The direct channel to the industry
December 2020 www.avnews.co.uk Page 7
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ViewSonic - success accross multiple channels
Will the pandemic drive edtech sales in the long-term?
AV News met over video with ViewSonic’s Ricky Kumar in the run-up to Black Friday.
Promethean’s State of Technology in Education research project has been updated for 2020 / 2021
Hybrid working to become permanent? PMA Research: Hybrid working success is about culture as much as it is about technology, says TelcoSwitch. As the pandemic rumbles on and additional work-from-home recommendations are issued by the government, what was once considered a temporary remote working situation has now evolved into a broader, more long-term concept of hybrid working. For unified communications and collaboration specialist TelcoSwitch, making a success of the hybrid approach means not just putting the right technology
means leaders can effectively managed dispersed teams. After a short period where employees were encouraged to return to their offices, current guidance now recommends that people continue to work from home throughout the winter if they can. For Russell Lux, CEO at TelcoSwitch, this should be an indicator for businesses to move past the sometimes-makeshift nature of remote working initiatives, to something more robust. Lux said: “The world has
ing, which has been a valuable proof of concept both for employers and employees. From a tech standpoint, what leaders in IT and the wider business need to do now is go back and look at what was already implemented: did you deploy everything in a secure and compliant fashion, or are there holes in your strategy that could result in a costly data breach further down the line? “While the technology challenge can present hurdles, it’s actually the cultural aspect of
For Russell Lux, CEO at TelcoSwitch: “A solid culture always breeds high productivity and discourages the formation of silos, so you’ve got to be close with your teams.” in place, but also ensuring that the overall workplace culture
gone through an enforced ‘trial period’ of remote work-
TAP INTO TEAMS MEETINGS Logitech Tap for Microsoft Teams Powered by Lenovo ThinkSmart Edition Tiny
hybrid working that can pose the toughest problem to solve.
Ultimately, making a hybrid approach work is as much about managing and supporting people as it is deploying a technology stack.” To tackle this, Lux believes that training leaders in the cultural nuances of hybrid working will be essential. He added: “Every organisation now has a responsibility to ensure their leaders have the right training and processes to support colleagues operating from disparate locations for a percentage of their working week. This means not just mastering collaboration technologies and teaching staff how best to use them, but also being sensitive to the varying needs of each employee.” “A solid culture always breeds high productivity and discourages the formation of silos, so you’ve got to be close with your teams. Implement daily team calls to help keep morale high, introduce buddy systems that encourage employees to check in on each other every day, and arrange activities at the end of the week that help people engage with their colleagues while switching off from the day to day.”
uptick in channel sales of FPDs PMA Research (PMA)has published their latest sell-through tracking report on large-format (32-inch and larger) flat panel displays being sold by leading U.S. Distributors who typically serve commercial markets. Total large-format flat panel display unit sales through the U.S. distribution channel fell by high single-digits in October after the strong finish to the third quarter. This dip was expected as October flat panel sales have been below September’s for the past five years. What was surprising, in this pandemic year, was that October 2020 unit sales slightly exceeded October 2019 sales offering a small amount of good news for the market. However, it is important to also note that revenues for October were down 5% year-over-year due to significant price de-
year increase in units sold was for consumer televisions above 70-inches. These are likely to be a popular holiday item as wholesale prices for Consumer LCD TVs in this size segment dropped nearly 25% in just one month from September to October. While every other Professional screen size experienced a notable unit sales decline in October, the largest 98-inch LCD displays also saw single-digit unit and revenue growth. Prices for 98-inch professional models have been down slightly since October 2019 but have held steady over the year compared to the big price declines for 75-inch and 86-inch LCD displays. In the earlier months of 2020, as the pandemic unfolded, product categories with smaller screen sizes, such as
The UK tops the league for interest in smart home appliances with a whopping average of 229,860 searches a month. clines. The single largest year-over-
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Business News CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
PMA Research: uptick in channel sales of FPDs desktop monitors and hospitality TV’s (with expanded use cases for these models into healthcare and education settings) saw sales outpacing traditional large-format flat panel displays. As we roll into the final quarter of 2020, sales of these larger displays are on the rise. Europe’s top smart home countries An increasing number of consumers are embarking on a more tech-savvy lifestyle to keep up with the fast-paced 9 to 5 lives that are now commonplace. Intrigued by this notion, the experts at Homedit. com conducted a study to calculate the European countries embracing smart home technologies the most. After finding smart home appliances and analysing Google search trends from 20 of the most populated European countries – the figures were in! Already home to one crown, the United Kingdom, earned another title as the leading smart home country in Europe. With a whopping average of 229,860 searches a month for smart home appliances! The most searched for smart home appliance is a ‘Smart TV’, with an average of 165,000 monthly searches made. In second place is Germany, with an average of 107,480 monthly smart home searches. Like the UK, ‘Smart TV’ is the most searched for item with 90,500 average searches per month. The Netherlands places third with a monthly average of 66,640 searches for all smart appliances. 60% of those searches were from people looking for a ‘Smart TV’, an average of 40,500 monthly searches.
