AV News April 2022

The direct channel to the industry

April 2022 www.avnewsonline.com Page 16

Page 18

The Bett Show 2022 report and conclusions.

Barcelona!

The flights and ferry tickets, for those taking the gear overland, are booked, the catering for the AV News Awards is ordered and the hotels are reserved.

With major international events such as ISE and Infocomm increasingly prominent in showcasing edtech solutions the prospects for Bett as a specialist edtech event are surprisingly robust.

Midwich posts record reve- Exertis’ digital transformation drives Board changes technology distributor rector of DCC Technology, said, responsibility for Customer nues and profits for full year Leading Exertis has announced changes “This move will enhance and Services and Sales Operations Midwich Group (AIM: MIDW) has announced its unaudited full year results for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The Group achieved record revenue and adjusted profit before tax, whilst making further market share gains, despite ongoing disruption from the pandemic Revenue growth of 22.9% at constant exchange rates to £856.0 million, including 18.9% organic growth. Gross margin recovered strongly to 15.3% (2020:14.3%). Adjusted profit before tax increased by 130.3% at constant exchange rates to £31.9m, ahead of pre-pandemic levels. Adjusted EPS increased to 25.63p (2020: 11.20p). A proposed final dividend of 7.8p brings the full year dividend to 14.1p (including special and interim dividends) The Group posted a strong balance sheet, with year-end adjusted net debt to EBITDA of 1.1x (2020:0.9x), providing financial flexibility. Acquisitions made in 2020 and 2021 have been fully integrated and are delivering a positive contribution to the Group. Entry into the strategically important Middle East market through the acquisition of NMK, while two further acquisitions strengthened the Group’s unified communications and broadcast offerings Post the end of the period, the acquisition of Cooper Project Limited in January 2022, represents entry into the UK video security market. The acquisition of Nimans Limited in February 2022 added a UK based specialist distributor of unified communications, telecoms, collaboration and audio visual technologies.

Trading since the year end is in

line with management expectations. Stephen Fenby, Managing Director of Midwich Group plc, commented: “The Group has had a very strong year, achieving record revenues and adjusted net profits. This level of performance has required a monumental effort from all of our teams and the much-appreciated loyalty and support of our customers and vendors.

The pandemic-related difficulties of 2020 continued through much of 2021. These included the practicalities of home and hybrid working, product shortages, unpredictable timing of inventory supplies, logistics cost increases and a number of higher margin end-user markets remaining largely closed.

We have continued to focus not only on delivering strong shortterm performance, but also building the business for the long term. We have grown and strengthened our team during the year, including particularly in North America, and also in our group-wide IT capabilities.

Our acquisition programme has continued, with three transactions completed in the year and two substantial deals announced post year end.

Stephen Fenby, Managing Director of Midwich Group plc:

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to its senior leadership team.

Vishal Chhatralia, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, will move into a global role, driving digital transformation across Exertis International. Chhatralia joined Exertis in 2019, focusing his efforts on developing digital capabilities within Exertis UK. This includes online, cloud, direct2consumer, data analytics and robotic process automation.

In his new role, Chhatralia will take these capabilities and accelerate the digital journey of the Exertis Group internationally, while also taking on responsibility for Exertis’ own brand portfolio and global vendor account management. Chhatralia will report into Tim Griffin, Managing Director of DCC Technology. Tim Griffin, Managing Di-

accelerate our digital transformation across the Exertis Group. Vish has successfully built blueprints for many initiatives in the UK and now we begin the process of scaling these out. I wish Vish every success in his new role.”

Exertis UK has also announced structural changes. Phill Turner, Global Head of Voice of the Customer, is moving into the position of Chief Experience Officer, reporting to Paul Bryan, Managing Director of Exertis UK. The newly created role is responsible for delivering a seamless customer experience across all stages and touchpoints in the customer journey, helping the business continually achieve greater customer satisfaction and increased efficiencies. Turner will assume

Promethean has achieved carbon neutrality for the second consecutive year and improved its transportation efficiency, solidifying its commitment to modelling environmental responsibility and seeking out innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint. Supporting the global effort to fight climate change is one of the four key pillars of Promethean’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

Promethean is supporting the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve Project in Indonesia through carbon offset purchases. The project, which meets 12 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, spans more than 160,000 acres and aims to reduce Indonesia’s emissions by preserving the tropical peat swamp forest.

The area is rich in biodiversity

and is home to 94 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, including the Bornean Orangutan, the Sunda Pangolin, and the Clouded Leopard. Beyond environmental benefits, the project spearheads social and economic efforts, including programs to increase job and micro-business development and provide literacy education to children and adults in the region.

“Supporting the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve was an easy decision, as it simultaneously meets the goals of the United Nations and is aligned with Promethean’s core values and our Corporate Social Responsibility program,” said Paul Heffernan, EVP Operations at Promethean. “Achieving carbon neutrality for the second year in a row is a feat, and we look forward to reduc-

but will also be the driving force in prioritising and encouraging problem-solving, strategic thinking and customer orientation amongst the wider organisation including IT, Operations, HR, Finance, Sales, Commercial, Marketing, Digital and Purchasing.

Robert Fitzsimons, UK Marketing Director, and Kati Eagle, Purchasing Director, will also now report directly into Paul Bryan, Managing Director, Exertis UK. Paul Bryan, Managing Director, Exertis UK, said, “I would like to say a huge congratulations to Vish on his Global move and to Phill on his new appointment. I also very much look forward to working more closely with both Kati and Rob.”

Leading technology distributor Exertis has has announced changes to its senior leadership team. Vishal Chhatralia, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, will move into a global role, driving digital transformation across Exertis International.

Promethean carbon neutral for a second year

ing our carbon footprint in the years ahead to ultimately achieve net-zero emissions.”

To understand Promethean’s impact on the environment, the company leveraged sustainability consultancy Avieco to analyse its carbon footprint in 2020. According to the analysis, Promethean improved its transportation efficiency by 61% from 0.00036 tCO2e to

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0.00022 tCO2e kilograms of transported goods from 2019 to 2020. The result is a testament to Promethean’s CSR program, which also includes waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling programs in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, as well as mail-back programs, among others.

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Headline News

Half of Brits happy to return to work PSCo announces investment partnership Well over half of Brits are happy to return to work – but all five days in the office is history. Benefits to returning to the office are driving UK workers back to their desks but flexibility to work where and when is now the norm rather than the exception.

After two years of homeworking due to Covid-19, UK office workers are heading back to their desks - but the overwhelming majority are not doing a full five-day week in the office. That’s according to the latest research from eFax, the cloud-based fax solution for businesses, which found that only 18 percent of workers are back at their offices for the entire working week.

The majority – 52 percent - are only working one or two days per week in the office, with just under a fifth (19 percent) managing three days at their old desk. The reluctance to return full-time to offices is also borne out by one key finding – just four percent of the sample want to return to the old working pattern of being entirely office-based.

Scott Wilson, Vice President of Sales & Service at eFax, said: “Our research highlights that no matter what the age group, people are aware of the intangible benefits of office working such as collaboration and career progression. But this is only part of the picture. Nearly two years of home working has transformed attitudes to the working environment. Formal dressing and business etiquette are out. What’s in among employees is better, smarter, more private workspaces.”

In early 2022, eFax conducted a major research project to gain a greater understanding of how UK workers felt about returning to the office. The survey polled 503 UK workers in large enterprises, small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and public sector organisations.

Key findings included: •52 percent of UK workers are now only in the office one or two days a week. Only 18 percent of the sample stated they were back at their desks full time •These figures were dramatically different in London where only 40 percent were in for one or two days, indicating that the return to all five days in the office is back in the capital far faster than other regions •The 45-54 age group is clearly far happier working at home with 55 percent of the sample in one or two days and the rest of the week at home •Getting up early (65 percent), having to wear formal clothing (43 percent) and the cost of commuting (47 percent) all act as drags on people returning to the office •UK workers are, however, well aware of the benefits of working in an office environment. Over half (51 percent) enjoy the social side of work, collaboration is also seen as critical (47 percent) and access to technology (33 percent) and informal conversations (54 percent) are all

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reported as important drivers to returning •22 percent of the sample are not very happy to be back at the office at all: a further eight percent absolutely hate it Wilson continued: “The return to the office after the pandemic has highlighted a number of issues for employees and employers alike, which enlightened companies should look to address if they want to encourage more workers back into the office. One of the key findings that came out from the research was the neglected and unloved state that workers found their offices when they returned to them after lockdown. A quarter of our sample said that when they returned, they found dead and dying plants. And if that was a shock, 17 percent said they came back to unwashed mugs, cobwebs and unemptied bins. Well over one in four people (28 percent) came back to offices with no tea or coffee!”

Importantly, the eFax research also identified what employers could do to improve office attendance - including changes to the office space itself. “Top of the wish list is new dedicated space for employees to take virtual meetings,” explained Wilson. “Video conferencing took off during lockdown and is now a recognised working tool - offices need to consider redesigning their workspace to allow for this. Some 45 percent of our sample wanted it, a further 24 percent want dedicated areas for phone pods for private calls, and 19 percent want to see greater investment in technology for conferencing.

“If this research highlights anything it is that UK workers are looking to replicate homeworking in the office. We’re now used to a more informal dress code, a loosening of etiquette, plus the privacy to do our jobs without constant interruption. If British businesses want their employees back in the office five days a week, now is not the time to skimp on investing in new technology and workspaces. Now is the time to recognise that over the last two years we’ve all been through a dramatic transformation in the way we work and to make the necessary changes that correspond with this new normal,” concluded Wilson.

As hybrid working frees people from the constraints of the daily city centre commute, towns and villages will undergo a transformation. In 2022 and beyond, many desk-facing professionals will no longer be obligated to attend a central office on a daily basis, thanks to the mainstream adoption of hybrid working, which means they can base themselves from home, a coworking space – and an urban HQ. This will not only enable them to move out of cities to better-value areas in terms of housing (or spend more time

in suburban communities) but also motivate companies to invest in local coworking spaces that are more convenient and less costly than expansive HQs at premium city addresses.

As the traditional exodus of people (especially young people) from towns and villages to the city reverses, the result will be an unparalleled wave of suburban revitalisation in countries all around the world.

“With hundreds more rural and suburban flexible working locations set to open in the coming years, we expect a wide range of vibrant local communities to develop with thriving businesses at their heart,” says Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of Regus parent company IWG. In the UK, IWG has seen the highest increase in demand for its flexible workspaces in suburban areas such as Bromsgrove (+153%), Andover (+86%) and Havant (+79%) – and that’s just the start. “People want to work close to where they live, so this is a trend that’s going to stick,” says Dixon.

According to a recent economic impact study by IWG and Arup, rural and suburban areas in the UK could receive an injection of £327m a year in spending thanks to the roll-out of flexible office and coworking spaces for hybrid workers. It also estimated that more than 4,000 new jobs could be created for people to run them. It’s the same story elsewhere in the world: in Germany, IWG expects up to 38,500 full-time workers to relocate from urban centres, and in the US the figure is almost 200,000, with the potential to create up to $1.3bn in spending in these areas.

But there’s more than just an economic benefit to be gained from this new trend – there are also advantages in terms of greater wellbeing and productivity. Empowering people to work close to where they live in suburban and provincial areas paves the way for the development of so-called ‘model villages’, where all local amenities such as shops, schools, restaurants and workspaces, can be reached within 15 minutes on foot or by bicycle.

The concept of the 15-Minute City was first pioneered

by French academic Carlos Moreno, who said: “We know it is better for people to work near to where they live. And if they can go shopping nearby and have the leisure and services they need around them, it allows them to have a more tranquil existence.” Dixon adds: “Work/life balance will improve, making people more productive and healthier. And with travel reduced, carbon emissions will fall. Meanwhile, investment will flood in for new infrastructure and facilities.

This will be one of the most dramatic and long-lasting legacies of the pandemic.”

PSCo has announced a partnership the London-based Brompton Technology. Brompton Technology has built LED processors that are able to realise reactive photo real VFX backgrounds that perfectly sync with the camera for fully immersive filming. Notably, the Tessera LED processing products are leading the way in virtual studio development with features including High Dynamic Range (HDR), ultra-low latency, and high frame rate which can help create a real-time rendered virtual world.

Brompton Technology products are paired with Absen LED cabinets to offer PSCo’s rental customers market leading processing solutions for LED video walls for virtual studio creation. The initial £2m investment reflects the current demand for virtual production and broadcast applications and PSCo will take delivery of 300sqm of Brompton-Absen LED cabinets in June 2022.

The stock is available now to pre-order for customers to buy or rent, on a first come, first served basis.

To help customers understand the unique capabilities and powerful feature set of Brompton Technology powered LED, PSCo will be hosting regular Brompton training courses at Innovation House, starting in

Brompton Technology products are paired with Absen LED cabinets to offer PSCo’s rental customers market leading processing solutions for LED video walls for virtual studio creation.

April 2022. A range of Absen Brompton LED products are available for demonstration now.

Stuart Holmes, Director of PSCo comments: “This exciting new partnership with Brompton Technology offers our rental partners greater choice across our LED range as well as meeting the increasing demand for LED in virtual studio and broadcast applications.

Our £2m investment in the new Brompton-Absen cabinets will offer an alternative to existing Brompton-powered LED cabinets whilst also addressing the shortfall in stock across the market. We invite our rental customers to book onto an upcoming training event with Brompton Technology on 26th and 27th April or attend our LED event at Innovation House.”

Rob Fowler, Director of Business Development, Brompton

Technology comments: “We are delighted to be partnering with PSCO, one of the best known and longest standing names in UK LED sales and rental. Their new facilities at Innovation House are state of the art and we look forward to supporting them as they roll out training and support for these exciting new product lines.”

PSCo and Brompton Technology are offering rental customers an exclusive 1-day training course on 26th or 27th April at Innovation House in Bracknell.

Attendees will get hands-on demonstrations, a first look at a new dedicated rental zone as well as on-camera testing for virtual production and XR stages. PSCo’s specialist LED and video processing team will also be on-hand to offer support and guidance on existing or new LED projects.

Maverick and GPA support efforts in Ukraine In the past two weeks at least 3 million people have fled their homes to escape conflict in Ukraine. Leaving jobs, belongings and loved ones.

The Maverick Miles challenge, which takes place over the next two months, focuses on a collective mission to walk the 24,901 miles around the world. All fundraising efforts will be allocated between immediate crisis needs, and hopefully rebuilding and recovery effort once the war is over.

Joel Chimoindes, Vice President, Maverick AV Solutions Europe comments: “At this moment we are not the AV/UC industry, we are just people in a global community supporting people in desperate circumstances and unimaginable needs. Our Maverick offices span 16 countries so we are in a great position to fundraise to help this vital cause.

We are inviting manufacturers, integrators, consultants and the whole industry to join the challenge and create dedicated groups within our fundraising page, and to help us in any way they can.”

Byron Tarry, CEO GPA, explains: “Having connected emotionally to something beyond a faceless population many borders or oceans away, there is a level of helplessness that one can feel in terms of how to do "something" impact-

Since the beginning of the appeal the GPA Global Relief Fund has raised €24,546 and last week had their first successful 5 tonne shipment of medical supplies, food and emergency rations. ful. Through the work we all do every day within GPA and Maverick, we know we can achieve far more as a united global community than as individuals, and thereby how collectively we can amplify how we might support the Ukrainians, and our industry peers and friends within Ukraine specifically.”

Since the beginning of the ap-

peal the GPA Global Relief Fund has raised €24,546 and last week had their first successful 5 tonne shipment of medical supplies, food and emergency rations. With the Maverick partnership now announced, it is hoped that more funds can now be directly allocated to immediate crisis needs.

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Business News

disguise acquires Polygon Labs PSNI Global Alliance adds three new Certified Solution Providers disguise has announced its acquisition of broadcast data and content visualisation solutions platform, Polygon Labs. This marks another milestone in disguise’s move towards cloudbased production that will enhance its workflow to better address user needs in the fast-growing media production and broadcast markets. With 20-years of experience in powering the world’s biggest and most complex live shows and concert tours, disguise broke new ground two years ago when it released its Extended Reality (xR) technology platform, efficiently removing many key challenges faced by broadcasters today. disguise xR, together with LED screens, graphics engines including Unreal Engine, camera tracking, combines augmented and mixed reality elements to deliver spectacular, photorealistic virtual graphics during live broadcasts. This new and award-winning workflow has already elevated the virtual production quality and capacity of broadcasters such as Turner Broadcast, Eurosport, ITV Sport, CCTV China, KBS and TV Tokyo in Japan, and KBS Korea to bring immersive visual experiences to captivated global audiences.

Through its suite of software solutions and creative services, Polygon Labs offers a powerful cloud-native platform and turnkey services that have been trusted by world-leading broadcasters such as CNN, Univision, The Weather Channel and TV Globo. Polygon Labs dynamically controls and delivers high-end Unreal Engine graphics, with real-time data visualisation, via their cloud or onprem solutions for some of the highest profile events including the US elections, Olympics and World Cup. By adding Polygon Labs to its award-winning workflow, disguise will build integrations that enable xR studios to have access to a wider range

In the months to come, disguise and Polygon Labs will be working closely together to build out an integrated workflow that gives value to users across both platforms. of broadcast workflows which empower remote production and cloud-based collaboration.

Users of both disguise and Polygon Labs will be able to benefit from easy-to-manage, data-driven graphics workflows running fully native Unreal Engine, as well as extended design and production capability for graphics.

“We are very proud and delighted to welcome Polygon Labs to the disguise team! This is a key turning point for both our user communities, partners and customers, and a huge step in our direction towards cloud and new media production workflows. The future is cloudbased remote collaboration and our work with Polygon Labs will unlock a whole new level of productivity and connectivity for all our users,” says disguise CEO, Fernando Kufer.

“Over the years, Polygon Labs has helped some of the biggest broadcasters turn data into engaging stories through powerful graphics and data visualisation.

Joining forces with disguise will take us into the next chapter of accelerating our journey towards graphics production workflows in the cloud. Our shared vision and passion for delivering the most engaging visual experiences will help us empower our users with a much

more comprehensive solution to deliver the world’s most engaging storytelling graphics,” says Grigory Mindlin, CEO at Polygon Labs.

In the months to come, disguise and Polygon Labs will be working closely together to build out an integrated workflow that gives value to users across both platforms. In the near-future, users can expect to achieve unified cloud-based data aggregation and graphics control that allow easy integration of broadcast workflows, as well as extended design 29.

A new disguise New York office and xR stage is planned to open in Q3 2022 where the Polygon team will be joining the disguise East Coast team.

PSNI Global Alliance, the global network of premier technology integrators and service providers, continues to reinforce its global presence with the announcement of three new Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) in Europe and Africa.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Ésistemas, LAV and Audio Visual Control Systems to The Alliance, said Chris Miller, Executive Director of PSNI Global Alliance: “Expanding our global footprint with three respected service providers inside of their marketplace is a true mark of the capabilities we can provide to our customers. Each CSP inside of The Alliance brings something unique to the table and we look forward to working with all three to further extend and unite our Alliance across the world.” Located in Porto and Lisbon, Portugal - and the inaugural Alliance CSP in the country - Esistemas is dedicated to the design, distribution, and installation of AV solutions across Portugal.

Joining Ésistemas on the PSNI Certified Solution Provider roster is Swedish integrator Ljus and AV Teknik also known as LAV. Based in Stockholm, LAV, are a known and respected integrator for the region. Having begun supplying AV equipment to Stockholm’s first-ever discotheque, the company now provides a comprehensive AV service to Sweden’s capital and beyond.

In this latest wave of new members, PSNI welcome another in-country first with Audio Visual Control Systems Ltd in Nairobi, Kenya. AVCS is recognized as Kenya’s leading designer, supplier and integrator of audiovisual and broadcast technology in the country, with a key focus on IT-based solutions. PSNI represents licensed service and integration offices in 50 countries spanning across 6 continents. Membership to The Alliance is a com-

New research from Managed Business IT Services provider (M-BiTS) TDM Group shows that most businesses are not getting the right IT support/advice to ensure the success of their organisation’s strategy. mitment to embrace standardisation, best-practices, global support and client satisfaction as one unified voice in the audiovisual industry.

Businesses fail to provide appropriate technology for employees New research from Managed Business IT Services provider (M-BiTS) TDM Group shows that most businesses are not getting the right IT support/ advice to ensure the success of their organisation’s strategy.

This is having a knock-on effect for employees who don’t have access to the right tools to perform their jobs effectively due to slow or ineffectual IT roll-out programmes.

Tarek Meliti, CEO of TDM Group, outlined the value of technology: “The right IT solutions can ensure a company's goals for hybrid working are integrated into business systems, leaving them well-placed to grow – and absorb any black swan events in the future.” The research was conducted by TDM Group across 152 C-level business leaders and 155 employees from UK-based organisations with 250-500 employees in late 2021. For example, 38% of employees stated that their employer's response to implementing new technology took between 7 and 10 months.

Tarek Meliti commented: “The research shows that vendors aren't always responding quickly enough to change, identifying business weaknesses or implementing new technologies that help the business adapt and grow.” According to the survey, 26% of employees said there hadn't been any new technology introduced in the last year or were unaware if it had. This is troubling given businesses’ heavy reliance on digital technology. According to Meliti: “Employees are a business’s most important asset, so senior decision-makers must empower them to do their job properly by providing them with the right tools and solutions. Technology can also be harnessed to provide a comprehensive customer service experience – leading to long-term loyalty and higher revenues.”

This white paper provides vital insights into the barriers businesses have faced – and continue to face – when implementing technology amid the pandemic, both from the perspective of business leaders and employees. The research will help you understand everything from current attitudes towards digital transformation and the required staff training to the impact on the bottom line.

ZeeVee expands in Europe ZeeVee, Inc. has established a European subsidiary, ZeeVee Europe GmbH, with headquarters in Augsburg, Germany. The new international entity reflects the growing importance of the company’s operations throughout the continent. “ZeeVee has been supporting European partners for over seven years, via our UK office,” said Rob Muddiman, who heads up EMEAI operations. “With strong growth, the time is right for us to open in central Europe. Our German office and warehouse will help us expand further and offer the support that our clients expect.”

Jan-Arne Rosenstein, who has

more than 14 years’ experience in the AV industry, has been promoted to managing director of ZeeVee Europe. “Jan has shown incredible energy and vision to drive our business in the DACH region and we look forward to his playing an even more critical role in helping to expand our industry participation and strengthening customer partnerships throughout Europe,” said Muddiman.

“Unlike some of our competitors who have had to pause or withdraw from the market due to harsh conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our European growth in the DACH region and beyond, has been

consistently strong. We are experiencing very high demand for our AV over IP product line, and with our full supply capability, we continue to reliably support our partners for their critical projects. It’s this confluence of factors that led us towards formalizing our structure and broadening our capabilities and commitment to the market.”

As a manufacturer laser focused on AVoIP and streaming products, ZeeVee is uniquely positioned to offer the industry solutions that meet the demands of today’s video distribution requirements. And, with its central European location,

highly accessible by rail and under an hour’s drive from Munich’s airport, ZeeVee Europe will provide technical and sales assistance, product integration advice and access to after-sales service – all in customers’ local languages. Additionally, ZeeVee’s nearby warehouse location, also in Germany, will reduce the lead time for shipping and delivering product throughout the continent.

Jan-Arne Rosenstein, who has more than 14 years’ experience in the AV industry, has been promoted to managing director of ZeeVee Europe.

