AV News April 2021

The direct channel to the industry

April 2021 www.avnews.co.uk Page12

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Does voice control work in AV applications?

Retail solutions for the post Covid era Along with travel, hospitality and live events, retail is one of the sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic.

The pandemic and transmission of the Covid-19 virus through hard surfaces has increased demand for contact-free control.

Europe’s most popular tech brands: With our lives revolving around technology more so than ever before, RebootOnline.com were eager to find out more about how our relationship with big tech companies has changed during the pandemic.

Through utilizing online analytics tools Ahrefs and Google Trends, experts at RebootOnline.com conducted a study looking into Europe’s most popular tech brands and how their popularity has altered over the past year.

Highlights from the research: •Facebook, Google, and Instagram stand as Europe’s most popular tech brands •Xiaomi and Dell are also amongst the top five most popular •Apple has increased most in popularity during the pandemic, followed by Huawei and Xiaomi

•Google has decreased the most in popularity, followed by Oracle and Microsoft •Facebook is among the tech brands that have seen a decrease in popularity over the past year Annual search volumes were documented for each of the 20 most valuable tech brands and divided by the quantity of years since they were founded to establish a standardised annual search volume for each brand.

RebootOnline.com can reveal that Facebook is the most popular tech brand in Europe with a standardised average of 21,869,008 annual searches.

The social media site, founded in 2004, is most popular in Ireland (91,359,320 monthly searches), the United Kingdom (81,463,400 monthly searches) and Italy (79,643,310 monthly searches).

Credit: https://www.rebootonline.com

Ranking as Europe’s second most popular tech brand is Google with a standardised average of 16,405,202 annual searches. Founded in 1998, this multi technology company is most popular in the United Kingdom (88,934,770 monthly searches), Germany (85,110,050 monthly searches) and France (83,654,820 monthly searches).

Following behind is Instagram (2010) in third place, with a standardised average of 11,532,553 annual searches.

This social media giant is most popular in Italy (24,967,690 monthly searches), the United Kingdom (23,212,240 monthly searches) and Germany (22,054,690 monthly searches).

Most notably, Xiaomi and Huawei, two Chinese tech brands, rank amongst the top ten most continued on page

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Rank Tech Brands Year Founded Average Yearly Search Volume Standardised

Yearly Search Volume 1 Facebook 2004 371,773,134 21,869,008 2 Google 1998 377,319,654 16,405,202 3 Instagram2010 126,858,078 11,532,553 5 Xiaomi 2010 31,866,270 2,896,934 6 Dell 1984 70,019,934 1,892,431 7 Samsung 1936 112,291,200 1,321,073 4 Apple 1976 51,206,020 1,137,912 8 Huawei 1987 36,586,902 1,076,085 9 Microsoft 1975 29,946,600 651,013 10 SAP 1972 10,997,784 224,445 11 Intel 1968 11,260,758 212,467 12 Cisco 1984 4,572,480 123,581 13 Oracle 1977 3,653,825 83,041 14 Linked In 2002 1,036,932 57,607 15 Adobe 1982 14,973,858 31,995 16 Tencent 1998 633,450 27,541 17 IBM 1911 2,391,192 21,738 18 Accenture1989 616,894 19,278 19 Sales Force1999 113,250 5,148 20 Baidu 2000 354,666 1,407

TAP INTO TEAMS MEETINGS Logitech Tap for Microsoft Teams Powered by Lenovo ThinkSmart Edition Tiny

Best-selling projectors in February PMA Research has posted highlights from their most recent Projector Tracking Service results to the “Top-selling projectors” area of their website.

For more than 25 years now, PMA Research has collected monthly sell-through data from leading U.S. projector dealers, retailers, web resellers, and distributors. Their Tracking Service family of monthly reports offers timely data and analysis on unit sales, true volume-weighted street prices, and inventories of front projectors for these channels.

Each month, PMA Research posts their “Top 5” Projector Lists for the following categories: • 4K UHD and 4K Support Home Entertainment Projectors – This “Top 5″ list is compiled from PMA’s monthly Retail Projector Tracking Service panel, which is made up of U.S. retailers, web resellers, and custom installers. For 4K UHD and 4K Support home entertainment projector sales, relative newcomer VAVA had the best-selling model – the VAVA 4K LT002.

Optoma followed with a pair of projectors - their UHD30 and UHD50X came in second and third, respectively. Epson rounded out this February projector list with a pair of models – the PowerLite Home Cinema 5050UB and PowerLite Home Cinema 3800 in the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

• Interactive Projectors – This “Top 5″ list is compiled from PMA’s monthly Pro AV Projector Tracking Service panel, which is made up of Pro AV dealers and systems integrators. In the Interactive projector seg-

In the +5000-lumen, laser-phosphor projector segment, Panasonic had the best-selling model - the PT-RZ570 - in February. ment, Epson had three of the “Top 5” models in February.

Three BrightLink models – the 685Wi, 695Wi and 1485Fi come in first, third and fifth, respectively. Maxell rounded out the Interactive models list with the MC-TW3506 in the second spot and the MP-TW4011 in the fourth spot.

• Laser Projectors (Normal/ Semi-Throw) with 5000 and Higher Lumens – This “Top list is compiled from PMA’s monthly Distributor Projector Tracking Service panel, which is made up of IT, Pro AV, and CEDIA distributors. In the +5000-lumen, laser-phosphor projector segment, Panason-

ic had the best-selling model - the PT-RZ570 - in February.

Sony claimed two spots on this list with the VPL-PHZ12 and VPL-PHZ50 coming in second and fourth, respectively. Epson’s PowerLite L610U took the third spot and NEC’s NPP525WL came in fifth.

Resellers, distributors, manufacturers, and the press are invited to visit PMA’s site each month at www.pmaresearch. com to see the 5 Top Selling projectors for these channels, as well as new product blogs and information on PMA Research’s projector market research offerings.

Exertis Pro AV bolsters UCC team Exertis Pro AV has announced three new appointments in its Unified Communications and Collaboration (UC&C) team.

Andy Pollard, Pre-sales Architect, Haifa Jinadu, Pre-Sales Architect and Jon Grundy, UC&C Business Development Manager, will all report into Greg Bennett, Head of AV Solutions. The new recruits have

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almost 40 years’ experience between them.

The new appointments elevate Exertis Pro AV’s technical competency and relevance in the Poly video market for the UK. The team offers expert engagement and project deContinued on page 3

Headline News Continued on page 3

Europe’s most popular tech brands: popular in Europe, respectively coming in fourth and eighth. Xiaomi, founded in 2010, rakes in a standardised average of 2,896,934 searches per annum, 155% higher than Apple (1,137,912 standardised annual searches) and 345% higher than Microsoft (651,013 standardised annual searches). At the other end in 20th place is Baidu, founded in 2000. With only 354,666 annual searches a year Baidu accumulates a standardised average of just 1,407 annual searches. Experts at RebootOnline.com compared Google Trends averages for each tech brand between March 2019 to 2020 and March 2020 to 2021 to establish a percentage increase, giving insight into changes in popularity.

Despite ranking as the seventh most popular tech brand in Europe, Apple stands as the tech brand which has seen the sharpest increase in popularity as a result of Covid-19

Rank

Tech Brands

1 Apple 2 Huawei 3 Xiaomi 4 Baidu 5 Dell 6 Instagram 7 Intel 8 Facebook -1.1 9 Linked In -1.2 10 Sales Force 11 Samsung 12 SAP 13 Adobe 14 Accenture 15 Cisco 16 Tencent - 17 IBM 18 Microsoft -15.3 19 Oracle 20 Google

with a whopping 76.3% Google Trends increase over the past year. Standing as the second tech brand that has increased in popularity the most is Huawei, seeing a 71.4% Google Trends increase since the start of the pandemic. Ranking third is Xiaomi with a 20% Google Trends increase over the past year. Baidu (17.1%), Dell (8.5%), Instagram (8.2%) and Intel (5.1%) have all seen a Google Trends increase, respectively ranking fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.

At the other end, we have Google who has seemingly dropped in popularity the most with a shocking -30.8% decrease in Google Trends average since the beginning of the pandemic.

Other surprising decreases can be seen in Microsoft (-15.3%) and Facebook (-1.1%) being among the major tech brands to see a popularity decrease despite our lives becoming predominantly virtual.

New ‘roaring 20s’ party mood post pandemic?

New Europe-wide research commissioned by Epson reveals a high proportion (83%) of people are planning to go to the same or a greater number of events once lockdown restrictions are lifted. Designed with the assistance of a leading psychologist and expert Professor Steven Taylor, a specialist on the impact of pandemics on social behaviour, found that the ‘life is short’ sentiment resonates strongest amongst Baby Boomers (64%), the Silent Generation (63%) and females (61%).

Over two thirds (69%) also said social events are ‘good for my soul and make me happy’.

The absence of in-person events has had a real impact on the public, with over two-thirds (63%) left feeling bored, sad and frustrated by not being able to have those

experiences during lockdowns.

To make up for this, more than half (54%) spent this time sharing memories of past events with friends and family, and a further 51% have admitted to watching concerts and events online or on TV as a substitute for attending them in real life.

Professor Steven Taylor commented: “It’s clear that the overwhelming majority are eager to resume their pre-pandemic social lives, including attending live experiential events. “People are resilient and most will bounce-back to their pre-pandemic levels of socialising – regardless of how they are feeling right now. Currently, people are in a state of pandemic fatigue. They feel stressed, and some are even suffering low levels of depression, which introduces a level

of negative bias when thinking about their future plans.

“While some people will be anxious the first or second time they go to an event, their anxieties are likely to dissipate quickly. This is what happened in the past and it will happen again. In fact, I'm expecting that there will be a short-lived period of hyper sociability, a kind of mini ‘roaring 20s’ as people just bounce back. Live events will play a large role in this.”

Neil Colquhoun, Vice President of Professional Displays, Epson Europe, added: “With consumers clearly missing the experience of attending events, many are looking forward to making up for lost time once lockdown ends. The events industry needs to prepare itself for an unprecedented surge in demand – it is probable that

the ‘bounce back’ will be even stronger than people might imagine. “The industry has suffered badly during lockdown, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We can expect a serious party mood post-pandemic and organisers of events and attractions should now be readying themselves to make the most of the surge in demand.”

Epson high lumens laser projectors are used to create immersive and interactive experiential environments at major venues and visitor attractions across the world. Recent examples of Epson’s AV technology in use include the Electric Forest Music Festival in America, the TeamLab Borderless installation in Shanghai and the international Festival of Lights in Europe.

Google Trends Increase (%) 76.3 71.4 20 17.1 8.5 8.2 5.1 -1.3 -2.5 -6.7 -7.9 -8.6 -10.3 12.3 -15.1 -19.3 -30.8

Credit: https://www.rebootonline.com

Neil Colquhoun, Vice President of Professional Displays, Epson Europe: “With consumers clearly missing the experience of attending events, many are looking forward to making up for lost time once lockdown ends. The events industry needs to prepare itself for an unprecedented surge in demand – it is probable that the ‘bounce back’ will be even stronger than people might imagine.”

Continued on page 3

Exertis Pro AV bolsters UCC team sign on Poly opportunities, not just with video end points and room design, but also by delivering design on complex infrastructure and integration projects.

Matched with Exertis Pro AV’s existing sales and solutions team, adding the presales and professional services capability enables a complete end-to-end offering for customers. Jon Grundy says, “Exertis is able to offer services to cover the full sales cycle across a range of vendors, from qualifying opportunities, and suggesting solutions, to installations and post-sales support. This coupled with the in-house experience across our portfolio means we can truly be a single point of contact/supplier for our resellers,

whatever the requirement.”

Haifa Jinadu adds, “I’m really excited about being part of a team who can talk in confidence to partners and end-users about our VC and AV solutions.” Andy Pollard continues, “I’m looking forward to bringing my industry experience and continuing my career as a trusted technical advisor under the Exertis banner.”

Ian Aitken, Director, Exertis Pro AV, says, “We are incredibly excited to be expanding our UC team with the introduction of Andy, Haifa and Jon. As one of the UK’s leading distributors for Poly, we believe that the addition of these incredibly experienced individuals will help Exertis plug any gaps in the market.”

Exertis Pro AV today announces three new appointments in its Unified Communications and Collaboration (UC&C) team. Andy Pollard, Pre-sales Architect, Haifa Jinadu, PreSales Architect and Jon Grundy, UC&C Business Development Manager, will all report into Greg Bennett, Head of AV Solutions. The new recruits have almost 40 years’ experience between them.

“Exertis will now be able to offer market-leading managed and professional services for Poly,” he continues. “In combination with our vast Pro AV and Unified Communications vendor portfolio, we will be cementing Exertis as a leading collaboration solutions distributor in the UK.”

AV News April 2021 P3

Business news

Vision retains high stock levels to beat Brexit Vision has built high stock levels with more than 100,000 items currently available, to counteract Brexit’s customs clearance delays on UK imports and exports, thanks to proactive measures taken by the specialist maker of mounts, connectivity and audio products.“AV installation businesses look to us to make product available as soon as they need it, so they can both be competitive and respond effectively to their clients’ needs,” says Vision Managing Director, Stuart Lockhart. “So it is essential to ensure stock availability to support them.”

Following the end of the Brexit transition period, Vision saw transfers between Europe and UK take six weeks to clear customs, causing shortages.

“Although customs clearance times have improved, they still take around two weeks and likely to continue to be

slow. To counteract this, we are using sophisticated technology to anticipate demand,” Lockhart continues.“We hold stock across warehouses in the UK and EU and move it in response to demand. Using a Microsoft Azure-based algorithm enables us to predict where stock will be needed and move it pre-emptively.

“If resellers require more stock than is showing on the system, it is likely we have plenty of stock to call on from other warehouses, so channel partners should check with us,” Lockhart adds. Vision uses LIFR (Line Item Fulfilment Rate) to measure its service levels. “Normally our LIFR is over 95%, meaning we’d have stock 95% of the time but even with the negative impact of Brexit, we were able to achieve 88% in February and expect that to improve going forward, thanks to our actions.”

Vision Managing Director, Stuart Lockhart. “Normally our LIFR is over 95%, meaning we’d have stock 95% of the time but even with the negative impact of Brexit, we were able to achieve 88% in February and expect that to improve going forward, thanks to our actions.”

Consumers show growing interest in voice-control Despite a challenging business environment, the global Technical Consumer Goods (TCG) industry has inched back to $799 billion (excluding North America), which is a 2 percent value growth in the full year. The smart product segments performed better than average, resulting in a revival of 24 percent to $28 billion across EU7* (Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium markets) . Alert detectors, robot vacuum cleaners and cooking ranges enjoyed high demand driven by the ‘stay at home’ focus. Sales of voice-controlled products saw explosive growth of almost 61 percent in 2020, making them one of the best sellers of the year. Overall TCG delivered a V-shaped recovery, with the developed world experiencing a much stronger revival as consumers invested in their homes.

The pandemic is certainly fast-tracking digitization in our homes. The focus on home as headquarters is driving demand for tech goods. Restricted to working and studying at home and prevented from travel and outdoor leisure, consumers turned to indoor options.

This delivered good growth of 19 percent for Smart Entertainment & Office products across EU7 markets (Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium).

Winners in smart appliances?

TVs claimed a significant portion of that value uptick. But consumers went beyond visual entertainment to fill their spare time. GfK insights in Distribu-

tion and Supply Chain reveals that sales of smart headsets increased over 100 percent in 2020. Looking at 2021, in week 7 (w/c February 8) this category continues to enjoy high demand at 54 percent.

GfK expects this appetite to continue throughout the year.

The pandemic also spotlighted health and hygiene which catapulted the Smart Small Domestic Appliances (SDA) and Smart Health Sector (i.e. vacuum cleaner, personal diagnostics, fitness trackers, wrist sport computers) to growth.

in value terms. Since at-home meant more cooking, many consumers looked for ways to simplify food preparation. As a result, ‘smart’ cooking grew by a staggering +71.5 percent.

For example, smart built-in hobs were up +48.2.

According to GfK’s new Market Intelligence Smart Home Report covering total smart home and individual sector views, in 2020, Germany and Great Britain were the biggest markets by value for smart products.

The Netherlands led the growth with an increase of 44 percent

other sectors remained much lower.

Towards to a smarter future GfK’s Market Intelligence Sales Tracking data indicates a transition to a smarter future. The virtual speaker is emerging as a smart home success story as voice control is becoming the way consumers interact with their smart products. Sales of voice-controlled products saw explosive growth of almost 61 percent in 2020, making them one of the best sellers of the year The race to be the smart home ecosystem of choice is also on at full speed. Tech giants Google, Apple and Amazon want to be a major part of the consumer’s future smart home, but no manufacturer is gambling on the winner. Smart tech products that offer multiple ecosystems continue to be most attractive to tech-savvy consumers.

