Best Cloud-Based AI AV Design Software Tools

In the fast-moving world of audiovisual design, professionals are expected to work smarter, faster, and with greater precision than ever before. Traditional AV design methods—heavy with manual layouts, scattered documents, and time-consuming revisions—are no longer enough. The industry is now embracing the power of the cloud and artificial intelligence to streamline design workflows and enhance collaboration. This is where cloud-based AI AV Design Software tools come in, combining automation with accessibility to transform the AV landscape.

At the forefront of this transformation is XTEN-AV, a leading platform built exclusively for AV professionals. Whether you are designing complex boardrooms, smart classrooms, or multi-zone entertainment systems, cloud-based AI AV tools are helping teams cut down design time, eliminate errors, and deliver projects faster.

In this blog, we will explore the best cloud-based AI AV Design Software tools currently available, starting with XTEN-AV, and explain why these platforms are becoming essential for system integrators, consultants, and AV engineers.

1. XTEN-AV – Leading the Way in AI-Powered AV Design

XTEN-AV is widely recognized as the most advanced AI AV Design Software in the industry today. Built specifically for AV designers and integrators, it offers a fully cloud-based platform that integrates AI automation, real-time documentation, and collaboration features into a single powerful workspace.

Key features include:

AI-assisted device placement and cable routing
Access to a large, constantly updated manufacturer database
Auto-generation of AV system drawings, rack layouts, and BOMs
Cloud-based project collaboration with role-based access
Drag-and-drop interface with intelligent design suggestions

What sets XTEN-AV apart is its deep understanding of AV-specific workflows. Users can start a project by selecting room types, defining system requirements, and letting AI do the heavy lifting. The platform also offers reusable templates, version tracking, and exportable documentation, making it ideal for firms handling high volumes of AV projects.

Why Choose XTEN-AV:
If you need a smart, scalable, and AV-focused solution that offers both power and flexibility, XTEN-AV is the clear winner. Its AI engine and cloud functionality help you design faster, collaborate better, and deliver consistent results.

2. D-Tools Cloud – Project Management Meets Design

D-Tools is a familiar name in the AV world, and their cloud-based offering, D-Tools Cloud, brings design, sales, and project management together in one platform. While it does not feature advanced AI capabilities like XTEN-AV, it provides a solid cloud-based workflow for basic AV system design.

Key features include:

Proposal generation and quoting
CRM integration
Visual quoting with basic layout tools
Mobile accessibility for field staff

D-Tools Cloud is more focused on managing the sales and quoting process than on deep system design automation. However, for integrators who want a lightweight cloud-based platform to manage proposals and streamline basic design-to-installation workflows, it serves the purpose.

Best For:
Small-to-midsize AV businesses looking for an all-in-one quoting and management tool with basic design features.

3. System Surveyor – AV System Mapping in the Cloud

System Surveyor is a cloud-based platform built for mapping technology systems, including AV, security, and IT infrastructure. It allows users to drag and drop components onto floor plans, mark cabling, and create visual system maps. While not a full AI AV Design Software platform, it does offer intelligent tools for AV planning and documentation.

Key features include:

Easy drag-and-drop device placement
Mobile-friendly for field surveys
Supports AV, security, and IT mapping
Collaboration tools and revision history

While System Surveyor lacks the design automation and AI intelligence of platforms like XTEN-AV, it offers a solid solution for early-stage planning, especially during site surveys and client walkthroughs.

Best For:
AV professionals looking to gather system requirements visually and collaborate with clients during the planning stage.

4. AutoDesk Fusion with AV Plug-ins – Limited AI, High Flexibility

AutoDesk Fusion is a popular CAD platform in the engineering world. With the help of custom plug-ins and AV-specific templates, some AV professionals use it to design system layouts and schematics.

However, this tool is not designed for AV use out of the box. It also lacks built-in AI features and is not tailored to the fast-paced, repetitive nature of AV system design. Cloud accessibility is available through AutoDesk’s subscription model, but collaboration tools may require additional licenses.

Best For:
Advanced users who prefer CAD-level detail and have time to manually input design data. Not ideal for integrators seeking automated AV-specific workflows.

5. Visio Online – General Diagramming in the Cloud

Microsoft Visio is a well-known diagramming tool, and the online version allows users to collaborate on flowcharts and system diagrams in real time.

Though it offers basic AV symbols and the flexibility to build custom templates, it lacks intelligence and automation. There is no native AI engine, and users must manually handle everything from device placement to cabling to documentation.

Best For:
AV teams already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem who need a quick way to build conceptual diagrams but do not require deep system automation.

Why Cloud-Based AI Tools Matter in AV Design

The shift toward cloud-based tools is more than a trend—it is a necessity. AV projects today involve multiple stakeholders, changing requirements, and tight deadlines. Cloud-based AI AV Design Software platforms like XTEN-AV help teams stay in sync, work from anywhere, and respond to changes quickly.

Benefits include:

Real-time collaboration among design, sales, and install teams
Centralized data and version control
Faster design turnaround with automation
Reduced human error through intelligent validation
Scalability across multiple project types and client sites

Final Thoughts

The future of AV design lies in platforms that are not only cloud-based but also smart, responsive, and tailored for the industry. While general tools like SmartDraw, Visio, or AutoDesk Fusion may get the job done for basic projects, they fall short in areas where AI and AV-specific workflows are critical.

XTEN-AV leads the pack as the best cloud-based AI AV Design Software, offering everything a modern AV professional needs—from intelligent design automation to cloud collaboration and instant documentation.

If you want to take your AV design process to the next level, save time, reduce errors, and work from anywhere, now is the time to embrace cloud-based AI tools. Start with XTEN-AV and experience the future of AV design today.