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Business News

Motorola Solutions acquires Ava Security Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) today announced it has acquired Ava Security Limited, a global provider of cloud-native video security and analytics, based in London, U.K. Ava Security's scalable, secure and flexible cloud solution provides enterprises with real-time visibility and powerful analytics to optimize their operations and detect anomalies and threats.

The platform offers organisations the benefit of an enterprise-grade video security solution while minimizing the physical footprint of their security infrastructure.

“Our acquisition of Ava highlights our continued commit-

ment to advancing cloud-based video security technologies,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions. “With Ava, we’re well-positioned to support our customers’ evolving security needs by expanding our portfolio of intelligent video solutions that help to enhance safety and streamline operations.” In addition to allowing organisations to easily access, search and manage their entire system from a centralized dashboard, its self-learning algorithms also enhance enterprise security by detecting abnormal behaviour and alerting operators to events in real-time.

“On behalf of the entire team at Ava, we are excited to join Motorola Solutions,” said Tormod Ree, CEO, Ava Security.

“I would like to thank Ubon Partners for their backing and believing in our vision. We look forward to building upon Motorola Solutions’ industry-leading video security and access control portfolio, providing customers with advanced ways to protect their people and enhance their operational insights.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Sennheiser to focus on professional audio ‘Shaping the future of the audio world and creating unique sound experiences for customers’: this is what Sennheiser has stood for since more than 75 years. After 50 years, the audio specialist will now once again be concentrating fully on the professional business.

With its three business units, Pro Audio, Business Communication and Neumann.Berlin, the Sennheiser Group aims to achieve sustainable growth and further expand its strong global position as a provider of professional audio solutions. The Consumer Electronics business that was previously part of the Sennheiser Group has been fully transferred to Sonova Holding AG - one of the leading providers of hearing solutions (effective March 1, 2022).

“In the future, we will focus our resources and financial strength on our Pro Audio, Business Communication, and Neumann business units. Here, we plan to grow at an above-average rate, further expand our position in the global market, and successively extend our business areas,” explains Daniel Sennheiser, Co-CEO of Sennheiser. “From now on, we are looking forward to working even more closely with our customers in the professional sector and being even closer to the market. This is where we will leverage all of our knowledge and extensive expertise as one of the world's leading companies in the audio industry,” adds Andreas Sennheiser, CoCEO of Sennheiser.

In recent years, the Sennheiser Group has laid all the foundations for a successful future as a professional audio company: “We have transformed the company and - despite the pandemic - can look back on a very successful financial year: we were not only able to meet our sales targets for 2021 in all business areas, but even exceeded our own expectations

After 50 years, the audio specialist will now once again be concentrating fully on the professional business. despite the fact that the event industry in particular remained characterized by uncertainty for the second year in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” comments Daniel Sennheiser.

Describing the Sennheiser Group’s clear goals for the future Andreas Sennheiser explains: “As a family-owned company, we want to grow sustainably through our own efforts. To achieve this, we are investing significantly in our three business units.” In the Pro Audio unit, the audio specialist plans to continue to exceed the high expectations of its customers in the live and broadcast business with reliable audio solutions and firstclass sound quality. The range will be expanded with complementary software solutions for optimal workflows. Sennheiser sees growth opportunities particularly in the fast-growing markets for semi-professional applications, such as audio-for-video.

In the Business Communications unit, Sennheiser will greatly expand its portfolio of audio solutions for universities and corporate meeting rooms in the coming years. The goal is to be present with Sennheiser products in the majority of the

world's lecture halls and meeting rooms and to offer customers solutions that are not only audibly better and easier to use, but in particular address the challenges of hybrid working and learning.

With its legendary products, Neumann.Berlin is already one of the world's best-known brands for studio-quality audio solutions. This business area is to be expanded in the future with a strong focus on digital workflows and extended software and service solutions, as well as with new product offerings, for example for close miking of instruments. Growth opportunities also arise from new customer requirements in the areas of mobile working, streaming, and immersive audio.

With Sonova - one of the leading providers of hearing solutions - Sennheiser has found a strong partner who has fully taken over the Consumer business and will further expand it. Following the sale, Sennheiser and Sonova's Consumer Hearing business will operate together under the Sennheiser brand umbrella. A long-term license agreement has been agreed with Sonova for the use of the Sennheiser brand.

Opinion

Cloud services revolutionise Business Continuity Planning Threats to business continuity are ever-shifting and ever-present – but luckily, cloud-based, SaaS products have streamlined BCP and disaster recovery, argues Tarek Meliti, CEO and founder of TDM Group.

A BCP (Business Continuity Plan) is a document that outlines how a business will continue operating during an unplanned disruption in service. It’s more holistic than a disaster recovery plan because it details contingencies for business processes, assets, human resources, and partners – providing an enterprise-wide view of recovery.

A 2019 LogicMonitor study reported that 96% of organisations have experienced at least one outage in the past three years and 95% had experienced at least one brownout. Although data loss is by no means the only risk that highlights the importance of a thorough BCP, it is stats like this that should bring business continuity planning into sharp focus for IT decision-makers.

The pandemic has streamlined our view of business continuity amid enforced homeworking and the new hybrid model.

This, along with cloud technology, has made it easier for organisations to implement a cost-effective business continuity strategy.

Cloud services have reshaped BCP through the evolution of models like Software-as-aService (SaaS). Conveniently, the vendor provides disaster recovery functionality within this SaaS provision – effectively meaning the process is outsourced, so the business can focus on its primary objectives. Before the cloud, the process was not quite so simple – and often focused on the disaster recovery of on-premises systems. If the worst happened and everything went down, perhaps because of a fire, flood, or storm, they relied on a commercial recovery site where a skeleton workforce could maintain operations.

When the pandemic blindsided businesses in March 2020, the BCP model underwent a rapid transformation.

Strict lockdowns meant the office was suddenly off-limits, which accelerated homeworking at scale; all underpinned by permanently available cloud services – such as emails, accounting systems, CRM systems and marketing systems.

As these SaaS providers take responsibility for their own disaster recovery, the burden was no longer on businesses – which streamlined and augmented the entire BCP process in the following ways: • Seamless backup and disaster recovery: The SaaS pro-

Ultimately, a cloud-first strategy is the answer; one that leverages cloud-based disaster recovery and a suite of business continuity management tools designed specifically for this new world.

viders will deliver the backup and disaster recovery provisions within their service - and supported by the contract’s fine print.

• Flexibility: Perhaps the biggest advantage of harnessing the cloud for business continuity, certainly in the context of homeworking, is the ability to access data and digital tools from anywhere.

Businesses can now operate safely in the knowledge that their teams can continue working no matter where they are.

• Cost-effective scaling: Cloud services are typically offered via a “pay as you go” model. This is a more affordable option for many businesses, making it is easier to scale up and down as needs change without investing in new hardware and the people to manage it.

data loss can be damaging to a business. Cloud-based resilience facilitated by automated data replication and highly available infrastructure reduces downtime should an unplanned disruption occur.

Quite simply, cloud services offer a more resilient service as they allow smaller companies to access vendors’ economies of scale. Cloud-based BCP offers a simple and effective solution to potential data loss, downtime, and disaster recovery. However, the challenge for businesses now is to evolve their resiliency strategies quickly enough to keep up with today’s hybrid IT environments and rapidly changing business and customer demands.

As part of the “pay as you go” consumption model, businesses can subscribe to the services they need.

As operations expand, their subscription plan can be adjusted to include additional services. Leveraging cloud solutions can also limit the costs that are typically experienced with on-premises solutions, such as purchasing and maintaining on-site hardware, energy consumption, and infrastructure support.

The tumultuous economic conditions of the last several years should further highlight the cost-effective nature of flexibility. After years of shutdowns, periods of enthusiastic booms, and now an economic downturn coupled with inflation and ‘The Great Resignation’ staffing crisis – businesses would simply be wasting money if they commit to a fixed storage capacity and then have to downsize or pause operations entirely – and we never know what’s around the corner: Technical downtime caused by business disruptions and

P7 AV News April 2022

Business News

Healthcare technology tackles infection Over the past two years, the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed our healthcare system to its limits and been a catalyst for change and adaptation in the face of the invisible plague that has swept the world. Many patient-facing administrative processes have been completely transformed from the ground up, such as turning paper processes into digital ones to enable social distancing and getting rid of outdated hardware such as fax machines and replacing them with smarter technologies that are also de-

signed around infection control with antibacterial properties.

Large scale digital transformation has always been on the agenda for the NHS and other healthcare bodies, but the pandemic has pushed these transformations through quicker than ever before. The Long Term Plan published on 7 January 2019 set out the vision to future-proof the NHS and the practical experience of how to make this happen is set out in the NHS Five Year Forward View.

Technology in hospitals can be

costly and replacing one process often means a large-scale implementation project which needs to be managed and rolled out. This takes teams of people to ensure an effective rollout. To save money, time and keep these implementations future proof by ensuring interoperability, it is best to ensure a few well aligned technologies are implemented that tick as many boxes as possible from a software point of view.

From a hardware point of view, it is important that the surfaces that get used the most such as

phones, pagers, door handles and bars at the bottom of hospital beds, for example, are designed with infection control in mind, ideally being made from antibacterial materials.

“We made the decision to switch over to a more modern, IP-based system across all our buildings. The decision was made because features we take for granted today, such as an answering machine or fax to e-mail, not to mention more modern features like programmable keys, a second screen or editable call lists, would simply

have been too costly, both to install on the existing system and to be accessible enough to both staff and patients alike in the future. Ultimately, an extensive system was required that had to guarantee that all employees on all sites and in all areas of the buildings can be reached at all times.” commented Jochen Kmietsch, EKW Project Leader, EKW Göttingen – a hospital in Germany adopting IP telephony.

One such highly specialised Antibacterial DECT Handset is called the M90 and is special-

ly designed by Snom for use in hospitals, homes and wherever cleanliness and hygiene play an important role. The M90 has a special antibacterial housing that has also been tested according to JIS-Z2801. Thanks to its surface, the M90 can be cleaned in a moist environment with disinfectants containing alcohol (ethanol) removing the threat of some viruses.

This makes the device easy to clean and provides no breeding ground for bacteria and viruses becoming the ideal companion in a busy medical environment.

“Our M90 handsets are extremely durable and can easily withstand a fall or water damage. They also come with integrated alarm buttons, which make them ideal for use in fast-paced environments such as hospitals, where safety and security are key,” said Lee Underwood, Channel Manager UK & I, Snom.

Hospitals around the world are experiencing major upgrades and improvements, mostly around data transformation and making environments safer and more sanitary. Open architecture and interoperability allow for future improvements as we continue further into the data revolution and smart materials designed around infection control as well as air quality sanitisation are all high up on the agenda now and for the future.

Large scale digital transformation has always been on the agenda for the NHS and other healthcare bodies, but the pandemic has pushed these transformations through quicker than ever before.

Opinion

Five ways to get products in front of customers in 2022 In an ever-expanding e-commerce world, it can be a challenge to get your products in front of the right customers at the right time, according to Dr Pat Violaris, Managing Director at OneTimePIM Marketers use a variety of tactics. However, an eclectic mix of techniques, no matter how creative, doesn’t necessarily make a persuasive marketing plan. Your product and your business model will dictate which tactic and channel you use. The marketing approach should fit the market you're targeting. Make informed choices about your marketing channels based on your customer demographics, and adjust as the results come in.

Customer data is like a garden.

Frequently, you can grow both the value you receive from your customers as well as the value your company receives from them. A customer might get a lot of value from your flagship product, but even more value by buying it again or buying more of it.

Customers who return to a

business compound in value, too. Having a customer who makes a second purchase will allow you to reduce the cost of acquiring them, and they could recommend your shop to others who have similar tastes. Product information management (PIM) systems can provide huge benefits in helping this process.

Here are five ways to get your products in front of customers in 2022.

• Paid search advertising In 2020, search advertising accounted for £8.4 billion in spending in the UK alone. It is therefore imperative to focus attention on your keyword and paid advertising strategy in such a saturated and competitive space. Hidden within PPC accounts, wasted spend on keywords with little to no conversions is a very common sight. For example, broad match keywords can often lead to Google bidding on keywords that aren’t particularly relevant

P8 AV News April 2022

to what you are selling, leading to wasted spend if these ads are clicked.

Broad match keywords can be used effectively, but it is important to monitor them and add irrelevant words to negative search terms. Poorly set up conversion tracking can also hinder the accuracy of the data your Google Ads account uses.

The starting point of any PPC strategy should be to ensure that conversion tracking is set up correctly, tracking exactly what you want to track.

Categories Once a customer reaches your site, you want to ensure it is as easy as possible to navigate to the products they want to buy and to discover new products.

This becomes particularly relevant if you have a large range of products. Keeping your ideal customers in mind can help formulate a way to sort your products into groupings that allow your customers to find what they are looking for.

Filtering Put simply, the more accurate and detailed product information you provide to your customers, the better they can filter through the products and find something that works for them.

If your product data is not in a good place, you may miss out on customers who cannot find what they are looking for on your website. Systems such as PIM can be useful in this respect.

• SEO marketing on products Search engine optimisation, or SEO, allows you to promote your product by increasing traffic to your website via internet marketing. By implementing SEO techniques on your product website, you can gain better visibility in search engine results. Increasing the search engine results ranking can bring in higher quantities of traffic to the site, which advertises your product to a greater number of potential customers.

This can be done at no cost to yourself, but you can enhance your efforts by paying for some services.

Social proof Nearly 70 percent of online shoppers typically read between one and six customer reviews before making a purchasing decision. Less than one in ten shoppers did not have a habit of reading customer reviews before buying. It is absolutely essential to leverage the power of customer reviews in 2022. Especially if you sell

your products on sites like Amazon, whereby customers may filter by number of reviews.

It sounds deceptively simple.

Your business growth can be elevated by a thoughtful and strategic marketing strategy.

You can acquire new customers with great marketing, but retention is the key ingredient that many companies overlook.

Prior to acquiring more customers, it's your responsibility to reengage your existing customers. A well-planned, effective marketing campaign is the way to achieve this.

Technology News

Vestel launches new interactive IFX Series Vestel Visual Solutions has launched its next-generation IFX Series of 4K interactive displays, designed to offer a new level of engagement from classroom to boardroom. Available in three sizes, the 65”, 75” and 86” touch=enabled

ment, clarifying the on-screen dialogue and delivering all-encompassing audio. Dolby Audio Processing enhances this experience further with richer, clearer and more powerful sound.

The displays’ 20-point IR

UHD displays meet the needs of businesses across a number of sectors. “Offering a tailored technology solution for both the classroom and the boardroom, the Android 9.0-powered IFX displays inspire and support creativity in all forms, from design and conception to dynamic problem-solving”, said Karen Langford, Head of B2B, Vestel.

“With a wide variety of applications and engagement options, along with industry-leading audio-visual performance, the range focuses users’ attention and enhances productivity, whatever the context.”

Ideal for any environment, regardless of lighting conditions, the anti-glare, higher brightness displays offer enhanced levels of engagement via a super-immersive big screen viewing experience. Supporting UHD HDR content within an ultra-slim bezel design, everything on-screen is seen in exceptional colour and definition.

Two powerful 20W front-firing speakers maximise engage-

All three IFX displays come with toughened, scratch-resistant tempered glass, as well as an Eye-care display mode to reduce the risk of eye strain. touch technology facilitates collaboration, giving multiple users the opportunity to work on the screen simultaneously.

The Quick Palette feature can be launched for fast access to the pen and highlighter, as well as the screen capture and screen crop tools. The displays, with their super-smooth finish, also ensure an ultra-responsive pen-to-whiteboard writing experience.

The Whiteboard application offers the ultimate big-screen blank canvas on which you can write, draw, highlight and design, using the pen and touch tools. To facilitate interaction, the high-precision magnetic pen provides the option of auto-recognition for two colours, as well as two pen tip sizes on the same pen. The shape and handwriting-to-text recognition features work to give users the confidence that all the content they create will be clear and

Eshare app, users can wirelessly share content to and from all connected Android compatible devices. In addition to this app, there is also the option of using QR codes, which allow guests to connect wirelessly to the displays from any connected device. Powered by the Android 9.0 OS, the displays are designed to deliver a vast range of applications, so that they can support different teaching styles, student needs and business goals.

The new IFX Series brings you a range of easy-to-access connectivity options, including multiple HDMI inputs, a USB Type-C port and an OPS slot.

Meanwhile the optional cloud based Vestel Board Management system enables IT departments to securely set up teacher profiles with individual logins.

Sharp UK has announced the launch of its new Interactive Touchscreen Tables – specifically designed to help employees, school children and older adults in care stay better connected. Available in three unique models – the Early Years, Agile, and Flex - the Interactive Touchscreen Table range works seamlessly in a variety of different environments - from businesses and architecture firms to healthcare and education. Delivering high-definition picture quality and visual display, all models come with a dynamic 32-inch full HD screen. The intuitive touch display allows for up to 40 simultaneous touch points, making teamwork, learning, or group sessions fun, engaging and easy-to-manage. What’s more, the built-in adjustable camera on the Agile and Flex offers flexibility in different

scenarios, and the microphone and speakers, coupled with the integration of Android 10, provide a tool to remain connected.

Each battery equipped version comes with a medical grade power system that fully charges after three hours, delivering up to eight hours of use. Each Touchscreen Table is available as a battery powered or plug-in device that sit on a lightweight stainless-steel frame with easylock wheels for stability and mobility. The halo protection system, with its round moulded edges, provide both screen and person protection. Understanding that different environments have different needs, Sharp’s ambition with this range was to provide technology that delivers on flexibility.

The Early Years Table has been designed for young school children in nurseries, Key Stage

One and Key Stage Two schools.

The Early Years Table sits at the size mark two – the standard for early years furniture in the

professional-looking.

Educators and team leaders can make their lessons and strategy sessions more dynamic by pulling up additional content from the displays’ built-in Chromium web browser to help illustrate their points. With the

Vestel announces P Series 24/7 D-LED displays In a second announcement, Vestel Visual Solutions is to expand its display range with the arrival of the new P Series. Featuring six new 24/7 models – available across 43”, 50”, 55” and 65” sizes in different brightness options – the P Series is built to provide a stylish solution for almost any installation location, delivering

quality and making them a vibrant and cost-effective solution for areas of high ambient lighting - whether that be within retail spaces, schools, or corporate environments.

The P Series has a variety of additional options to suit the needs of end-users. Model options include either 16/7 or 24/7 operation hours, along

content from their website or a predefined URL from the moment the display is turned on.

“We believe that the P Series provides our customers with a cost-effective high-quality AV solution whatever their needs.

The scope for adaptability along with slim D-LED 24/7 displays and 500 NIT and 700 NIT brightness options, all at an

outstanding high-res picture quality within a slender D-LED design.

The P Series is said to have been created to provide the perfect combination of style and value. D-LED backlight technology combined with a specialised cabinet design provides a sleek screen with a slim depth of only 63mm.

The screens can be mounted in either landscape of portrait orientations, making them suitable for almost any installation location.

Further adaptability is provided via optional 30o tilting installation, enabling the displays to be viewed more easily when mounted in high locations suitable for restaurant board menus or airline flight information. The screens also boast excellent picture quality, delivered through UHD resolution and 500 and 700 NIT brightness options. HDR10 compatibility guarantees all featured content meets HDR guidelines, guaranteeing superior picture

with 500 NIT and 700 NIT screen brightness options. Additionally, the 55” and 65” screens are also available with touchscreen overlay kits. The overlays are easy to install and transform the P Series screens into interactive displays – suitable for meeting rooms, huddle spaces, self-service kiosks and way-finding solutions.

The P Series is built with the user in mind. The screens can accommodate either OPS or SDM modules without the need for additional power or video cables and external devices such as PCs, Chromebox, NUC players can be easily mounted.

Furthermore, an embedded IR means that the screens can be aligned together without interference or unsightly gaps. The screens boast an auto launch feature, which enable easy display of content from USB media. Equally, built-in browser connectivity allows for quick and easy connection to the internet, meaning businesses can automatically showcase

Vestel Visual Solutions has announced the expansion of its display range with the arrival of the new P Series. Featuring six new 24/7 models – available across 43”, 50”, 55” and 65” sizes in different brightness options.

UK – and is designed with a full vertical to horizontal tilt display that helps children safely work together as a group, as well

as individually. Plus, the table comes with the ability to install award-winning educational apps by Yellow Door which cover key areas of the curriculum, whilst the P-CAP touchscreen used across the range is ideal for the development of handwriting and fine motor skills.

Moreover, the Agile and Flex Tables are designed to be highly mobile, and to provide functionality for use in any environment, such as the office, universities or care homes.

The display on the Agile Table is fixed at a height suitable for use by office workers, both standing and sitting, and the screen angle can be adjusted between vertical and 54 degrees for added flexibility and optimal viewing. The Flex Table comes with electronically controlled height-adjustment and the screen can tilt from vertical to horizontal along 18-degree

increments. In care homes or dementia care units, the Agile and Flex Tables can be used in shared spaces or individual resident rooms – providing a platform to connect with other residents as well as families, friends and loved ones.

Matt Saunders, Product Marketing Manager at Sharp UK said: “Today, technology has never been more important for teamwork, learning, communication and collaboration.

We are the proud sole distributors of the new range of Interactive Touchscreen Tables, which have been meticulously designed to ensure the highest in product quality, and to give the user the flexibility and freedom of choice.” The new Interactive Touchscreen Table range is available to buy now from Sharp and its partners.

Sharp’s new range of interactive touch tables

Available in three unique models – the Early Years, Agile, and Flex – Sharp’s Interactive Touchscreen Table range works seamlessly in a variety of different environments - from businesses and architecture firms

affordable price point, means the range is built to capture audiences with colourful and vibrant content.” said Karen Langford, Head of B2B, Vestel.

“The addition of the P Series further expands our already comprehensive range of B2B displays. We’re excited to bring further models to market in the coming months as we continue to innovate in order to meet the needs of our UK customers.”

P9 AV News April 2022

Technology News News Technology

Lightware helps guarantee LED capture quality Lightware Visual Engineering is providing critical equipment that ensures the highest image fidelity on XR stages, undertaking the shooting of many of the highest profile TV shows, movies, and live performances to hit the world’s screens in 2022. As XR technology revolutionizes the film and broadcast sector, with the technology being used on filming for The Mandalorian, Batman, The Lion King, Thor: Love And Thunder, and more, and companies such as Riot Games use XR to broadcast leading eSports tournaments, the use of LED capture volumes to provide game-changing realism for virtual production environments is truly taking off.

A typical workflow uses disguise’s XR (eXtended Reality) technology to shoot real life actors in front of state-of-the-art wraparound LED screens which display the real-time computer-generated backgrounds that feature in the finished content.

Unlike traditional green screen techniques, XR provides environmental lighting to the real-life actors and props, providing superior effects shots while also delivering more naturalistic performances as the actors can see the CG elements they are interacting with. XR-shot sequences also require much less postproduction to correct

errors such as spill that can break the suspension of disbelief and reveal a shot to be studio-bound.

One of the key requirements for the XR Screens that make up the capture volumes is for a robust and reliable AV infrastructure to do the heavy lifting of uncompressed video signal management, without which the photorealism is compromised. This is where Lightware’s MX2 matrix switchers come in and have rapidly established themselves as an integral part of the growing number of XR stages being built around the world, offering uncompromising 4K60, zero latency video transfer over HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.2 connections at large-scale cross-point layout.