Nevin Francis GfK’s expert on technical consumer goods concludes: “The popularity of smart robot vacuum cleaners, smart alert detectors, smart LED and cooking appliances during 2020 proves that tangible benefits do motivate consumers to upgrade to the “smart” version of household products. As more consumers buy smart products and become convinced by their tangible benefits and ease of use, smart will cross the chasm to mass market appeal. However, what shouldn’t be forgotten is the need for transparency about privacy policies and interoperability of different brands. If manufacturers manage to bring all this together this will make ‘smart’ products relevant for the end-consumer whose outlook is focused on enjoying the benefits of intelligent, personalized smart tech in their lives”

ration manufacturer Konftel, rapid transformation will need to take place to deliver safer working conditions.

“Video conferencing will continue to drive meeting communications across a mix of remote working and phased office life,” UK Sales Director Jeff May said. “More companies are reorganising their offices and preparing to facilitate increased video meetings. That’s why we’re urging resellers to fully prepare their customers for the next phase of Covid recovery – backed by the latest independent research and a new educational webinar.”

Konftel estimates more than half of businesses are planning to accelerate IT budgets this year, with video meeting room technologies being one of their top priorities. May says the hybrid workplace will continue to grow, blending a combination of working from home and a gradual return to offices.

The company’s views have been reinforced by new research from strategic advisory analysts Metrigy and discussions with distributors and resellers across the globe. “The traditional office is already going through a significant transformation,” May continued. “It’s clear many successful companies are already experiencing a rapid return on investment and are planning to invest more in meeting room technologies and hardware for remote workers.

“Versatile, cost effective and ‘climate neutral’ solutions (with no net impact on the planet) will be key. Konftel ticks every box.”

To support a safe office return, Konftel advises: •Limiting capacity of office spaces to ensure adequate social distancing •Converting existing meeting rooms into video enabled conferencing •Installation of touchless device technologies such as ‘contactless conferencing’ •Adding more enclosed work zones •Increased general cleaning and sanitation “Future workgroups will likely consist of a mix of in-person and remote participants, with professional-quality video meetings becoming the bench-

mark for collaboration success, wherever people are working.

Flexibility is key.”

May added: “Clearly it is an evolving situation in all four corners of the world. But one thing is for sure, businesses need to prepare for greater numbers in the office, whilst also maintaining remote working too.

“We are planning a new webinar over the coming months to advise and assist resellers on how they can best equip their customers for the next phase of Covid recovery.”

Konftel has seen huge demand for flexible USB-based video kits, whilst early orders for its new Konftel Cam10 business webcam have exceeded expectations. A series of new products are in the pipeline, such as a high performance speakerphone and combined video cameras.

Contactless Conferencing May emphasised: “Safety and social distancing will be vital when more people return to offices. No-touch solutions will be increasingly popular. Take our Konftel Unite app for example, that switches the operation of audio-based meetings from the traditional keypad to the screen of a mobile phone or tablet, easily via Bluetooth.”

Konftel has always argued for flexibility when it comes to all the collaboration tools available, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Webex. It says safety is paramount too. At the office, Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) means the user can take their laptop into the meeting room with their choice of collaboration app installed and then connect the computer to the speakerphone, conference cam and screen using a single USB cable (Konftel OCC).

May concluded: “In addition our Konftel 800 audio device for example can be daisy-chained to significantly increase the distance between people, yet ensure they are still clearly heard even in the biggest of rooms. Returning to the office, embracing the hybrid workplace and working from home long term are the three main factors organisations need to be addressing now.”

Remote work leads to higher success in cyberattacks

At the office, Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) means the user can take their laptop into the meeting room with their choice of collaboration app installed and then connect the computer to the speakerphone, conference cam and screen using a single USB cable (Konftel OCC).

This was the fastest growing segment across EU7* with +41 percent increase. Smart vacuum cleaners, a key category within SDA & Health, grew by an impressive +43 percent

P12AV AVNews NewsApril November P4 2021 2019

in value. However, smart growth was concentrated: two thirds (66 percent) of the total smart segments value rises originated from Entertainment and Office sector. Smart penetration in

Hybrid working is here to stay The traditional office is set to bounce back soon, but according to leading global collabo-

SoSafe Cyber Security Awareness, provider of an interactive training platform for cyber security in the DACH countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), has published its "Human Risk Review 2021". The results of the annual report show: During the COVID-19 pandemic, employees have been in the focus of cyberattacks and therefore play a significant role in protecting organizations from these threats.

In addition to a general look at the cyberthreat landscape, the report particularly highlights the human factor and the tech-

nical and psychological tactics cybercriminals use to provoke clicks on phishing mails. For the first time, the report powerfully shows that the likelihood of cyberattacks succeeding has increased during the pandemic and in times of remote working.

The data is based on more than 1.4 million data points from the SoSafe Awareness Platform, malware analyses by AVTEST, an awareness study with more than 5,000 participants, and a survey of more than 100 cyber security experts.

On the basis of exclusive response data, the SoSafe Hu-

Business news man Risk Review illustrates what various reports have already indicated in recent months: The threat situation has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social hacking, which is designed to provoke clicks on phishing mails by manipulating emotions, is becoming increasingly popular among cybercriminals in these uncertain times.

The majority of cyber security experts surveyed believe that the probability of attacks being successful has increased during the crisis. More than 4 in 10 have perceived an increase in cyberattacks. The analysis of the SoSafe reaction data solidifies these assumptions: The temporal connection to and thematic integration of the

in ransomware types was observed. The SoSafe analyses show that the probability of success of such attacks also increased at the same time the click rate on phishing mails was significantly higher during the lockdown phases. Phishing mails referring to the COVID-19 pandemic are particularly promising for cybercriminals.

While the average click rate is 29%, phishing mails with the word "Corona" in the subject line provoke click rates of up to 78.8%.

The introduction of new collaboration tools makes employees more vulnerable to phishing attacks: The shift to remote work also offers increased potential for attack. Half of all employees click on phishing mails

literacy, SoSafe shows just the opposite in a separate study of over 5,000 citizens. With an average click rate of 38%, 18- to 29-year-olds are well ahead of other age groups, who clicked on only one in four phishing mails.

The human factor and cyber security The review also gives an outlook on future developments.

The most important hypothesis: Social engineering and cyberattacks that take advantage of new work models such as remote working will continue to have a decisive influence on cyber security in organizations and should therefore be the focus of respective security and

The SoSafe analyses show that the probability of success of such attacks also increased. coronavirus has made phishing attacks more successful. The SoSafe Human Risk Review also provides unprecedented insights into the technical and psychological mechanisms underlying cyberattacks, such as which vectors criminals used last year and which they were particularly successful with.

COVID-19 pandemic makes social engineering attacks more successful - up to 4 in 5 recipients click on Corona-related phishing mails: During the first lockdown, a rapid increase

sent in the context of introducing remote tools such as Microsoft Teams or Slack.

The “office grapevine” protects - detecting phishing mails is more difficult in decentralized organizations: As the SoSafe analyses reveal, when working remotely the click rate on phishing mails is generally higher than in the office - in decentralized organizations click rates are three times higher than in centralized organizations.

Digital natives click on phishing mails most often: Contrary to the assumption that younger users would have higher digital

training measures. A positive outlook: As many as 6 out of 10 cyber security experts surveyed are planning to expand their awareness measures in the future. Employees play a decisive role when it comes to cyber security. With the Human Risk Review 2021, SoSafe provides a comprehensive overview of the current threat landscape around the human factor and provides organizations with initial guidance on how to minimize their human risk.

You can find the full report here: https://sosafe-awareness. com/human-risk-review-2021/

Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has announced the much-anticipated opening of its brand-new Paris Experience Space. The new showroom has been carefully set up for Covid-safe appointments and is ready to welcome integrators, consultants, specifiers and end-users to explore TIG's portfolio of smart space solutions from brands at the forefront of leading-edge technology development.

The news follows the launch of TIG's Frankfurt and London Experience Spaces in the summer of 2020. These innovative spaces are designed to give visitors a first-hand demonstration of how TIG's impressive ecosystem of AV, UC, IT and control solutions integrates

to form bespoke bundles that match the client's exact brief, whilst helping integrators deploy superior, tailor-made and futureproof smart spaces in a wide range of environments including corporate, retail, residential, hospitality, education and healthcare.

The Paris Experience Space can be found at: Technological Innovations France, StartWay: The location was chosen for its great connections to public transportation (train, metro, bus and Orly Airport) and its close proximity to the city centre, as well as to the Boulevard Périphérique. The area is also the new ‘epic' centre for high tech companies like Microsoft, Cisco and Cap Gemini.

Guests can book their one-

to-one appointment with one of TIG's experts by going to: https://tig.eu/booking-form.

TIG is committed to adhering to local Covid-safety and strict social distancing regulations in all its Experience Spaces, and meetings will be held in private with the most relevant TIG specialist. Facemasks and hand sanitiser will also be provided.

The technologies available to explore in the Paris Experience Space are built around the complete Crestron offering and represent a range of solutions for the new era of hybrid working and digitally enabled customer experience. They include: • Collaboration and residential smart space technology from Crestron including Flex, NVX,

Key findings at a glance

TIG opens brand-new Paris Experience Space

Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has announced the much-anticipated opening of its brand-new Paris Experience Space.

XiO Cloud and Airmedia • The ARIA and ALBA collections of stylish keypads for the hotel and home from Black Nova • The Desk Sign and Blynclight ranges from Embrava, which display employee and workspace availability • Remote monitoring and power distribution solutions from GUDE • Engaging digital collaboration tools from Hoylu • User-friendly workspace management software from NFS • Luxury custom switches and sockets for the hotel and home from Rhombus Europe • Made-to-order mobile carts and stands and Unifi Huddle furniture from Salamander Designs, that fit in perfectly with specific AV products for hybrid meeting rooms With many industry events still postponed, TIG is planning to

host bespoke, personalised events in its Experience Spaces over the coming months, which will offer an intimate and safe platform to explore how the technologies it represents integrate. These events will see safety measures in place as well as virtual elements to reach those unable to travel.

TIG also offers a Virtual Experience Space, an immersive online space as part of its website, which welcomes customers and delivers an engaging and life-like experience.

Steven Dullaert, Managing Director of TIG, comments: “The opening of our brand-new Experience Space in Paris marks a positive step not only for TIG, but for our industry as a whole as we work to gradually and safely emerge from the pandemic. We have been excited about sharing our Experience Spaces with our valued cus-

tomers in key European hubs for a long time now and, whilst we've had to be patient due to Covid-19, the delay has actually given us more time to plan even more carefully and ensure our fantastic brands are represented in the best way possible.”

He adds: “All the Experience Spaces have been driven by our customers' needs as we want to provide them with an enjoyable, tailored and fulfilling experience - one which they truly deserve! Our team of experts are ready to welcome you to our new Experience Space in Paris to discuss your projects and provide a solutions-based, futureproof approach with Crestron technology.”

TIG has just updated its Moscow Experience Space and is planning to open similar showrooms in Johannesburg, Oslo and Dubai this year.

Clevertouch extends partnership in Northern Ireland During the last six years, Niavac has built up the Clevertouch brand to be number one in Northern Ireland as a key reseller partner. Clevertouch is seeing massive growth across Europe and Northern Ireland is no exception. With immediate effect, Niavac will become our exclusive Northern Ireland Distribution partner opening the Clevertouch brand and products to reach more reseller partners and end users. Niavac will take on the full product line-up of interactive panels, digital signage, commercial displays, and collaboration products.

John Ginty, Sahara Presentation Systems Ltd and Clevertouch EMEA Sales Director, comments: “We have a very special relationship with James Conlon and the team. They’ve done a fantastic job and have really taken ownership of the Clevertouch brand in Northern Ireland.

Giving Niavac exclusive distribution is a great achievement and rewards both James and the team for their efforts to introduce and grow Clevertouch in Northern Ireland. I’m sure the new arrangement will cement our relationship even further and I would

like to take this opportunity to personally thank James and the team for the hard work put in over the last six years and am really excited to see where they go next with the Clevertouch brand.”

James Conlon, Managing Director of Niavac, adds: “We are all absolutely delighted with this news which recognises the herculean efforts by the Niavac team to establish Clevertouch as the number one Interactive Touchscreen in Northern Ireland. We look forward to an even closer relationship with our friends and colleagues at

Boxlight as we bring the Clevertouch brand to new levels and continue to offer our customers unparalleled local NI support with our exclusive x5 Year Swap Out Warranty. Our fully fitted showrooms based in Belfast have the latest award-winning products and are available for customer demonstrations and training.”

The new distribution agreement commences April 1st, 2021 and the additional showroom in Belfast complement the new Clevertouch Gallery in central London, as well as Edinburgh and Leeds.

James Conlon, Managing Director of Niavac: “We are all absolutely delighted with this news which recognises the herculean efforts by the Niavac team to establish Clevertouch as the number one Interactive Touchscreen in Northern Ireland.”

AV News April 2021 P5

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Hybrid working and the need for effective audio Offices around the world are going through a change. The 9-5pm, 40-hour a week practice has been replaced with a more flexible format, embracing the need for remote working and collaboration to suit the requirements of the employer and workforce. How are companies preparing for the return of their employees and rethinking their organisation around hybrid home/office work?

What is certain is that during these months of confinement, many emotional wellbeing; participants in a meeting who have to strain have complained about a lack of fluidity in their video confer- to understand a bad video conferencing call or presentation will ences, blaming poor connections or software without necessarily grow frustrated and tired and will lose interest in the subject matthinking about the sound configuration. ter more quickly than the same participants in an environment Meetings that are hampered by audio issues can have a detrimen- where the audio is clear and concise. tal effect on a business, from basic problems such as employees Screen breaks are commonplace within many organisations, with being unable to carry out tasks, poor communication between de- some offering training and advice to reduce the stress and fatigue partments and loss of company time rescheduling meetings that caused by staring at a screen. But what about organisational trainhave broken down. ing on good sound? This aspect of our emotional wellbeing is left Poor audio can also have a direct and damaging effect on our ignored in many organisations. emotional wellbeing; participants in a meeting who have to strain A recent study published in the Science Communication journal to understand a bad video conferencing call or presentation will led by Eryn Newman from the University of Southern California grow frustrated and tired and will lose interest in the subject mat- and Norbert Schwarz from the Australian National University has ter more quickly than the same participants in an environment provided interesting results, suggesting that good and bad audio where the audio is clear and concise. can have even greater effects on the emotional wellbeing and reScreen breaks are commonplace within many organisations, with actions of the listener. The report revealed that high quality audio some offering training and advice to reduce the stress and fatigue in presentations can actually make the participants perceive you caused by staring at a screen. as being more intelligent and But what about organisational makes them believe that the What is certain is that during these training on good sound? This subject matter you’re commuaspect of our emotional wellbenicating is more important than months of confinement, ing is left ignored in many orexactly the same presentation many have complained ganisations. given by the same presenter about a lack A recent study published in only this time hampered by the Science Communication poor quality audio. of fluidity in journal led by Eryn Newman The results show a clear pattheir video conferences, from the University of Southern tern – great sounding audio blaming poor connections or software California and Norbert Schwarz increases productivity, creates from the Australian National better engagement and has a without necessarily University has provided interpositive effect on our emotional thinking about esting results, suggesting that wellbeing. the sound configuration. good and bad audio can have even greater effects on the emotional wellbeing and reactions of the listener. The report revealed that high quality audio Back to the ‘new’ workspace in presentations can actually make the participants perceive you as being more intelligent and makes them believe that the sub- As we come to terms with hybrid working post pandemic, many ject matter you’re communicating is more important than exactly companies have taken the lead in presenting their new post-conthe same presentation given by the same presenter only this time finement work policy, employees will likely have to work from the hampered by poor quality audio. office a few, if not several days a month. When they go to their The results show a clear pattern – great sounding audio increases workplace, it will no longer be for the sole purpose of reading their productivity, creates better engagement and has a positive effect e-mails or carrying out their assignments, but rather to meet and on our emotional wellbeing. collaborate with their co-workers and teams.

What is certain is that during these months of confinement, many The space ratio will be in favour of medium size meeting rooms have complained about a lack of fluidity in their video conferences, where colleagues can meet in a in person while adhering to social blaming poor connections or software without necessarily thinking distancing guidelines. But of all the employees, how do you know how many will remain teleworking and how many will be faceabout the sound configuration.

Meetings that are hampered by audio issues can have a detri- to-face? Will everyone be in the office on the same day, and will mental effect on a business, from basic problems such as employ- those who work from home be able to socialise remotely with their ees being unable to carry out tasks, poor communication between colleagues on site? departments and loss of company time rescheduling meetings that For some organisations, especially those with international offices and a global client base, this ‘new’ way of collaboration was alhave broken down.

Poor audio can also have a direct and damaging effect on our ready part of the daily work process, with meeting rooms designed

P12AV P6 AVNews NewsApril November 2021 2019

“The report revealed that high quality audio in presentations can actually make the participants perceive you as being more intelligent and makes them believe that the subject matter you’re communicating is more important…” accordingly, providing acoustically treated spaces and AV systems that met the requirements needed to conduct business comfortably and effectively.

But for other, smaller organisations and those that focussed on the physical work environment and positive vibe of the workspace, the hybrid working model raises more questions than answers. Many quickly realised that investment was needed for flexible, user friendly AV systems that could meet the requirements of remote collaboration and internal discussions.