Hungary is third from the bottom with 110 average monthly searches for smart appliances, 229,750 less than the top European contender, the U.K. Although, unlike the top five winners the most searched for smart equipment, is a ‘Smart Thermostat’ & ‘Smart Camera’, both equating an average of 30 monthly searches. Greece is penultimate with less than half of Hungary’s average monthly searches. Greeks each month on average search just 50 times for smart home appliances, with their top searched item a ‘Smart TV’, a total of 20 average searches each year. In last place is Serbia, with only 10 average monthly searches for smart home equipment. Even though their top searched for item matches that of 14 other countries, unlike those 14 countries, Smart TV was the only searched item, with 10 average monthly searches. But what about Smart Appliances? Beating other smart home equipment by more than 483,000 searches, the ‘Smart TV’ was a firm favourite. Offering internet-connection, a range of on-demand and app features, it’s no wonder why there are an average of 512,950 searches made throughout Europe a month. Keeping the European people cool and toasty, the ‘Smart Thermostat’ comes in second. This home air temperature system receives an average of 29,500 European searches each month. In third place is the Wi-Fi engineered ‘Smart Plugs’ with a monthly average search of 19,250 across Europe.
Training for channel partners now more important now than ever As organisations of all shapes and sizes continue to struggle, cutbacks to various parts of the business are understandable. However, unified communications and collaboration specialist TelcoSwitch believes that now is the time for technology firms to redouble their efforts to train and nurture their partner relationships, rather than place them on the backburner. The next few months are almost certain to be challenging, even for technology businesses that have performed well during the pandemic. To continue to succeed in the face of limited resources and a cash-strapped customer base, organisations will have to emphasise quality of service and technical capabilities more than ever before. For Sam Giggle, Head of Sales at TelcoSwitch, this underlines the essential nature of channel partners and the need to look after them. Giggle said: “For many tech companies, the connections they have with their channel partners are the lifeblood of their success. In times of economic turmoil such as this one, it’s more important than ever that we have each other’s backs, which means that vendors should be taking steps to enrich these relationships, rather than letting them fall by the wayside in favour of other priorities that might erroneously be deemed more pressing.” For Giggle, the training and guidance provided for channel partners should go well beyond a simple session that introduces a partner to a product or pricing spec, before awarding the partner a certificate and
sending them on their way. There should also be a longterm pastoral element to this relationship, with training being personalised, interactive and frequent throughout the duration of the partnership. He added: “Training should always be a hands-on process, whether you’re in the midst of a pandemic or not. Partners should be taught to understand products inside and out, as it is this level of technical expertise that breeds success and reinforces the long-term reputation of both vendor and partner.” “This process should not just end abruptly at the end of a particular training course. Effort should be made to stay in regular touch with each and every channel partner, with additional sessions offered as needed to ensure partners can accurately meet end user requirements. Remote training should also be a core element of any offering, as it will likely be some time before everyone feels safe meeting in person again.” Giggle concluded: “Consistency and quality are of the essence in such a time of upheaval. If tech companies continue to invest in their partner relationships, they’ll be on a positive footing for the future.”