“Productions spend a lot of money generating the pixels used for backgrounds in high profile shows such as The Mandalorian and others, and it is critical that each and every one of those pixels is delivered exactly where it needs to go when it needs to be there,” says Gergely Vida, founder and CEO of Lightware Visual Engineering. “That is precisely what our MX2 matrix switcher has been engineered to do, at scale, with no latency, and at 24 frames per second every second.” The units are also fully redundant,

which is an important consideration given XR’s growing use in live events work such as Billie Eilish’s ‘Where Do We Go – The Live Stream’ and Katy Perry’s ‘Singles Day’ performance for Alibaba. As such they feature hot-swappable N+1 redundant power supplies so that if one of the supplies fails unexpectedly, the remaining PSU units continue to operate allowing the XR system to continue seamlessly.

“More and more XR stages are being built worldwide and the need for mission critical components that can guarantee performance is becoming more and more obvious,” says Vida. “As well as live work and for high-end and high-profile shows and movies, LED capture technology is being used in an increasing number of productions as costs come down.

It is seen as an ever more capable and sustainable alternative to location shooting for all genres, as well as an upgrade to top of the range virtual studio environments. We are delighted to be involved with its rollout and look forward to helping the technology progress ever further to larger capture volumes and even more photorealistic looks in the future.”

A typical workflow uses disguise’s XR (eXtended Reality) technology to shoot real life actors in front of state-of-the-art wraparound LED screens which display the real-time computer-generated backgrounds that feature in the finished content.

Vivitek supports BYOM Vivitek has added support for the emerging Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) trend to its Novo Ecosystem solutions.

This new BYOM upgrade option means that users of Vivitek’s

meetings. The BYOM driver is available for the following Novo devices: NovoConnect wireless collaboration add on devices, NC-X700 and NC-X900.

Those are ideally suited to us-

ed BYOM functionality, Holger Graeff, General Manager, Vivitek EMEA, said: “NovoConnect stands for easy, secure wireless collaboration for all meeting participants. With the introduc-

most popular wireless collaboration solutions –the NC-X700, NC-X900, NovoDisplay and NovoTouch – can now control mainstream meeting peripherals such as cameras or audio devices from the convenience of the meeting moderator’s own laptop. To demonstrate the benefits of BYOM, Vivitek is currently offering users of the compatible NC-X700, NCX900, NovoDisplay and NovoTouch devices a 30 day free trial.

With the Novo Ecosystem, Vivitek was the first brand to introduce an ecosystem of fully compatible/complementary BYOD wireless collaboration, visual display and digital signage solutions. The four product categories - Add-On Devices, All-in-One Solutions, Launcher and Software/Cloud applications - all provide safe new ways to communicate ideas securely both on-site, remotely or via hybrid scenarios.

The optional BYOM upgrade feature can now be performed on selected Novo devices. This enables the meeting moderator to wirelessly control the shared AV devices (including USB connected In-Room peripherals, ranging from devices like cameras to microphones and speakers). Therefore, it also supports Video Conferencing applications, making it ideal for both corporate and educational needs for on-site and hybrid

ers who already have a screen or a projector but wish to enhance or extend their existing AV infrastructure with wireless presentation functionality or maximise their screen use with digital signage.

Vivitek’s all-in-one collaborative panels, NovoTouch and NovoDisplay, are compatible with the BYOM functionality.

NovoTouch is the ultimate Allin-One Touch Panel that combines 4K –UHD resolution, Wireless Collaboration, Video Conferencing, Digital Whiteboard and Digital Signage.

NovoDisplay offers similar features as a non-interactive display. Commenting on the add-

tion of the BYOM upgrade, Vivitek ensures that the meeting moderator now has even more control. Once again, Vivitek is ahead of the market with its Novo Ecosystem, enabling any user to easily collaborate, communicate and now control the visual communication in any meeting space.” To upgrade the selected Vivitek solutions to BYOM, a License key is available for a one-time charge of £169 ex VAT. Customers who want to take advantage of the free 30-day trial can download Vivitek’s BYOM driver from: https://www.launchnovo.com/ index/dsa

Making your touchscreen last a lifetime – As A Service!

Touchscreen manufacturer CTOUCH has launched a brand new ‘As A Service’ programme, aimed to provide more added value to a display.

Called CTOUCH Heartbeat. the programme will almost certainly bring an upset to the world of touchscreens. It goes the extra mile by adding a lifetime of support, upgrades and trainings to CTOUCH touchscreens to massively improve their runtime and experience.

This leads to a much lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), while simultaneously putting us, and our customers, on the right path to reach our sustainability goals. “We are beyond thrilled to introduce Heartbeat”, says Anthony

van Oijen, CTO at CTOUCH. “Everything we design is done so with the CTOUCH Circle in mind. Heartbeat is our crowning achievement, capturing the security, sustainability, future-proof and customer engagement aspects in one all-encompassing, attractive package.”

Heartbeat consists of five key elements that bring incremental value to any touchscreen and extend its lifetime: 1. IT management – remotely manage touchscreens 2. Security – lifetime of security updates 3. Functionality – a promise of support for latest OS of external devices and onscreen app versions, always an up to date

P10 AV News April 2022

version of Android OS 4. Training – several training programs available, online and offline 5. Circularity – longer lifetime and repurposing These pillars ensure that all worries and hassle are taken away from the user, providing a safe, enjoyable working environment without unpleasant surprises for many years.

An important part of Heartbeat is Sphere, which allows the user to manage all touchscreens in the network remotely, and even simultaneously. Typically used by large businesses or school foundations that have a fleet of touchscreens installed, this nifty tool cuts the time IT managers spend on device

maintenance or troubleshooting significantly. No longer do they need to visit several physical locations when an update is needed or an issue arises.

Instead, they can do it all remotely using the easy-to-use CTOUCH Sphere portal.

The generally accepted period to receive updates to your touchscreen is two to three years, while the product itself is used for many more years. In this day and age, with cybercrime on the rise and threats around every corner, this imposes a threat that increases year-by-year. That is why within Heartbeat, it is guaranteed that Continued on page 11

PSCo first exclusive rental partner for Epson EB-PU2200 PSCo has been named as the first rental partner to stock Epson’s new EB-PU2200 Series 20K projector in the UK. Epson has released its latest EBPU2200 range of lightweight and compact high lumens 3LCD projectors, including what are said to be the “world’s smallest and lightest 20,000 lumens models”.

The new EB-PU2220B projectors are around 60 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than their predecessor, the EB-L20000U. The projectors, which are said to also offer easier installation and set-up and simplified maintenance, are designed to be used in large auditoriums, live events, concerts and conference rooms. The new series comes in 13,000lm, 16,000lm and 20,000lm models, offering WUXGA resolution with 4K enhancement, HDR and advanced installation features. The new models are also compatible with all existing Epson lenses.

Epson has made the first units of the black chassis 20,000lm model exclusively available to PSCo’s rental partners from May 2022. Rental partners can either rent or buy the units from PSCo. Stuart Holmes, Director of PSCo comments: “We are delighted to be named as the first UK rental partner to stock Epson’s impressive 20,000lm model. This investment in our projection fleet underlines PSCo’s intentions to provide our customers with world leading

technologies across our product categories.”

“Epson’s new 20,000 lumens projector is a game changing product for the market and as one of the world’s leading projector manufacturers, they have listened to what’s important to their customers and delivered a more compact, space-saving, lighter, reliable and versatile high lumens projector which I know our rental partners are very excited to get their hands on.”

Craig Waters, Sales Manager for Video Projectors at Epson UK comments: “Epson are proud to be working with PSCO to bring the cutting-edge in projection to a wide and developing market. The EB-PU2200 Series illustrates how we’re addressing the demands for lighter and more flexible solutions that don’t compromise on the quality people expect from Epson. This new and improved product series, together with PSCo’s longstanding expertise, will help us to bring projection further to the forefront.”

Technology News Making your touchscreen last a lifetime – As A Service! the touchscreen will receive updates for its entire lifetime.

Keeping the touchscreen safely operable goes further than just updating the screen itself though, equally as important is support for the devices that get connected to it. Whenever a new Android, Windows or iOS arrives, Heartbeat users can rest easy, knowing the latest version will be supported with their touchscreen.

To make the most out of this fully upgraded touchscreen,

several trainings are included in the Heartbeat programme.

All pillars of Heartbeat work towards sustainability: each of them help to achieve a longer product lifetime, reducing the strain on our environment. Ultimately, CTOUCH will take care to repurpose (parts of) the touchscreen as well by taking back outdated models which in turn could still be beneficial when placed in different markets, under different circumstances. This allows us to

be the most sustainable touchscreen manufacturer in Europe.

There will be 2 packages available: Heartbeat FIT and Heartbeat SAFE. Heartbeat FIT is the basic programme to which all owners of a CTOUCH Riva can enrol for free. Heartbeat SAFE is a paid, extended version offering a wealth of extra benefits to the users and is in early access now for selected CTOUCH Riva users. Additional CTOUCH models will enter the programme in the near future.

Touchscreen manufacturer CTOUCH has launched a brand new ‘As A Service’ programme, aimed to provide more added value to a display.

EPOS Meeting Room Solutions to help your brain adapt Inspired by the ever-transforming modern working environment, global audio brand EPOS today announced its latest range of Meeting Room Solutions, aimed at reducing cognitive overload and keeping employees focused and productive in meetings. With all products – video and audio solutions – being designed for your brain, EPOS enables users on both sides of virtual meetings to communicate better.

Thanks to the global adoption of hybrid working practices, meetings with both virtual and physical participants have become the new normal. However, the human brain is not designed to process this type of cluttered sound environment.

A combination of voices from both people in the room and speakerphones can increase cognitive efforts for both sides of the meeting, resulting in a loss of concentration, difficulties in maintaining focus, increased stress, and an overall negative impact on productivity.

Recognizing that although we hear with our ears, we understand and listen with our brains, EPOS Meeting Room

Solutions are designed for the human brain to help process artificial sound, increase focus, reduce stress, and boost users’ productivity. This provides long-term benefits for employers, by creating a more effective and professional workforce.

Based on decades of psychoacoustic research from parent company and world-leading hearing healthcare and technology group, Demant, EPOS has spent more than a decade researching how hearing impacts our brain, resulting in the creation of EPOS BrainAdapt . The company’s scientific approach to product development, EPOS BrainAdaptTM is a group of pioneering technologies that work together to improve cognitive performance.

With rich data from world-leading hearing healthcare research on how and when the brain performs best, EPOS has used unique algorithms and acoustics to develop its Meeting Room Solutions products.

Headsets, speakerphones, and video bars that are built on EPOS BrainAdapt technology are designed to support the brain’s natural way of processing sound, enabling users to

easily adapt to a hybrid meeting sound environment and reduce cognitive load.

Revealed at Enterprise Connect, EPOS also announced the latest addition to its portfolio of Meeting Room Solutions, the EXPAND 40 Series, a plug-and-play Bluetooth speakerphone designed for small-to-medium-sized meeting rooms. Additionally, the EPOS EXPAND Capture 5, will soon be available to additional users as the voice attribution transcription service on Teams Rooms intelligent speakers is expanding to non-US based customers in April 2022. This expansion also supports voice attribution transcription service for 16 different languages, including German, Simplified Chinese-Mandarin, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, French, and Italian, with more to come.

These products add to EPOS’s existing product portfolio including intelligent video conferencing solutions, high-quality enterprise headsets, and speakerphones designed to recreate the in-person meeting experience.

In a recent study into the global hybrid working environment, EPOS discovered that end users (that is, employees) spend an average of seven hours per week in virtual meetings – an increase of two hours per week since 2020. This has impacted workers in many ways, with 63% of employees saying they regularly experience issues due to poor sound quality on calls, over a quarter (26%) saying they have been frustrated, irritated, or annoyed by ‘unnatural audio’ and over half (56%) believing that good audio will prevent moments of stress at work.

Director of Technology at EPOS, Torben Christiansen, says that these findings have informed the basis of the company’s product development strategy.

Knowing that audio plays a pivotal role in the hybrid work-

ing environment, he adds that business leaders must consider the role of audio technology to ensure their employees’ wellbeing and productivity at work.

“As much of the world begins to return to physical or hybrid workspaces, ensuring that audio and video technology is easy to set up and use is now a matter of workplace hygiene.

IT and C-suite managers are often inundated with tech-related issues in hybrid meetings, causing stress and time wasted. Beyond this, we need to ensure that workers are equipped with the resources necessary to reduce cognitive overload when sitting in hours of these meetings a day. This is why our Meeting Room Solutions are a key differentiator for EPOS, providing users and businesses with products that improve

brain performance while still being easy to use, reliable and crafted to last,” adds Torben Christiansen.

AVer Europe USB visualiser for distance learning and remote teaching The data behind EPOS technology

Aver Europe has announced the launch of AVerVision M5, a USB distance learning visualiser or document camera.

The AVerVision M5 facilitates engaging lesson content for in-class and remote students in all hybrid learning environments. Completely optimised for distance learning and remote teaching, the M5 weighs only 0.78 kg (1.71 lbs) and features a mechanical arm that folds into an ultra-slim shape, making it easy to move around the classroom or carry home.

USB plug-and-play functionality enables teachers to efficiently start online lectures and magnify important details in class without losing students’ attention during setup. An adjustable ball-joint camera head allows for effortless switching from showing teaching materials to self-view.

Rene Buhay, SVP of Sales and Marketing at AVer Europe comments, “Increasing demand for

effective and flexible distance learning and remote teaching solutions is redefining classrooms all over the world. The AVerVision M5 Distance Learning Visualiser boasts impressive features, contained within a minimal footprint, assisting educators with accomplishing the most ambitious teaching goals in both distance and hybrid learning settings.”

Features of the AVerVision M5 include: •Vivid Content Creation – Teachers can capture images and videos to create engaging content for use in physical classrooms, on educational YouTube channels, and more •No Detail Left Behind – An 8-megapixel, 16X digital zoom camera lets teachers focus on even the smallest details •Extra-Large Shooting Area – The AVerVision M5’s larger-than-A3 shooting area effortlessly fits models, aquariums, and documents

Complementary AVerTouch software adds innovative AI Super Resolution and Curve Flattening image-enhancement functions to the AVerVision M5’s collection of revolutionary features. Super Resolution cleans up image blur without adding any distortion. Curve flattening automatically realigns crooked book-shaped materials for optimal viewing so the teacher does not need to waste time adjusting. Users also receive access to classic AVerTouch features like cloud sync, annotation, and video/image capturing. The AVerVision M5 is also compatible with Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, and other cloud video platforms, making it ideal for distance learning. The MSRP is £139 + VAT.

Aver Europe has announced the launch of AVerVision M5, a USB distance learning visualiser or document camera

Inspired by the ever-transforming modern working environment, global audio brand EPOS today announced its latest range of Meeting Room Solutions, aimed at reducing cognitive overload and keeping employees focused and productive in meetings.

P11 AV News April 2022

Barcelona is the New Home of Pro AV. ISE is the world’s leading show for professional audiovisual integration.

Discover the latest AV solutions that deliver unforgettable experiences.

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Discover more iseurope.org Joining Forces

Application News

Brompton Technology powers Australian orchestra In an exciting new initiative, and a first for Australia, the renowned Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) recently transported the performance out of the concert hall and into the outdoors to present the Festival of Orchestra (FOFO), a six-concert series celebrating an eclectic mix of musical genres. Supported by the Australian government’s RISE Fund and technical partner, Novatech Creative Event Technology, the event was staged at the Adelaide Showground, with the stage for the 5000-capacity central arena fitted with three large LED screens in different configurations throughout the

was flanked with two IMAG side screens. Novatech deployed two 4K Tessera SX40 LED processor and four Tessera XD 10G data distribution units for the main screens, along with a Tessera S4 LED processor for an additional surtitle screen for one performance, bringing bullet-proof reliability to the video setup.

“Brompton is an industry leader and simply gives incredible results for the LED screens.

The Tessera software and interface is so easy to use in a show environment, with its live canvas making complex multiscreen setups extremely easy to coordinate and align,” com-

“Festival of Orchestra is possibly ASO’s largest ever undertaking. Having worked with Novatech for over a decade, they really understand our business,” says Vince Ciccarello, Managing Director of Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

“Orchestras are unique beasts which have very special needs, Novatech has been brilliant at understanding those and delivering on them. It’s hard to imagine how we would’ve delivered this project without a local partner like Novatech on the ground. The fact that Novatech is local means that they not only know this venue and site, they have been able to do

Automated HDR LED for Sky Glass launch Award-winning virtual production and LED hire specialist, iMAG, was approached about Sky Glass’s launch event via industry leading, freelance production director and multi award winning creative agency INCA’s technical director for the project, Mark Connolly.

With the key challenge of deploying a solution that would match Sky Glass’s advanced technology and Sky’s aspirations for the product, this global press launch was short, sharp and sexy. The event was held at Magazine, a purpose-built event space in London’s Greenwich Peninsula, and included a technologically advanced High Dynamic Range (HDR) LED solution from iMAG. “One of the key requirements for the LED screens was that they had to be HDR,” says iMAG client director, Charli Harding. “The fact that our team have delivered fully proven HDR-ready workflows and LED volumes for Lionsgate, Netflix and Amazon, along with our entire indoor high-resolution inventory of LED panels being HDR-ready, pushed us ahead of the game for supplying this innovative and game-changing launch.” iMAG supplied a full video solution including ROE Black Onyx 2mm LED panels, along and Brompton Tessera LED

a custom designed system to ensure perfect joins, with Strachan designing an electromagnetic system to ensure the screens engaged correctly to produce a single video surface. “This was a fast paced, automated project and not something you would normally do with a delicate 2mm screen and the tolerances were minute,” iMAG technical director, Alex Strachan recalls. “We had provided a smaller scale version for Intel at Mobile World Congress, but the unique challenge here was the sheer scale of these screens, which meant there was more room for error as when the screens move the weight also shifts, so Unusual were restricted by the weight that could be put in the ceiling.

That’s where the electromagnets came in – we used hundreds of them!”

With the project involving a lot of testing, both on and off site as well as pre-programming, Strachan notes that iMAG’s proven HDR workflow was another key to success. “This was also a challenge because there were a lot of different agencies producing HDR content, all looking to us as the experts on how to deliver it,” he says.

“We had a lot of support from disguise, who helped us advise the content providers on what was needed. Because HDR is

processors, plus operators and programmers, with iMAG working closely with sister company Graymatter’s control team, who supplied multiple disguise media servers. Kate Dawkins Studio provided the visual content wizardry, with lighting design by Renegade Asylum. In a weeklong build, the launch space at Magazine was transformed by 12 large hi-res LED screens, each of which was able to move horizontally, either in combination or as four separate video screen elements, using Kinesys motion control with rigging by Unusual Rigging, and forming one perfectly seamless screen when they came together.

Working in close collaboration with Doughty Engineering to achieve the screens’ uniform appearance, iMAG deployed

still relatively new and the visual detail it produces means it’s unforgiving; if you make a slight mistake in the way the content is made, it affects the end result.”

The following day saw Sky hold a conference called Sky Tomorrow, with iMAG performing a rapid reconfiguration on the evening of the launch to turn the moving screens into a single, static screen, with Graymatter providing live cameras for a full 4k, five camera shoot. “One of the key points about Sky Glass is that it features Dolby Atmos audio so, to ensure accurate reproduction of both its visual and audio attributes, a special sonic room was built with a television at one end and included a twominute-long projection mapped

sequence created on a disguise server,” says Strachan. “It was certainly a challenge to deliver two different solutions in quick succession, whilst also working on a number of other events, including another INCA project for Google at Soho Farmhouse.

The fact that we have an extensive stock of LED panels, which is all Brompton HDR-ready, means we are ideally placed to deliver multiple projects simultaneously.” “iMAG understands the challenges of projects like this. Its customer service, accountability and the dedication of its staff are second to none,” concludes Connolly. “The project delivery had to be first class. It goes without saying iMAG’s attention to detail and extensive R&D ensured a seamless delivery – literally! That’s what enables them to deliver bespoke solutions and stunning results, all the while being some of the nicest folks in the industry.”

In an exciting new initiative, and a first for Australia, the renowned Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) recently transported the performance out of the concert hall and into the outdoors to present the Festival of Orchestra (FOFO). (Photo credit: David Solm). six concerts. Brompton Technology’s LED processing was deployed throughout, giving an overwhelming sense of visual grandeur to the stunning music performances.

Established in 1936, ASO is South Australia’s largest performing arts organisation, with a membership of 75 worldclass musicians, renowned for a diverse and versatile repertoire. The aim of the new festival series was to bring the world of orchestral music to a broader audience, opening with a traditional Classical concert, followed by the Ministry of Sound Classical, the epic Carmina Burana with massed choirs, highlights from Broadway musicals, a rock band fusion with The Angels, and culminating with the BBC’s extraordinary Blue Planet II comprising a score

by Hans Zimmer and a special guest narrator.

To complement this extraordinary musical programme, ROE Visual Carbon CB5 panels were selected for their exceptional brightness and low weight, with the central LED screen used as a visualization tool displaying a mystical ensemble of otherworldly shapes that pulsated with the music, as well as pre-recorded video footage and holding images.

The remarkable centre display

ments Ashley Gabriel, Director of Sales & Marketing at Novatech. “This proved incredibly helpful as we had different sections of input going to different screens on every performance.”

The technical delivery was a collaboration between the ASO production team, Novatech and event rigging specialists, Nexstage. Production designer Jayden Sutherland from The Bakery Design Co., was appointed by the ASO to oversee all stage, lighting and video aspects of the event. Novatech also supplied all equipment for the technical production of the event, including rigging, audio, lighting, video and comms.

“Novatech has been working with the ASO for over a decade, and in a formal partnership for the past six years. We understand their production values and standards, and their commitment to presenting a high-quality product for their diverse audience. It was only natural that we would get involved in their inaugural FOFO concert series,” says Gabriel.

“Brompton reliability is absolutely key. We always know when using Brompton processing that we will have trouble-free setup over complex screen layouts, unbeatable reliability, and can meet the most stringent visual requirements.”

P14 AV News April 2022

recces at short notice, they’ve been able to plan, meet, get onto issues as they arise, and be out on site on a regular basis with the attention to detail that has been critical for such a big undertaking.”

As the festival was held in early summer, the weather threw everything at the production, from cold and windy nights through rain to steamy and hot conditions, “but at all times the Brompton processors performed flawlessly, and the series was a resounding success.” Gabriel concludes.

iMAG was approached about Sky Glass’s launch event. with the key challenge of deploying a solution that would match Sky Glass’s advanced technology and Sky’s aspirations for the product.

Application News

Christie projection ‘Mission Possible’ at Expo 2020 Dubai More than 70 Christie laser projectors are helping to inspire visitors in Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Bringing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life, the interactive exhibition journey addresses the most fundamental global challenges of our time and sheds light on what can

Any challenges that we had – whether that was ‘which projector fits better?’ or ‘how do we make this content best work?’ – they were there to assist and provide a solution.”

The Opportunity Pavilion experience culminates in an impressive projection mapping display in the final room – The Garden of Pledges – designed to resemble

Luxury car showroom gets Rolls-Royce quality lighting In 2021, Rolls-Royce opened its new flagship showroom in Mayfair, London, where customers could enjoy an immersive retail experience inspired by Galleria-style shopping. As with many retailers looking to create more of a leisurely experience, the showroom included various zones, including a ‘speakeasy’ bar and consultation areas with product samples. To bring the luxury experience to life, Hygienic & Environmental Engineering Services (HEES) required a lighting control system that would light these distinct zones depending on the desired ambiance or requirements of the end users. In order to do this, they selected the RAPID lighting control system from

up for the different showroom zones and opening hours and could be cycled through automatically or using the scene set plate. This included automatic adjusting of lighting levels according to the time of day, keeping the showroom bright during the day and with a softer ambiance for the later hours.