Organisations also had to give consideration to the office workspace plan to guarantee social distancing between desks, with small meeting spaces and the relatively recent trend for huddle rooms replaced with meetings conducted in bigger meeting rooms, between fewer employees, with more emphasis on remote collaboration.

From the employee’s perspective, simply turning on the laptop or desktop machine at home to collaborate was met with frustration as it quickly transpired that most, if not all, in-built microphones and camera technology was simply not professional nor adequate enough to cope with serious discussion and collaboration.

The prospect of deconfinement raises even more questions. There was no indication of such a situation, and the subject goes beyond the simple question of revising land-use plans. It is not so much a question of investing in meeting room equipment as of questioning the very vocation of the workspace and redefining collaborative modes, so as not to see the spread of frustrating meetings, which, in addition to being unpleasant for users, could lead to distorted decisions by giving the floor to some people more than others.

With the spread of teleworking, companies are moving towards a mixed telework/presence format. This model is problematic because it poses real challenges in terms of voice and collective intelligence.

In telework, you have to mute yourself to avoid parasitic noises, while your colleagues in the meeting room exchange, interact,

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joke, debate... So many emotions that need to be decoded, so many messages that need to be passed on without being distorted, so many frustrations that create inequalities between those who, on the screen, make a tapestry in the literal sense, and those who are present on site. Telework has changed relations between employees, but the divide should not be allowed to widen with the development of hybrid work. CIOs can no longer ignore audio, as the question is no longer whether their videoconferencing system is compatible with other systems, but whether their meeting room is compatible with systems used by employees, customers and suppliers.

Hybrid work: making the format right Employees, in general, want to be able to use the systems they have at home to make their videoconferencing calls to the office, hence the success of the Teams, Zoom or BlueJeans platforms, allowing them to connect as easily as if they were at home.

However, the fact that video conferencing has become more practical by no longer being the exclusive preserve of boardrooms does not mean that it has gained in quality and productivity. And the Huddle Room trend, which has been popular, is no longer suited to the current situation, which has been turned upside down by the current distancing measures.

Pre-pandemic, there has always been a need within companies to conduct face-to-face meetings. It is not for nothing that most of them have allowed their employees to come back on site, two or three days a week, while maintaining teleworking. In this context, the logic of Bring-Your-Own-Meeting (BYOM) is very attractive: everyone can connect with their own PC without having to resort to traditional hardware systems. Gone are the 36,000 cables for audio, video, power, control, piloting, parameter setting, and de facto the technical interventions required due to untimely connection and disconnection problems.

All of these systems work perfectly, except when you have to meet up to 20 people, need a large space because of health restrictions, and can't count on the boardroom occupied by the CEO. Employees can still video conference using the camera and microphone of their PC, but in a room with 20 people, with 10 people spread out around the table with the required distances, it's more complicated, because the only people the remote site will be able to hear will be those around the PC, not to mention the acoustic problems that will arise.

Telework has changed relations between employees, but the divide should not be allowed to widen with the development of hybrid work.

The first confinement survey then revealed disparities between colleagues who were isolated from the surrounding noise because they were equipped with a headset and a video conferencing microphone, on the one hand, and those who could only rely on their PC's microphone at the cost of reverberation problems, on the other. This situation was all the more penalising since the meetings considered the most crucial for the activity remained those that were held most regularly by video, namely the collaborative work sessions and staff meetings.

The CIOs are already very much in demand with the upcoming reorganisation. They shouldn't be overwhelmed by the explosion in the number of meetings requiring live or remote technical support; the return to the office must be smooth for everyone.

The most important thing is not to have studio quality, but for everyone to be able to understand each other - intelligibility comes first - and this requires a precise evaluation of the needs of the room, a thorough analysis of the sound system and a mastery of the audio system, which cannot be adjusted by ear. Contrary to the myth perpetuated in the world of audio-visual integration, audio is not an art, but a science.

No intelligibility without DSP A microphone on its own is not enough to manage sound processing, you need intelligence and electronics behind it. Only DSP (Digital Signal Processing) can reduce unwanted noise and isolate the voices of those present, in order to improve intelligibility and rendering. In the end, whether it is integrated into a ceiling microphone, software or dedicated hardware, the DSP is an integral part of the room's audio system, allowing this connection between the microphone and the codec. This is why today, one cannot certify a microphone for a Teams room without a DSP. Whatever the configuration of the room, the DSP will always save the investment of the DSI who, thanks to it, will be able to manage more and more

diversity in the environment.

Employees have requested the need for a video conferencing system that works as simply as at home, however CIOs still need to prepare for this. With the migration of multimedia services to the IT department, CIOs must succeed in making the two networks - audio-visual and IT - cohabit within the company, taking into account a user experience that is evolving towards greater fluidity. The Holy Grail of AV lies in AV/IT convergence, and the DSP remains the last gateway enabling this connection, for a seamless and successful audio experience.

As an audio manufacturer with a rich heritage in microphone technology spanning nearly 100 years, Shure has been leading the way forward by developing new AV systems to meet the fast-moving pace of change within the modern workspace, providing solutions that meet the requirements of the smart office environment. The Shure Audio Ecosystem includes the complete audio signal chain and provides integrators with a complete portfolio of award-winning product to complete installations, from microphone, DSP through to loudspeakers, certified and compatible with the most popular codecs and encrypted for assured security across networks.

Shure’s recent collaboration with leading camera manufacture Huddly has also seen us deliver a new set of networked system product bundles geared around simple deployment, intuitive operation and seamless compatibility with leading collaboration platforms.

However the modern workspace continues to evolve, Shure are committed to providing innovative and elegant AV solutions that continue to connect organisations efficiently and effectively.

Shure.com/ecosystem

“Only DSP (Digital Signal Processing) can reduce unwanted noise and isolate the voices of those present, in order to improve intelligibility and rendering.”

“However, the fact that video conferencing has become more practical by no longer being the exclusive preserve of boardrooms does not mean that it has gained in quality and productivity.”

Back to audio basics Even before the health crisis, an Illuminas study conducted in the United States among 400 IT decision-makers highlighted that four out of five frustrations were related to audio, with background noise (51 percent) at the top of the list of concerns of the employees surveyed, ahead of technical difficulties (45 percent), sound echoes (43 percent), and hearing only part of the conversation (40 percent). Among them, senior managers reported spending significantly more time in videoconferencing, with 68 percent reporting problems encountered in the meeting room to the IT department at least once a week.

AV News April 2021 P7

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Explore the Shure audio ecosystem at shure.com/ecosystem

Technology news

Christie Mirage SST-6P RGB laser Absen to Launch Aurora Series projection for the 3D experience Ultra-high Brightness LED Display Christie has announced the launch of the new Christie Mirage SST-6P, a dual-head 18,000 lumen, 4K, 6-Primary 3D RGB pure laser projection system that delivers twice the onscreen brightness of traditional colour-comb 30,000-lumen lamp-based 3D projection systems for bright, colourful, and detailed 3D images for venues including g theme parks, attractions and giant screen dome theatres.

The 6-Primary (6P) 3D dual-projector system uses two sets of RGB laser primaries with slightly off-set wavelengths: one for the right eye, and one for the left. Reusable passive 3D glasses filter different wavelengths and direct the light to the correct eye, with no shuttering, for a natural and comfortable 3D visual experience. The result is a projection system that is 90% efficient at projecting light onto the screen, and white-screen compatible for blending the multi-projector arrays typically used in dome theatres and media-based attractions such as dark rides and flying theatres.

“With the Mirage SST-6P projection system, dark 3D visuals are a thing of the past,” says Larry Paul, executive director, Technology and Custom Solutions, Enterprise and Entertainment, Christie. “The Mirage SST-6P was developed specifically for 3D applications and exceeds the DCI-P3

colour space, ensuring that 3D visuals in dark rides, attractions and planetariums look as intended – bright, contrast-rich and colourful – revealing a level of detail audiences haven’t seen before.”

With TruLife™ electronics, Mirage SST-6P delivers 4K 3D content up to 120fps per eye, with an option of up to 480fps at 2K. The projection system uses

With omni-directional capabilities and solid-state illumination, Mirage SST-6P is designed for installation flexibility in tight, challenging environments and 30,000 hours of virtually maintenance-free operation to 80% brightness.

Christie Mirage SST-6P includes Christie Twist, for built-in warping and blending. It is compatible with Christie Mystique, an automated camera-based

The 6-Primary (6P) 3D dual-projector system uses two sets of RGB laser primaries with slightly off-set wavelengths: one for the right eye, and one for the left. two fibre-coupled projection heads with remote light sources and chillers. The projection heads are quiet, compact and lightweight, and have an extremely low heat output of less than 2400 BTU each.

alignment software solution, and supports Christie Guardian for invisible, real-time, automatic blended-image correction, even when content is playing. Christie Mirage SST-6P is available for order now.

Barco Demetra skin imaging solution announces partnership Barco today announced that its Demetra digital skin imaging system is now interfaced with Modernizing Medicine’s electronic medical record (EMR). This interface will create a seamless workflow to reduce the time required by providers to capture, analyse and store dermoscopic images. Demetra brings the opportunity to improve patient care by providing visualizations and insights that support the clinician’s decision on management strategies, diagnosis,

treatments and follow-ups with their patients.

“We are excited to announce the interface of Demetra with the Modernizing Medicine EMR,” states Peter Kinhan, Vice President of Demetra.

“This will allow Dermatologists to connect our innovative imaging and analysis technology into their standard workflows and daily practice.

Dermatology practices are only getting busier, so we are happy to have found a way to bring efficiencies to their way

of working.”

“The interface of Demetra with Modernizing Medicine is a great opportunity for our clinical partners to benefit from both Demetra’s state-of-the-art technology and Modernizing Medicine’s industry leading EMR. We look forward to continuing to partner with Modernizing Medicine as Demetra further innovates in the field of dermoscopic imaging,” said Tom Kimpe, CTO of Barco Healthcare.

Barco today announced that its Demetra digital skin imaging system is now interfaced with Modernizing Medicine’s electronic medical record (EMR).

Absen has announced a brand-new LED display series designed to be used in medium to large DOOH installations. Boasting a 10,000nit brightness, and with a 1280mm x 960mm standard panel size and 3 other optional sizes, the six new models of the Aurora Series are designed to create unmissable displays.

Weighing only 25kg per sqm, the Aurora series follows in the footsteps of Absen’s continued product innovation. The Aurora Series is 50% thinner and lighter than its predecessors, thanks to a new engineering approach which resulted in a reduction of nearly 25% of all steel materials, reducing transportation costs and simplifying installation. Aurora is a fan-less LED display which offers a 40% reduction in power consumption compared to previous models, making it one of the company’s most energy efficient models to date.

In addition, Absen’s renowned maintenance features are continued on the Aurora Series, with front and rear installation a simple and fast 2-3 step process. With front and rear module assembly and access, any further maintenance of the series is flexible to wherever the Aurora is installed.

Seamless, vivid pictures at a stunning 10,000 nit brightness are staple of the Aurora.

Thanks to the high contrast ratio, which boasts diversified and saturated colours with smooth transitions, the series is designed to display a high

image quality even under direct sunlight. And at a 3,840Hz refresh rate and 16bit grayscale, advertisers can be assured that vivid, eye catching images are guaranteed with the Aurora, no

Epson has expanded its laser projector line-up with a new range of compact, high brightness 3LCD laser projectors, designed to meet display needs in education, corporates, museums and visitor attractions.

All of the new projectors have been designed to deliver large-scale, vivid displays to help modernise education and corporate environments, while meeting the growing demand for collaborative working solutions and enhanced connectivity. With the new range, Epson is delivering lower-cost laser display solutions into new brightness categories, making lamp replacements and clunky, inflexible flat panels problems of the past.

The new EB-L700 series offers a brightness range from 5,200 – 7,000 lumens white and Colour Light Output (CLO) and includes advanced installation and connectivity. It also comes with a new short-“Epson’s laser projector line-up has expanded dramat-

ically in recent years, and now ranges from 2,000 to 30,000 lumens,” comments Neil Colquhoun, Vice President Professional Displays, Epson Europe.

“As the market leader in 3LCD technology, Epson continues to improve its high brightness laser projectors with even smaller and more compact display solutions.

This is what our customers have demanded and the new EBL700 series delivers even more effective, practical and creative display applications in retail, corporate, hospitality and entertainment.”

Designed for enhanced engagement, collaboration and laser-focused learning, the EB-L520U, EB-L530U, EB-L630U, EBL720U and EB-L730U offer up to 7,000 lumens of equal colour and white brightness for powerful performance, flexible placement and exceptional image quality for use in schools and company meeting rooms. Unlike other classroom display technology, Epson’s laser solutions deliver images up to 500-inches in a variety of aspect ratios, including ultra-wide 16:6 format and

tors can rest easy in the knowledge that the product is reliable for many years to come.

The series has six models, all of which differ in pixel pitch. The A0421, A0621 and

Absen has announced a brand-new LED display series designed to be used in medium to large DOOH installations. Boasting a 10,000-nit brightness, and with a 1280mm x 960mm standard panel size and 3 other optional sizes, the six new models of the Aurora Series are designed to create unmissable displays.

A0821 are the smaller pixel matter where it is placed.

Sustainability has also been pitches in the series, rangat the forefront of Absen’s engi- ing from 4.44mm – 16mm neers’ minds when developing pitch, whilst the larger pitches, the Aurora Series. Waterproof, A1021, A1021D and A1621D, with an operating temperature are designed for further viewbetween -40 and +50 degrees ing distances. Perfect for inCelsius, the series promises to stallation within any DOOH perform every hour of the day space, whether for a stadium, even in the most demanding con- billboards or on the sides of ditions. And, with Absen’s guar- buildings, the Aurora Series anteed 5-year warranty, which promises to draw the eye of covers the entire series, integra- anyone near or far.

Epson expands high brightness fixed lens laser display range

supporting up to four inputs to be displayed simultaneously to maximise the display area in hybrid education and meeting room settings.

The new EB-L700 series comes equipped with futureproofed connectivity options including 4K signal support, enterprise level 5GHz wireless, upgraded Miracast[1] and support for Epson’s new wireless presentation system. Installation is also made easy with wide zoom and lens shift[2], HDBaseT and 360-degree placement flexibility. Powered by a virtually maintenance-free, 20,000hour laser light source with no lamps to replace, the EB-L700 series has been designed for reliable operation with a long lifecycle and reduced power consumption requirements.

Introducing new short throw models, with 0.8:1 throw ratio and available in black and white options, the EB-L630SU and EB-L635SU offer further versatility to the range. Combining advanced installation Continued on page 10

AV News April 2021 P9

Technology News

Avaya Spaces adds new capabilities spaceAdd DOOH Media development with Signagelive Avaya (NYSE: AVYA) has announced new capabilities for Avaya Spaces, the modern workstream collaboration (WSC) platform that offers evolved Unified Communications capabilities via a user’s preferred device. AI-enhanced meetings and simpler, integrated voice and video calling powered by Avaya OneCloud CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) can now extend existing on-premise calling technology with Avaya Spaces.

Legacy communication systems and monolithic software solutions were never designed for today’s distributed work environment. According to research1, 76 percent of business users still rely on traditional PBX environments for their calling, often operating standalone

er to meet the needs of the experience economy by shifting from monolithic software to more agile, services-based applications, and Avaya Spaces uniquely enables this leap forward. Avaya Spaces users also benefit from some of the most advanced, cloud-based AI as well as a client-less architecture for an exceptional and easy-to-use experience.”

To empower personalised skills improvement at scale, Toolwire, a leading designer of AI-powered learning experience platforms, taps into the capabilities of Avaya Spaces. “The past year has demonstrated the need for better remote learning solutions, and Toolwire is creating new and more powerful tools for our customers – thanks to Avaya,” said John Valencia,

off-the-shelf and purpose-built integrations for CRM, customer support, RPA (robotic process automation), productivity and more.

•AI enhancements to create more engaging meetings and reduce fatigue: Visually overlay speakers on top of presented material to better grab the attention of participants and keep them engaged.

•Enjoy high-quality audio for calls and video meetings – even at noisy locations including a busy home office. Dog barking?

Gone. Driving in a convertible with the top down? Taking a conference call from the oceanfront while on vacation?

No problem.

•Increase participation: Hold interactive meetings with thousands of participants and take

spaceAdd, based in South Korea. is a digital out of home (DOOH) company that adds value to space. They provide effective performance to advertisers by installing advertising media in a space that has not yet been developed and converting it into data - known as DOOH Media Development.

“As a media owner in Korea with over 1500 screens, we are using Signagelive as one of our preferred Content Management System solutions to efficiently manage the media content on a number of screens. Having researched the digital signage market we tested and selected Signagelive for three main reasons, which are: •Compatibility with various Hardware and other Software - enabling us to reutilise existing Windows PCs whilst adding our non-PC players and SoC

each DOOH display.”

“Our business case was built upon the reliability of a globally acknowledged CMS software provider with a hardware agnostic approach. We believe strongly that having the benefit to choose from a wide range of supported player hardware will position us well to grow quickly in the future.”

