Building Technology Into the Blueprint

Opening a new restaurant or renovating a hotel in Oregon is exciting. When planning a new hospitality space, a remodel, expansion, or entirely new facility, attention naturally gravitates toward what guests will see: finishes, lighting, amenities, gathering spaces. But as Oregon operators increasingly discover, the success of a project often hinges on the decisions made much earlier, long before drywall goes up or décor is selected.

Technology has quietly become one of the most important pieces of a hospitality environment. Today’s properties require strong Wi-Fi, dependable AV systems, event-ready rooms, secure access control, clear camera coverage, safe networks for POS and IoT, and digital elements that support both guest experience, safety, and staff operations. When these systems are planned too late, they easily become the most expensive and stressful part of a build.

Why Early Technology Planning Saves Time and Money 

Hospitality projects are now bringing technology into the conversation during the budgeting phase, alongside the general contractor, architects, and designers. Because IT and AV were discussed early, the final environment matched the operational reality of the business rather than being retrofitted around decisions already made. 

This early alignment meant the design team could plan cable pathways before walls were framed, ensure meeting rooms had proper HDMI access and microphone coverage, and reserve space for structured Tech hardware racks and power systems without crowding. It also ensured the guest network, POS network, IoT devices, and internal communication tools were separated and protected from the beginning rather than being rebuilt later. Keeping your customers safe as well. 

When technology is included early, operators avoid the most common sources of overspending: 

• redesigning spaces due to poor technology placement 
• opening walls that were recently finished to run new cable 
• replacing systems that weren’t compatible with the environment 

These costs add up quickly. In many cases, early planning isn’t just a convenience, it is a major cost-saver and crowd pleaser. 

Technology Designed to Be Easy for Staff, Not Intimidating 

A well-planned hospitality environment doesn’t rely on tech-savvy staff. It relies on systems designed to be simple. In the same large project, everything from meeting-room controls to split-wall event spaces should be built to be intuitive. Staff could start presentations, select microphones, and manage multi-room events without worrying about hidden menus or complex buttons. 

That usability wasn’t an accident, it was a direct result of bringing technology into the early design phase. 

Even the digital projection signage at elevator entrances and the AV layout in meeting rooms benefited from this approach. By planning ahead, every piece of technology worked the way the operator intended, not as an improvised solution. 

Budgeting With Clarity Instead of Guesswork 

Another benefit of early planning is financial predictability. By defining technology needs up front including installation labor and soft electrical costs, the entire system can be wrapped into a Single Project Financing Agreement with one predictable monthly payment which we love to offer. This prevents the all-too-common situation where unexpected technology expenses appear late in construction and strain an already tight budget. 

Early design also encourages long-term thinking: how the space will be used, how staff will interact with systems, and how guests will experience events or meetings. In hospitality, technology is not an accessory, it is part of the service. 

Opening Day Should Feel Like a Beginning, Not a Catch-Up 

The goal of any hospitality build is a smooth opening. When IT and AV are included early, that goal becomes realistic. Spaces open with technology that works on day one, no scrambling, no patching, no hidden costs. 

Early technology planning gives operators what they deserve: environments that feel complete, intentional, and ready for guests from the moment doors open. 

Brett Prieto, Founder & COO, Beardman Technology Group, guiding Oregon hospitality operators to launch new projects with modern, reliable technology foundations. beardmangroup.com