This could be controlled manually through the scene setting plate but was also adjusted automatically using light level sensors to drive up efficiency and reduce unnecessary energy usage.

Another scene that was integrated into the RAPID system was a display which would be the only illuminated part of the space at nighttime. One of the vehicles on display would be lit up while promotional foot-

More than 70 Christie laser projectors are helping to inspire visitors in Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

be achieved when individuals and communities work together. A total of 72 Christie laser projectors were installed to deliver engaging visuals throughout. Guests are greeted by an introductory video that sets the scene for the pavilion and the visitor journey ahead. The pavilion is then divided into three ‘tracks’, each focusing on one of three essential needs: water, food and energy. Visitors are guided by the stories of three individuals (guides) in each track whose actions were implemented with minimal resources yet had a life-changing impact.

Interactive games, which also use Christie projection, encourage participation and help to engage visitors in the process of change and visitors are introduced to people from the guide’s communities whose lives has changed for the better because of these actions. These stories are brought to life with projection mapping onto model environments and wraparound video content overhead, adding further detail and richness to the real-life stories. “Mission Possible relies heavily on AV because of all the videos and interactive games,” says Anoosha Al Marzouqi, Director, Opportunity Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. “It was very important to us to have good quality content with the highest possible resolution, to ensure we could deliver an amazing experience for all our visitors, and Christie seemed like an obvious choice.

an ‘upside down garden’. Concealed projectors are used to map pledges and other animated content onto the garden ceiling. The restful space allows visitors to reflect upon their visit and aims to inspire them to act by becoming agents of change in their own communities. “We took a serious topic – sustainable development goals – and we managed to get the spirit of it out to people in a simple way using technology,” adds Anoosha. “It’s simple, it’s fun and it doesn’t talk ‘at’ people, it talks with them and to them. I think that’s one thing which differentiates this experience. We’ve had people who have been blown away by the experience, which is so rewarding for us to hear.”

Christie 3LCD laser projectors are bright, versatile and reliable, delivering visual punch in a compact form factor, with a wide range of lens options to suit a broad range of applications. Christie is the Official Projection and Display Partner to Expo 2020 Dubai, and it has a dedicated team of highly skilled service engineers in Professional Services onsite to cover technical issues in several pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai. “It’s a great pleasure to be a part of Expo 2020 Dubai, and we’re delighted to see the success of the Opportunity Pavilion,” says Joe Graziano, EMEA director of sales, Entertainment, Christie. “The versatile nature of the projectors used meant that they could be integrated effectively throughout, helping to tell the powerful narratives with an array of varied and engaging spaces.”

5G Festival hybrid showcase event A world-first performance underpinned by 5G technology has taken place involving artists located at three of the UK’s most iconic music venues: Metropolis Studios, the O2 Blueroom at The O2 and the Brighton Dome. The ground-breaking festival experience was held to celebrate the climax of the award-winning 5G Festival project. Over the last two years, nine heavyweight organisations have worked collectively with Digital Catapult to explore the untapped potential of 5G for the live music industry and provide a blueprint for how technology could play a key role in the future of the sector, including Audiotonix, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, LiveFrom, Mativision, Metropolis Studios, Sonosphere, Virgin Media O2, and Warner Music Group, as part of the wider £200m DCMS 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme.

Taking place simultaneously across the three venues, more than 20 musicians performed together in a unique concert, showcasing the technical achievements made during the project, and demonstrating the potential role advanced digital technologies could play in the festival of the future. Headlin-

Festival have experimented with understanding how collaborations and performances across multiple venues in different geographical locations can transform the work of artists and producers around the world, combined with innovative and memorable live experience for audiences in-venue and at home. The 5G Festival showcase featured demonstrations of the technical milestones that have been achieved during the course of the project - in particular solving the issue of latency (delay) between artists collaborating remotely with each other from different locations - as currently, it is not possible for artists to perform together, remotely, over an ordinary network.

Most importantly, the showcase provided the clearest demonstration yet of the potential future use cases for 5G in the music and live arts sector, as well as the commercial benefits of using 5G as part of a range of connectivity solutions for this type of event, and how other advanced technologies like virtual and augmented reality, can be seamlessly combined to produce novel experiences for performers and audiences alike. Jeremy Silver, CEO, Dig-

In 2021, Rolls-Royce opened its new flagship showroom in Mayfair, the showroom included various zones, including a ‘speakeasy’ bar and consultation areas with product samples.

CP Electronics.

Within this kind of retail application, light forms an important part of the visitor experience and so the end user had very specific requirements. Beyond simply switching lights on and off during opening hours, each zone required certain brightness depending on the desired ambiance of the display area, like an early evening setting where lights dim in the bar and lounge areas. To achieve this, different light fixtures needed to be installed throughout the showroom and non-customer facing areas, with manual control available as well as the automatic programming.

Luxurious light fittings were arranged to fit around the intricately designed spaces, arranged in around the shapes of the different zones that included display cars, AV installations and furniture for clients. This meant that lighting had to be installed and controlled so no shadows were cast over the show cars by fixtures and fittings.

Working with CP Electronics, HEES selected a fully addressable, hardwired RAPID system that included AV integration with store display as well as scene set plates for store colleagues to control the lighting. Commissioned by a CP Electronics engineer once the installation had taken place, scenes were set

age on three screens played on a loop. Capable of integrating AV into lighting scenes, the RAPID system was able to be programmed to do this as part of an out of hours scene.

Speaking about the project, Sam Farrant, Specification Sales Manager (London) at CP Electronics, said: “For a luxury retail environment, the lighting is key to creating the right atmosphere for clients and so the controls specified had to be able to keep up with the design requirements of each zone.

Using the RAPID solution, we were able to ensure the amazing light fittings across the showroom were illuminating the space in exactly the way the end client was envisaging.

After, we made sure to visit the site to make the final commissioning tweaks and ensure all of the intricacies were ironed out with the end user, making sure they were happy with every element before handing over.”

Such a specific retail application - with different zones requiring different lighting scenes - needed a system that could give showroom colleagues complete control over the environment. By installing the RAPID system, the space could have intelligent automatic scenes to cover all of the lighting needs when open and after dark.

A world-first performance underpinned by 5G technology has taken place involving artists located at three of the UK’s most iconic music venues: ers included double-platinum ital Catapult, said: “5G Festialbum selling singer-songwriter val has shown us the tangible Newton Faulkner and Brigh- impact of technology on our ton-based Alt Folk band Memo- experience of live music, both rial, both playing in Brighton how we could make it and conDome’s iconic Concert Hall to sume it remotely. This projan in-person audience. Rising ect has been about elevating stars, BRIT Award nominee and and enhancing live music for voice of the 2021 John Lew- all involved. None of us wants is Christmas Ad, Lola Young, to replace the authenticity of and Natalie Lindi, part of the the real-life experience, but if MOBO Unsung Class of 2021, we've learned one thing in the performed live in the O2 Blu- last two years, it's that remote eroom at The O2. They were can be meaningful too! 5G joined by seamless backing vo- really has enabled real time cals, drums and keyboard from remote jamming between muBrighton Dome, and guitar and sicians for the first time. When percussion live from Metropolis combined with augmented reStudios in West London. Lon- ality, this has opened up super don-based rock duo Pearl Harts exciting potential for reducing did a stand-alone performance our carbon footprint and makat Metropolis Studios, which ing global music collaborations was live streamed to the other work.” venues as part of the hybrid festival experience.

5G Festival is a unique R&D trial that enables the power of 5G and other technologies to communicate the “live-ness” of an experience wherever audiences or musicians are. Since early 2020, the partners behind 5G

AVNovember News April2021 2022 P17 AVP15 News

Feature

The Bett Show 2022 report and conclusions.

With major international events such as ISE and Infocomm increasingly prominent in showcasing edtech solutions the prospects for Bett as a specialist edtech event are surprisingly robust. AV News talked to two of the Show’s leading exhibitors about their participation and the reasons for their continued support.

As one of the most longstanding exhibitors at Bett we headed straight to Stand SE51 to explore what Promethean had to offer visitors this year and find out what’s new with the world’s number one* interactive display manufacturer.

While the March scheduling left many wondering if there would be any impact on visitor numbers, our arrival at the Promethean stand was met with crowds from all sides. With ActivPanel demonstrations being delivered to teachers, school leaders and IT managers, we made a beeline for the dedicated classroom area to take in some of the workshop sessions.

Comfortably seated, phones on charge, and free coffee in hand, the event’s ‘Recharge, Refuel, and Revitalise’ theme certainly delivered on its promise. Welcoming a programme of guest presenters to address topics such as staff and student wellbeing, education inequality and access, the role of edtech in closing the learning gap, and much more, Promethean’s event agenda highlighted the importance of quality content in getting the most

ical thinking skills.

With the ‘disadvantage gap’ remaining high on the agenda as the country moves to a ‘living with COVID’ strategy, Promethean sought to address the topic by inviting parental engagement charity, Learning with Parents, to present. Focusing on ‘Can edtech help to close the disadvantage gap?’, daily presentations shared best practice on supporting families in disadvantaged areas to engage in learning. The charity also demonstrated how its edtech platform for primary schools replaces traditional homework with inclusive, hands-on family activities and provides a feedback vehicle from parent to teacher.

Sharing edtech advice Teacher of the Year and Deputy Head at Spire Junior School, Alex Bramley, led practical sessions which showed how to use the ActivPanel to facilitate co-operative learning and engagement. Alex also shared the strategies and initiatives his school have developed to promote wellbeing for staff

priorities and focussed attention on the role of education technology in a rapidly changing world. With human interaction at education’s core, Dr Collick discussed how we should redefine students’ relationship to technology and what skills we should be teaching them to fully realise their social and emotional identities in a digital world.

Radix panel management Remote and hybrid learning mean edtech ecosystems have grown substantially in recent years. That's why Promethean has partnered with Radix, a market leader in device management for education, to provide enhanced panel management for the ActivPanel.

On-stand presentations gave visitors the opportunity to learn how the ActivPanel is designed to support IT Managers with managing growing estates and to discuss this in more detail with the Radix team.

With Bett keeping its doors open longer on the Thursday this year, Promethean hosted a special on-stand drinks recep-

all the indications are that it’s been a huge success.

“The visitors were highly engaged, actively seeking out tailored demonstrations of the ActivPanel. Some major opportunities were also discussed, and in some cases closed onstand. From a channel perspective, we were approached by several new resellers who are keen to become a Promethean partner. We’ve always hosted partner dinner during event at Bett, so it was great to be back

in person this year to resurrect that tradition. It was the ideal opportunity to get everyone together, make plans for the rest of the year, and share business updates that will enable us to provide even greater partner support moving forward.”

“This year’s Bett came just a few weeks after the latest Futuresource figures confirmed Promethean remains the global market leader and holds a strong lead in the United Kingdom and Ireland, achieving

a 32.8% market share of the interactive flat panel display market. So, with the market share stats and a great Bett, all in all, it’s been a fantastic start to 2022!”

From a Promethean perspective the Bett Show 2022 was undoubtedly a success and the breadth of the companies activities at the show illustrated why a specialist education event is merited. But what about other major exhibitors?

a product that is geared towards enhancing and expanding educational possibilities at a time when schooling has seen incredible disruption for so many,” said Bonny Cheng, Chief Operating Officer at ViewSonic. “myViewBoard is continuously evolving, with an ecosystem that’s becoming ever more open, flexible, and accessible.

We’re excited to be helping drive educational technology forward with a comprehensive range of solutions.”

As an education technology solution provider, ViewSonic’s development of myViewBoard and the ViewBoard interactive displays demonstrates the company’s approach of providing broadspectrum solutions with a focus on open ecosystems and interoperability. These solutions offer institutions a “one stop shop” for education digitisation, al-

lowing them to move easily from more traditional teaching setups to approaches that fully embrace the benefits of digital and online learning. While myViewBoard helps power ViewSonic’s ViewBoard interactive displays, it is also compatible with interactive displays from other brands. It can be used with devices running on Windows, Android, and iOS operating systems, making it easy for education institutes to incorporate it into their existing infrastructure. Because of this openness, teachers are able to share lessons and content with other educators around the world, creating a much more collaborative education environment.

For Bett 2022, ViewSonic presented its newest technologies with a theme “Grow Together”.

ViewSonic The timing of the rescheduled Bett Show didn’t suit every exhibitor but proved to be fortuitous for ViewSonic. Just before the event, ViewSonic’s EdTech Ecosystem achieved something of a milestone. The myViewBoard ecosystem, was designed to digitalise the education industry, and just exceeded 5 million users, with the platform being used in more than 5,000 institutions around the world First introduced by the company in 2018, myViewBoard is built to facilitate digital content creation, communications, and collaboration in classrooms.

The platform boasts a range of benefits that make it suitable for use across several learning applications, whether it is for in-person, remote, or hybrid classroom settings.

“ViewSonic is incredibly proud to have achieved this great milestone, particularly with

IAs one of the most longstanding exhibitors at Bett we headed straight to Stand SE51 to explore what Promethean had to offer visitors this year and find out what’s new?

As one of the most longstanding exhibitors at Bett we headed straight to Stand SE51 to explore what Promethean had to offer visitors this year and find out what’s new? from interactive display investments.

Educational benefits of chess For the duration of the show, ChessKid, the world’s leading online chess programme for schools, delivered daily sessions on the educational benefits of chess and how to practically leverage these with the ActivPanel. ChessKid's own ‘FunMasterMike’ was joined

by Shreyas Royal, England’s youngest FIDE Master, to provide a student’s perspective on how chess increases learner engagement and develops crit-

and students. Since winning Promethean’s Classroom Stories competition in 2019, Alex Bramley has innovated with his ActivPanel use, and was excited to share the best of his ideas with visitors to the show.

In his keynote presentation, Dr John Collick, Head of International Education Strategy, Promethean, debated ‘Future Students, Future Teachers: Education Technology and Humanity in a Changing World’.

This talk explored how the events of the past few years have forced us to rethink our

P16 AV News April 2022

tion. As well as enjoying the informal networking, visitors were invited to compete against Shreyas Royal in a rapid-fire round of chess that kept energy levels high. It was also the ideal chance for us to speak to Jim Wallis, Head of UK Market, to learn more about Promethean’s Bett experience this year: “Like most other exhibitors, we just weren’t sure how the show would go. Aside from the move to March instead of the usual January dates, schools are still battling disruption caused by COVID. But as the show closed,

Feature ViewSonic’s latest education solutions were centred around the myViewBoard ecosystem, as well as launch initiatives to help drive greater collaboration across the industry. “The events of the last few years have truly demonstrated the importance of working and learning together in an ever-more connected world. ViewSonic is committed to making a difference in education and helping the industry succeed in the new normal,” said Bonny Cheng, COO of ViewSonic. “This year, we are launching a raft of collab-

to shape and administer their unique learning environments.

Take myViewBoard Manager, for example, the IT administrators are supported to oversee, control, and troubleshoot their institution’s interactive displays remotely, making device management and maintenance more efficient. Through the new generation of myViewBoard Sens and with the AI technology, it can detect environmental factors such as occupancy rate, temperature, humidity, audience masked and close contact index. As a result, schools and

oration solutions and exciting initiatives to build a more open and accessible ecosystem for all. From the students, teachers, education leaders, to our channel partners, we hope to grow together and drive momentum within the industry.”

The ViewBoard 52 Series with its multimedia soundbar, is said to deliver a more immersive learning experience, and the brand new 24” ID2456 touch podium, which digitalizes the podium. Outside the classroom, the 135” All-inOne LED Display LD135-152 is an ideal solution for large venues, like auditoriums and lecture halls. Whereas, the 13” ID1330 pen display and 16” TD1655 portable to monitor work together and to support teaching and learning anywhere. In addition, ViewSonic launched its new myViewBoard for iOS and showcase its comprehensive features.

Harnessing ViewSonic’s EdTech solutions helps teachers better connect with students, whether they’re in-person, remote, or both. Attendees will experience how these technologies are geared towards delivering a highly active and intuitive teaching-learning experience - from digital whiteboarding, wireless presentation, content sharing, and group discussions, like puzzles and quizzes.

Bringing classes to life, rich digital content becomes an integrated part of the lesson— rather than simply being an “add-on”. Attendees at Bett were able to experience content-focused solutions with tools that help teachers create digital classes efficiently with designed templates, 3D materials and videos, while also saving the files on the cloud for easy access and sharing. ViewSonic also provides advanced tools to bring better insight

teachers can get more insights to optimize environment for better wellness and safety for quality learning outcomes.

Quality attendance At previous Bett shows, Education Secretaries and ministers have announced everything from new data tracking academic attainment, discussed the implications of wider social challenges facing the education industry such as cracking down on cyberbullying and new Govt. initiatives like the investment in broadband for schools live on site. Major names from across the education and technology space attended, exhibiting and speaking at the event.

In redefining openness and collaboration in EdTech’s “New Normal” for ViewSonic was successful in underlining the need for greater collaboration across the industry. “The events of the last few years have truly demonstrated the importance of working and learning together in an ever-more connected world. ViewSonic is committed to making a difference in education and helping the industry succeed in the new normal,” said Bonny Cheng, COO of ViewSonic. “This year, we launched a raft of collaboration solutions and exciting initiatives to build a more open and accessible ecosystem for all.

From the students, teachers, education leaders, to our channel partners, we hope to grow together and drive momentum within the industry.”

In ViewSonic’s view, highlights of its showcases at Bett 2022 included: • Engaging students with active in-Class Experiences • Harnessing ViewSonic’s EdTech solutions helps teachers better connect with students, whether they’re in-person, re-

mote, or both.

• Attendees experienced how technologies are geared towards delivering a highly active and intuitive teaching-learning experience - from digital whiteboarding, wireless presentation, content sharing, and group discussions, like puzzles and quizzes.

Enrichment with learning content In bringing classes to life, rich digital content becomes an integrated part of the les-

son—rather than simply being an “add-on”. Attendees will be able to experience content-focused solutions with tools that help teachers create digital classes efficiently with designed templates, 3D materials and videos, while also saving the files on the cloud for easy access and sharing.

ViewSonic also provides advanced tools to bring better insight to shape and administer their unique learning environments. Take myViewBoard Manager, for example, the IT administrators are supported to oversee, control, and troubleshoot their institution’s interactive displays remotely, making device management and maintenance more efficient.

Through the new generation of myViewBoard Sens and with the AI technology, it can detect environmental factors Moreover, ViewSonic kicked off a series of programs to assist teachers in developing digital teaching skills with partners. myViewBoard Sens is embedded with AI technology that increases students’ engagement and facilitates wellness compliance in the classroom.

Moreover, ViewSonic introduces an open standard file format “Open Learning Format (.olf )”. This file format is a revolution in the global educational technology (EdTech) industry, overcoming many digital whiteboarding barriers.

Furthermore, “ViewSonic Universe”, an interactive 3D world for education, is unveiled, leading further EdTech developments.

As the pandemic continued, student wellness became an increased area of focus.

Schools faced challenges with ensuring health and safety in classrooms. With myViewBoard Sens, schools can accurately measure wellness compliance.

The data includes temperature, humidity, occupancy rate, audience masking, and close contact index. To help schools monitor and manage

classrooms easily, a dashboard shows these indexes and calculates the engagement and compliance levels in all rooms. If the ratings are not as expected,

measures can be taken using the tailored suggestions on the dashboard, such as adjusting lesson plans or teaching environment.

Higher education at Bett 2022 While school age education clearly has specific needs. many argue that higher education shares much common ground with the digital workplace. It comes as no surprise to see those embedded in the technology of the workplace making progress in higher education. Konftel is one such, with its recent account win in Mexico’s La Salle Laguna University. The university has deployed over 100 Konftel conferencing kits to support hybrid learning, then invited the local community to enjoy the benefits of greater collaboration.

Universidad La Salle Laguna, located in the northwest Mexican state of Durango and serving 1,450 higher education students, knew it wanted to be a leader in using technology to deliver high-quality education in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. One of 15 La Salle University campuses in Mexico, La Salle Laguna was quick to furnish professors with laptop computers and web cameras at the start of the pandemic so online learning could continue but knew that as some students returned to classrooms while others stayed remote, laptop conferencing wouldn’t be enough. “The laptop computers and cameras worked fine when everyone was at home, but when we decided to bring back half the students at a time, we needed technology that would create a better experience,” explains Luis Arturo Dávila de León, Dean of Universidad La Salle Laguna. “We wanted something that was easy to

technology could have an even greater impact by helping unite the surrounding community.

Universidad La Salle Laguna set a high bar: If it was going to embrace hybrid learning, the solution needed to fit seamlessly with the university’s commitment to exceptional education.

Whatever enabling conferencing technology it chose couldn’t just make hybrid learning possible under the circumstances; it needed to match the outstanding learning experience that professors, students, and their families had come to expect before the pandemic. “We needed a service that everyone would be happy with so that all our classes would retain their same high quality,” says Dávila.

University leadership turned to local technology integrator Orange Tech AVA and Konftel distribution partner Neocenter SA de CV to identify the best hybrid learning solution. Orange Tech AVA had been testing the Konftel C20Ego to see if it would meet the university’s needs and determined it could support the seamless, integrated, easy-to-use classroom experience the administration required. The C20Ego is an all-in-one solution featuring a Konftel Cam20 4K conference camera, Konftel Ego speakerphone with OmniSound® audio quality, and Konftel OCC Hub for connecting everything to a laptop with a single USB cable.

“Along with La Salle Laguna, we found that having a camera with a remote control, digital zoom, and presets is very useful in classrooms,” says Isaac

carts and enjoy clear, high-performance collaboration, La Salle Laguna took it a step further to mimic an in-class experience more closely for everyone involved. Technicians at Orange Tech AVA hung ceiling mounts in the centre of classrooms and installed the C20Ego components, as well as a flat-screen display, so that professors could address remote students on-screen and remote students could see everything taking place in the classroom.

“We took measurements so that the Konftel cameras and speakerphones are at the right height for professors and ran cables up through the mounts, so they aren’t visible,” explains Sedano. In addition, Orange Tech AVA ran acoustic and visual tests to maximize the high-quality sound and video from the Konftel solution for all participants. After a week of faculty training, the university was ready for hybrid learning.

“Using the conferencing technology is very comfortable,” says Samuel S. Ramírez Cortéz, a professor at the university. “It allows faculty a perfect combination of a virtual space with a physical classroom. It is easy to speak to remote and in-person students at the same time and use the blackboard or in-class computer very naturally.”