“There are many great features that Signagelive delivers for spaceAdd’s requirements, some of the key ones are: •Seamless integration with our various partners e.g.

Samsung SoC Displays and AdMobilize Audience Analytics intuitive and informative dashboard is very easy to use •Transparent Pricing •Easy activation of players and deactivation/reactivation in the case of service or replacement of hardware.”

give you peace of mind.”

“We were faced with a client wanting to utilise some of their Windows run screens with Kiosk Mode, which was not available at the time at Signagelive. They made a quick decision to develop a new version to suit our clients’ needs in a very short time”.

Chang Keun (CK) Oh, CEO (Founder), spaceAdd Co. Ltd commented: “Signagelive is one of the most efficient and stable CMS solutions that is compatible with many various media player options. As a growing DOOH media owner constantly acquiring new networks, Signagelive solves a number of problems when dealing with various types of projects with different requirements.

Andrew Lee, Director of Sales APAC, Signagelive replied: “We are absolutely thrilled to have spaceAdd select our CMS solution amongst the many available

Avaya (NYSE: AVYA) has announced new capabilities for Avaya Spaces, the modern workstream collaboration (WSC) platform that offers evolved Unified Communications capabilities via a user’s preferred device. from their modern collaboration technology. Realising the power of OneCloud CPaaS, Avaya Spaces connects sophisticated workstream collaboration capabilities with existing enterprise telephony calling functions to form a unified, integrated, allin-one solution, with zero disruption to the business. Users tap into unlimited abilities to integrate with business apps and tools they already love, enhancing employee experiences to create great customer experiences.

“We designed Avaya Spaces to be an immersive collaboration platform that supports the composable enterprise, enabling organisations to move at the speed of their customers and employees,” said Anthony Bartolo, EVP and Chief Product Officer, Avaya. “Businesses are adapting and scaling fast-

President & CEO, Toolwire.

“With its CPaaS architecture, Avaya Spaces is a tremendous collaboration platform for us to build upon, enabling us to provide universities and companies of any size with the collaboration capabilities they require to create breakthrough experiences and achieve their desired level of digital transformation – one learner at a time.”

The new capabilities for Avaya Spaces include: • Enhanced calling: Easily contact anyone inside or outside the organisation via high-quality voice or video. Search and merge contacts from multiple devices, and transfer, merge and manage multiple concurrent calls for easy conferencing.

• Create seamless workflows: Leverage APIs to easily take advantage of a wide range of

advantage of a 61-person “concert view.”

Launched in 2020, Avaya Spaces was recently recognized as a Strong Performer in the Frost & Sullivan Frost Radar for Cloud Meetings and Team Collaboration Services 2020 report. “In the past year Avaya Spaces has seen rapid growth in users and in new capabilities, delivering a modern and engaging user experience, high video quality, extensive security measures, and a large ecosystem of partners extending cloud and AI capabilities,” said Alaa Sayed, Industry Director ICT, Frost & Sullivan. “Spaces provides more than video conferencing, with an array of always-on features including persistent messaging, file and content sharing, virtual personal meeting rooms, task management, and more.”

continued from page 9

Epson expands high brightness fixed lens laser display range features with bright, detailed imagery, the standard-throw EB-L730U and EB-L735U and short-throw EB-L630SU and EB-L635SU offer a compact, minimalist, discreet design that fits seamlessly in virtually any environment and deliver sharp, true-to-life images for expanded applications, such as corporate experience centres, retail visual merchandising, museum exhibits and entertainment venues.

The EB-L700 series sports professional features for creating advanced displays with on-board edge blending func-

Epson has expanded its laser projector line-up with a new range of compact, high brightness 3LCD laser projectors, designed to meet display needs in education, corporates, museums and visitor attractions. tionality, which is supported by software tools for wireless conEpson Projector Professional tent management and remote Tool compatibility, providing monitoring and control. New advanced geometry correction. models will be available in The range also supports Epson June 2021 and offer a range of

P12 AV News April P10 November 20212019

spaceAdd, based in South Korea. is a digital out of home (DOOH) company that adds value to space. They provide effective performance to advertisers by installing advertising media in a space that has not yet been developed and converting it into data - known as DOOH Media Development.

Displays all managed from one platform.

•Ease of use - the Signagelive platform is extremely intuitive, simple to use but with powerful features suitable for our passive and interactive DOOH requirements.

•Transparent Pricing - there are no hidden costs, just a simple price per player connected to the Signagelive platform making it easy for us to calculate our return on investment for

“As we work with many different space owners, operators, we really like the ability to incorporate local users with restricted access, in addition to centralised control. In addition, Signagelive’s Proof of Play is very accurate and reliable, which is a very important function for media owners. If you are looking to track your asset playback to confirm that your content was successfully delivered, Proof of Play will

in not just South Korea and in the rest of the world. As a fast-growing DOOH business, spaceAdd is a prime example of how Signagelive can add value as a proven enterprise-grade solution that gives media network owners full flexibility in hardware selection, coupled with extreme ease of network management.”

Bluefin Teams with BrightSign on video wall offering BrightSign has announced a collaboration with Bluefin International, Inc. to deliver a pair of new video wall solutions with integrated digital signage capabilities. The BrightSign Built-In Multi-Screen Displays come in two configurations – a 13.3-inch 3x1 display, and a 15.6-inch 3x1 display. “Traditional video walls can be very effective for businesses to increase visibility, but they often require significant up-front investment and cost more over time due to increased energy consumption,” said Randy Guy,

CEO at Bluefin. “Our displays are very efficient and come equipped with BrightSign’s highly reliable media player capabilities already on board for a great solution that works right out of the box.”

Each of the new Bluefin solutions comes in a 3x1 configuration. The 13.3-inch displays are stacked vertically to create a narrow column that can be installed in either landscape or portrait orientation, while the 15.6-inch displays are stacked laterally for an aspect ratio similar

to a traditional display in landscape orientation. Both solutions are powered by a single HS144 module, BrightSign’s Built-In SoC Series 4 media player that supports 4Kp60 video and features a low-profile form factor for easy integration into OEM commercial products.

“Bluefin has done a great job of integrating our Built-In SoC solution into two configurations that are versatile enough to be used in virtually any business setting,” said Jeff Hastings, BrightSign’s CEO. “Our latest collaboration with Bluefin is another great

Technology news

Bluefin solutions come in a 3x1 configuration, stacked vertically or laterally. Both solutions are powered by a single HS144 module, BrightSign’s Built-In SoC Series 4 media player that supports 4Kp60 video

proof-point of the collective value we bring with this bestof-breed solution for a variety of video wall applications.”

BrightSign’s HS144 module is powerful enough to power all three displays with 1080p content, maximizing resolution to create eye-catching screen layouts. BrightSign makes it possible to synchronize playback across all three displays, with the ability to create zones within each display to maximize the variety of content that can be displayed simultaneously.

This product line is available worldwide, including the EU (France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark), England, Japan and Australia.

BenQ CS Series multi-function display BenQ is expanding its end-toend corporate leadership with the new CS Series premium smart signage display. Available in 65", 75", and 86" models, the 4K UHD CS Series is designed to enable highly engaging meetings and presentations with a built-in, wireless screen-sharing solution; whiteboarding and collaboration tools; video conferencing integration; digital signage capabilities; and account and device management.

"There are many things in the

of options for annotation and recording. Leveraging BenQ's Account Management System (AMS), it allows users to make the most of meeting time with zero preparation. They can open and edit files from their chosen cloud services, including Google, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

The CS Series display does more than just present. It includes multiple built-in features made for effective coworking in order to maximize

midsize meeting rooms, and DVY23 20X zoom PTZ camera for large conference rooms.

The display also comes integrated with Meeting Room 365 to quickly and easily keep everyone up to date about upcoming meetings and room schedules.

In today's corporate environment, there are more systems and devices to manage than ever before. To streamline setup and user management, BenQ CS series has integrat-

Vivitek’s new LauncherPlus starts meetings instantly Vivitek has updated its popular LauncherPlus solution.

LauncherPlus connects to any laptop to establish a direct WiFi connection to all the Wireless Collaboration solutions in Vivitek’s Novo Ecosystem - both Add-On Devices and All-in-One display solutions. Users of the latest LauncherPlus will find their collaboration, productivity and connectivity boosted further by its new features.

The new LauncherPlus is designed with performance and even higher security in mind, using a Read Only Memory to establish a single click connec-

tion for wireless screen mirroring. It features five buttons for quick access and easy control and offers optimised powerful Wi-Fi performance (2.4GHz & 5GHz, 2T2R dual band Wi-Fi antenna) for a faster, more stable and longer distance operational range of up to 15 metres.

Intended for guests that are unable to install our NovoConnect software on their PC/Mac, the new LauncherPlus streamlines and secures the connection process with zero impact on the existing network.

LauncherPlus delivers effortless pairing with any NovoConnect device, as well as the NovoDisplay, an All-in-One collaborative panel featuring a 4k display, wireless collaboration

and a digital signage function.

It is also compatible with Vivitek’s NovoTouch, a powerful All-in-One touch display for conference rooms, meeting areas and corporate lobbies.

The LauncherPlus’ compatibility with all of Vivitek’s wireless collaboration products in the Novo Ecosystem ensures simplicity and higher user adoption. Wireless sharing of information in meetings has never been easier; nor more important, especially during the pandemic.

During set up, the new LauncherPlus offers not only

to ‘toggle screen extension’, ‘show/hide this software’ and ‘move projection position.’

As expected from Vivitek, the LauncherPlus delivers against the requirement for world class security. Not only does it ensure a seamless AV/ IT convergence through simple, secure, wireless collaboration with other devices, but Vivitek has prioritised data protection and network security for all of its wireless collaboration solutions. To that end, the LauncherPlus supports the Advanced Encryption Standard, and uses an AES256-bit key to

Vivitek has updated its popular LauncherPlus solution. LauncherPlus connects to any laptop to establish a direct Wi-Fi connection to all the Wireless Collaboration solutions in Vivitek’s Novo Ecosystem.

BenQ Announces the CS Series Corporate Meeting Room Display mirroring to display devices, but extremely fast Plug and Play capabilities, as well as click and display functionality within five seconds when paired. In addition to benefitting from the new LauncherPlus being compatible with 2.4 and 5G Wi-Fi and its enhanced distance range, regular LauncherPlus users will notice other improvements that extend to one Click to Connect, Start and Withdraw, and four buttons with Interactive Functions. These range from ‘join presentation’

protect data. Naturally, it benefits from password protected configuration with Meeting ID and PIN Code Protection. The NovoConnects solutions offer a Dual Network environ

BenQ is expanding its end-to-end corporate leadership with the new CS Series premium smart signage display. Available in 65", 75", and 86" models, the 4K UHD CS Series is designed to enable highly engaging meetings and presentations with a built-in, wireless screen-sharing solution; whiteboarding and collaboration tools. meeting environment that can meeting time. The display is ed solutions that are essenwaste time, impede produc- platform-agnostic, completial, including BenQ Device tivity, and cut into the bottom menting any workflows that Management Solution (DMS), line," said Penny Su, business need to run specialized softIdentity and Access Manageunit director, Google Jamboard ware during meetings. Via the ment (IAM) system, McAfee & Enterprise Collaboration Duo OS window feature, users cybersecurity system, Extron Solutions for BenQ America can simply access the software, AV control system, TeamViewCorp. "The BenQ CS Series is such as AutoCAD or Photoshop, er remote control system, and the latest addition to our cor- from the display's OPS slot or VMware cloud system. Finally, porate display range that com- external device. The Duo Winsupporting the increasing rebines our expertise in signage, dows mode maximizes the quirement for digital signage, display, and collaboration tech- screen real estate by splitting BenQ's X-Sign and X-Sign nology. It's engineered to create the screen into two windows, Broadcast creation, schedulefficient meeting experiences eliminating the need to switch ing, and publishing software that are simple, engaging, and between apps and software allow the CS display to double highly collaborative." screens. Finally, teams can get as a digital signage system BenQ has made it incredibly hands-on brainstorming and fiwithout purchasing separate easy for users to present. The nessing ideas using BenQ's EZ digital signage displays, sysCS Series features BenQ's re- Write cloud-based whiteboard tems, and ongoing fee-based nowned InstaShare 2 wireless application. Using a unique contracts. presentation system. It al- QR code, anyone can join the lows up to four participants to whiteboard session, adding share their screen, with four their notes and media on the devices appearing on screen screen and allowing them to simultaneously for maximum import pertinent documents information analysis and col- from cloud storage. In co-crelaboration. With InstaShare 2, ation mode, everyone has an there's no need to switch back opportunity to provide input and forth between screens or and feedback from their mobile pass an HDMI cable around device. the room. In addition, it supThe CS Series display is comports Miracast and Airplay for patible with any mainstream flexible screen sharing. Users video conferencing platforms, can share and play videos with including Zoom, Google Meet, no lag and annotate and con- Teams, and Cisco Webex. Detrol files from multiple devices. signed for versatility, the CS The included remote control is pairs with BenQ's new, enteran intuitive presentation tool. It prise-grade DVY21 compact can be used as a clicker or a full HD huddle room webcam, cursor, and it opens up a menu DVY22 smart 4K camera for

AV News April 2021 P11

Feature

Does voice control work in AV applications?

The pandemic and transmission of the Covid-19 virus through hard surfaces has increased demand for contact-free control. Voice transmission is a leading contender, but having been developed as a personal interface does voice really work in shared applications like public information and wayfinding?

If you thought that voice control or voice activation was a recent innovation, you might be surprised to discover that the technology is coming up to 50 years old. A ‘voice-user interface’ (VUI) makes spoken human interaction with computers possible, using speech recognition to understand spoken commands and answer questions, and typically text to speech to frame a reply. A voice command device (VCD) is a device controlled with a voice user interface.

History Three Bell Labs researchers, Stephen Balashek, R. Biddulph, and K. H. Davis built a system called "Audrey" for single-speaker digit recognition. Their system located the formants in the power spectrum of each utterance. By 1960, Gunnar Fant developed and published the source-filter model of speech production. In 1962, IBM demonstrated its 16-word "Shoebox" machine's speech recognition capability at the 1962 World's Fair, and in 1966, linear predictive coding (LPC), a speech coding method, was first proposed by Fumitada Itakura of Nagoya University and Shuzo Saito of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), while working on speech recognition.

In 1969, Funding at Bell Labs dried up for several years when, and the influential John Pierce wrote an open letter that was critical of and defunded speech recognition research.

This defunding lasted until Pierce retired and James L. Flanagan took over. Raj Reddy was the first person to take on continuous speech recognition as a graduate student at Stanford University in the late 1960s.

Previous systems required users to pause after each word.

Reddy's system issued spoken commands for playing chess.

Around this time Soviet researchers invented the dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm and used it to create a recognizer capable of operating on a 200-word vocabulary. DTW processed speech by dividing it into short frames, eg 10 ms segments, and processing each frame as a single unit. Although DTW would be superseded by later algorithms, the technique carried on. Achieving speaker independence remained unsolved at this time.

From 1970, DARPA funded five years for Speech Understanding Research, speech recognition research seeking a minimum vocabulary size of 1,000 words. They thought speech understanding would be key to making progress in speech recognition, but this

later proved untrue. BBN, IBM, Carnegie Mellon and Stanford Research Institute all participated in the program. This revived speech recognition research post John Pierce's letter.

QAR much the same time, Leonard Baum developed the mathematics of Markov chains at the Institute for Defence Analysis. A decade later, at CMU, Raj Reddy's students James Baker and Janet M. Baker began using the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for speech recognition. James Baker had learned about HMMs from a summer job at the Institute of Defence Analysis during his undergraduate education. The use of HMMs allowed researchers to combine different sources of knowledge, such as acoustics, language, and syntax, in a unified probabilistic model.

By the mid-1980s, IBM's Fred Jelinek's team created a voice activated typewriter called Tangora, which could handle a 20,000-word vocabulary Jelinek's statistical approach put less emphasis on emulating the way the human brain processes and understands speech in favour of using statistical modelling techniques like HMMs. (Jelinek's group independently discovered the application of HMMs to speech.

This was controversial with linguists since HMMs are too simplistic to account for many common features of human languages. However, the HMM proved to be a highly useful way for modelling speech and

P12 AV News April November 20212019

replaced dynamic time warping to become the dominant speech recognition algorithm in the 1980s.

Also in the 1980s, came the the n-gram language model.

The back-off model allowed language models to use multiple length n-grams, and CSELT used HMM to recognize languages (both in software and in hardware specialized processors, e.g. RIPAC). Much of the progress in the field is owed to the rapidly increasing capabilities of computers. At the end of the DARPA program in 1976, the best computer available to researchers was the PDP-10 with 4 MB ram. It could take up to 100 minutes to decode just 30 seconds of speech!

Consumer applications So how did we get to the point where speech recognition graduated from the labs to consumer devices? In 1990, Dragon Dictate was the first consumer product released. AT&T deployed the Voice Recognition Call Processing service in 1992 to route telephone calls without the use of a human operator.

The technology was developed

by Lawrence Rabiner and others at Bell Labs.

