opportunity. As enterprises seek to streamline their AV procurement processes, they are likely to prioritize providers that can deliver comprehensive service models over those offering one-off installations. This trend will drive further mergers and acquisitions as companies aim to enhance their service capabilities and operational efficiencies.

Looking ahead, businesses should prepare for a landscape where AV procurement is closely tied to ongoing performance metrics and service-level agreements. This shift will necessitate a reevaluation of how organizations structure their AV contracts, focusing on monitoring capabilities, device compliance, and response times. As the market continues to evolve, companies that embrace this new paradigm and invest in integrated management solutions will be better positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.