Universidad La Salle Laguna uses Google Classroom and Google Workspace as its primary online learning and collaboration platform, but Cortéz says staff occasionally uses Zoom and other services. Konftel technology is agnostic, allowing

While school age education clearly has specific needs. many argue that higher education shares much common ground with the digital workplace. use and that allowed remote Sedano, Director Comercial for education institutions to use students to see professors and Orange Tech AVA. “The speak- whatever collaboration platform students in the classroom and erphone that comes with the they prefer for high-resolution interact as if they were in the Konftel C20Ego kit has the conferences with ultra-clear same place.” perfect reach for the classroom sound quality. “Feedback has When the new school year be- size, and teachers really ap- been very positive,” Cortéz gan in August 2021, La Salle preciate the unique hub that says. “The students at home Laguna had installed 107 Kon- allows them to easily connect don’t feel alone; teachers are still able to teach the way they ftel C20Ego videoconferencing everything to their laptop.” kits throughout campus, con- The Konftel solution also know best; and parents trust trolled and monitored from a supports easy, flexible instal- the university because the central location and ready to lation—an important factor technology proves our commitbring together remote and in- considering Orange Tech AVA ment to high-level teaching.” class students in a unified hy- would only have two months to brid experience. Almost as soon integrate more than 100 sys*Excluding China. Futuresource as professors and students be- tems. Although some education Consulting, World IFPD Market gan using the Konftel solution, institutions might simply posiReport, Q4 2021 university officials realized the tion the C20Ego on desks or AV

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ISE 2022 Preview

Barcelona!

The flights and ferry tickets, for those taking the gear overland, are booked, the catering for the AV News Awards is ordered and the hotels are reserved. After all the work, worry and perturbation, thank goodness it’s going to happen! So what are we going to see?

Some changes to the ISE formula are born of changes to the market, others can be attributed to the evolution of the show itself. It’s an unusual event in so far as it embraces so many disparate, but related, technologies and an ever-growing range of applications. This year, we will see some consolidation of collaborative technologies as hybrid working becomes the norm, further progress in new realities as well as organic developments in displays, audio and networking. And then are the paradigm shifts, such the practical adoption of IOT. This latter trend has been marked by the new partnership between ISE and the IOT Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC to reimagine cross-industry digital transformation. The partners have agreed to join

forces this year and provide an unparalleled ecosystem for digital transformation to professionals from many industries.

The joint celebration of the two events will provide a unique opportunity to explore the crossroads between two different sets of disruptive technologies.

ISE will deliver top companies from the professional AV industry as well as international experts in the field of systems integration from numerous industries. IOTSWC will bring to the table leading experts and companies working on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Twins, Internet of Things and Quantum Computing. The goal of this co-operation is to highlight the common ground that offers new ideas and inspiration for attendees and exhibitors alike.

The agreement will allow

each show’s visitors to access both exhibition areas, at no extra cost, whilst delegates registered to the ISE conferences will benefit from a 50% discount to the IOTSWC congress program - and vice versa. Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, Mike Blackman, explains: “AV and IT convergence has been the single most important industry trend at ISE over the past decade and the inspiring innovations happening in IoT take this to another level. With our two events now happening at the same time and place this May, it is very exciting to be able to work together and explore even more areas of collaboration.

The exciting world of pro AV and the inspiring innovations in IoT make all sorts of possibilities a reality.”

The ISE 2022 show floor Around 800 exhibitors across six Technology Zones will take part in USE 2022 along with delegates and speakers for seven conferences and a whole host of lounges, experiences and show floor features. Visitors will find it particularly easy to navigate the show floor this year, thanks to the dedicated Technology Zones that group together exhibitors in major technology areas. While Halls

IOT at ISE IOTSWC will hold its sixth edition under the theme Game-changing technologies for industry transformation. The event will gather the leading suppliers of industrial solutions and information technology providers to showcase the latest trends that are providing an edge to companies across many industries and promote collaboration in the tech solutions ecosystem. With over 200 exhibitors including ABB, Altair, Amazon Web Services, EMnify, Fiware, Hornet Security, Huawei, Kaspersky, RFPD, Relayr and Siemens, that will showcase examples of how the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Twins and other technologies can transform entire companies and businesses.

IOTSWC will structure its congress program around five themes – Business optimization, Artificial Intelligence, Connectivity, Security and Customer Experience.

3 and 5 contain ISE’s flagship exhibitors, plus companies whose multi-technology offerings do not fall easily into a single Technology Zone, elsewhere you’ll find Audio and Lighting & Staging in Hall 7, Digital Signage & DooH in Hall 6, and Residential & Smart Building along with Unified Communications & Education Technology in Hall 2.

Audio at ISE 2022 Clear-Com will have a presence at the first Barcelona-based Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show from May 10 – 13, exhibiting on Booth #7M925. ISE brings together the leading technology innovators and solutions providers of the AV industry, creating an exciting platform for Clear-Com to showcase solutions for the live market and other diverse market applications. Clear-Com will be demonstrating their latest innovations including: Arcadia Central Station, FreeSpeak Edge Base Station, Station-IC Virtual Desktop Client, and the latest software/firmware update to the Eclipse HX Digital Matrix platform — alongside the company’s award-winning solutions including FreeSpeak II, LQ Series of IP Interfaces and the Agent-IC Mobile App. “ISE has grown in importance for us over the years, and at this point it’s a critical platform for us to connect with a wide variety of market segments, including live events, installation, theme parks, sports venues -- and really more than I can list here,” comments Clear-Com President, Bob Boster. “We are looking forward to reconnecting with this disparate audience in the show’s new home of Barcelona.” A main feature on the booth will be the award-winning Arcadia Central Station. Designed with input from Clear-Com’s extensive global live sound user base, Arcadia is a scalable IP intercom platform that integrates wired and digital wireless party line systems along with third-party Dante devices in a single rack unit.

The system can be expanded to meet varying production needs, offering a base level of 32 IP ports which can be expanded to up to 96 IP ports (and beyond in future releases) as needed. From the Broadway stage to a local performing arts centre to the largest and most complex live events, Arcadia is ideally suited for a wide variety of applications, in part due to its flexible licensing-based model. “This is truly a platform designed for future expansion,” explains Product Manager, Kari Eythorsson. “We will be demoing the highly anticipated Arcadia integration with HelixNet, and if you’re at the show, you don’t want to miss it!”

Also available for demonstration on the booth will be the FreeSpeak Edge Base Station, an IP base station that supports the full range of FreeSpeak digital wireless intercom solutions encompassing multiple wireless frequency bands (1.9 GHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), as well as third-party Dante devices. IP-based intercoms have become increasingly critical as remote and hybrid productions have become the defacto standard. Clear-Com’s LQ Series of IP Interfaces, Agent-IC mobile app and Station-IC virtual desktop client are all ideally suited to accommodate any number of modern

P18 AV News April 2022

Visit at ISE to meet Nureva XT, an integrated solution that combines a Nureva audio system (HDL300 for standard-sized classrooms or Dual HDL300 for large classrooms) with the new Nureva CV30 classroom camera kit

Clear-Com will have a presence at the first Barcelona-based Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show from May 10 – 13, exhibiting on Booth #7M925. workflows and will be highlighted as part of Clear-Com’s presence at the show. “We have a lot of new developments to share at the show—projects, software updates and new product features—and we look forward to seeing you face-to-face again. People who know me know I'm always good for a fun story, and now I have two years of them stored up. Stop by our stand and let's swap stories over a drink!” concludes Senior VP of Sales, Chris Willis.

“ISE continues to be a significant event for Nureva, and we are delighted to be back in 2022 to give attendees a first look at the many additions and developments to our expanding audio-conferencing product line,” said Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “Hybrid working and learning has never been more important, and our audio solutions avoid the significant costs and complexities that other systems inevitably come with when outfitting larger spaces.”

Visit Nureva at ISE to meet Nureva XT, an integrated solution that combines a Nureva audio system (HDL300 for standard-sized classrooms or Dual HDL300 for large classrooms) with the new Nureva CV30 classroom camera kit and value-added services that includes a three- or five-year subscription to Nureva Pro. Visitors to Nureva’s stand can learn how the company’s game-changing audio conferencing systems make it easy and affordable to get consistent, full-room audio coverage in mid-size and large meeting and learning spaces.

Nureva systems deliver the audio performance that customers demand without the cost and complexity associated with installation, setup and maintenance of traditional multicomponent DSP solutions. Nureva is also showcasing numerous recent developments including the additions of Voice Amplification Mode for training rooms and classrooms, and analytics and insights in Nureva Console that equip IT staff with historical usage and acoustic performance data for the past three days to identify potential improvements. Up to three years of historical data is available with a subscription to Nureva Pro. Visitors to Nureva’s stand can also learn about Nureva’s growing list of cloud-based APIs and support documentation that make it easy to incorporate Nureva systems into existing workflows, creating seamless integrations with other products. This is accessed through the Nureva Developer toolkit, which is part of Nureva Console. Most recent integrations with Extron and Crestron allow users to control their Nureva system from these touch panels.

Integrated Systems Europe has announced global audio manufacturer Shure as the Conference Audio Partner for ISE 2022.

Taking place at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, ISE 2022 will host four days of unrivalled conference content across a broad range of vertical markets including Live Events, Education and Digital

ISE 2022 Preview Signage. Conferencing expert Shure will be supporting the leading event for the AV industry with a full range of audio equipment, including its Axient Digital Wireless System. Trusted by top audio professionals from live performance to theatre and broadcast, Axient Digital is the most widely used high-end wireless system, providing signal stability and clear audio even in the most congested RF environments.

The complexity of an event like ISE, with several stages all with significant wireless channel requirements, demands highest standards for the sound setup. Relying on Shure’s solutions is the ideal choice to help ensure impeccable audio quality throughout all spaces at the Fira de Barcelona.

“We are honoured to be the Conference Audio Partner for ISE this year,” said Chris Schyvinck, President and CEO at Shure.

“And after such a challenging period for the entire industry, we are looking forward to bringing the AV community back together with a fantastic line-up of live conferences.” The ISE 2022 conference schedule will include a host of keynote speakers, presenters, and demonstrations, all of which will use the best and latest innovative Shure technology and products. Shure will also be working closely with audio specialist Iventions for all on-site audio activities and to ensure a smooth-running conference programme.

system to achieve additional reliability.

Massimo Pizzocri, Vice President Video Projector Sales & Marketing Division at Epson said “I am convinced that this new 3LCD display platform will become the industry benchmark for quality and flexibility, not only saving installation time and shipment costs but also reducing environmental impact for the important and growing 20k lumens market segment. As the world’s leading projector manufacturer, we have listened very closely to our customers and we believe this new series of projectors answers the market need for more compact, space-saving, lighter, reliable and versatile high lumens display solutions.”

Visitors to the Christie stand (3K600) will see a host of first-time outings and sneak previews of upcoming AV solutions. The Christie M 4K25 RGB 25,000 lumen pure laser projector is making its EMEA trade show debut, combining cutting-edge, purpose-built features in a rugged design weighing just 92 lbs, alongside the launch of a new Christie Griffyn RGB pure laser projector. Meanwhile in LED display developments, the new 0.9mm Core Series II will make its debut, as well as a tech demo of a MicroTiles® LED model, with future advancements.

The Christie M 4K25 RGB 25,000 lumen pure laser projector is making its EMEA trade show debut, combining cutting-edge, purpose-built features in a rugged design weighing just 92 lbs, alongside the launch of a new Christie Griffyn RGB pure laser projector.

Displays at ISE 2022 Projection at ISE 2022 Epson has launched its newest generation of compact, efficient and ultra-lightweight high lumens 3LCD projectors. Building on the success of its EB-L20000U series, Epson’s PU2200U range of high lumens 3LCD projectors includes the world's smallest and lightest 20,000 lumens models (EB-PU2220B / EB-PU2120W) which are 70% smaller and 50% lighter than their predecessor (EBL20000U). The new range offers users significant advantages including much reduced size and weight, easier installation and set-up, simplified maintenance and great image quality. The new range of ultra-lightweight, compact laser projectors has been designed for use in large auditoriums, live events, concerts, conference rooms where it delivers high-impact immersive experiences.

The range offers significant environmental benefits including much lower power consumption, significantly reduced packaging requirements with lower carbon footprint as the reduced weight and size means the projectors are easier to store, transport and install, saving on warehouse space as well as labour and delivery costs. The PU2200 series includes 13,000lm, 16,000lm and 20,000lm models, offering WUXGA resolution with 4K enhancement, HDR and advanced installation features. The compact and lightweight range offers a host of features that hugely benefit the rental and installation sector such as compatibility with existing Epson lenses. The projectors are easy to integrate with existing infrastructures, offering both installation flexibility and fit-and-forget reliability.

All models in the range include functionality that enables simple installation, stacking, lens flexibility and control. The range includes in-built processing for PC-free stacking which means two supported projectors can be stacked to double the brightness without need of external computerware. Additional feaEpson has launched its newtures include NFC functionality forest generation of compact, simpler installation, enabling com-efficient and ultra-lightweight munication between projectors andhigh lumens 3LCD projectors.

NFC-compatible Android smartBuilding on the success of its devices, even when the projectorEB-L20000U series, Epson’s is off. The new range also includesPU2200U range of high lumens improved dustproofing as the her-3LCD projectors includes the metically sealed optical engine,world's smallest and lightest and laser light source unit, pre-20,000 lumens models. vent dust contamination to ensure enhanced durability. The optical engine and light source module are IP5x certified and Epson uses a high-efficiency liquid cooling

Optoma, has announced it will showcase its expanding range of visual display technologies at Information Systems Europe (ISE) 2022. Offering stunning visual experiences that captivate and take audience engagement to new levels, Optoma offers large display and software solutions across the business, education, professional installation and home entertainment markets. Visitors will be able to experience Optoma’s engaging exhibition space at ISE in hall 3, stand 3D600: • New Ultra Bright Series ZU1700, ZU1900, and ZU2200 professional laser projectors delivering up to 22,000 lumens and extreme flexibility to high end installations • Full range of interactive flat panel displays and accessories - including education solutions and interactive sessions.

• First looks at the expanded range of all-in-one LED display solutions • Innovative real-life applications using projection mapping and blending to create immersive experiences • Optoma Management Suite (OMS) - An intuitive remote display management solution to streamline operations by monitoring, diagnosing and controlling audio visual displays • Full range of ultra-affordable DuraCore laser professional projectors for flexible installation, great colours and more consistent brightness • New home projectors including the latest CinemaX 4K UHD Laser Projection TV with ground-breaking laser cinema technology and low lag for a competitive gaming advantage.

“We look forward to re-connecting with our industry and valued partners to showcase our unique large display and software solutions across projection, interactive flat panels and LED displays - embracing the flexibility and breadth of our product range which addresses every installation need, while offering significant value, benefits and services to our customers,” stated Thierry Millet, Optoma EMEA Managing Director. Experts from Optoma’s ever-expanding local sales and technical support teams will be on hand to provide technical knowledge, one-to-one demonstrations and sales support. The Optoma stand can be found in hall 3, stand 3D600.

Discover innovative solutions for hybrid working, including the NEC WD551 Windows Collaboration Display.

Sharp/NEC believes that he best way to maximise your visit to ISE is to join one of their expert teams on a guided tour of the Sharp/ NEC booth. Gain a deeper understanding of the greater choice that comes from two leading brands under one umbrella, and how the company’s latest visual solutions go “Beyond Expectation”.

Discover innovative solutions for hybrid working, including the NEC WD551 Windows Collaboration Display, and a fusion between the Sharp L752B display and the new Synappx platform of applications and services that’s bringing smart home convenience into the workplace.

Innovation in 8K resolutions brings more colour, more clarity, and more depth, widening opportunities in specialist sectors demanding reality-like, life-size image rendition, without compromise. Solutions for Higher Education will include a fresh look at the projector line-up that delivers low-maintenance performance in large venues.

Signage for Retail and Transportation is a fast-moving speciality where Sharp/NEC large format displays and next generation dvLED surfaces provide easy set up and unrivalled viewing experiences. Taking approximately 45 minutes, and available in different languages, joining one of our frequent booth tours will ensure our time together brings value – we know you have a lot to see in Barcelona.

Collaboration at ISE 2022 Collaboration device specialist Konftel will showcase its latest product developments at ISE, as video meetings continue to grow in popularity and shape new working trends. Konftel has developed a special room type guide to help resellers and their customers pinpoint the most appropriate products and set-up – to cut through the conferencing jungle. The end-goal is video enabled meetings, always and everywhere - from personal workspaces, focus and huddle rooms to large multipurpose facilities. ISE 2022 is home to the world’s leading technology innovators and solutions providers where Konftel’s latest product innovations will feature in the Barcelona spotlight.

The new Konftel 70 is a versatile high performance speakerphone that blends exceptional audio quality with a stylish accolade-winning design. It forms the audio centrepiece of two new video kits – the C2070 and C5070 – which are part of Konftel’s entire Climate Neutral certified portfolio. The Konftel C2070 is a video solution for huddle to medium meeting rooms, uniting the Konftel Cam20 4K conference camera with the Konftel 70 speakerphone and its OmniSound audio quality. The Konftel C5070 is a more powerful video collaboration solution for medium sized meeting rooms, combining the Konftel Cam50 PTZ conference camera with the Konftel 70. Both include Konftel’s OCC Hub that brings

everything together into one convenient kit, where a single USB cable is all that’s needed to connect the camera, sound unit and the room’s screen to the video meeting on a laptop.

The Konftel Personal Video Kit creates conferencing convenience both for the home and traditional office – making it ideally suited to today’s growing hybrid working trends. The package consists of the Konftel Cam10 webcam and popular Konftel Ego speakerphone, delivering business class performance with high levels of usability as part of a compact and portable overall design.

The Konftel C50800 Hybrid is a premium video collaboration solution for medium to really large meeting rooms. Delivering outstanding image and audio quality, the package combines the Konftel Cam50 PTZ conference camera and the Zoom Phone certified Konftel 800 conference device, with the Konftel OCC Hub for One Cable Connection.

Director of Global Sales, Tommy Edlund, explained: “ISE provides us with the perfect platform to showcase our expanded product portfolio and demonstrate our new room type guide. With the hybrid workplace as the new norm, video meetings have become the central resource for collaboration and efficient decision making. This means every meeting space, whether at home or in the corporate office, needs to be equipped for instant, easy-to use and high quality video conferencing. We are confident visitors to ISE will appreciate the quality, design, depth and overall performance of our innovative video conferencing range. In addition the entire product portfolio is Climate Neutral certified which means all greenhouse gas emissions have been offset, so users can conference with a clear climate conscience from their very first meeting.”

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ISE 2022 Preview Vivitek’s solutions displayed at ISE 2022 support hybrid and collaborative working as well as visual power for any meeting space.

As the world moves away from offices, meeting and classrooms to embrace the multiple benefits of hybrid working, at ISE 2022, Vivitek will demonstrate how it can help everyone experience a world beyond visual communication… wherever they are. Visitors to its stand can experience Vivitek’s Novo Ecosystem, which facilitates wireless collaboration and digital signage in any hybrid setting.

This makes it ideally suited to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) requirements. They will also be able to sample the recently announced NovoStage, a Windows based wireless collaboration software solution. Making its public debut at ISE 2022, is a new heavy-duty laser projector - the DU9900Z - as well as the new Qumi Q9 DLP LED portable projector. With its latest solutions, Vivitek’s range meets end users’ requirements for Unified Communications and Collaboration solutions that are safe, secure, sustainable, easy to set up and simple to use. All of its latest solutions can be found on the combined Vivitek – Delta stand, located at 3D820.

With the Novo Ecosystem, Vivitek was the first brand to introduce an ecosystem of fully compatible/complementary visual display, collaboration and digital signage solutions comprising four categories; Add-On Devices, All-in-One Solutions, Launcher and Software/Cloud applications. Novo Ecosystem offers the flexibility to scale up and integrate in existing and new environments; above all, it provides safe new ways to communicate ideas securely from any location, making it ideally suited to both the education sector and the corporate market at a time when schools, colleges, universities and offices are experiencing constant changes during the pandemic restrictions.

NovoStage is the latest software addition to Vivitek’s established and award-winning Novo Ecosystem. NovoStage is a Windows based wireless collaboration software solution designed to facilitate the wireless sharing of up to four device screens concurrently.

NovoStage transforms any Windows display into a wireless collaboration hub. Ideal for information and idea sharing in meetings, lessons and training sessions, NovoStage drives new levels of productivity and collaboration by combining applications like Zoom and content from Windows Computers and iPads, making it well-suited to BYOD and BYOM environments and all business and education scenarios.

Attendees to Vivitek’s stand at ISE 2022 in Barcelona, will also be able to experience examples of Vivitek’s comprehensive range of innovative display solutions. This includes its all-in-one collaborative panels, NovoTouch and NovoDisplay. Engineered for corporate and education users, NovoTouch is the ultimate All-in-One Touch Panel that combines 4K –UHD resolution, Wireless Collaboration, Video Conferencing, Digital Whiteboard and Digital Signage functionalities. With NovoConnect embedded, meeting participants can extend their laptop screen wireless to the flat panel to share information and collaborate. Both NovoTouch and NovoDisplay are ready for the ever-popular BYOD practice. Moreover, both models offer video conferencing capabilities including pre-installed Zoom, Teams or Skype for Business. In between meetings, the display panes can be switched to Digital Signage mode to transform the idle screen into a digital announcement board.

Sharing the spotlight at ISE 2022 with the NovoTouch, NovoDisplay and NovoStage, is a new, large venue projector from Vivitek, the recently announced DU9900Z. This heavy-duty laser projector offers edge-blending and warping technology, motorised lens shift/focus/zoom, and lens position memory for easy installation.

With the robust performance of 22,000 lumens high brightness and long-term stable quality, it is ideal for ProAV rental, staging and large venue with a choice of optional lenses, 360-degree and portrait projection, and 24/7 operation capability for maximum installation flexibility.

Visitors to the stand will be able to admire the image quality and precision from Delta’s wide range of DLP Rear Projection Cubes, Narrow Bezel LCD Video Walls and COB LED Video Walls. Delta’s considerable experience in video wall technologies ensures reliability and durability in many 24/7 applications, and can be depended on to bring control to even the most challenging of events or environments.

Commenting on how its solutions have evolved to meet the changing needs and working practices of its users, Holger Graeff, General Manager, Vivitek EMEA, stated: “At Vivitek, we’re highly optimistic about the more sustainable and flexible ways of working Vivitek’s solutions displayed at ISE 2022 support hybrid and collaborative working as well as visual power for any meeting space.

4P20 AV News April 2022

and learning that the widely-embraced hybrid model encourages.

That’s why we’re thrilled to be able to meet our partners and customers again at ISE’s new home in Barcelona. How and where we work and study has entered a new chapter, with hybrid working mixing the home, the office, meeting rooms and classrooms as places of work or study. Vivitek is already positioned to be a major contributor to how we collaborate now and in the future. That’s why we’re very excited about the evolution of our popular Novo Ecosystem.”

We welcome you to the Vivitek – Delta stand, located at 3D820.

Digital signage at ISE 2022 Peerless-AV will present the latest generation Outdoor Displays and Indoor/Outdoor Kiosk solutions together with a new Motorised Trolley and a host of dvLED mounting systems on stand 3F700 at ISE 2022, 10-13 May, Fira de Barcelona. Showcasing the company’s expert capabilities in dvLED video wall mounting integration – part of the SEAMLESS dvLED Video Wall Integration Programme – visitors will see various flat to wall and custom shaped dvLED video wall showcases in partnership with key OEM partners and supported by SEAMLESS Kitted and Bespoke Mounting Systems.

SEAMLESS Kitted solutions offer the highest level of Z-adjustment to help overcome installation irregularities, ensure the dvLED pix-

55" outdoor commercial display brands, including the XHB554EUK. The sleek, new Outdoor Digital Menu Board models can support up to three displays to enhance outdoor drive-thru efficiency, are all-weather rated, UL 48 certified and offer a low operating cost, modular design, and a simplified two-man installation process.

PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips digital signage, interactive displays, direct view LED and professional TV products and solutions, is delighted to confirm its participation at this year’s ISE 2022 in Barcelona (May 10-13), with the company preparing a wave of important new product updates and strategic partnerships, supporting all major market verticals.