By this point, the vocabulary of the typical commercial speech recognition system was already larger than the average human vocabulary. Raj Reddy's former student, Xuedong Huang, developed the SphinxII system at CMU. The Sphinx-

The new 5114 and 6114 MediaSuite TVs come pre-installed with exciting new features and functionality for an enhanced and more personalised user experience. These include Google Assistant’s voice control functionality.

II system was the first to do speaker-independent, large vocabulary, continuous speech recognition and it had the best performance in DARPA's 1992 evaluation. Handling continuous speech with a large vocabulary was a major milestone in the history of speech recognition. Huang went on to found the speech recognition group at Microsoft in 1993. Raj Reddy's student Kai-Fu Lee joined Apple where, in 1992, he helped develop a speech interface prototype for the Apple computer known as Casper.

Lernout & Hauspie, a Belgium-based speech recognition company, acquired several other companies, including Kurzweil Applied Intelligence in 1997 and Dragon Systems in 2000. The L&H speech technology was used in the Windows XP operating system.

L&H was an industry leader until an accounting scandal brought an end to the company in 2001. The speech technology from L&H was bought by ScanSoft which became Nuance in 2005. Apple originally licensed software from Nuance to provide speech recognition capability to its digital assistant Siri.

Latterly, United States, the National Security Agency has made use of a type of speech recognition for keyword spotting since at least 2006. This technology allows analysts to

search through large volumes of recorded conversations and isolate mentions of keywords.

Recordings can be indexed and analysts can run queries over the database to find conversations of interest. Some government research programs focused on intelligence applications of speech recognition, e.g. DARPA's EARS's program and IARPA's Babel program.

In the 2000s, speech recognition was still dominated by traditional approaches such as Hidden Markov Models combined with feedforward artificial neural networks. Today, however, many aspects of speech recognition have been taken over by a deep learning method called Long short-term memory (LSTM), a recurrent neural network published by Sepp Hochreiter and Jürgen Schmidhuber in 1997.[35] LSTM RNNs avoid the vanishing gradient problem and can learn "Very Deep Learning" tasks[36] that require memories of events that happened thousands of discrete time steps ago, which is important for speech. In 2015, Google's speech recognition reportedly experienced a dramatic performance jump of 49% through CTC-trained LSTM, which is now available through Google Voice to all smartphone users.[39] The use of deep feedforward (non-recurrent) networks for acoustic modelling was in-

troduced during later part of 2009 by Geoffrey Hinton and his students at University of Toronto and by Li Deng and colleagues at Microsoft Research, initially in the collaborative work between Microsoft and University of Toronto which was subsequently expanded to include IBM and Google (hence "The shared views of four research groups" subtitle in their 2012 review paper). [ A Microsoft research executive called this innovation “the most dramatic change in accuracy since 1979”. In contrast to the steady incremental improvements of the past few decades, the application of deep learning decreased word error rate by 30%. This innovation was quickly adopted across the field. Researchers have begun to use deep learning techniques for language modelling as well.

By the early 2010s speech recognition, also called voice recognition was clearly differentiated from speaker recognition, and speaker independence was considered a major breakthrough. Until then, systems required a ‘training’ period. A 1987 ad for a doll had carried the tagline ‘Finally, the doll that understands you.’

– despite the fact that it was described as ‘which children could train to respond to their voice’.

In 2017, Microsoft research-

Feature

ers reached a historical human parity milestone of transcribing conversational telephony speech on the widely benchmarked Switchboard task. Multiple deep learning models were used to optimize speech recognition accuracy. The speech recognition word error rate was reported to be as low as 4 professional human transcribers working together on the same benchmark, which was funded

by IBM Watson speech team on the same task.

AV applications Moving to scenarios where multiple users are anticipated concurrently, apart from the obvious potential for confusion, there are also privacy concerns.

These are raised by the fact that voice commands are available to the providers of voice-user interfaces in unencrypted form and can thus be shared with third parties and be processed in an unauthorized or unexpected manner. Additional to the linguistic content of recorded speech, a user’s manner of expression and voice characteristics can implicitly contain information about his or her biometric identity, personality traits, body shape, physical and mental health condition, sex, gender, moods and emotions, socioeconomic status and geographical origin Speech recognition systems requiring ‘training’ (also called ‘enrolment’) where an individual speaker reads text or isolated vocabulary into the system.

The system analyses the person's specific voice and uses it to fine-tune the recognition of that person's speech, resulting in increased accuracy. Systems that do not use training are called "speaker independent"[1] systems. Systems that use training are called ‘speaker dependent’.

In AV applications, a distinction is drawn between ‘audio-visual speaker recognition, and speech recognition, with the first being an adjunct to security and the latter to control.

to $799 billion (excluding North America), which is a 2 percent value growth in the full year. Smart product segments performed better than average, resulting in a revival of 24 percent to $28 billion across EU7* markets.

Alert detectors, robot vacuum cleaners and cooking ranges enjoyed high demand driven by the ‘stay at home’ focus. Sales of voice-controlled products saw explosive growth of almost 61 percent in 2020, making them one of the best sellers of the year. Overall TCG delivered a V-shaped recovery, with the developed world experiencing a much stronger revival as consumers invested in their homes.

The pandemic is certainly fast-tracking digitization in

GfK insights in Distribution and Supply Chain reveals that sales of smart headsets increased over 100 percent in 2020. Looking at 2021, in week 7 (w/c February 8) this category continues to enjoy high demand at 54 percent. GfK expects this appetite to continue throughout the year.

The pandemic also spotlighted health and hygiene which catapulted the Smart Small Domestic Appliances (SDA) and Smart Health Sector (i.e. vacuum cleaner, personal diagnostics, fitness trackers, wrist sport computers) to growth. This was the fastest growing segment across EU7* with +41 percent increase.

Smart vacuum cleaners, a key category within SDA & Health, grew by an impressive +43 percent in value terms. Since athome meant more cooking, many consumers looked for ways to

the home. The focus on home as headquarters is driving demand for tech goods. Restricted to working and studying at home and prevented from travel and outdoor leisure, consumers turned to indoor options. This delivered good growth of 19 percent for Smart Entertainment & Office products across EU7 markets (Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium).

simplify food preparation. As a result, ‘smart’ cooking grew by a staggering +71.5 percent. For example, smart built-in hobs were up +48.2.

According to GfK’s new Market Intelligence Smart Home Report covering total smart home and individual sector views, in 2020, Germany and Great Britain were the biggest markets by value for smart products. The Netherlands led the growth with an increase of 44 percent in value. However,

smart growth was concentrated: two thirds (66 percent) of the total smart segments value rises originated from Entertainment and Office sector. Smart penetration in other sectors remained much lower.

GfK’s Market Intelligence Sales Tracking data indicates a transition to a smarter future.

The virtual speaker is emerging as a smart home success story as voice control is becoming the way consumers interact with their smart products. Sales of voice-controlled products saw explosive growth of almost 61 percent in 2020, making them one of the best sellers of the year.

The race to be the smart home ecosystem of choice is also on at full speed. Tech giants Google, Apple and Amazon want to be a major part of

on technical consumer goods concludes: “The popularity of smart robot vacuum cleaners, smart alert detectors, smart LED and cooking appliances during 2020 proves that tangible benefits do motivate consumers to upgrade to the “smart” version of household products. As more consumers buy smart products and become convinced by their tangible benefits and ease of use, smart will cross the chasm to mass market appeal. However, what shouldn’t be forgotten is the need for transparency about privacy policies and interoperability of different brands. If manufacturers manage to bring all this together this will make ‘smart’ products relevant for the end-consumer whose outlook is focused on enjoying the benefits of intelligent, person-

early adopters of the technology. The latest versions Philips MediaSuite hospitality TVs feature stylish new design options, plus enhanced functionality, features and benefits for users and managers.

Further building on PPDS’ commitment to providing market-leading products and solutions to the hospitality sector, the latest MediaSuite models span six size options – ranging from 32” to 75” – each designed to ensure the highest and most personalised end user experience available in the market.

As with previous models, these latest release MediaSuites with Android TVTM OS have Chromecast built-in, allowing guests to stream and view content – be it photos, movies, music or even presen-

Markets for voice control With proven popularity in the residential market, Creston naturally introduced a range of voice activated solutions into the residential market, with a range of voice activated home automation touch screens.

Hospitality and office solutions soon followed, but a report from market research specialists GfK, showed that consumers are showing growing interest in voice-controlled products Despite a challenging business environment, the global Technical Consumer Goods (TCG) industry has inched back

So now the big one and perhaps the toughest nut to crack! Voice control is now an integral part of many consumer devices – Samsung reports integration of its Bixby voice technology into fridges and appliances, to smartphones and wearables. Bixby started as a practical way to use your voice to interact with your phone. Now, it is evolving into a scalable, open AI platform to support all the devices in a consumer’s lifeincluding public digital signage. the consumer’s future smart home, but no manufacturer is gambling on the winner. Smart tech products that offer multiple ecosystems continue to be most attractive to tech-savvy consumers.

Nevin Francis GfK’s expert

alized smart tech in their lives”

Hospitality With many potential guests utilising voice control at home. it was almost inevitable that the hospitality sector would be

tations – instantly and in up to 4K from their compatible laptop or mobile device (IOS, Android or Windows) with just the touch of a button and with no new apps or additional hardware required.

Users also have access to

P13 AV News Mawrch 2021

Diary and column Feature thousands of popular apps on Google Play, including popular services such as local news, weather and traffic information, as well as content streaming from providers such as YouTube, Deezer and Spotify, plus Disney+ and Netflix.

Elaborating on the features of the new Philips MediaSuite range, Jeroen Verhaeghe, Global Product Manager at PPDS, said: “As a market leader, we continue to drive the market forward. With the HFL5114 and 6114, we’re driving the market up another gear. Bringing even more features and benefits to hoteliers and guests and once again cementing our position as the brand of choice for innovation in Professional TVs.” The new 5114 and 6114 MediaSuite TVs come pre-installed with exciting new features and functionality for an enhanced and more personalised user experience. These include Google Assistant’s voice control functionality, latest security updates, and a more personalised and intelligent content selection. Plus, the ability to embed Netflix – the world’s most popular streaming platform with more than 203 million paid memberships – allowing users to enjoy seamless access to all their favourite movies and shows.

With the latest version of Android TV OS, introduced in October 2020, all existing

HFL6014 and HFL5014 models can be updated to include these benefits as a part of the PPDS ‘extended lifetime’ guarantee. Allowing older models to be upgraded to bring cutting-edge experience to life for longer and building on the company’s strategy to spearhead a more sustainable way of working for the AV industry.

Digital signage So now the big one and perhaps the toughest nut to crack!

Voice control is now an integral part of many consumer devices – Samsung reports integration of its Bixby voice technology into fridges and appliances, to smartphones and wearables.

Bixby started as a practical way to use your voice to interact with your phone. Now, it is evolving into a scalable, open AI platform to support all the devices in a consumer’s life.

A year ago, Samsung introduced the new Bixby – a more conversational, more personal and more useful intelligent assistant. Bixby keeps the dialogue moving forward to get things done. It gets to know you and learns from its users, to personalise how it helps each individual. Bixby serves as a personal assistant, making it quick and easy to complete a variety of tasks from start to finish through a growing number of third-party partners. If a user asks: “Hi, Bixby, give me

a restaurant recommendation,” Bixby remembers cuisine preferences, like Italian, and brings those recommendations to the top of the list. Ask Bixby to buy tickets to a concert, and it will ask you follow up questions to find the best seats for the user Now Samsung is bringing that experience to even more devices and services. To evolve Bixby into Samsung’s intelligence platform, the company is laying the groundwork to build a scalable AI platform, making it simpler and easier for developers to create user experiences powered by Bixby.

At Samsung Developer Conference, Samsung announced that it is opening Bixby Developer Studio, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), to developers. It offers access to the same development tools Samsung’s internal developers use to create Bixby Capsules, which is what developers build to add features to Bixby. It’s all part of Samsung’s unique approach to AI, with the goal of building a scalable, open AI platform where developers and service providers can access tools to bring Bixby to more people and devices around the world.

“Our goal is to offer developers a robust, scalable and open AI platform that makes it easy for them to launch and evolve the amazing experiences they create for our users,” said Kyunghak Hyun, Product Man-

ager of the AI Product Management Group at Samsung. “As Samsung’s ecosystem of devices continues to grow, it creates more points of contact not just for Bixby, but for a growing number of third-party services as well. Developers have more ways to reach users, and users get more opportunities to make the most of them.”

Unlike an application in a consumer appliance or a car, where communication is effectively one-to-one, voice control of a digital sign has to select one voice command from a cacophony of background chatter.

How often have you found the far field microphones installed in voice-controlled devices accidentally picked up a stray ‘Alexa’ or ‘Siri’ command from a bystander?

In a conversation with Jeff Hastings, CEO of BrightSign, he acknowledged that voice does have a role in digital signage, and that the development of near field microphones is something that BrightSign is actively pursuing. Another chain of development is the combination of digital signage and the mobile phone where information flow is bidirectional. This obviously poses privacy problems in one of the most likely applications to emerge, that of medical advice dispensed from digital signs in doctor’s waiting rooms and pharmacies.

Last year Microsoft revealed

a push to get OEMs to support Cortana on Windows 10 better, via support for wake on voice and far-field technology. Farfield technology would allow users to access Cortana on their PC from up to 4 metres away, much as an Amazon Echo works now, even while music and noise is playing. It requires a PC include a high-quality microphone which meets Microsoft speech spec 2.0.

Currently there is something of a battle raging between Microsoft with its Cortana technology and Amazon with Alexa, Critics point out that while the two are often seen as synonymous, there are differences. Microsoft has been spreading Cortana around as much as Amazon has Alexa. The difference is that Alexa is a single, cheap device sitting in a room, its relatively easy to implement and permeate the market. Microsoft Cortana is generally considered to be the more powerful potential solution when compared to Alexa, but the product is lacking the direction needed to exploit and perfect Cortana across the wider market for voice control.

Amazon’s Alexa, on the other hand, is compatible with a much wider range of devices but both technologies suffer a similar disadvantage of being predominantly tied to the English language. While Alexa’s progress might be largely attributable to marketing success, there are signs that the

technology is spreading to more serious applications. For example, the NHS is working with Amazon to allow elderly people, blind people and other patients who cannot easily search for health advice on the internet to access the information through Alexa.

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Application news

Hotel Panther’a installs 86” TV from Peerless-AV Outdoor living and entertainment are on the increase across Europe and, with Spring approaching and temperatures rising, more demand is anticipated for outdoor AV solutions in both the professional and residential / custom install space.

To date, Peerless-AV has had significant success with its Xtreme High Bright Outdoor

distributor Omega.

The TV was installed in under a day using an outdoor flat wall mount, also from Peerless-AV, to provide a secure installation.

The UltraView is exceptionally bright and colourful with 4K resolution, direct sunlight readability and exceptional picture quality from any angle. It also features internal speakers and USB media support. Since the

and delivery, by the hotel’s marketing department.

“The UltraView TV has completely lived up to expectations and Peerless-AV and Omega provided first class sales support,” said Werner Paccagnel, System Engineer at Kapsch.

“Hotel management are happy and so are guests. The size of the TV makes it particularly eye catching with content that

wholesale distributor Stilus AG. Both companies had partnered with Peerless-AV on numerous projects and the company’s outdoor kiosk solutions were

design prevents against the ingress of water, dust, moisture and even insects. The display’s cover glass is optically bonded, which increases the perceived

“Solmani delivered great project management and service.

The outdoor kiosks really have lived up to expectations and have impressed our citizens

Solmani specified Peerless-AV’s KOF555 Outdoor Digital Menu Board with integrated 55" Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display and sourced the products from Stilus. highly recommended for this project.

Solmani specified Peerless-AV’s KOF555 Outdoor Digital Menu Board with integrated 55" Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display and sourced the products from Stilus. The KOF555 offers a simplified installation

contrast ratio and cuts down on glare, providing amazing picture quality even in direct sunlight. It also has an IK10 rated, impact resistant tempered cover glass.

with an ultra-slim and elegant design that protects and ventilates displays and AV equipment. The structure is rugged with a pedestal base designed to withstand 24/7 use and to allow mounting to existing footing or into concrete. Captive security fasteners prevent unauthorised access and vandalism.

The 55" Xtreme has an operating temperature of -35°C to 60°C, the widest in the industry. Its patented Dynamic Thermal Transfer System keeps internal components properly cooled in extreme heat while its IP68 rated, fully sealed

were installed at Bussigny’s main train station, a third in the centre of the city and a fourth in the North. Once the concrete bases had dried, the units were bolted down and installed quickly and easily by two Solmani engineers.

Each unit has a custom IP65 box for electronics, including 4G router and Spinetix media player, and the town authority’s graphics designer controls and updates content remotely using content management software.

Pierre-François Charmillot, Executive Secretary of the town of Bussigny, commented,

The installation

Two KOF555 with 55" Xtreme’s

who have given nothing but positive feedback, appreciating the ‘friendly’ and dynamic information we are delivering – from COVID-19 updates and safety notices to town news and events, wayfinding for visitors, weather, travel and more. With this latest project in Bussigny

The UltraView UHD Outdoor TV offers weatherproof features that make it an ideal option for any ‘exposed’ environment requiring a large format digital signage and infotainment medium for the target audience.

