In the AV integration business, your software tools are only as powerful as the people using them. When your team can confidently design, quote, and deliver AV projects using your chosen platform, everything runs smoother—faster turnaround times, fewer errors, and happier clients. As many AV professionals begin to shift away from traditional solutions like D-Tools, onboarding and training become critical to success. Transitioning to a new tool requires more than just buying licenses. It means equipping your team with the skills and confidence to use it effectively.

One of the most recommended D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators is XTEN-AV, a modern, cloud-based platform designed to streamline AV design, quoting, and documentation. XTEN-AV not only offers robust features but also makes training your team easier with intuitive workflows, built-in guidance, and responsive support.

In this blog, we’ll break down how to effectively train your team on a D-Tools alternative, with a strong focus on XTEN-AV’s capabilities and training ecosystem.

Why Training Matters When Switching from D-Tools

D-Tools has been a standard in the AV world for years, so switching to a new platform might feel daunting to some team members. However, modern tools like XTEN-AV are built with simplicity and user experience in mind. That said, without a proper training plan, even the best software can become underutilized or misused.

Benefits of proper training

• Accelerated user adoption

• Reduced onboarding time for new hires

• Increased accuracy in system design and quoting

• Better collaboration between departments

• Faster return on software investment

Training your team right ensures a smoother transition and sets you up for long-term success.

Start with a Team Assessment

Before diving into training, assess your team’s current workflow and technical skills. Identify which roles will be using the software and how. This helps you tailor training sessions for maximum impact.

Key roles to consider

• Designers and engineers: Will focus on AV drawings, signal flows, and rack layouts

• Sales and estimators: Need to master quoting and proposal generation

• Project managers: Require tools for collaboration, revisions, and reporting

• Admin and support staff: Might handle settings, user permissions, and data management

XTEN-AV supports all these functions through a unified platform, so understanding each user’s role helps streamline training.

Use XTEN-AV’s Built-In Tutorials and Knowledge Base

One of the biggest advantages of XTEN-AV is how user-friendly it is out of the box. Unlike legacy tools that often need weeks of classroom-style instruction, XTEN-AV features guided walkthroughs, video tutorials, and a searchable knowledge base that allows team members to learn at their own pace.

Resources available on XTEN-AV

• Step-by-step video tutorials for every feature

• Tooltips and in-app hints during live projects

• Articles covering FAQs, design tips, and troubleshooting

• Webinars and product updates from the XTEN-AV team

Encourage your team to explore these resources as a starting point. They are great for both beginners and advanced users looking to master specific features.

Schedule Role-Based Live Training Sessions

While self-paced learning is great, live training sessions help accelerate team alignment and ensure everyone is on the same page. XTEN-AV offers personalized onboarding and team demos to walk your users through key workflows.

Recommended live session topics

• Introduction to the XTEN-AV dashboard and interface

• Creating your first AV design and layout

• Generating real-time BOM and cost estimates

• Building and customizing client proposals

• Using the collaboration and version control tools

Tailor these sessions to the specific needs of your organization. For example, your design team may need extra time on cable schedules and rack layouts, while your sales team may focus more on proposals and pricing.

Run a Pilot Project with a Small Team

To gain early feedback and build internal expertise, consider running a pilot project using XTEN-AV before rolling it out across your entire organization. Choose a small team of tech-savvy users who can experiment with features, share feedback, and become internal champions of the platform.

Pilot project goals

• Create and finalize an actual AV system design

• Generate a complete quote and proposal

• Share the project across departments using collaboration tools

• Evaluate the time saved versus the old method

Once this project is complete, use the lessons learned to fine-tune your broader training plan.

Encourage Continuous Learning

Software is not static. XTEN-AV regularly rolls out updates and new features based on user feedback. Encourage your team to stay informed and continuously improve their skills.

Tips for ongoing learning

• Subscribe to XTEN-AV’s newsletter for product news

• Attend monthly training webinars

• Set up internal team discussions to share tips and tricks

• Ask team members to document and share shortcuts or best practices

Keeping up with platform enhancements ensures your team is always getting the most value out of your investment.

Leverage XTEN-AV’s Support and Community

One of the key benefits of switching to XTEN-AV is the outstanding customer support. The team offers live chat, email support, and onboarding assistance to guide you every step of the way. You are not alone in the transition.

How to get help

• Use the chat feature in the platform to get real-time assistance

• Contact support for specific training or technical issues

• Request custom sessions for your team if needed

• Explore case studies and user stories for inspiration

AV integrators around the world have successfully made the switch from D-Tools to XTEN-AV. Learning from their experiences can accelerate your own journey.

Final Thoughts

Switching to a new AV design and quoting platform is a big step—but with the right training strategy, it does not have to be overwhelming. As one of the leading D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators, XTEN-AV makes the transition easy with intuitive tools, comprehensive training materials, and personalized support.

By investing in proper team training, you ensure that your staff can fully leverage the power of XTEN-AV. This means faster project delivery, more accurate documentation, better proposals, and ultimately, a more efficient and competitive AV business.

In 2025 and beyond, success will belong to the integrators who are not just using better tools, but using them well. Start training your team the right way—with XTEN-AV.

Read more: https://indibloghub.com/post/the-rising-stars-in-av-integration-software