Hailed internally as one of its biggest ISE shows to date, PPDS plans some of its most significant announcements since its strategic rebrand. Visitors to the newly designed and digitally immersive Philips professional displays stand (Hall 3, Q600) at the 198,500 m2 Gran Via, Fira venue will be among the first to view and experience the company’s latest portfolio of advanced hardware and software solutions, bringing next level support to dedicated markets. These include corporate, education, retail, hospitality, healthcare, broadcast, food and beverage, public venues, among others.

Home for the week for PPDS teams from around the world, key headline announcements from the company at ISE 2022 will include the unveiling of a brand-new suite of 4K UHD professional TVs, updates to its highly versatile digital signage range, a new line of direct view LED displays, and additions to its families of collaborative interactive displays.

Continuing the evolution of PPDS’ ‘Total Solutions’ strategy, the company will also be announcing a major new internally-developed Cloud-based open platform, bringing a wave of new display control and management opportunities – stay tuned! PPDS will also announce a new value enhancing strategic partnership for a new range of advanced virus and bacteria eliminating health and

Peerless-AV’s new Motorised Trolley for LFDs offers pre-set height controls with 500 mm of vertical travel for education and corporate settings els are aligned, and to guarantee that the entire mount creates one flat plane, regardless of wall imperfections. SEAMLESS Bespoke solutions offer a meticulous fit for the most complex and challenging of dvLED video wall deployments such as custom shapes and aggressive curves.

Also showing for the first time will be the new Motorised Trolley (PR598-M) for large format and interactive displays up to 98”.

This new addition is easy to install, use and move from room to room, offering a unique feature set in line with modern presentation requirements, including digital controls on the rear to power the display and pre-set up to four heights with 500 mm of vertical travel. The trolley also has a built-in pressure sensor to detect, and automatically lower or lift, if any resistance or obstacles are detected, ensuring safe use in any Education or Corporate setting.

Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays for all-weather, extreme temperature applications, will be on the booth, including a first showing of the new 55” XHB554-EUK, that addresses performance requirements in hotter ‘desert’ or sunnier climates. The XHB554-EUK is now 25% lighter than the previous generation 55" and includes a gyroscopic sensor that detects any movement of the display and sends an alert to warn of potential tampering or theft.

The display retains an unmatched IP rating and award-winning feature set, now with a built-in HDBaseT receiver and significant mechanical and operating system enhancements that include thermal load diffusion, customised brightness scheduling, auto-source switching, power saving, and pixel shifting.

Alongside the above, Peerless-AV will present the latest Outdoor Digital Menu Boards (KOF555-1/2/3), designed to support leading

PPDS plans some of its most significant announcements since its strategic rebrand. hygiene solutions for safer indoor business environments.

Chris Colpaert, General Manager, commented: “We’re delighted and excited to confirm PPDS will once again be showcasing Philips professional displays at ISE, joining our partners and customers at the show’s new home in Barcelona – a venue befitting for the unveiling of our latest, not-to-be missed announcements and innovations. Whatever the industry, we are sure you will find the right solution for your business on our stand at ISE.” Franck Racapé, Vice President EMEA, added: “We were all disappointed that last year’s ISE event was cancelled. Here at PPDS, our global team has continued to work tirelessly to ensure it has remained business as usual at all times, retaining all staff and supporting our partners at every turn and challenge. The hard work has paid off and we can’t wait to see you all again in person and to showcase just some of the things we’ve been working on in what is guaranteed to be a great show.”

PPDS, the AV industry’s fastest growing provider of professional TVs, digital signage and LED display solutions, is excited to announce the latest evolution of its highly innovative and market-leading hospitality TV range, with the launch of a brand-new, advanced series of premium 4K Philips MediaSuite TVs. The latest additions to the growing Philips MediaSuite with Android TV OS family include the new slick and stylish Philips MediaSuite 6214U series, and a new 55” variant to the MediaSuite 5214U family, bringing unparalleled choice, quality and cost-saving opportunities to the hospitality industry.

Hailed as the world’s most complete all-in-one hotel TV entertainment solution, the new Philips MediaSuite TVs combine all the innovative, world-first features of previous premium models, while utilising the latest market feedback and research to ensure all current and future needs – including those around design, hygiene and vison impairment – are catered for. Ensuring an unrivalled home-from-home experie Available in 43”, 50”, 58” (new to the MediaSuite family), 65” and 75” variants, the wall mountable 6214U is PPDS’ most stylish and most energy efficient Philips MediaSuite TV range to date*, providing 400 nit, 4K UHD picture quality and a brand new, near bezel-free full metal anthracite colour design.

Jeroen Verhaeghe, International Business Manager for Hospitality, and the mastermind behind Philips MediaSuite, commented:

ISE 2022 Preview “Since launching in 2019, Philips MediaSuite has redefined the role of the hotel TV, setting a new standard for control, personalisation and entertainment choice for the guest, while bringing once unimaginable back-end control and management options, to truly allow hoteliers to take control of the experience they want to offer.

ISE 2022 association activities In addition to the scheduled conferences, AVIXA and CEDIA will also be hosting extensive education programmes and special events.

CEDIA’s comprehensive offering will be delivered by subject matter experts from across the globe and also includes the opportunity to take CEDIA training in Spanish along with a wide range of opportunities to learn new skills.

Sessions begin on the morning of 10 May with a Future Technologies Update led by Rich Green. Other topics up for discussion include design documentation, power and energy storage, WiFi6 and Wi-Fi 6E, and video technologies. CEDIA will also host a number of more business-focused sessions, including 20 Ways to Increase Profits, A Project Manager’s Guide to the Financial Stuff, and Building your Business with Training.

AVIXA will kick off its ISE offering on 9 May with a regional meetup for the French AV community. It will stage similar events throughout the show for Italian and German attendees.

On 11 May, the AVIXA Women’s Council will host a Shared Experiences Panel in the Projection Dome in Hall 5. Panellists will discuss practical ways to inspire and empower women in AV and look at what companies are doing to tackle gender imbalance and promote and encourage women in the workplace.

The following day will see two panel discussions organised by AVIXA’s Diversity Council taking place on the Conference Stage in Hall 5. First up is Designing for Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, which will look at equity in leadership and building a culture of inclusion, the benefits of diversity and how technology helps diversity efforts. This will be followed by Intersectionality and AV/ IT/AI. Intersectionality is the acknowledgement that everyone has their own unique experiences of discrimination and oppression and we must consider everything and anything that can marginalise people. This session will discuss how to create safe spaces and build communities, while establishing paths and opportunities for individual and organisational growth.

AVIXA is also organising the AV Experience Zone, also in Hall 5. Featuring Spanish-language content showcasing cutting-edge AV solutions and the latest trends within the industry, different sessions will be held for targeted vertical market audiences, professional technicians and students.

Also focusing on students, AV Career Day returns to ISE on 11 May. Organised by AVIXA, CEDIA and ISE, this year’s event will see participants come together in the Projection Dome to enjoy panel sessions and presentations before heading out on guided show floor tours and finishing with networking drinks.

The ISE 2022 Conference Programme This year’s conference programme covers a whole host of hot topics across multiple verticals, starting with the full day Smart Building Conference on 9 May, the day before ISE opens its doors. With a focus on smart, safe and sustainable building technologies, SBC will welcome speakers including Erik Ubels, Owner, Metisreal, Kathy Farrington, Global Lead for Digital Buildings Program (Bos) And IOT Team Manager, Google, and Matthew Marson, UK Sector Director – Manufacturing + Technology, Arcadis.

The Control Rooms Summit will kick off the content programme on 10 May. This half-day event will explore the way control rooms are changing and how the community must work together to deliver appropriate and outstanding new models. It will be followed by the first standalone Smart Workplace Summit, which will delve into the innovations reshaping the workplace.

The Digital Signage Summit will return on 11 May with a packed agenda covering green signage, industry consolidation, best practice and the latest tech trends. Speakers include Kai Hendrik Müller from Porsche, Valentina Candeloro, Director In-

ternational Marketing, Mood Media, and Judith Palmés Bosch, Managing Director/Business Consulting/Customers and Services, Accenture. On the afternoon of 11 May, the Digital Learning Summit will look at digital transformation within higher education.

Zoom will give an inside view of its success and insights into its product roadmap as it positions itself at the heart of the learning ecosystem. There will also be great success stories of universities developing creative solutions to deliver hybrid learning at scale.

Taking place on the morning of 12 May, the first Superyacht Technology Summit will host inspiring global technology speakers and thought leaders discussing the integration process, immersive hands-on demos and workshops, and Tech Talks explaining how to succeed in the industry and highlighting how blue-chip companies can work successfully with superyacht R&D teams. At the Live Events Summit, experts from the world of pro audio, top manufacturers and professionals at the coalface of the live events industry will be sharing their expertise on topics including immersive audio, remote mixing and networking.

ISE 2022 Show features Awards and events Also sure to impress visitors on each day of the show, the ISE Sound Xperience will take place at the Eventos Filmax Cinema Gran Via complex, a few hundred metres away from Hall 5. The cinema will host a number of uniquely configured audio spaces allowing leading audio brands, including Martin Audio, L-Acoustics and Adamson, to present a realistic representation of their latest technologies. Equipped with the latest Dolby digital cinema surround sound processors and high-end Barco projectors, the rooms range from in size from large-scale spaces to more intimate venues.

For those interested in the worlds of audio and live events, the Live Events Arena in Hall 7 has been specially created to augment the visitor experience. As well as the latest solutions for the sector, the arena stage will host 15-minute product demonstrations to provide a more detailed understanding of the latest technologies.

A dedicated networking space will also be available.

Visitors looking to unearth new technology and identify opportunities for collaboration should head to the Discovery Zone in Congress Square. Featuring exhibitors including DronePixel by Ehang, Convergent Design, StreamIt, Imago, PlaceOS and more, the Discovery Zone will host everything from young ground-breaking companies to prestigious PLCs. Congress Square will also be the location of pavilions organised by Barcelona City Council and the government of Catalonia, hosting local and regional exhibitors.

Making its debut in Hall 6 at ISE 2022 will be the Retail Experience/Digital Signage Avenue. This multi-application show floor feature will bring together and present a selection of the world’s leading digital signage and DooH technologies. Visitors will be able to experience state-of-the art digital signage in action and find out how it is being used extensively for advertising and information delivery.

Lounges A number of lounges will be situated throughout the show. In Hall 2, ISE will host a dedicated Influencer Lounge where social media influencers will interact with exhibitors and create and post show-related content. Facilities will include a podcast studio, photobooth, meeting areas and a live Twitter wall.

For sponsors pf the AV News Awards, the new AV News’ Media Lounge will provide a comfortable meeting and workspace. Internet connectivity, meeting tables and catering will all be available.

While the capacity of the lounge is up to 40, we recommend that sponsors reserve a slot by emailing saskia.hosephine@blueandgreen.co.uk.

Also new for this year, Women in Live Music (WILM) will host a lounge in Hall 7 as part of an ISE-supported initiative to encourage more women to visit the show and to join the AV industry. WILM will be joined by representatives from Women in Lighting. Malle Kaas, founder and CEO of WILM, says: “We hope to encourage more women to come to the show by offering them a ‘safe space’ where they can hang out and connect with other women. But I also hope that both exhibitors and male guests will visit the lounge and learn more about the industry from a woman’s perspective.”

Once again, we cannot let this opportunity go without mentioning the AV News Awards. The Awards ceremony is held over breakfast on the opening day of the show at 8.20. am on Tuesday 10th May in Hall 7 of the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via. If you haven’t already arranged your ticket for this highly hospitable networking event.

Once again your contact is saskia.josephine@blueandgreen.co.uk who has the details of any late availability.

Later in the day, ISE attendees will also be able to explore IOT Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC), the largest international event devoted to industry transformation through disruptive technologies, which runs from 10-12 May at the Fira. The sixth edition of IOTSWC will take place under the theme Game-changing technologies for industry transformation and the two events will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the crossroads between different sets of disruptive technologies. Visitors can access the IOTSWC exhibition area at no extra cost, while those registered to any of the ISE conferences will benefit from a 50% discount on the IOTSWC congress programme – and vice versa.

The ISE Open Innovation Challenge, hosted by ACCIÓ (the Catalonian Agency for Business Competitiveness) and Enterprise Europe Network, will take place in the Catalonia Pavilion throughout the show, with eight corporations looking for new technologies and solutions partners to help solve a range of business issues. The event features challenges across seven categories: live events; broadcast and content creation; residential and smart building; hotels and hospitality; digital signage and digital out-of-home media; unified communications and education technology; and audio.

Technology providers that have the potential to help solve these challenges can register to participate in the event and arrange physical or online meetings with the companies involved. On-site corporate challenges will take place between 10:00 and 12:30 and between 13:00 and 15:00 each day of the show. And, of course, no ISE would be complete without the Stand Design Awards. Managed solely by EXHIBITOR magazine, an award-winning print and online magazine featuring best practices for trade show marketing, the awards acknowledge ISE exhibitors and their stand-design efforts. Every stand on the ISE show floor is automatically entered into the free competition and judged on site during ISE 2022 by world-renowned designers and marketers.

The winners will be revealed at the Stand Design Awards Ceremony, which takes place at 16:30 on Thursday 12 May on the Live Events Stage in Hall 7.

Show schedule Integrated Systems Europe, ISE 2022, will take place at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía on 10-13 May 2022. The ISE Conference programme runs from Monday 9 May through to Thursday 12 May.

Keeping safe With plans for a show over five halls, safety and security remain of utmost importance to the show organisers. Covid safety measures will remain under constant review to ensure the most appropriate plans are in place for the situation in May 2022 as ISE continues to work closely with the venue, the city of Barcelona and the local and national health authorities. Potential measures could include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, and provision of enhanced sanitisation measures throughout the venue. A negative test, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery will be required to access the venue.

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P21 AV News April 2022

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NEW SOLUTIONS

Microsoft research and technology for make hybrid work Microsoft Corp. has released its second annual Work Trend Index report, “Great Expectations: Making Hybrid Work Work.” The company also announced new features across Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, Surface Hub and Microsoft Viva to empower hybrid work and address employees’ new expectations for the workplace. After sitting on the cusp of hybrid work for more than a year, many companies are at a long-awaited inflection point: the lived experience

percent of leaders say their companies are planning a return to full-time in-person work in the year ahead. Fifty-four percent of managers say leadership at their companies is out of touch with employee expectations, and 74% of managers say they don’t have the influence or resources to drive change for their teams.

• Leaders need to make the office worth the commute. Thirty-eight percent of hybrid employees say their biggest challenge is knowing

The new AI-powered Microsoft Surface Hub 2 Smart Camera uses automatic framing technology to dynamically adjust your Teams video feed to provide remote team members with a dynamic view of in-room interactions. of hybrid work.

One thing from the research is clear: We are not the same people who went home to work in early 2020. The past two years have left a lasting imprint, fundamentally changing how people define the role of work in their lives. The challenge ahead for every organisation is to meet employees’ great new expectations head on while balancing business outcomes in an unpredictable economy.

To help leaders navigate the shift, the 2022 Work Trend Index outlines five urgent trends from an external study of 31,000 people in 31 countries along with an analysis of trillions of productivity signals in Microsoft 365 and labour trends on LinkedIn: • Employees have a new “worth it” equation. Fifty-three percent of employees say they’re more likely to prioritize their health and well-being over work than they were before the pandemic. And the Great Reshuffle isn’t over: Fifty-two percent of Generation Z and millennials are likely to consider changing employers in the year ahead, up 3% year over year.

• Managers feel wedged between leadership and employee Fifty

when and why to come into the office, yet only 28% of leaders have created team agreements to define these new norms.

• Flexible work doesn’t have to mean “always on.” After two years, weekly meeting time for the average Teams user is up 252%, and chats sent per person each week is up 32% — and still climbing.

While workday span has increased by 46 minutes, after-hours and weekend work are up 28% and 14%, respectively.

• Rebuilding social capital looks different in a hybrid world. With 51% of hybrid workers considering a shift to full remote work in the year ahead, companies cannot rely solely on the office to recoup the social capital we’ve lost over the past two years. Forty-three percent of leaders say relationship-building is the greatest challenge of having employees work in a hybrid or remote environment.

• “There’s no erasing the lived experience and lasting impact

of the past two years, as flexibility and well-being have become non-negotiables for employees,” said Jared Spataro, corporate vice president, Modern Work, Microsoft. “By embracing and adapting to these new expectations, organizations can set their people and their business up for long-term success.”

As the company marks five years since the launch of Teams, more than 270 million people rely on Teams for hybrid work. Making hybrid work work for everyone will require intentional leadership around how, when and where to work — and technology has a key role to play. Today the company is introducing new product innovation designed to improve the hybrid work experience.

Available in public preview at the end of the month, Teams Connect shared channels enable collaboration with people inside and outside the organisation from a shared workspace. To bridge the gap between digital and physical workspaces, a new meeting layout for Teams Rooms, front row, is now available in preview.

The new AI-powered Microsoft Surface Hub 2 Smart Camera uses automatic framing technology to dynamically adjust your Teams video feed to provide remote team members with a dynamic view of in-room interactions. New touch-enabled display solutions for Teams Rooms from Neat and Yealink are in the process of being certified for Teams Rooms on Android. These devices combine audio, video, touch display and compute in a single unit — allowing easy deployment and enhanced collaboration experiences.

The language interpretation feature in Teams enables live interpreters to convert what the speaker says into another language in near real time. The meeting organizer can assign interpreters and select up to 16 source and target language combinations, while attendees will hear the translation. Microsoft Whiteboard in Teams offers a rich set of new capabilities that bring visual collaboration to life, including collaboration cursors, more than 50 new templates, contextual reactions, and the ability to open existing boards and collaborate with external colleagues in Teams meetings.

To improve hybrid brainstorming, completion of action items and making decisions together without having to switch context or apps, Microsoft is introducing Loop components in Outlook mail.

RSVPing for a meeting in Outlook now allows attendees to note whether they plan to join in person or virtually. Microsoft is introducing a new offering in Microsoft Teams Phone called Operator Connect Mobile, in partnership with some of the world’s largest telecom operators. This assigns a single business-provided mobile phone number for desktop and mobile devices, making it seamless to move calls across networks and devices with no interruptions.

With vibrant and fun styling, over 1,800 new 3D fluent emojis can infuse expression and playfulness into messages. And with the skin tone selector, users have the option to pick emojis that better represents themselves. To support flexible work styles, two PowerPoint experiences, cameo and recording studio, are being brought together. This will make it possible for presenters to deliver presentations with PowerPoint Live in Teams, whether or not they attend the meeting. A new feature called the Inspiration library is coming to Microsoft Viva in public preview as part of the Viva Insights app in Teams. The library is designed to give employees, managers and leaders easy access to thought leadership and best practices from top sources such as “Harvard Business Review” and “Thrive.”

Kurmi Software introduces Kurmi as a Service (KaaS) Kurmi Software has launched Kurmi as a Service (KaaS), to deliver simplified provisioning of Unified Communications and Contact Center solutions to enterprises worldwide from the cloud. KaaS pairs all the capabilities of Kurmi’s award-winning on-prem platform with a hosted model, providing faster and easier access to the tools required to streamline and optimise the day-to-day administration of Unified Communication platforms, including Avaya, Cisco, Microsoft and Zoom.

The Unified Communications market is expected to reach $344bn by 2028, according to Research and Markets, driven by digital transformation, a hybrid workforce environment and a surge in enterprise cloud adoption and migration. Accelerated in no small part by the pandemic, a move towards hybrid working has also seen enterprises increasingly looking

for flexible and agile management tools that can be delivered in the cloud. Developed to meet this rising demand for UC automation, KaaS accelerates the implementation of UC management and creates an improved customer experience, automatically delivering the latest and most up-todate release of the platform, without the IT overhead.

KaaS offers a fully transparent and predictable monthly cost model with a range of additional benefits for enterprise customers. With KaaS, the ability to create templates by site or function and set up repeatable processes reduces the amount of time needed to onboard new users by up to 80% and transforms provisioning UC into a fast, one-click activity. Additionally, automated moves, adds, changes, and deletes (MACDs) workflows and pro

KaaS pairs all the capabilities of Kurmi’s award-winning on-prem platform with a hosted model, providing faster and easier access to the tools required to streamline and optimise the day-to-day administration of Unified Communication platforms, including Avaya, Cisco,

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P25 AV News April 2022

UPDATES continued from page 25

Kurmi Software introduces Kurmi as a Service (KaaS) cesses, including flexible Role Based Access Control (RBAC) and advanced features such as rollback and scheduling means that overburdened IT admin teams can assign day-to-day UC management tasks to employees without advanced technical skills, including helpdesk staff, local administrators and HR assistants.

KaaS benefits from state-ofthe-art data encryption and cloud-based systems maintenance, with security software, removing the need for manual integration or security expertise by automatically keeping up-

to-date and compliant with the latest regulations and threats, with all platform management handled by Kurmi. All KaaS users will receive access to the latest Kurmi support for new features from their platform vendors seamlessly and without delay. “Enterprises are always looking at ways to cut costs and the volume of hours required to support critical UC solutions is a big part of this,” explained Thibaut Felgeres, CEO at Kurmi Software. “This is why we have developed Kurmi as a Service, to extend the delivery model options for our UC automation

services beyond on-premise into the cloud. KaaS enables users to benefit from all the existing Kurmi Software features, but with the added flexibility of total cloud management, instantaneous updates, and a predictable upfront monthly cost.”

Providing an alternative delivery model to Kurmi’s on-premise solution, KaaS will complement the existing Kurmi UC Provisioning suite, giving customers the same user-friendly experience, but with the added flexibility and peace of mind that comes with a SaaS model.

Avaya study finds successful businesses focus on total experience Avaya (NYSE:AVYA) has announced results of an online market research survey conducted by IDG Communications indicating the most successful businesses recognise customer-centricity involves an interconnection between Customer, Employee, User, and Multiexperience. While companies often develop the right strategies, the best customer outcomes occur where tools and strategy intersect and focus on this interconnection to deliver a superior Total Experience.

According to the findings most companies believe customer experience is an intrinsic part of their brand and it’s everyone’s responsibility to uphold within the organization. They also agree that a good customer experience includes empowered employees (Employee Experience) 82%; memorable, personalised interactions in moments that matter (Multiexperience) 83%; and the interaction of humans, data, and technology (User experience) 83%. Just over half (59%) of the respondents indicate they are performing adequately on each of these aspects of the Total Experience.

Unsurprisingly, customer-centricity correlates with good experi-

demands—for customers and employees alike.” IDG Research is a full-service research company, providing a broad range of services to technology marketers to help inform marketing strategy and fuel content development. As a division of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, data, and marketing services company, IDG Research brings the resources and experience of a large, global company to its clients in the form of a small, customer-focused business. From August 12, 2021 – September 15,

Zoom appoints Bill McDermott to Board Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) announced that it has appointed Bill McDermott as an independent director on Zoom’s Board of Directors. McDermott will replace Bart Swanson, an early investor in Zoom who is stepping down from the Zoom Board following more than eight years of service.