Displays in ski resorts, town centres, quick service restaurants, retail and amusement parks and more. Now, as a result of the pandemic, bars and restaurants are also more likely to embrace this technology in their efforts to provide customers with a safe outdoor space to eat, drink, socialise and be entertained.

Come rain or shine, snow or ice, the Xtreme displays offer all-weather rated performance and the toughest resistance to impact or high winds.

Similarly, the UltraView UHD Outdoor TV offers weatherproof features that make it an ideal option for any ‘exposed’ environment requiring a large format digital signage and infotainment medium for the target audience.

Hotel Panther’a, located in one of Austria’s most famous ski regions Saalbach Hinterglemm, approached system integrator Kapsch BusinessCom AG in December 2020 for a display solution to be situated on the wall at the hotel entrances by the outdoor café/bar. The hotel wanted a large, bright display that would be seen clearly at any time of day, not only by hotel guests but by tourists passing by on the street as well.

Kapsch specified the 86” UltraView TV from Peerless-AV and sourced locally from AV

TV is outside, a fundamental requirement was its ruggedness in construction to defend against weather and discolouration and ensure performance longevity and long-term aesthetics. The result at Hotel Panthera is a visually impressive TV that appeals to viewers and is easily controlled, in terms of content

can be changed and updated quickly and easily at different times of day to promote hotel services and infotainment such as news, weather, music videos and sports coverage.”

Peerless outdoor kiosks to communicate with citizens The municipality of Bussigny, in the Swiss canton of Vaud, borders Geneva, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Berne and Valais (west to east) and has a population of approximately 9,000. The town authority had worked with Solmani on digital signage projects in the past and approached the Swiss AV solutions provider to implement a new outdoor project for them in December 2020.

They wanted an outdoor digital signage solution that would allow them to improve communication with citizens in various locations, whilst demonstrating progression in the adoption of new, technological innovations and setting an example for surrounding municipalities.

The outdoor solution needed to be able to withstand the elements, being exposed to extreme all-weather conditions all year round. Since the solution

P16 AV News April 2020

was to be installed in a public environment, it also had to be impact resistant to protect against potential damage from vandalism. Furthermore, it needed to offer the best image quality so content would always be clearly visible, even in direct sunlight.

The solution Solmani has extensive digital signage experience, especially with towns and cities seeking to embrace smart technology to entertain, inform and enhance urban life. Although specialising in outdoor LED technology, this was not an option for the Bussigny project where an IK10 rated outdoor display solution was required.

Solmani was introduced to AV technology pioneer Peerless-AV via Spinetix and Zurich-based

we’re acting as a technological leader and hope others will follow our example.”

“Peerless-AV were a great support on this project, providing a successful outdoor solution, and technical advice and consultancy throughout,” said Grégoire Galland, CEO, SOLMANI SA. “Bussigny town authority is looking at installing further outdoor kiosks this year and we will certainly look to partner on further projects together with Peerless-AV in the future.”

Application news Business opportunities

Projection mapping for Houston Cougars The University of Houston recently updated the projection mapping content for its basketball team, the Houston Cougars, creating a dramatic, on-court pre-game show at the Fretitta Centre. The bright, 3D graphics were created by Quince Imaging, and enabled by a range of Christie solutions installed by Quince, including 3DLP projectors, Mystique, a Pandoras Box Server, and Terra, an AV-over-IP system.

The University sought to re-

simplify workflows. It’s one of those things that we’ve really encouraged pre-COVID, and now during COVID, it has become even more important to have an integrated system of projectors, control and transmission that allows us to maintain it so much more efficiently remotely, when you can’t have full staff on site.”

The system is designed to ensure that the image remains bright and perfectly aligned with the combination of Chris-

hockey team with on-ice projection mapping, and the Wizards with on-court mapping. “When you have folks sitting so close to the image and a projection display that big, 4K is critical.

The way to deliver lossless 4K is the SDVoE solution.”

During the initial installation of the system, rigging was a challenge in the arena. “We had lower ceilings and had to shoot at uncomfortable angles, but Mystique helped to solve the complex warping and blending

Sharp UK has announced its involvement in the new ‘Centre for Digital Technologies’ in partnership with South Essex College, Basildon.

The University of Houston recently updated the projection mapping content for its basketball team, the Houston Cougars, creating a dramatic, on-court pre-game show at the Fretitta Centre. A Pandoras Box Server allows the user to composite and update the on-court content more easily and frequently, while Christie Terra delivers native, mathematically lossless 4K content across the court. fresh the on-court projection mapping content to align with both in-person and broadcast viewing, says Eric Gazzillo, Director of Innovation, Quince Imaging. “What’s important now, during COVID, is being broadcast-centric, so we’re using the displays and technology to fill the arena with content, designs and projection mapping.

We use the technology in a way to make the arena feel full, if they’re doing partial or limited seating, and to add some drama to the pregame broadcast that can be lacking if the arena is empty.” The new content was designed by Quince’s in-house art director, Zubair Parkar.

The projection mapping system, installed in the Fall of 2018, uses eight Christie Boxer 4K30 3DLP® 30,000 lumen projectors, a Pandoras Box Server, Terra and Mystique.

Says Gazzillo of the decision to install an all-Christie system in the arena: “Having a complete Christie solution allows us to

tie 3DLP projectors and Mystique. “We’ve used Boxer with Mystique for years in difficult logistical situations and challenging lighting, and it’s really made things a lot easier in arenas,” says Gazzillo. “As we install more projectors, Mystique is becoming really important to simplify projection mapping.”

Christie Mystique is an automated camera-based alignment and recalibration solution to quickly install, align, calibrate and maintain multi-projector arrays.

A Pandoras Box Server allows the user to composite and update the on-court content more easily and frequently, while Christie Terra delivers native, mathematically lossless 4K content across the court. “We’re advocates of 4K, especially on our dual-sport solutions,” says Gazzillo. Quince Imaging specializes in dual-sport systems, such as the system installed in Capital One Arena that serves both the Washington Capitals

challenges so we could provide a seamless, uniform image,” says Gazzillo. And while the system had been out of use due to COVID, it came back online without issue, and the University is now using it regularly.

Says Gazzillo of the response by the University to the system and the new content, “At Quince, we live by the rule ‘always give customers more than they expect to get.’ The best sign of customer satisfaction is watching our clients hit the ground running once our work is complete. University of Houston has been hard at work since implementation, reaching out only periodically for fresh content. That speaks volumes; our primary goal has always been to build trusting and enduring relationships with our clients. At the University of Houston, they know they can rely on us. We are in it for the long haul.”

Sharp UK has announced its involvement in the new ‘Centre for Digital Technologies’ in partnership with South Essex College, Basildon. This significant design and install project is a ‘one-of-a-kind’ facility for the UK, providing students and staff with access to a highly integrated suite of the latest digital printing and audio visual presentation learning technologies.

The project saw Sharp’s Print, Audio Visual and Furniture

teams coordinate a tightly choreographed installation completed ahead of schedule.

The centre is now equipped with the latest multifunction and production print devices, device management software, BIG PAD interactive touchscreens, Digital Signage and learning space furniture. The combination of these systems and solutions will enable new ways of teaching, enhancing student engagement and the overall learning experience.

The partnership with the college extends beyond providing this technology. Students will be supported by Sharp as they begin their careers with apprenticeships, mentoring, work experience and a series of four guest speaker talks at the college (in 2021) where the company’s experts will share their experience of working in the global technology sector.

The partnership is planned to expand in the future as the college develops its on-prem-

ise ‘Technology Suite’. This will provide students with access to exciting products and new technologies being launched in the UK market by Sharp. The company will also be able to access the suite to demonstrate these products to customers and prospective customers onsite.

Simon Warnes, Director of Connect Partnerships at Sharp UK, said: “This has been an exciting project for the whole

Sharp team. Given the year everyone has had, we wanted to ensure the value we are adding at South Essex College goes beyond the technology and facilities we’ve installed. We’re delighted to be partnering with the college long term and to be able to lend our continued support, expertise and guidance to both students and staff.”

Angela O’Donoghue, Principal and Chief Executive at South Essex College, said: “The col-

lege’s new Centre for Digital Technologies in Basildon town centre, Essex is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for students on courses with a tech focus including IT networking, app development, games design and animation.

We’re very happy to be partnering with Sharp on this project so students can benefit from this industry-led educational experience.”

Advantex sails to success Technology specialist Advantex is sailing to success after completing a contract to provide new digital connectivity onboard Europe's oldest floating warship. The cable work by the North East firm onboard HMS Trincomalee, which is the centrepiece of a popular maritime exhibition in Hartlepool, is part of new investment by the National Museum of the Royal Navy in technology to support the ongoing conservation of its exhibits.

The technology is being used to connect specialist sensors around the ship to monitoring equipment, enabling conservation officers to track and record potentially harmful rises in temperature and humidity levels. It also provides more reliable and secure connection to the internet for cash tills used

during onboard weddings and corporate functions.

Built in Bombay in 1816, shortly after the end the Napoleonic war, HMS Trincomalee is a Royal Navy Leda-class sailing frigate that has also served as a training ship and now features as part of the National Historic Fleet, attracting thousands of visitors to Hartlepool's Maritime Experience annually.

Phil George, the National Museum of the Royal Navy's head of IT, said: "Advantex impressed with their positive response and understanding our unique requirements. They were sensitive to the conservation of the ship, delivering a high quality and cost-effective solution to meet our current and future needs."

Currently employing 50 people and targeting a £6 million

turnover in 2021, HMS Trincomalee is the latest contract for Advantex, which continues to see success on the back of new product introductions, investment in a highly skilled workforce and planned strategic growth.

Stephen O'Connell, sales and marketing director, and a former Royal Marine said: "This is a very prestigious project for us, showcasing our skills and expertise in delivering challenging and complex IT installations.

"We are very proud of our North East origins and it is great to see this type of work being serviced by a company based in the region. I have a personal pride in this work with my former connections to the Royal Navy."

Photograph: (L-R) Clare Hunt, senior curator of HMS Trincomalee and Advantex's Stephen O'Connel

Sharp partners on ‘Centre for Digital Technologies’

AV News April 2020 P17

Diary and column Feature

Retail solutions for the post Covid era Along with travel, hospitality and live events, retail is one of the sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic. While beset with problems, the retail sector is also noted for its qualities of innovation and flexibility. With lockdown soon due to end for non-essential retail, what staps have been taken ahead of reopening?

According to the UK National Office for Statistics, the retail industry is comprises almost 5.1% of UK GDP. “The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the public health response have had large impacts on the UK and global economies. In particular, the retail industry has been impacted by the imposition of lockdown restrictions and social distancing, which have led to changes in the goods and services that we consume and how we consume them, with some areas of retail faring worse than others.”

The government goes on to say: “Policy measures introduced to contain the spread of the virus, such as public health restrictions and voluntary social distancing, had pronounced impacts on the retail industry. This included the closure of non-essential retail stores on 23 March 2020 as part of the first national lockdown that was introduced across the UK. Non-essential retailers were permitted to reopen in June with some variations across the UK nations - the earliest being in Northern Ireland (12 June) and the latest in Scotland (29

June) - although these stores were forced to shut once more as Tier 4 restrictions were introduced in certain areas across England and Scotland through autumn and a 17-day "firebreak lockdown" was introduced in Wales in late October.”

“The announcement of further lockdowns in England (5 November to 2 December and 5 January 2021 to present), as well as similar restrictions introduced across other UK nations from the end of 2020 till now has again seen the largescale closure of non-essential retail. The impact of these restrictions has been reflected in footfall levels, in part capturing how the retail industry has been impacted in 2020.

Restrictions introduced across UK nations from the end of 2020 till now has again seen the large-scale closure of non-essential retail. The impact of these restrictions has been reflected in footfall levels, in part capturing how the retail industry has been impacted in 2020.

Online retail In the face of the restrictions, some retailers were able to maintain a percentage of their businesses developing and improving online channels.

Overall. however, trends were inevitably downwards. The total volume of retail sales in Great Britain fell by 1.9% in 2020 compared with 2019, the largest fall since records began.

The impact has been particularly severe for non-essential retail. Figure 2 shows that retail sales volumes started to fall sharply in March 2020, and by April total retail sales volumes were 19% lower when compared with February levels.

As these lockdown restrictions eased, there was a marked increase, which may have reflected some pent-up consumer demand.

However, this in part reflects a change in how consumers have moved to online retailing.

The rising use of online shopping has eased the impact of the pandemic on the retail sector. Online sales rose rapidly following the start of the pandemic and were 60% higher in May when compared with February's level. Total retail sales

volumes recovered and since July have been above pre-pandemic (February 2020) levels.

The latest figures show that total retail sales volume (excluding fuel) were 5.8% higher in December when compared with February.

It's worth noting that the volumes of sales fell again by 4.1% in November 2020 in response to the introduction of a second lockdown in England.

The latest estimates show that total retail sales volume grew by 0.3% in December, as there were initially some easing of restrictions in early December, although this was then followed by the re-imposition of tighter restrictions to non-essential retail later in the month.

Value of UK retail sales at current prices, by retail sector, seasonally adjusted, Great Britain, index February 2020=100

P18 AV News April 2020

Removing the restrictions With many restrictions soon due to end, underlying trends – such as footfall and the 35% decline in credit card spending – suggest that bricks-and-mortar retail will have to drastically improve the shopping experience to lure shoppers back to the High Street.

What is now clear, is that ecommerce sales remained solid throughout the entirety of 2020, as consumers continued to shop online. The final quarter of 2020 drove significant ecommerce sales, spurred on by events including Black Friday, Christmas, as well as UK lockdowns. November and December saw an online sales growth of 39% and 37% respectively. Overall, new data from IMRG states that online sales grew by 36% in 2020, which is the highest growth seen in 13 years. This is in contrast to overall retail sales, which fell by 0.13%, marking the lowest annual growth figure for 25 years.

With the UK in lockdown until mid-February at the very earliest, it is easy to assume that

Feature

the pattern will continue, i.e. that ecommerce will continue to boom in 2021. However, it is difficult to confidently predict what’s to come – particularly as we do not know how long disruption from the pandemic will last. Economic uncertainty could see consumers stem the ‘treat yourself’ mentality that we saw during 2020 lockdowns.

One of the worst affected sectors was fashion retail. It’s a tale of two halves in other sectors, such as fashion. Primark, for example, is expected to lose more than £1bn during the first half of its financial year. On the other hand, Boohoo is thriving with sales rising 40% during the four months to the end of December as a consequence of its strong online channel.

Where Primark refuses to sell online, Boohoo, in contrast, has capitalised on the demand for online shopping, promoting

new and in-demand categories like lounge and sportswear.

Boohoo uses influencer marketing to appeal to a young and digitally savvy target market.

So do this trend mean it’s the end for fashion on the High Street? It is said by some retail experts that the eventual easing of restrictions could result in spend on traditional retail increasing, as well as sectors that previously struggled (such as travel or experience-focused retail) bouncing back. There is almost universal agreement that developments n experiential technologies will be instrumental in bringing consumers back to stores.

So what can technology offer to retailers seeking to develop immersive shopping experiences?

Once in store, sensor-based solutions monitor the movement and dwell time of shoppers within defined areas.

Immersive

experiences

The important point here is not so much the emergence of new solutions – although they do appear with regularity – but the evolution of the retail business model. Creative technology specialists LamasaTech have identified a number of currently available technologies that can combined to provide a complete retail solution to meet customer expectations. For example, an interactive mirror can improve sales of a store by making recommendations to customers about an item that will give a complete look at what the buyer is assembling.

In addition, the mirror can text the details of the items that the customer wants to buy, but not yet ready to make a purchase without time to consider.

Also, the retailer will have an opportunity to follow up with the customer even after they have left the store to know about their level of satisfaction.

The system gives the retail access to data about which items go to the fitting room and are not converted to sales thereby enabling the retailer to make meaningful stock decisions.

LamasaTech believes that virtual and augmented realities are technologies that finding homes in many retail shops forced to economise on the number or experience level of sales assistants providing advice for customers making purchasing decisions on items.

The retailer has the option of creating a virtual environment for the items the customer is purchasing. perhaps in the context perhaps of previous purchases.

An example might include a virtual lounge, where the customer can relate to the items within the room thereby being able to decide what they need. It also gives customers the ability to customise in different ways on basis of colours of items and location of items.

Afterwards, they can take a tour to feel how people can navigate in the room.

AV News March 2021 P19

Diary and column Feature

The technology can be used with RFID chips when browsing through items with an online app or when adding items to the cart. When you visit the

store to make sure it’s the item you desire, you get the bag with the item, then you can browse further, and the items are added to the smart bag. If it’s a fit-

ting item, in the fitting room, a smart screen renders the items in the bag. After you are satisfied with the items you pay using the app.

Digital signage and touch screens are the technology that retailers are adopting to enhance interactive experiences for customers. The technology

catches the eyes of customers, provides information and makes them loyal to the store.