Maverick launches Teams platform training to educators
Distributor Maverick AV Solutions and unified communications specialist Collabtech have joined forces to launch expert training for teachers utilising the Microsoft Teams platform. David Johnson, general manager at Maverick AV Solutions, said: “Microsoft Teams has become essential for modern learning at all stages of education. Many educators are familiar with the use of Microsoft Office, however the transition to hybrid working requires new skill sets. We have worked with the collaboration specialists at Collabtech to test and develop a set of training sessions for our integrators to deploy rapidly into the education market.” The course, which will be delivered by the training experts at Collabtech is broken down into five modules starting with a basic introduction to Teams then develops into a full exploration of the platform. Throughout the modules, teachers will learn how to utilise and organise their students, empowering them to create their own methods of education. The final
session contains a number of scenarios in which participants apply their knowledge as well as a whole platform review. Jon Sidwick, President at Collabtech Group says of his train-
develop regular workflows that are accessible to all levels of education across Europe.” The course is being delivered in English, German, Spanish, French and Mandarin. Tutori-
“Microsoft Teams has become essential for modern learning at all stages of education. Many educators are familiar with the use of Microsoft Office, however the transition to hybrid working requires new skill sets.” ing team: “Our entire team are daily users and trained experts of the Microsoft Teams platform. They are ready to work with lecturers, teachers and students to
als are accessed live through a Teams call to maximise usage of the platform and allow participants to ask any questions they have. Bronagh O’Neill, deputy head
at Dagenham Park School, which was the first education establishment to use the training, explains; “The last few months have meant that the integration of Microsoft Teams has been essential to enable the teachers to collaborate and keep the school operating while we are all working remotely. We took this training as a group to enable us to make better use of it as a tool and are passing on our knowledge to the rest of the team.” By enabling teachers to become confident with the Teams platform, lessons can be presented, and work managed more efficiently. This has a direct positive impact on the key performance indicators of students and will help to ensure that hybrid education is a viable and desirable method of teaching. The Teams training launch coincides with the launch of a smart learning bundle from Logitech, which enables video collaboration using Microsoft Teams in the classroom, available from Maverick throughout Europe.
Leader
Just how sage is SAGE? Vaccines aside, the short to medium term solutions to the economic and public health crises prompted by COVID-19 must surely lay in the technologies of remote working and distance learning, and their applications in the world of work and education. But who is providing the UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies with the necessary expertise? Who is providing UK policymakers with expert guidance on critical technology issues such as alternatives to working in offices or sending pupils and students back to school or university? We have heard a lot about the detrimental impacts of WFH on productivity and learning outcomes of home schooling. Vested interests aside, I think the AV and UC communities deserve a hearty
ernment after the Novichok poisonings in Salisbury in 2018, said: “There’s a pool of experts, and those people from within that pool, who are relevant to a particular topic will be called on at any particular time. “What happens is that you get an email through or you get a calendar invite through which is a calling notice that says there’s going to be a SAGE meeting at a particular time
Who is providing UK policymakers with expert guidance on critical technology issues such as alternatives to working in offices or sending pupils and students back to school or university? pat on the back for keeping the country moving in recent months. But exactly who is advising government on the implications of WFH or closing the schools and universities? Initially, the UK government was reluctant to identify the membership of SAGE. The National Medical Director of NHS England, Stephen Powis, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “My experience of SAGE is that it is a forum for scientific discussion. It is the experts from a variety of backgrounds who discuss the evidence, they discuss the evidence base of the various topics, they come to conclusions around that evidence base. It is then, of course, the role of SAGE to advise the Government.” So how are these ‘experts’ recruited as part of SAGE? According to Professor Sir Ian Boyd, who was chief scientific adviser at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from September 2012 to August 2019: “the objective is to get the right expertise around the table to come up with a consensus view.” Sir Ian, who attended SAGE meetings in the past and was involved in advising the Gov-
you’re invited to attend, and here’s the agenda.”