Bill McDermott is one of the most highly accomplished leaders in the technology industry. He currently serves as president, chief executive officer and director of market leading SaaS company ServiceNow. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has served as CEO of SAP and board of director roles for major global brands including, Under Armour, Ansys, Dell SecureWorks and Fisker, Inc. “Zoom is a widely recognized, highly admired brand with incredible growth opportunities ahead,” said McDermott. “I am thrilled to partner with Eric Yuan, an inspiring founder with a bold vision to improve people’s lives on the Zoom platform. I am also excited to be joining the Board at this milestone moment for video, voice, chat and content sharing. I believe this company has tremendous potential to drive expansion of the Zoom platform.”

“On behalf of Zoom’s Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Bill to Zoom,” said Zoom Founder and CEO Eric S. Yuan. “Bill is one of the most respected and admired leaders in the tech industry. His operational expertise and experience driving growth at scale will be invaluable as we strive to propel Zoom forward to support future generations of customers and partners. We look forward to Bill’s perspectives and contributions.”

Yuan continued, “I also want to thank Bart for his many years of dedication to Zoom, believing in and championing the company from our very early days, and the valuable contributions he provided in helping Zoom become the company it is today. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Bill McDermott has served as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of ServiceNow, Inc., a public digital workflow company since November 2019. From 2010 through 2014, McDermott served as Co-Chief Executive Officer, and from 2014 until October 2019, as sole Chief Executive Officer, of SAP SE (“SAP”), a multinational software company providing enterprise software.

McDermott joined SAP in 2002 as Chief Executive Officer of SAP America, Inc., and served on the SAP Executive Board from 2008 until October 2019. Prior to joining SAP, McDermott served as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Operations at Siebel Systems, Inc. and served as President of Gartner, Inc. Prior to that, McDermott held several senior executive roles at

P26 AV News April 2022

Xerox Corporation. McDermott currently serves on the board of directors of Fisker Inc., an automotive technology company. McDermott received a B.A. in business management

According to the findings most companies believe customer experience is an intrinsic part of their brand and it’s everyone’s responsibility to uphold within the organization.

Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) announced that it has appointed Bill McDermott as an independent director on Zoom’s Board of Directors.

from Dowling College, received his M.B.A from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and completed the Executive Development Program at the Wharton School of Business.

ence and communications strategies, yet only 60% say they have a cohesive customer interaction strategy. Most companies employ the standard customer support tools and platforms, such as email, phone, and social media. Those who scored higher in Total Experience empower employees with newer tools and platforms (messenger platforms, video chat, chatbots, and virtual assistants) that simplify support and transform customer experiences. They also utilize more complete analytic tools.

Seventy-one percent of businesses with good Total Experience scores and 74% with good interaction strategies are more likely to have the right customer insight technology. In fact, 97% of businesses say employees empowered with the right technology can transform customer experiences. The right communications and collaboration tools empower everyone. Offering customers and employees a broader communications solution allows everyone to communicate in a way that meets their needs.

Avaya OneCloud CCaaS makes it easy to connect everything— voice, video, chat, messaging, and more—to deliver effortless experiences for customers and employees at every touchpoint, enabling businesses to provide a Total Experience. “A monolithic, one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t meet the wide range of needs businesses and their constituents have,” said Simon Harrison, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Avaya. “When companies intentionally combine customer, employee, user and multiexperience thinking, they elevate everything these approaches can achieve on their own – enabling them to deliver exactly what’s needed at every interaction. Avaya OneCloud is a Total Experience platform that lets you compose the experiences that each moment

2021, IDG Communications conducted an online survey among global, enterprise-level organizations of 500 or more employees who are manager level or above working in IT, customer experience, or operations and must understand customer experience. A total of 469 qualified respondents participated in the global survey. Data have been weighted according to the U.S. census to reflect national representation on key demographic measures.

Simon Harrison, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Avaya.

NEW SOLUTIONS

Redesigning the office!

Poly has published a new report examining how organisations are preparing for the future of hybrid work, and its impact on the relationship between employers and employees. Almost a fifth (19%) of organisations are expecting staff to come back to the office fulltime, while more than three-quarters (77%) are planning to redesign the office experience. Poly’s Recruit, Retain and Grow report provides analysis on findings from a study of over 2,500 business decision makers across the globe. It details how a lack of hybrid work strategies put businesses at risk, the current state of hybrid work policies, culture and wellness in an ever-increasing virtual world, and the future of the office – which is vital to improving employee experience.

Key findings from the report include: • 58% of organisations have seen a higher turnover in staff over the course of the pandemic • Under half of organisations (48%) are fully prepared for the future of hybrid work, whilst 37% are only prepared in the short-term • Nearly 1-in-5 (19%) of employers are asking staff to return to the office full-time • 81% of organisations are enabling some degree of flexibility – on average employees are being asked to come in 3 days per week, with Wednesday the most popular day to visit the office • Nearly three-quarters (72%) of organisations saw an increase in productivity since initiating hybrid work, with an average increase in productivity of 27% • However, almost half of organisations (49%) believe there is an unhealthy culture of overworking within their organisation • 77% of organisations plan to redesign the office to include more open-plan areas, collaboration spaces, areas to socialise and quiet zones “Companies are aware that their hybrid work strategy is key to retaining and attracting talent. Whilst business continuity was the focus for many companies when the pandemic first hit, they must now focus on creating a hybrid work environment that puts employees first, or risk losing them to competitors,” says Paul Clark, EMEA Managing Director at Poly.

The research found that recruiting and retaining staff has become a key challenge for organisations. Over half of organisations (56%) believe that if they don’t address their hybrid work plans, they’ll start to lose staff and will be unable to attract new talent. Indeed, 58% of organisations have seen a higher turnover in staff over the course of the pandemic, while 55% worry that the effects of the Great Resignation combined with skills shortages could put them out of business. Exiting employees disclosed that the top reasons for leaving are tied to their employer’s approach to hybrid work: • They found something better suited (19%) • They wanted more flexibility around anytime / hybrid / remote working (16%) • They didn’t like the shift to hybrid work (14%)

• Under too much pressure to work long hours (12%) • Unhappiness over handling of COVID (9%) • Strategy and equality – companies must act now With organisations struggling to attract and retain talent, the report makes clear that developing an effective, employee-cantered hybrid work strategy is critical. However, not everybody is prepared for this next step, with less than half of organisations (48%) saying they are fully prepared for the future of hybrid work, while

Poly has published a new report examining how organisations are preparing for the future of hybrid work, and its impact on the relationship between employers and employees.

37% are only prepared in the short-term. Meanwhile, over half of organisations (52%) believe hybrid work to be a blip and are looking forward to having everyone back in the office. The report also found that: Employers are asking staff to come into the office an average of three days a week • Wednesday is the most popular day to come into the office • Almost 1-in-5 (19%) organisations are asking employees to come back to the office full-time • Culture and workforce wellness – productivity, but at a cost • Overall, it seems like the shift to hybrid and remote work has seen improvements in productivity. More than seven-in-ten (72%) saw an increase in productivity, with a global average increase of 27%. However, organisations need to be on their guard, as the risk of burnout increases: • Half (49%) believe there is an unhealthy culture of overworking which they must put a stop to • 67% say they have a ‘moral duty’ to protect employees from working too much

• Only 51% of organisations have taken steps to prevent people feeling like they need to be always-on, with 38% encouraging employees not to look at work emails outside of working hours and to take regular breaks, while 13% have processes in place to make sure employees aren’t working long hours (e.g., time tracking, set hours) The report concludes by calling upon business leaders to consider how they use people, technology, and spaces to create engaging working environments, and encourages leadership teams to take a step further and adopt a people-first approach.

This entails considering who uses what space, at what time, or with what frequency and for what purpose, to ensure the right technology is adopted.

While the pandemic has forced organisations to rethink or redesign workspaces, the research has found that 64% of organisations no longer view the office as the face of the company – technology and experience is. In addition, 77% of companies are planning to redesign their office, with more open plan areas, collaboration spaces, quiet zones, and areas to socialize. Organizations are also investing, or planning on investing, in technologies to improve employee experience, including: • Collaboration software (such as Teams or Zoom) (92%) • Cloud applications (92%) • Headsets (89%) • Cameras (86%) “The fact that so many companies are redesigning their offices suggests we are about to witness a seismic shift in the role of the office. Organisations have to offer employees an incentive for going into the office, and we’re seeing that creating more open-plan areas, collaboration spaces, quiet zones and areas to unwind are high on the list of priorities for many companies. This will give workers an entirely new experience of what office life is like and shift the role of the office for years to come.

“But to ensure an equal experience, organisations must consider how hardware intersects with people’s work habits and preferences, their office space, and other technologies like Zoom or Teams. If they don’t, employees won’t have access to the right tools for them, creating an unequal experience that negatively impacts recruitment, retention, business growth and productivity.” concludes Clark.

The findings are based on an online omnibus survey of 2,528 business decision makers from middle management level and above conducted by Sapio from December 2021 – February 2022.

Countries surveyed include the UK (303), France (200), Germany (204), Spain (229), Sweden (205), Poland (110), United Arab Emirates (224), USA (212), Canada (100), Mexico (100), Japan (105), Australia (104), India (104), Ireland (117), Singapore (102), and China (109).

Opinion

Unlocking the true potential of IoT With an expected 5.2 billion connected devices by 2025, IoT is now a fundamental component of both government policy and corporate strategy. The ability to track, monitor, record and analyse through an extraordinary array of hugely innovative sensors has already transformed many businesses and many industries. But, to date, the true power of IoT has been constrained by the limits of fixed and wireless connectivity: just 15% of the planet is currently covered by affordable, accessible IoT connection. If organisations are to truly harness the power and sophistication of IoT, connectivity has to extend around the globe. It needs to be both affordable and accessible – yet the only alternative to wireless networks has been Satellite IoT at a price point that cannot be justified by the vast majority of businesses or use cases. Until now. Laurent Vieira de Mello, COO Astrocast explains, tjat 2022 is set to be a watershed year for Satellite IoT. The post-pandemic economy has inspired an evolution in business drivers, with both private and public sector organisations increasingly focused on delivering value – to customers, employees and the wider global stakeholder community. But how is that value measured, verified or communicated in a world demanding rapid results and immediate decision making?

After two years of disruption, businesses need to be able to achieve and demonstrate true innovation in supply chains that support new efficiency paradigms and deliver tangible shareholder value. Post COP26, environmental protection has risen up the corporate agenda – and companies must prove their sustainability strategies to avoid the risk of greenwash accusations. Agriculture is under enormous pressure to resolve the twin challenges of climate change affecting growing seasons and the estimated need to produce 60% more food by 2050 to feed a world population of 9.3 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The continuous connection of IoT clearly has a key role to play in both enabling the required innovation and proving its value, quickly. From connected vehicles to industrial equipment tracking and environmental monitoring, increasingly sophisticated IoT sensors are already embedded within global infrastructure. Yet with 85% of the world not covered by cellular technology, IoT is simply not an option for vast numbers of organisations. Agriculture, for

example, is desperate to embrace technologies that will reduce the need for widespread animal medication, minimise the use of chemicals and enable effective responses to the challenges presented by a changing climate. Without complete, global coverage, the true power of IoT to enable fundamental change will never be realised.

Cost effective SatIoT

With the arrival of low-cost Satellite IoT (SatIoT), hundreds and thousands of assets can now be deployed cost effectively around the globe – to even the most remote and inaccessible regions.

This is inspiring the creation of an extraordinary array of powerful applications that will accelerate change and deliver tangible value to business, individuals and the environment.

The compelling cost model, however, is just one part of the equation. While the pent-up demand for SatIoT solutions is significant, this is a new market for systems integrators and one that raises a new set of challenges as well as opportunities. By default, these IoT solutions are going to be deployed in remote locations – from mines to farmland, ships to oil platforms – which means minimising the need for human intervention and repair wherever possible to safeguard the business case.

Device size, power consumption and reliability are priority concerns. Small-sized devices offering low power consumption is a vital component of the solution, as battery life is extended. What is the weight and cost differential offered by smaller antennas?

What is the viable battery life? These are vital issues to consider before embarking upon a strategic SatIoT initiative. For example, combining good quality battery technology with an intelligent approach to transmission extends the lifecycle of the IoT solution.

By ensuring the device is only transmitting when the satellite is in range, rather than continuously, radically increases battery life, especially in applications that do not require constant information updates.

Innovative thinking

For integrators, access to cost effective SatIoT is already inspiring new thinking and extraordinary innovation. The ability to work

seamlessly with existing cellular IoT solutions, ensuring accurate tracking and monitoring as assets transit between connections, is transforming visibility of global freight assets. In addition to improving efficiency and reducing the financial losses associated with product damage and wastage, this global tracking has an even more powerful potential: addressing the huge proportion of vaccines that are damaged, lost or stolen in transit. SatIoT can not only provide confidence in the integrity of the cold chain; but also identify areas of elevated risk, allowing the protection to be prioritised in the right areas, to safeguard this vital global resource.

Bidirectional IoT also has a significant role to play. The ability to send commands back to assets, rather than just receive data, is hugely powerful and enables an array of new use cases, including remote management of equipment. Farmers can command silos to release food, open gates or manage irrigation systems, without any need for expensive and often hard to source human interaction.

Utilities companies can control water management systems in line with flood prevention strategies. With information seamlessly integrated with existing analytics, AI, or machine learning solutions, organisations have the power to not only use this data to improve understanding; but also immediately respond and use the new insight to inform timely commands to remote assets.

Complete solution

Low-cost SatIoT is opening a new world of IoT opportunities – from measuring pipeline flows, to tracking migrations, to exploring new regions, and monitoring the delivery of food, water and vaccines to remote villages. It is enabling organisations to not simply embark upon innovating thinking, but confidently and rapidly assess the impact and achieve continuous improvement. Critically, it will play a vital role in supporting the next generation of value driven business strategy, environmental change and government policy.

Systems integrators with an existing portfolio of cellular IoT solutions and customers now have the chance not only to extend their reach and plug the gaps in IoT connectivity, but also embrace innovation and truly fulfil the potential of IoT.

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Profile

Jetbuilt: building margins and efficiency Dave Gledhill former owner of Orion AV recently joined integration efficiency specialists Jetbuillt, and so Bryan Denyer, Editor of AV News. caught up with Dave to see how he was getting on and to find out more about Jetbuilt.

BD: It’s great to speak to you Dave and so can you tell us a little bit more about your background, as not all our readers will know you.

BD: Having seen the platform myself, I must say it does look really good, what else should our readers know about Jetbuilt?

DG: Hi Bryan, great to speak to you as well. I have been in the AV/IT Industry for over 40 years. I originally started working for Motorola back in the 80’s , moved on to be Sales Director of Quest Technical Systems and then started my own Commercial Integration business Orion AV back in the 2000’s. I sold that business and semi-retired, but like many others I missed the industry and so worked with Clear One before starting this new position with Jetbuilt.

DG: To be honest Bryan, the best thing they could do is contact me for a demo daveg@jetbuilt.com and I organise a brief demo.

Alternatively, if they wish, that can get a flavour from the video on the Jetbuilt website. The demo video is right there when you log onto www.jetbuilt.com and you can access a free trial, which can be extended if they speak to me directly.

BD: So how did you end up working for Jetbuilt?

DG: That’s the great thing, there are no charges for onboarding, training or setting up and prices for the Lite version start at only £47 pcm and so it’s amazing value for what it does.

DG: I have known Gordon Dutch former owner of BBG/Peerless and now CEO at Re-Sauce for many years. Gordon was asked by Jetbuilt to find someone to run their Jetbuilt EMEA Sales and so here I am.

BD: So tell us a little more about Jetbuilt, what is it and how does it work?

DG: It’s a cloud-based quoting platform that Pro-AV and Residential Installers and Integrators can use to provide a highly professional quote in super-fast time to their customers. There are a few companies out there providing solutions similar, but Jetbuilt was really the originator of this in the cloud. The advantages of working

in the cloud is that it allows people work on the same project all at the same time and from anywhere.

Jetbuilt is a Global platform featuring multi-currency and multi-lingual (UK English, German, French & Spanish). That is a very simplistic overview, as in fact the platform not only allows you to create the quote, but has everything from a built-in CRM called Funnel, through to modules that all you to manage the installation, purchasing, stock, (you can receive and track equipment in your warehouse, onto the vans and all other assets once installed). Via API, Jetbuilt can also connect to most accounting software and other IT systems. So using Jetbuilt couldn’t be quicker or easier.

P28 AV News April 2022

BD: So how much is this platform?

BD: Any other key points?

DG: Yes one of the other key points that we are working on is to connect the platform to the key manufacturers and distributors within the Pro-AV and CI industries, the likes of Midwich, Exertis etc… and so the dealer pricing is all loaded and updated via API. It’s not an issue if that doesn’t happen, as a subscriber can easily load their pricing, but it would be an advantage. Also the whole platform is available on Mac, PC and mobile and so you can run the whole business from your phone if you are an owner/operator or need to work with a large range of sub-contractors or installers.

BD: I saw some of the Jetbuilt social media showing people at the beach and doing fun stuff, so how does that tie into Jetbuilt?

DG: The whole point of Jetbuilt is to close projects faster. You can put a professional quote or amend a quote in super-fast time and then manage the project more efficiently, so put simply, you are more efficient, make more money and have more spare time… What could be better?

Dave Gledhill. former owner of Orion AV.

BD: Great to catch up and I look forward to staying in touch as himgs progress.

DG – Thanks Bryan and Jetbuilt have a booth at ISE – Hall 2, stand 2C400 so anyone interested can also get chance to chat to the team then, but why wait!

Peoplewatch

PEOPLEWATCH The Barcelona-based digital signage technology start-up Nsign.tv recently announced the appointment of Albert Baranera as its new managing director, reporting to Toni Viñals, the company CEO. From his new post, Baranera will shape Nsign.tv’s sales channel and marketing strategy going forward.

Baranera holds a Law degree from Universidad Pompeu Fabra and completed the General Management Programme at IESE Business School, University of Navarra, as well as the Programme for Management Development at Esade.

The new managing director is taking up his new responsibilities with more than twenty years’ experience to his credit in a number of top management posts in Spain and USA with various international suppliers of solutions-based digital identification, such as Plasco ID, Matica Technologies, BlueStar, Datopack ID and Impuls ID Distribution.

Speaking about his recent appointment, Albert Baranera said: “I am joining Nsign.tv at a really exciting moment. On one hand, the market is seeing a boom in the digitization of physical spaces,

The Barcelona-based digital signage technology start-up Nsign.tv recently announced the appointment of Albert Baranera as its new managing director where brands and businesses are looking for a better connection and interaction with their audiences (customers, visitors, employees, clients). And, on the other, our digital signage platform is at an optimum moment with the right product, team and the capability and strength to expand nationally and internationally.”

On his new role in the company, Baranera explained: “As managing director of Nsign.tv I will be focusing my energies on organizing the company resources to ensure our expansion and ongoing investment in innovation. On the other hand, I will be looking to set in place the sales channels necessary for our technology to reach potential end users, offering a product that creates a positive impact thanks to its interoperability with multiple sources of information, its scalability in implementation (able to evolve from publishing contents to customizing them for specific audiences), obtaining all kinds of metrics to evaluate its impact and, above all else, offering the platform with the best user experience in the market.”

Toni Viñals, CEO of Nsign.tv added: “We are delighted to welcome Albert on board. His professional track record is grounded in three areas which are absolutely key for us, namely technology, internationality and creating channels. He has the expertise required to organize the company’s various departments and focus them not only on having the best digital signage platform, but also on being an attractive company for the different technological partners needed to guarantee the best solution for the end customer.”

Albert Baranera’s immediate challenges include Nsign.tv’s upcoming participation at ISE 2022, the world’s biggest AV fair, scheduled for 10 through 13 May in Barcelona. The new managing director concluded, “we are really excited about exhibiting at ISE again. Visitors will be able to see how our platform has evolved technologically and how digital signage is much more than just showing audiovisual contents. Now we are talking about full interaction with audiences using touch screens, IoT devices and AI analytical functions.”

As part of the ongoing global expansion of Gravity Media, the EMEA Business Development team lead by Director of BD, Blair Wood, has continued its investment in the best broadcast and media talent hiring Beth Lowney as Business Development Manager, Claire Downey as Technical Producer – Proposals, as well as internal promotions for Katie Tookey as Proposals Manager – Production and Osaro Ewansiha as Proposals Researcher.

Blair Wood Gravity Media’s Director of Business Development says about the new team additions: “As we continue to grow behind the end-to-end Gravity Media brand, we have gradually and pa-

tiently been looking for the right talent to ensure our Business Development team can truly harness the full capabilities of the EMEA business for both new and existing clients. I am delighted we have been able to attract people of Beth and Claire’s calibre, along with promoting great people from within, to create a really diverse set of skills and experience within Business Development.

The expanded team has already delivered some captivating new projects, branching into different markets in the process, and there are more on the way over the coming months. It is exciting times at Gravity Media, with a number of major new partners coming on the journey with us, and we look forward to welcoming many more.”

Beth Lowney was previously at the International Tennis Federation for over eight years, where she headed up the Broadcast Team.

Her time working at ITF meant she was involved in working on the rights holder for Davis Cup - the largest annual international team competition in sport, with the Billie Jean King Cup being the equivalent in women’s sport. During her time with the ITF, Beth worked with over 75 broadcasters in over 175 territories. She was responsible for international production and distribution for the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup competitions. She also worked closely with Kosmos on the reformat of the Davis Cup as well as heading up the media rights and distribution of the inaugural Billie Jean King Cup Finals working closely with Gravity Media prior to joining. Her new Gravity Media role of Business Development Manager means she will work across Outside Broadcast and Projects. She will be account managing key client relationships as well as dedicating her time to the growth of new business.

Beth Lowney says on joining Gravity Media: “Knowing the Gravity team, and working directly with them on a very successful Billie Jean King Cup Finals, I am delighted to be part of this experienced Business Development unit. Having worked on the rights holder side of sport in Media Rights and Production and I am excited to bring a different perspective and start working with such an innovative and growing company”.

Another recent appointment has seen Claire Downey join the Gravity Media team as Technical Producer - Proposals. Claire arrives as an expert in live sports productions, particularly outside broadcasts, having worked in the industry for almost 10 years.

Most recently she worked for Aurora Media Worldwide as a Technical Broadcast Manager on Formula E, supporting the delivery of all programme feeds and servicing international rights holders.

Claire’s career has also seen her work for Deltatre, where she project managed & provided technical support for many clients including UEFA, Channel 4 (Paralympics coverage), European Tour and EPCR before she joined WTA Media at DAZN. There she was part of the team that set-up the project and spent 4 years working onsite at WTA tennis tournaments as a Broadcast Technical Manager. She was responsible for planning & delivering all the technical aspects of WTA Media host broadcasts with an emphasis on technical soundness, high production quality, partner collaboration and client support.

Claire Downey says on her new Gravity Media role: “In previous roles I had the pleasure of working with Gravity Media’s talent-

ed engineers on outside broadcasts. It is a company that I have always admired, an industry leader that is constantly looking to evolve, innovate and expand and one I am delighted to join, especially at such an exciting time for the business. I look forward to using my skills to develop the very best in technical broadcast services for our existing and future clients.” Ed Tischler, Gravity Media’s MD – EMEA adds: “We are poised to have one of our best

years ahead and with Blair’s dynamic and extremely experience new look team we can ensure the best client and project management every step of the way.”

Gravity Media, the EMEA Business Development team lead by Director of BD, Blair Wood, has continued its investment in the best broadcast and media talent hiring Beth Lowney as Business Development Manager and Claire Downey as Technical Producer – Proposals.

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Peoplewatch

PEOPLEWATCH Microsoft Teams Rooms integration specialists Project Audio Visual has appointed Matthew Bailey as Head of Microsoft Alliance - Europe to nurture client partnerships during a time of exponential growth.