Immersive retail experiences are not only about technology

but rather engaging customer’s senses, interests and ultimately loyalty.

Maximizing use of your retail digital signage assets Andreas Neumann, Business Development Manager QSR & Retail at Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe, looks at how digital signage is presenting retailers with a compelling solution, offering a vital communications channel, targeted efficiencies, and reduced costs over the long term.

Whether you manage an existing digital signage network or are considering digitising your retail operations, the benefits gleaned from instantly updatable, multi-usage signage cannot be overstated.

There’s nothing new in stressing the vital importance of effective communication – it is absolutely fundamental to customer service excellence! Keeping your customers updated with the latest information, promotions and brand story is critical for building and maintaining loyal customer relationships. As a medium for communication, multi-usage digital signage screens are highly versatile tools to support your communications strategy. Instantly updatable and centrally controlled, digital signage offers a future-proof investment and the potential for profitable returns.

I can make no apology for mention of the current health crisis at this point so let’s just get it out of the way first off. Retail, perhaps more than any other industry, would prefer this subject was not on the agenda, but digital signage has a lot to offer in the battle against the virus.

Managing the virus into the future will be heavily reliant on people complying with government guidance – hands, face, space. Different countries have different rules, but the basic premiss is the same and the retailer is obligated to demonstrate their efforts to ensure their customers are compliant.

Communication is absolutely vital here, but where the rules are constantly changing, it can be challenging to keep your safety protocols up to date alongside maintaining your brand personality.

Limiting the number of customers entering stores is one universally encouraged measure in managing the spread of the virus, alongside ensuring a socially distanced queue outside.

Access control systems Controlling access into stores and managing footfall in various zones within larger shops to ensure a smooth flow and reducing congestion presents retailers with a challenge. It can be managed by security staff, but this is costly long term and poses additional resourcing issues.

By combining digital signage networks with sensor-based technologies, retailers achieve

gy for retailers, now more than ever, an effective online operation is imperative. The click and collect model has been a lifeline for many retailers during the current crisis, demonstrating that the key to success lies in the harmonious combination of a compelling brick and mortar presence, complemented by an efficient, fast response ecommerce capability.

Shifting spending patterns

an effective entrance flow management solution which also offers additional, potentially revenue generating benefits.

Located at the store entrance, camera-based solutions count people entering and exiting the premises. The screen displays the number of people for whom there is still space, much like a car parking system, and displays guidance to wait when the shop is at maximum capacity. There is ample opportunity to display multiple content alongside, including safety instructions but also customisable dynamic advertising and branding messages – the perfect infotainment antidote to reduce perceived waiting times and discourage shoppers from leaving the queue.

Once in store, sensor-based solutions monitor the movement and dwell time of shoppers within defined areas.

Signage can redirect shoppers accordingly, encouraging them to visit other sections of the store first, maybe a visit to the coffee shop. Again, advertising and branding opportunities turn these screens into multiuse devices.

Benefits of digitisation Beyond the control of customer flow, the data derived from sensor-based signage offers retailers a compelling opportunity to hone marketing campaigns with targeted advertising according to audience demographics. A clear demonstration of the ROI

P20 AV News April 2020

As people are shifting spending away from holidays abroad, expenditure on household goods, DIY and garden items has fuelled recovery in retail sales.

Consumers who might have seen their spending on coffee and meals reduce, find themselves with the money available to spend elsewhere. Hardware stores have seen strong sales

Some shoppers might find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they seek to make improvements to their homes. Targeted advertising, information and DIY top tips displayed via signage screens will offer welcome reassurance. to be gained from a well-managed digital signage network.

There is light at the end of the tunnel as regards the current health crisis, so whilst compliance with COVID-19 safety measures will remain for the foreseeable future, we can now anticipate life returning to a tantalising normal. At this point, digital signage hardware can be reassigned elsewhere, continuing to provide essential in-store communication and engagement

with your customers.

The benefits of digital communications are not just customer facing. Digital signage networks extending to staff canteens, employee lounges and training areas, storage and distribution depots and manufacturing facilities ensure your brand identity permeates throughout your total operation to motivate, incentivise, inform and train your entire workforce and supplier teams.

The move to digitisation has long been an important strate-

in their online channels and recorded an increased flow of customers through their stores.

Some shoppers might find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they seek to make improvements to their homes.

Targeted advertising, information and DIY top tips displayed via signage screens will offer welcome reassurance. Screens located alongside key product lines are highly effective in this scenario, enabling shoppers to access expert advice, via touch or gesture control. Videowalls

and large format displays provide opportunities to inspire shoppers, stimulating their creativity and directing them to the appropriate tools for the job.

Finding your solution All these solutions are readily available from Sharp NEC Display Solutions and our partners. We have the combined technology to maximise usage of your digital signage investment, generating sales uplift whilst effectively enhancing the customer experience, even during these difficult times.

NEC large format displays and projectors are perfectly designed to integrate seamlessly into the shop interior without impacting valuable retail space. Along shelf fronts, on columns, in shop windows and at the store entrance; ceiling hanging, wall mounted or floor standing – we can help you get creative with your signage.

Sensor software such as NEC’s leafengine facilitates integration of various sensors, triggering content delivered via NEC’s numerous computing options. Onboard PCs or media players based on Raspberry Pi, Windows or Android enable upgradable and scalable content management solutions.

Peoplewatch Business opportunities

peoplewatch VuWall has announced the appointment of Pierre-Yves Desbiens as Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Desbiens is replacing CFO Keith Findlay, who is taking his retirement as of May 3, 2021.. Desbiens is responsible for finance, accounting, business intelligence, legal, human resources and overall business operations. As a new member of the executive team, he will report directly to the CEO Paul Vander Plaetse.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Pierre-Yves join the VuWall team” said Paul Vander Plaetse, CEO at VuWall. “His impressive track record, both in his career and his character, makes him the perfect fit to overseeing our company’s finances and operations as we enter a new phase of expansion, all while preserving our company values.”

“I am thrilled to be joining VuWall at such an exciting time of growth and increased focus on financial excellence and operational efficiency,” said Pierre-Yves Desbiens. “I believe that VuWall’s potential is tremendous, with their unique and innovative technology, strong business model, global footprint and most of all, their team of incredibly talented and passionate people. I look forward to working with the team and being an integral part of the company’s growth and success.”

Pierre-Yves Desbiens, CPA, CA, MBA, has a long and distinguished career with more than 35 years of leadership experience, where he held COO and CFO titles for the last 25 years for various companies in the fields of technology, innovation and life sciences. He played a major role in the creation of many successful start-ups, namely NÉOMED Institute and its subsidiary NEOMEDLabs Inc., and ArthroLab Inc. Earlier in his career, Desbiens was part of the leadership group who brought Oceanex to its successful IPO and has held various roles for both public and private companies including the Quebec Solidarity Funds, Deloitte and Price Waterhouse Cooper. Desbiens currently sits on the Board of Aeterna Zentaris (NASDAQ: AEZS).

Phil Pini, Head of Crestron Residential Sales UK, comments: “The residential market in the UK is going from strength to strength, which represents a superb opportunity for Crestron's smart home solutions, which include entertainment systems, automation of lighting and heating control, and security.”

Jo adds: “I'm super excited to be joining the team and am really looking forward to working with Crestron's wonderful partners all across the UK! In the past six months, there has been increased appetite for Crestron, as homeowners have got to grips during the pandemic with the many benefits smart technology brings.”

AV distributor Audio Visual Material is strengthening its support team with the appointment of Olivia Whitbread as sales and service administrator. Whitbread has a decade of experience in the AV industry, primarily working for one of the sector’s leading integrators, and so has a good understanding of the needs of AV professionals.

Mark Nisbet, md of AVM explains: “Our service offering is becoming increasingly important and Olivia can bring great insight from a channel perspective to help us evolve and develop it further.”

On her decision to join AVM, Whitbread comments: “I’ve spent many years working with integrators and was interested in seeing how things worked from the distribution side. AVM appealed as an employer because of the small, tight-knit family like culture.”

Whitbread will be managing the RMA and repair processes for AVM, and communications with customers about repairs and deliveries AV distributor Audio Visual Material is strengthening its support team with the appointment of Olivia Whitbread as sales and service administrator.

Kromers, the Technology Consultants. are delighted to confirm the appointment of Lee Styles as Partner.

VITEC has announced that Eric Deniau has joined the company as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). “IP video streaming continues to grow across all markets as more and more enterprises harness the power of their networks to deliver and manage video traffic,” said Philippe Wetzel, CEO of VITEC. The pace of innovation that is taking place in IPTV is accelerating as organizations across industries elevate their dependence on video streaming. Over 93 percent of technology executive respon-

VuWall has announced the appointment of Pierre-Yves Desbiens as Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

The Crestron residential sales team in the UK will be strengthened with the appointment of Jo Booth. There is significant increased demand for Crestron smart home solutions across the UK, and Jo is taking on the role of Regional Sales Manager to support residential dealers.

The Crestron residential sales team in the UK will be strengthened with the appointment of Jo Booth.

Kromers, the Technology Consultants. are delighted to confirm the appointment of Lee Styles as Partner. Lee has more than 15 years’ experience within the AV and IT industries having worked for some of the largest and most prestigious integrators and consultants in the world. “The opportunity to join Kromers, with their reputation for delivering complex and high-profile projects, was one I simply could not turn down. I am relishing the exciting opportunity of growing the business whilst maintaining this well-deserved reputation,” stated Lee. Jonathan Foot, Director at Kromers, continued: “Kromers’ relationship with Lee spans many years, and we’ve discussed multiple times working together. To bring Lee in as Partner with his ability, reputation, wealth of experience and industry knowledge is genuinely a dream come true. It is so rare that someone of Lee’s calibre becomes available and so for him to become part of Kromers for the long term makes us very fortunate indeed.”

Lee’s primary responsibilities will be to lead and grow the sales organisation, working closely with Partners Jonathan Foot and Chris Hawes.

VITEC has announced that Eric Deniau has joined the company as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). dents to a BTR-100 survey commissioned by VITEC report that video traffic flowing over their enterprise networks is growing, with over 85 percent indicating that video directly contributes to the achievement of important organizational objectives.

“Eric will be joining VITEC as CTO to lead technology innovation and R&D efforts worldwide. He has a deep knowledge of software and a sophisticated understanding of hardware products that will enhance the experience and capabilities of VITEC’s talented R&D leadership team. He is tasked with developing the next generation of codecs, ASIC technologies, and software solutions that will power VITEC products for years to come.”

Eric was most recently with ENENSYS as Chief Technical Officer and has over 30 years of experience in the media industry, including experience managing large software projects for major broadcasters, and has played a major role with the standards com-

P21 AV News March 2021

Peoplewatch

peoplewatch

munities that have brought interoperable MPEG, DVB and 3GPP technologies to market. Eric received an Engineering degree in Telecommunications from CentraleSupelec in Paris, an MSc in communication engineering from Imperial College in London. He has co-authored more than 20 international patent families.

“VITEC is a market leader, and the company is poised for growth as the demand for business video applications across enterprise networks expands,” said Deniau. “I am excited to be joining VITEC as the market is rapidly deploying IP streaming solutions to support the demand for video applications.”

Arbane Groupe has hired Christophe Palluat de Besset as its sales director for France. Palluat will work to create new sales dynamics within the company and develop commercial activity with the APG and Active Audio brands which are both part of Arbane Group.

With over 25 years of expertise in the AV industry, Palluat brings a wealth of experience working with audio manufacturers and distributors, notably Arbane Groupe’s Active Audio. “I worked in a number of roles before founding pro-audio distribution company Perfect Sound in 2009,” Palluat explains. “At the time, Active Audio’s commercial distribution in France was given exclusively to Perfect Sound, so I know Active Audio very well.”

“I spent 11 years working for Perfect Sound as their CEO and came to know and respect the APG and Active Audio brands beyond their reputations,” said Palluat. “When both brands announced their strategic partnership in 2016, I thought it was the perfect partnership that would pave the way to a great future for both brands. APG’s product lines are excellent and Active Audio is known as the French manufacturer of the world’s largest range of column speakers. My experience tells me that both product lines will perform extremely well in the installation markets for AV integrators.”

Palluat’s immediate goal is to present Arbane Groupe’s comprehensive and complementary audio ranges and services to AV integrators across France and continue to grow the company base

great savoir-faire, technicality and above all, a real proximity to its partners and customers. It’s very stimulating to be part of it,” concluded Palluat.

Commenting on the recent appointment, Régis Cazin, Arbane Groupe’s CEO, said: “We’re really pleased to have Palluat on board with us after working with him extensively in the past. His expertise and approach to sales will be a great asset to us, as it was then, in growing our network across France.”

Arbane Groupe has hired Alain Boone, formerly of loudspeaker manufacturer Nexo, as its new international sales manager. Alain will oversee the development of an exclusive distribution network for Arbane Groupe and its brands (APG and Active Audio), as well as maintaining existing relationships with the company’s histori-

Arbane Groupe has hired Alain Boone, formerly of loudspeaker manufacturer Nexo, as its new international sales manager.

Arbane Groupe has hired Christophe Palluat de Besset as its sales director for France. and reputation. “APG benefits from a fantastic reputation with technicians in the theatre and arts, and our goal is to educate the wider market to the fact that the products are not restricted to technicians and sound experts. The products are actually very accessible and have been designed to be easy to use with exceptional performance,” Palluat explained.

Having started the role in at the end of last year, Palluat was pleased to find that Arbane Groupe has continued to make great progress over the years and praised the strategy to combine both the APG and Active Audio brands into the Arbane Groupe corporate entity. “Through creating Arbane Groupe, the brands have seized the opportunity to use the synergies of both brands to provide customers with access to complete ranges of high-quality speakers and a sales and projection support team which can offer a very high level of expertise,” he said.

A variety of upcoming products and projects are identified by Palluat as many exciting opportunities to come. “There’s still a lot to do to develop the sales capacity and there are some fantastic new products to come this year. The company has a true history,

P22 AV News April 2020

cal partners worldwide.

An industry veteran, Alain Boone has been active in the pro audio industry for more than 30 years: he made the shift from concert touring and system engineering to work as a product / sales manager in the Benelux region for audio distributor EML / AudioXL, before going on to serve as Nexo’s EMEA sales manager for six years.

“I’ve spent many years maintaining and optimising relationships between distributors and manufacturers, all while integrating products into customers’ projects to ensure that they are carried out as efficiently as possible,” said Alain. “My engineering experience has also given me the ability to provide customers with technical as well as commercial guidance, all the way from the inception of a project to its final delivery.”

Boone will be reporting to Arbane Groupe CEO Régis Cazin; he will work very closely with the entire team at Arbane Groupe, particularly the R&D and support / marketing departments. “I’ll be active worldwide for the Arbane Groupe – excluding France, which is now handled by Christophe Palluat – in order to work out a strong strategic plan for the future,” he said.

One of his most important tasks will be identifying partners – such as consultants and integrators – which might benefit from the introduction of both the APG and Active Audio brands into their projects.

“Various technologies have been integrated into the Arbane Groupe product lines, including the unique and patented DGRC technology for Step-Array speakers,” said Alain. “This innovation delivers consistent sound coverage and the superior clarity and sound quality traditionally found in high-end controlled directivity systems; something that can be beneficial in a variety of applications.”

As well as taking the decision to concentrate on the development of new installation-focused products in the wake of the pandemic, Arbane Group’s R&D team has also been working on innovative and valuable solutions for the rental sector; an area that Boone believes both brands can continue to thrive within.

“A good return on investment will become very important for rental customers moving forward, and here we can make a big difference as a manufacturer. The performance / price ratio with APG and Active Audio products truly is second to none,” he said.

“We are very proud to have Alain on board,” commented Régis Cazin. “His experience, his knowledge of technologies and markets, as well as a very large international network of customers who trust him will be great assets for our brands. The company is continuing its international transformation to ensure strong and regular growth, which will be achieved by the contribution of people with expertise in our businesses. This is the case for Alain, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Arbane Groupe to become part of our adventure.”

Exertis Pro AV has announced the appointment of Patrick Young as Microsoft Teams Specialist. Reporting into Greg Bennett, Head of AV Solutions, Patrick will be responsible for enhancing Exertis Pro AV’s Microsoft Teams offering and supporting customers to deliver growth in this exciting sector.

Microsoft Teams Room systems offer a fantastic way for those in the office to continue to meet and collaborate seamlessly with their colleagues working from home, allowing organisations to plan for a staged return to work or to embrace home working on a longer-term basis. Microsoft Teams Room systems are also being used widely in the education sector to deliver effective distance learning in a safe and secure way.

Microsoft recently reported that they had exceeded 115 million active daily users across the world. Even before the current crisis, the use of Teams and Teams room devices was expanding at a fast rate, reflecting a changing approach to the contemporary workplace.

Patrick Young says, “Exertis Pro AV has some great Teams device vendors already in place and I’m looking forward to working alongside Microsoft to enhance our Teams offering, defining our proposition and supporting all of our customers to deliver great growth in this exciting sector. As part of Microsoft’s new Distribution and Channel program for Teams Room systems, we’ve been given a fantastic opportunity as a partner to deliver both high quality certified hardware, a suite of services, as well as the Teams Room and Teams Room Premium licences to the channel.”

Greg Bennett, Head of AV Solutions at Exertis, adds, “We’re really excited to welcome Patrick to the Exertis Pro AV Team. As a key distribution partner for Microsoft, recruiting Patrick into the team with his talent, knowledge and experience will provide our customers with a fantastic resource to support them on the design, deployment and adoption of Microsoft Teams Rooms solutions. Combined with our extensive portfolio of Microsoft Teams Rooms products, certified devices, Microsoft Cloud Service Partner (CSP) status and a wealth of tools and services, Exertis Pro AV are uniquely placed to support our channel partners on all things Microsoft Teams.”

Exertis Pro AV has announced the appointment of Patrick Young as Microsoft Teams Specialist.

Peoplewatch

Optilan has announced that it has appointed Adrian Bannister to its Executive Management Team as Chief Financial Officer. Adrian Bannister has spent 25 years specialising in executive and non-executive financial roles. Adrian was involved in the buyout of the Sparrows offshore team in 2000 and has worked for PE-backed companies like Optilan ever since.

Adrian will focus on strategic financial planning, ensuring Optilan’s recent growth continues, and the company progresses with its rapid international expansion targets. Bill Bayliss, CEO of Optilan, says: “We are delighted to appoint Adrian Bannister as our new Chief Financial Officer. Adrian’s wealth of experience working in strategic executive roles at technology-focused, fast-growth companies will be invaluable to us as we aim to continue our rapid domestic and international expansion.”

Adrian brings over 25 years of experience in Chief Financial Officer roles and has worked exclusively for high-growth and entrepreneurial, private-equity backed companies ever since then.

Optilan is backed by Bluewater, the global private equity firm for the energy transition. Adrian was most recently CFO at Ardyne, the specialist energy technology business that drives cutting-edge innovation for onshore and offshore well management.

Prior to Ardyne, Adrian held a series of similar strategic executive roles across a variety of Oilfield Services businesses, making him an ideal addition to Optilan’s team. In these roles, Adrian helped both established businesses and new start-ups meet and exceed

ally and internationally critical projects. I am particularly excited about the company’s growth plans, helping clients use the very latest technology to drive efficiency and optimise their systems in a cost-effective way.”

Schneider Electric has appointed Chris Collins as the new Country President for Ireland. Collins takes over from Kelly Becker, who became the Zone President for UK & Ireland at the start of this year. Based in Maynooth, Chris Collins, who now reports to Kelly Becker, will play a vital role in directing the next phase of growth and strategy for Schneider Electric Ireland.

Commenting on the appointment, Kelly Becker said: “With his extensive experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in the US, Chris is the ideal candidate to support our Irish customers with their sustainability transformations. Based on my time leading the Irish market, I know that Chris’s passion for leveraging digital innovation to drive sustainable change will be invaluable to our customers in the region.”

Chris Collins began his career working in engineering and operations roles with field services teams. He then joined Schneider Electric as a Business Development Manager in 2003, responsible for building automation and security products in the North East region of the US. Over the past seventeen years, he has grown his career and held senior board-level positions at the multinational energy management brand. He is a seasoned business leader having overseen Schneider’s smart buildings business, covering both the commercial and residential sectors in the US, and most recently held the role of Vice President Systems Transformation, Digital Energy.

Currently living in Dallas, Fort Worth, he plans to move with his family to Dublin later this year, after which he will be based in Schneider Electric’s Maynooth office. Chris Collins said: “Ireland is a real growth engine in the zone for Schneider Electric, so I'm thrilled to be taking up the Country President role and looking forward to meeting the fantastic team in person. The close-knit business structure in Ireland has significant advantages, bringing a broad range of expertise across industries together to provide more robust solutions for our customers.”

“I am also passionate about driving and adding to the great work already carried out to support early career development initiatives in Ireland. This is particularly important to me as we strive to bring the best talent into our industry to help us achieve a new energy landscape and net-zero future.”

Schneider Electric has deep roots in Ireland, stretching back to the creation of 'Schneider Electric Ireland Limited' in 1984 and its acquisition of APC, including the Galway manufacturing facility, in 1994. Schneider Electric Ireland currently employs approximately 400 people across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with Dublin, Galway, and Belfast facilities.

peoplewatch

Alain Solomon, Kevin will be the go-to technical expert for customers, and will support the regional sales team, assessing and delivering to their exact needs.

On Kevin's appointment, Alain comments: "We're excited to welcome Kevin, who will be a great asset to our team in France. He has been providing technical input for AV projects for many years and has a proven, excellent track record of customer service, project management and quality assurance."

Kevin adds: “I am really looking forward to meeting all my colleagues and customers, and I am ready to provide my best assistance for all your technical requirements!”

Absen has hired Adam Berditch as its new business development manager for the UK. Berditch will work to build upon the manufacturer’s connections throughout the UK’s LED market.

With 12 years of experience across the AV industry, Berditch has worked at building businesses from the ground up in many sectors, such as retail, corporate and education.

Berditch started his career at Sahara Distribution, as an account manager, and most recently was at Anixter, as global account manager before joining Absen as the UK Business Development Manager. The roles through-out Adam’s career so far has allowed him to work across the entire industry portfolio, from projectors to IPTV. “Having experienced the channel from the integrator, distributor and now manufacturer standpoint, I have been able to build solid relationships with key players in the market.”

The Crestron sales team has welcomed Kevin Marchelidon as its new Sales Engineer in France.

Reporting to the Regional Sales Director in South West Europe, Optilan has announced that it has appointed Adrian Bannister to its Executive Management Team as Chief Financial Officer. their growth targets, as well as drive international expansion. Additionally, Adrian also held a non-executive position for six years at Cortez Subsea, a pipeline business.

With his combined energy and technology expertise, Adrian is perfectly placed to help spearhead Optilan’s future growth strategy in key energy and infrastructure sectors. Adrian will bring his successful track record of growing businesses and his wealth of financial knowledge and industry experience to Optilan, in order to help define, shape, and execute the company’s domestic and international growth strategies.

Adrian graduated from RGU with a Degree in Business Studies and then joined EY in Aberdeen where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1988. Following a period working in the profession supporting a variety of industries across the UK, he returned from London and moved into industry. Adrian is also a Governor of the reputable Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University, which is currently Scottish university of the year and UK business school of the year.

Bill Bayliss, CEO of Optilan, adds: “Adrian has invaluable experience in private equity and helping tech-focused industrial businesses achieve, manage and sustain long-term growth. Adrian knows the energy sector like the back of his hand and has helped PE-backed, high-growth companies just like us navigate the industry. He’s therefore perfectly positioned to lead the company as we evolve our offering across a variety of nationally and internationally critical industries.”

Adrian, Chief Financial Officer of Optilan, says: “I am very proud to join Optilan as Chief Financial Officer. Optilan boasts an impressive history of staying at the very forefront of technology to deliver security-critical and safety-critical systems across nation-

Absen has hired Adam Berditch as its new business development manager for the UK.

The Crestron sales team has welcomed Kevin Marchelidon as its new Sales Engineer in France.

Berditch is joining Absen at a pivotal time: Absen has been weathering the pandemic storm by strengthening its relationships with partners worldwide, and as the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2021, it has a number of exciting new products about to be launched.

“We’re already starting to see some sectors bouncing back. Lots of new projects are emerging, especially within the corporate and retail sector. We’re currently working with some great retailers to help them create an instore experience to remember,” said Berditch. “Working with the restrictions has been a strange way to start a new role, but I am excited at what this year has to bring and believe it’s a great time to be joining the Absen team.”

PSCo’s Innovation House, Bracknell, UK, is identified by Berditch as an exciting new development for Absen customers and specialists alike in the coming months.

“The Innovation House launch is something I’m really excited about for customers. It’s going to present Absen’s innovation at its finest and give customers a chance to experience the brilliance of Absen in person,” Berditch explained. “I’m looking forward to getting back out there. The team in Europe is growing from strength to strength, and Absen is a company I’m proud to be part of.”

Emma Liu, Absen’s European managing director, commented, “We’re very pleased to welcome Adam on board the Absen UK team. His skills and wide range of experiences in all aspects of the market are invaluable to us as we continue to invest in the European market.”

P23 AV News April 2021

Diary and Events

Registration now open for ISE 2021 Live and Online ISE Events has published plans for a hybrid event this summer. With both live and digital events planned, the schedule now looks like this: ISE Live event schedule: • 1-2 June. Barcelona Gran Vía, Fira de Barcelona • 7-8 June. MAC Forum, Munich • 15-16 June. RAI, Amsterdam • 23-24 June. Evolution, London

network with the AV community in person in four of Europe’s leading AV hubs.

ISE Digital is powered by a Cisco platform that will engage, entertain, and inform. It will feature cutting-edge keynotes, daily thought leadership and industry insight and market intelligence curated by TNW, AVIXA, CEDIA and ISE partners.

Please register today to attend

The venues for ISE Live include Barcelona Gran Vía, Fira de Barcelona, MAC Forum, Munich, RAI, Amsterdam and Evolution, London.

ISE Digital: Registration is now opened to attend at ISE’s in person, local events, and ISE Digital.

The four ISE live city events will allow you to reconnect and

one or all these local events and ISE Digital at: https://registration.firabarcelona.com/?cod_prom=Regcode1#/tickets/selection-list.

P24 AV News April 2021

Event report

Future events

EdTechCollab2021 – preparing the next generation Cigdem Ertem, Global Director for Education and Public Sector Sales at Intel Corporation, opened Futuresource Consulting’s Ed Tech Collaborative event, with her thought-provoking keynote on the ‘Future of Education in a Post-Pandemic Environment’.

The COVID-19 disruptions of the past year created challenge, accelerated innovation, and propelled transformation across the global EdTech education ecosystem.

Ertem discussed how governments, industry leaders and decision makers needed to plan and invest in more resilient education systems and most importantly, equip future generations for the fourth industrial revolution. A blend of technology and higher-level thinking skills are needed to effectively shape the workforce of the future.

The sudden shift in education models over the past year did indeed create a huge challenge for students, teachers and parents, as well the education system itself.

Its infrastructure, content, dissemination and evaluation metrics all had to be reimagined and re-evaluated. Even the laptop, PC and tablet had to step up from being a straightforward companion device to delivering effective UCC functionality.

“Education systems that did well had several characteristics in common; they had prioritised at risk students for interventions, had regularly upgraded tech infrastructure, and invested continually in professional development;” acknowledged Ertem. “Going forward - better devices, better connectivity and manageability will be needed”.

Additionally, student engagement has come to the fore as a paramount priority, as in a remote environment, this is a challenge. “Like us adults, children need to grow self-regulation and mindfulness to build resilience for them to support themselves in the future. This presents great opportunities for technology-based solution providers to create better interaction design and integrate tech to support pedagogy, psychology and create better learning outcomes,” added Ertem.

Ertem went on to citing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), who identified future teaching scenarios in its Future of Schooling 2040 Report. Two common elements emerged from all learning scenarios from classroom to fully remote - firstly

the integral role of technology in delivering learning and secondly, the adoption of key skills by all key stakeholders.

“This underscores the point that any futureproof strategic approach should drive new skills to deliver learning in any circumstances e.g., through a pandemic, any natural disaster, and via remote locations.

This should be at its core.

Integration of technology has become even more important as the learning gap continues to expand. We need to plan for what the future of schooling will look like in the future;” re-enforced Ertem.

The 4th industrial revolution is and will fundamentally disrupt our world, which brings with it feelings of disruption as well as excitement. Even before COVID-19, we knew that preparing the next generation for this new world would be a big and urgent challenge, as the role of humans and machines in the workplace is redefined. It will create a real opportunity to maximise innovation and creativity, as physical and digital worlds fuse together. However, the skills gap needs to be addressed.

The skills gap issue is highlighted in the World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2020 Report, where it estimates that as of October last year, 6 out of 10 adults lack basic IT skills and in terms of schooling, 272 billion days of learning had been lost or disrupted. At the same time our world is transforming; by 2025 there will be a shift in the division of labour between humans and machines, creating 97 million new jobs and eliminating 85 million traditional jobs.

There are almost 2 billion children in school around the globe. This shift will significantly impact their lives and their roles in the future work force. These changes hold great promise to help the world solve the greatest challenges facing our world.

Today’s young people will require higher order thinking skills so they can solve problems in ways never imagined before. Even traditionally hands on careers will harness the power of technology. Future jobs will demand analytical thinking, ideation and complex problem solving, systems analysis and evaluation, technology design, programming, creativity and innovation. Using tech to access and consume is no longer sufficient; students need devices, tools and training to apply, analyse and create at the pace of change.

The Net Zero Building Conference The Net Zero Building Conference Online, which is an online conference being held on April 22nd, 2021. The event will run live online from 10am to 4pm GMT. The sessions will also be available for download by participants following the event.

The Net Zero Building Conference is the leading online event dedicated to sustainable building and construction. Join 1000+ leaders from sectors such as construction, built environment, manufacturing, logistics, retail, logistics, energy, data centres etc that are reducing the carbon foot print of their buildings.

This online gathering of like-minded industry experts offers an opportunity for the industry to gather and keep up to-date with the latest innovations, best practice and new technology solutions available in the marketplace.

10 speakers will inform and

educate the delegates who have registered to listen to key note talks and engage in debates.

Free to Attend To attend, simply register here for your free pass here: http:// www.sustainablebuildingeventonline.com/register Why Attend?

•Listen to over educational seminars on the latest sustainable construction & building trends.

•Hear panel debates on the key issues facing the sector •Listen to key insights from industry thought leaders •Join the talks live or watch later in your own time.

Sectors Attending: •Construction & Built Environment, •Manufacturing •Retail •Renewable Energy •Transport and Infrastructure •Logistics •Data Centres

Avixa April sessions Avixa announces April webinars and education sessions on topics you might be interested in: Conferencing and Collaboration Power Hour: Choosing the Right Gear April 12, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT With so many people working remotely, IT and AV technology managers must create a strategy for effortless communications that will stand the test of time. It’s key to evaluate when to adapt existing systems and when to upgrade to keep conference rooms relevant with fluctuations of remote and in-person participants.

RISE Spotlight: Digital Signage April 13, 15:00 to 17:00 CET, 14:00 to 16:00 GMT RISE Spotlight, ISE’s monthly series of free‑to‑attend digital events, will focus on digital signage on April 13. Topics range from GDPR‑compliant sensorand data‑driven concepts and sustainability aspects to TCO‑optimized operations, services, and maintenance plans.

Inside Look: Planet Word April 14, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT Introducing Planet Word, the world’s first voice-activated museum, aptly located at the historic site of the very first wireless telephone message sent by Alexander Graham Bell in 1880. A perfect showcase of the advances made in both voice technology and museum interactives, D.C.’s Planet Word utilizes augmented reality, voice recognition, and many more clever tricks to shift the way we interact with media. Barry Mendelson, AV Systems Programmer of Exhibit AV Integration firm Solomon Group, will walk us through how his team created the tech that powers a first-of-its-kind museum – and accomplished it all at the height of a pandemic.

InfoComm China GoVIRTUAL April 14 The InfoComm China GoVIRTUAL 2021 program comprises multiple GoVIRTUAL events hosted over the months leading up to the show July 21-23. On April 14, visit virtual exhibitors, watch product demonstrations, and attend education sessions.

Learning Tech Manager’s Power Hour: Presenting Your AV Requirements to the IT Team April 19, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT

The modern focus of video conferencing systems should not start and end with the most top-of-the-line video camera but instead should start with other AV components such as audio, content, and control. This session will look at the common elements of video conference-capable AV systems for learning.

D=SIGN Power Hour: Queuing and Crowds April 20, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT This webinar will explore new technologies and creative solutions that can be used with new or existing systems to help regulate crowd flow in public areas, restaurants, retail, and entertainment.

LEVEL UP! Returns in April Starting April 20 on Tuesdays, 11 a.m.

UK, 12 p.m. CET, 4 p.m. India With weekly sessions presented by subject matter experts from CTS renewal unit providers such as Deneva, Barco, Sharp/NEC, AVIXA, and others, Level Up! kicks off on April 20 with a session on Understanding Specification Sheets presented by Harman. The sessions are scheduled on five consecutive Tuesdays at 11 a.m. UK | Noon CET | 4 p.m. India.

CTS Prep Distance Learning Open Enrolment Course April 20-29 CTS Prep can help ease your nerves and boost your confidence before you take the CTS exam. Through this course, you will practice your test-taking skills and focus on specific areas of AV design you need to focus your study time.

Smart Buildings Power Hour: Workplace & Health April 21, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT Building lobbies are now the first line of defence against COVID-19. Yet Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) may be the most important. We’ll talk about an Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) management system using IoT equipment and artificial intelligence (AI) analytics engine.

Congreso AVIXA 2021: Registration Open April 27-30 Congreso AVIXA is a free, virtual, fourday event, that delves into the most relevant, top-of-mind technology issues, challenges, and solutions that impact the education sector and it is targeted to Spanish and Portuguese speakers around the world.

AV News November 2020 P24