Project Audio Visual has installed over 3000 Microsoft Teams Rooms since pivoting to focus solely on hybrid working environments. The company has doubled its staff in the last six months, and Matthew joins the flourishing team as a figurehead to continue this growth by nurturing client relationships and developing vendor partnerships.

Matthew joins Project Audio Visual with over 25 years of IT experience, specialising in Unified Communications (UC). He joins from leading communications solutions manufacturer Crestron, where he was the Enterprise UC Regional Sales Manager for UK and Ireland focusing on end-user MTR projects. Matthew moves into this pivotal role for Project Audio Visual, bridging the gap between its integration team, manufacturers and end-users.

Matthew Bailey, Head of Microsoft Alliance - Europe, Project Audio Visual, comments: “What Steve, Don and the team have achieved over the past two years is phenomenal. They understood the market's buoyancy and maximised all efforts to develop and grow but also heavily invested financially into UC solutions to ensure project fulfilment. So when the opportunity to join this forward-thinking Microsoft Teams and UC specialist company arose, it was a straightforward decision. I will strive to enhance their offering with end-to-end foresight from both a product and end-user perspective. They’ve been inspiring, have high aspirations and a clear strategy - there is a lot on the horizon!

Matthew’s experience expands across the UK, Europe, North America & APAC, which will further support Project Audio Visual as they reshape its global infrastructure.

Steve Hudson, Project Audio Visual commented: “Matthew joins us with a wealth of Unified Communications experience. He has worked with industry leaders on both the vendor and platform side throughout his longstanding career to develop and shape the communication and collaboration space. He will be pivotal in supporting our continued growth and further developing our infrastructure around the Microsoft enterprise ecosystem and global relationships with Teams Rooms accredited manufacturers.”

Microsoft Teams Rooms integration specialists Project Audio Visual has appointed Matthew Bailey as Head of Microsoft Alliance – Europe.

“I’m super excited to join the Hall Team. I’ve known Hal Truax for years and admire his drive. With him at the helm, Hall’s team has grown, and their product roadmap has become quite impressive.

Their shift to being a product creator with a focus on engineering simple solutions is something I’m excited to share. I think integrators will be really energized to see me demonstrate our products, and understand the full breadth of our capabilities,” says Austin

AV manufacturer, Hall Technologies, is growing again with the addition of a young AV Pro, Austin Benke, as Western Regional Sales Manager.

Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), a Nikon company, has announced that highly experienced design engineer Graeme Kelly is the latest recruit to its Broadcast division. Kelly, who joins from senior engineering and management roles at Grass Valley, is MRMC’s new Head of Broadcast Products.

In over a decade at Grass Valley, Graeme has been at the cutting edge of the industry-wide transition from SDI to IP. He joined in 2011 as Principal Engineer in the Routing Group, contributing

vances and the clever application of that technology by engineering and design teams collaborating on research, development and approach to market,” says Graeme Kelly. “I am very excited to be joining a company at the forefront of extending technology into live broadcast and to helping my colleagues at MRMC continue to inspire and innovate new products and services.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Graeme to the MRMC team and our expanding broadcast division,” comments Paddy Taylor, Head of Broadcast at MRMC. “His passion for product and his technical expertise are clear for all to see and I know that with Graeme on board our drive for excellence can only attain new heights.”

The Broadcast division at MRMC develops and markets a range of remote camera solutions designed from studios to live sports productions. These include but are not limited to PTZs and robotic pods, real-time pan bar controls and automated player tracking software to the Polymotion Chat automated camera tracking solution.

GoSub, Ooona’s media localization training services arm, announced that Prof. Jorge Díaz-Cintas (co-author of the seminal coursebook Subtitling: Concepts and Practices) and Dr. Yota Georgakopoulou have joined its board as consultants. Their role is to help the division expand and offer training in new languages and audiovisual localization practices.

A well-established provider of online courses in media localization, GoSub was founded by Kelly O’Donovan, a seasoned subtitling operations manager who identified a need in the market for training services and decided to address it. GoSub started by offering English-based training in various aspects of subtitling. It joined the Ooona family in 2021 to receive the support needed to grow further. “I believe in working towards the sustainability of our market,” says Ooona co-founder and CEO Wayne Garb. “Supporting GoSub in expanding its offering is in line with our philosophy of being able to serve the global media localization market.”

“The current industry climate presents many opportunities for training initiatives, given the dearth of resources that have been identified across multiple languages,” explains Yota Georgakopoulou. “There is a growing need for media localization services in new languages and in different media localisation modes such as audio description and dubbing,” adds Jorge Díaz-Cintas. “We hope to help address this.”

“I am very pleased to be working with such accomplished experts to drive GoSub forward,” says Kelly O’Donovan, GoSub Head of Training & Development. “There has been a lot of demand for our courses, and we have already started delivering them in languages other than English. We hope to be able to do much more now, catering to specific company needs and offering new courses. Stay tuned for further announcements!”

Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), a Nikon company, has announced that highly experienced design engineer Graeme Kelly is the latest recruit to its Broadcast division.

AV manufacturer, Hall Technologies, is growing again with the addition of a young AV Pro, Austin Benke, as Western Regional Sales Manager. Austin will be leading the charge in seven western states including California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, and Hawaii. This recent hire to a growing sales team at Hall adds a significant increase to their US footprint.

“Austin is a great addition to our sales force. He’s young but has been in the AV world for more than 6 years now at some major manufacturers. He was part of my team at CrimsonAV and has been my mentee ever since. He’s passionate about Hall’s direction and growth, and I can’t wait to see him in action,” say Hal Truax, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Hall Technologies. “I think having a young and diverse team is important for company culture and creates a variety of perspectives. I’ve always been enthusiastic about cultivating young talent and mentoring them.

We’re looking to do more of this at Hall Technologies.”

P30 AV News April 2022

architecture, hardware and FPGA designs to GV's highly successful Sirius Routing range. He led the team within GV working on both SDI and IP interfaced multiviewers helping the MV-8 Series become a cornerstone of GV's Live Production Business and as Senior Manager he also assumed responsibility for the software-defined Kaleido IP multiviewing platform.

Armed with a master’s degree in Electronics and Physics from the University of Glasgow, Graeme started his career at Snell & Wilcox as a Design Engineer and held various design and technical positions with a number of broadcast companies including Gennum, Sigma Designs and Vutrix before arriving at Grass Valley. He will bring all of this vast experience to bear at MRMC working alongside Paddy Taylor, Head of Broadcast at MRMC and the Broadcast team.

“This industry is constantly changing because of technology ad-

GoSub, Ooona’s media localization training services arm, announced that Prof. Jorge Díaz-Cintas (co-author of the seminal coursebook Subtitling: Concepts and Practices) and Dr. Yota Georgakopoulou have joined its board as consultants.

Peoplewatch

PEOPLEWATCH DTEN has announced the appointment of Mr Ahmad Fayyadh as their Regional Manager for the Middle East. With over 20 years’ experience within the IT hardware sector working with organizations such as FVC and Dell he recently focused on the AV & UC sectors, working closely on projects involving Zoom and Microsoft platforms.

Doug Remington, General Manager of DTEN EMEA confirmed: "DTEN have established an excellent partner ecosystem in the Middle East region over the past 18 months and have seen increasing opportunity and demand for DTEN solutions. The appointment of Mr Fayyadh enables DTEN to support all our growing number of channel partners in the region more effectively.”

Fayyadh stated “I am honoured and excited to be joining the DTEN EMEA team at this time. DTEN is enjoying significant success across the Middle East and I look forward to making my own personal contribution to that accelerated growth in the region.”

DTEN continues to expand their portfolio to cover almost every meeting space from home, huddle rooms, through to medium and large meeting rooms. The devices are available in 27”, 55” 75” and Dual screen versions of the 55” and 75” models.

DTEN has announced the appointment of Mr Ahmad Fayyadh as their Regional Manager for the Middle East.

Light Iron’s technology initiatives and the company’s engineering teams across North America. His extensive background in post-production includes key technology roles with Deluxe, Company 3 and most recently Sim, where he served as senior vice president of post engineering. Based out of Light Iron’s Los Angeles office, Ford reports directly to Hallen. “Liam brings a wealth of experience in post-production, and he’s a natural leader and innovator,” said Hallen. “The expertise he brings to Light Iron will help to guide our ongoing innovations and keep us at the forefront of post-production technology and workflows. Liam shares our pioneering spirit for giving clients the freedom and flexibility to see their projects across the finish line exactly as they envision and with unparalleled efficiencies, wherever and however they choose to work.”

“From its beginning, Light Iron has been pushing the envelope in post-production with a future-focused strategy,” said Ford.

“They continue to maintain that culture of innovation, and I’m looking forward to helping Light Iron push forward even further and achieve its vision. It’s exciting to join such an encouraging, supportive and high-energy environment — I can’t wait to dig in!”

Light Iron’s facilities in Los Angeles and New York each offer the full breadth of creative finishing services, while the company’s locations in Atlanta, Albuquerque, Chicago, New Orleans, Toronto and Vancouver offer dailies services and remote sessions. With unparalleled remote capabilities for dailies, offline editorial rentals, and colour and finishing, Light Iron’s class-leading services are available to filmmakers working anywhere in the world.

Light Iron has expanded its pool of creative talent with the hiring of colorist Arianna Shining Star.

Light Iron has expanded its pool of creative talent with the hiring of colorist Arianna Shining Star. The company has also announced that post-production veteran Liam Ford has joined Light Iron’s leadership team as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Technical Operations. Working from Light Iron’s Los Angeles facility, Arianna will support clients globally by providing her creative expertise on features, series and more.

“Arianna brings a wealth of experience, including narrative work that’s been featured at such prestigious festivals as Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW and Camerimage,” said Seth Hallen, Managing Director at Light Iron. “Her expertise, creativity and keen eye make for an ideal complement to our renowned team, and her extensive body of work for some of the industry’s top studios and clients will further bolster the caliber of artistry that Light Iron is known for.”

With a background in painting, drawing and psychology, Arianna approaches her work with a balance of fine art and narrative insight. Light Iron’s clients will be able to tap into the experience evident in Arianna’s narrative credits, which includes the features The Fallout for HBO Max and Ibiza for Netflix. In the short-form arena, Arianna’s portfolio includes campaigns for Nike, Audi, Budweiser, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Coca-Cola and music videos for such artists as Rihanna and Cardi B. Her credits also include features and series for Vertical Entertainment, Hulu, Nickelodeon and Peacock.

“Colour grading is a beautiful synergy of art, science and storytelling, and I'm thrilled to be part of a team that is driven by that mission,” said Arianna. “Light Iron has a long-established history of incredible work both artistically and technically, consistently pushing technology forward and developing innovative workflows that enable us to lean into the creative and tell stories more effectively. I love developing show LUTs and being a part of lens and camera tests, and Light Iron’s partnership with Panavision will allow me to further support the creatives during early stages of look development through the final DI.” As SVP of Engineering and Technical Operations, Ford oversees

fications in the hybrid working market will be an asset for our customers!”

Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has announced the appointment of Bart Packbiers as its new Sales Engineer in the Benelux region.

Peerless-AV has announced that Charlotte Farrell has joined the UK Professional Sales team as Regional Sales Manager, South.

Charlotte brings significant channel account management experience within large distribution houses responsible for vendor relations, understanding product portfolios and managing a mix of key customers alongside new business accounts.

“Having held roles at Midwich Group and Exertis UK, before her most recent client development role at Neilson Brandbank, Charlotte has the AV experience and customer contacts required to hit the ground running,” Keith Dutch, Managing Director – EMEA, Peerless-AV. “She joins a successful and growing team in the UK and EMEA and with her industry knowledge, personable style of account management and enthusiasm we expect great things from her.”

In her new role as Regional Sales Manager, South UK, Charlotte will manage reseller accounts in the region, acting as a one-stop point of contact throughout the sales process and will also provide support within the distribution channel, and with OEM partners to ensure outstanding customer service.

Peerless-AV has announced that Charlotte Farrell has joined the UK Professional Sales team as Regional Sales Manager, South

Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has announced the appointment of Bart Packbiers as its new Sales Engineer in the Benelux region. Previously a Crestron Master Technology Architect, Bart will bring his technical expertise and invaluable experience from the AV and Telecommunications industry to give expert technical advice to customers and support the sales team.

On his appointment, Bart comments: “It is an absolute pleasure to finally join the Crestron team and I'm really looking forward to meeting all of my new colleagues and customers. Together, we can achieve so much and I'm excited to support the continued growing enthusiasm for Crestron. With my experience on the customer's side and my technical knowledge, coupled the innovative products from Crestron, customers will be sure to find the best solution to their needs!!

Alain Solomon, TIG's Regional Sales Director for Benelux, SouthWest Europe and North-West Africa, adds: “It's a delight to welcome Bart to the team, as his extensive experience and certi-

4

P31 AV News April 2022

Dairy and Events

PPBS and Crestron on tour

with Crestron-integrated Philips professional displays. Part of a deeply aligned and highly collaborative partnership between the two leading AV innovators, the inaugural, ‘Crestron Next Road Trip Europe’ tour will see Crestron and PPDS travel more than 20,000 kilometres (12,500 miles) in a state-ofthe-art, fully customised and co-branded exhibition truck, visiting partners and customers in 38 stops across 19 different European countries, over a 47 day period.

Beginning in Brussels and concluding in Rotterdam, Netherlands (24 June) the tour, which also includes Microsoft, Intel and Zoom all on-board, has been organised to provide the AV community operating in corporate, education and public sector verticals with a comparable and convenient alterna-

T-Line (education) and Philips C-Line (Corporate) interactive ranges, plus the highly-versatile Philips P-Line, Q-Line and D-Line (Corporate, Public Venues) digital signage models.

Each will be used to showcase the full range of benefits and capabilities achievable using Philips professional displays across a range of video conferencing, room scheduling, wireless presenting and screen management solutions, including Crestron XiO Cloud, Crestron AirMedia and Crestron Flex, among others. A 65” Philips digital signage display will also be present to welcome visitors on board. Open from 10:0017:00 (local time), pre-registered visitors can experience all these solutions (and more) for themselves, receiving handson, one-to-one demonstrations and product training. Local

PPDS representatives will also be present across all locations to welcome partners and to answer any questions.

The exhibition truck will arrive in the UK in June, with scheduled visits to Edinburgh (June 6), Dublin (June 8-9), Manchester (June 13), Birmingham (June 14), Bristol (June 15), London – Westend (June 16-17), London – City (June 20-21). In order to ensure the safest and most comfortable environment possible, attendee numbers will be limited to between 210 each day, so early registration is essential!

Franck Racapé, Vice President EMEA, at PPDS, added: “We’re genuinely thrilled and excited to be joining Crestron on the upcoming ‘Crestron Next Road Trip’ around Europe and be able show our customers in person the power of two great innovators, with the very best display technology and solutions available in the current market. While virtual meetings are fantastic, and we continue to have tremendous success with our online PPDS NEXT Events, there is no substitute for physical interaction. This tour will help us get closer to our customers and to support them in their businesses.” Bob Bavolacco, director, technology partnerships at Crestron, said he was delighted to have PPDS on board. “The partnership between PPDS and Crestron continues to go from strength to strength and we’re delighted they will be joining us on this incredibly exciting and ambitious tour as we look to help support more and more businesses with their everyday workplace activities with industry leading hardware and software.”

Konftel has been making waves with supply specialist Transparent Communications by showcasing its latest conferencing technologies, aboard a ship moored in Portsmouth. Dozens of visitors attended the Transparent IT EXPO 2022, hosted on the Princess Caroline boat.

They witnessed hands-on product demonstrations from a mix of leading industry names and also enjoyed a trip on the Solent.

The day-long event at Gunwharf Quays, was hailed a resounding success by Jeff May, UK Sales Director at Konftel. “We had a fabulous day exhibiting with a mix great visitors and decision-makers in a wonderful and unique venue. It was all superbly organised and the weather was even kind too!” “Konftel's latest video solutions generated lots of high interest especially our C2070 and C50800 Hybrid systems plus the Konftel Personal Video Kit which is ideal for meetings at home or in the office.” He added: “We even spotted a huge aircraft carrier and several other vessels on a trip out into the estuary. It was a very successful event, blending product demonstrations with networking and exceptional

hospitality.”

Flourishing Transparent Communications has seen a 20% rise in business over the last two years. Director Richard Warwick said: “Our expo was a great way to engage with our customer base and demonstrate the many ways the world of technology continues to evolve, from numerous market leaders.

We were able to showcase the latest innovations in the IT, AV, cloud, storage and computing

their products.”

Transparent Communications is a growing UK supplier of IT, AV and networking hardware with a headquarters in the maritime city. It has been operating for 20 years and has a portfolio spanning over 100,000 products. Fellow Director Steve Warwick concluded: “Our annual IT Expo brought the latest innovations together through a series of hands on demonstrations, specialist partner stands

PPDS has confirmed that it will be joining strategic global partner, Crestron, on an epic European Road Trip, showcasing the unique benefits and full potential of Crestron’s latest ecosystem of workplace solutions when seamlessly combined

tive experience set within a relaxed and socially-distanced exhibition environment. A total of eight Philips OPS UHD displays (55” - 65”) with Crestron integrated have been selected to be installed on the exhibition truck, including the Philips

PPDS has confirmed that it will be joining strategic global partner, Crestron, on an epic European Road Trip, showcasing the unique benefits and full potential of Crestron’s latest ecosystem of workplace solutions when seamlessly combined with Crestron-integrated Philips professional displays.

InfoComm 2022 - destination Digital Signage!

InfoComm 2022 is the destination for digital signage this June 4-10 (exhibits June 8-10) in Las Vegas. The show will welcome back the D=SIGN Conference, produced in partnership with the Digital Signage Federation. In addition, InfoComm 2022 will feature more than 80 exhibitors showcasing digital signage solutions, a Digital Signage Pavilion, tours of the trade show floor, offsite Integrated Experience AV tours around Las Vegas, a Digital Signage Reception, and more.

“We’re excited to present a robust digital signage program at InfoComm 2022,” said Rochelle Richardson, CEM, Senior Vice President of Expositions and Events, AVIXA. “Pro AV professionals and the digital signage community will have the opportunity to learn from a talented lineup of experts, see cutting-edge technologies up close, view applications in the real world, and make new business connections. This insight will help them capitalize on digital signage opportunities and deliver better solutions.”

The D=SIGN conference on June 7-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center will explore the solutions, innovations, and big ideas around digital signage.

Key sessions include: Joe Hasenzahl from Samsung will present the D=SIGN session “How to Maximize Mobile in the Digital Signage Ecosystem.” He’ll address how digital signage pursuits have been challenged by the mere fact a mobile device technically puts a 'screen’ in everyone's hands.

His session will explore how mobile can smartly interplay with the digital signage ecosystem.

The session “Pivoting Your Digital Signage from a Pandemic

Response to a Customer Experience” will feature Misty Chalk from BrightSign, Kiersten Gibson from Reach Media Network, Michelle Montazeri from Legrand AV, Chris Martel from TSItouch, and Grif Palmer from INFiLED. The group will discuss how to repurpose pandemic tools like occupancy sensors that gatekeep traffic to ones that might perform different functions like sales associate alerts.

In the session “Demystifying New LED Products: How to Future-Proof Your AV Design Project,” Larry Zoll from The LED Studio will explore the narrow pitch nuances of LED and provide a guide for comparison and help integrators and end-users assess different brands against their unique solution requirements.

Taking place on Mon., June 6, is the full-day workshop “Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE),” which provides a fundamental understanding of the digital signage industry, will be led by Alan Brawn, CTS, and Jonathan Brawn, CTS, of Brawn Consulting. This workshop takes a business-oriented approach that allows attendees to master the formulas for successfully planning a digital signage network, including design, hardware and software selection, deployment, content creation, and ROI/ROO for digital signage rollouts.

Alan Brawn and Jonathan Brawn will also lead the fullday workshop “Sales’ New Role and the Importance of ‘You’” on Tues., June 7. They’ll address how pro AV providers sell is different today than ever before. The goal of this seminar is to bring the sales profession on par with the level of what we sell by showing best practices

Konftel makes waves at reseller event AVIXA Women’s Council UK

Konftel has been making waves with supply specialist Transparent Communications by showcasing its latest conferencing technologies, aboard a ship moored in Portsmouth. world. Visitors learned from the experts and gained a valuable face-to-face understanding of

P32 AV News April 2022

and event speakers.

In celebration of International Women’s Day and this year’s theme #BreakTheBias, the AVIXA Women’s Council UK met on 16th March in Weybridge at the home of Crestron Electronics, the event sponsor.

Over 50 guests attended for an evening of networking and celebration of inspiring women in the AV industry, as voted by their male and female colleagues. The list of 49 women will be published and available to view on the AVIXA website.

Three guest speakers: Anna Shahi, Burcu Koksal and Jon Sidwick shared their career journey’s, experiences of bias in the workplace and lessons learned along the way. Anna, an Application Support Engineer at Audiologic won Rising Star of the Year award winner in 2021. Burcu is Finance Director at Display Manager Ltd and came into AV having previously worked in investment banking.

Jon Sidwick, President of Collabtech Group and Chair of the Leadership Search Committee at AVIXA is an AV industry veteran.

“This was a fantastic event and our best turnout yet. We are very lucky to have had

and new techniques that have most recently come into prominence. Today the technologies we sell are different but so are the relationships with customers. The focus is no longer about a product but rather solving problems and creating an AV experience that adds value beyond the products sold.

Florian Rothberg of Invidis Consulting will host a Digital Signage Lunch and Learn on Wed., June 8, when he’ll present trends from the Invidis North America Digital Signage Yearbook. Over on the InfoComm 2022 trade show floor, the Digital Signage Pavilion will feature the latest digital signage solutions, including content creation software, direct-view LED displays, touchscreens and interactive displays, and much more. Attendees interested in digital signage can register for a curated tour of the trade show floor taking place on Thurs., June 9. In addition, the Integrated Experience Tours will take attendees around Las Vegas spots, including the Illuminarium, Resorts World, Omega Mart and AREA15, University of Las Vegas, and local nightclubs, to see digital signage deployments in the real world and hear from the creators behind them.

On Tues., June 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., InfoComm 2022 will host the Digital Signage Reception at Brooklyn Bowl, an opportunity to connect with industry professionals while enjoying food, drinks, bowling, and more. A complimentary shuttle bus service will be provided from the Las Vegas Convention Center to Brooklyn Bowl. To learn more about InfoComm 2022 and register to attend, visit www.infocommshow. org

In celebration of International Women’s Day and this year’s theme #BreakTheBias, the AVIXA Women’s Council UK met on 16th March in Weybridge at the home of Crestron Electronics, the event sponsor. some inspirational speakers at our events, such as Tessa Sanderson OBE, but also hearing from our peers in the industry can be eye opening, heart-warming and encouraging to think about and see things in a different way. We have all come across unconscious bias in the workplace at some point in our careers and learning from each other’s experiences can only help towards speaking up against external biases and changing our internal mindsets for the better, in all areas of our life.”

The AVIXA Women’s Council UK Committee is expanding with new members announced, including Erica Whittle of Pure

AV, and Iffat Chaudhry of Involve Visual Collaboration. The next event will be at ISE in Barcelona and the next Coffee Morning will be on the topic of “Personal Brand”. For a list of upcoming events, visit the AVIXA Women’s Council UK page at www.avixa.org..