Naming names Has anyone reading this received such an email from SAGE? Or even know of anyone with relevant knowledge or experience that has received an invite? I ask because the technologies of collaboration and communication are evolving at such a pace that who knows what value that future innovations might hold? As the country moves further into the pandemic and its economic consequences, SAGE and the government are responsible for ensuring that timely and coordinated scientific advice. They must ensure that this advice is made available to decision makers and to support UK cross-government decisions in the Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR). AV and UC technologies won’t provide a vaccine, but proper deployment just might limit the impact of the pandemic on jobs, productivity and the futures of those currently in education.
AV News December 2020 P3
Business news
Densitron appoints D&MS Benelux Densitron has announced the appointment of a new reseller for Benelux. Based in Utrecht, The Netherlands, Digital & Media Solutions (D&MS) has a distinguished track-record as a broadcast systems integrator and has also served as a reseller for leading professional brands including Grass Valley and Yamaha.
Reuben Such, Global Business Director of Densitron IDS, says that the relationship with D&MS has evolved naturally over time: “We had done some work with them at the Media Park in Hilversum, and they had mentioned on several occasions that they would like to do more to develop IDS in the Benelux region. Also, in their
of integration and configuration, and this means that it has great potential beyond what might be termed traditional broadcast – for example, in facilities such as courtrooms and government buildings. Jan Derksen, Managing Director of D&MS, affirms the company’s intention to support the IDS solution in mul-
In recent years Densitron has provided its solutions, notably the Intelligent Display System (IDS), for a host of D&MS projects involving national and regional broadcasting operations. Now, with a formalised reseller arrangement in place, D&MS will be able to focus on increasing the profile of the IDS in core broadcast sectors, as well as other potential market areas such as theatres, cinemas, government buildings and corporate facilities.
diverse portfolio of media projects they have always placed an emphasis on identifying ‘products that make life easier’ – a description that fits IDS perfectly.” With D&MS now leading the Benelux reselling effort, the scalable, network-based modular IDS is expected to resonate in multiple markets throughout the region, including pro-AV, broadcast and corporate AV. IDS is an extremely flexible control solution that offers ease
tiple markets. “With more and more companies in broadcast requiring an agile control solution, we anticipate increased demand for IDS to be specified in broadcast centres, OB facilities and remote production,” he says. “But with our longterm presence in professional install, we also look forward to introducing IDS to potential customers in other markets and applications where we believe it has strong potential.”
IDS is an extremely flexible control solution that offers ease of integration and configuration, and this means that it has great potential beyond what might be termed traditional broadcast – for example, in facilities such as courtrooms and government buildings.
Intellie International to distribute Nureva in Singapore Nureva Inc, has announced the appointment of Intellie International as its distributor in Singapore. Intellie will introduce the Singapore market to Nureva’s revolutionary audio conferencing product line, which is gaining rapid adoption globally with customers such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, Allianz, Toulouse Business School, Goethe Institut, Roche, Delft University of Technology and Procter & Gamble. Intellie is a value-added distribution company that builds long-term relationships with its resellers and their clients in commercial, government, health care and higher education markets. Recognizing the exponential growth of hybrid work and learning models, along with the critical nature of reliable audio conferencing in spaces that accommodate
physical distancing, Intellie is well positioned to accelerate adoption of Nureva’s advanced audio solutions in Singapore. Powered by patented Microphone Mist technology, Nureva audio conferencing systems bring clear, reliable audio to meeting and learning spaces. Microphone Mist technology fills a room with thousands of virtual microphones so in-room participants can move around, maintain physical distance and still be heard clearly by remote participants. The Nureva product line includes the HDL200 for small rooms, HDL300 for mid-size rooms and Dual HDL300 for large rooms. They all feature true full-room microphone pickup, easy installation and continuous autocalibration that automatically accommodates any room configuration. “We are very excited to bring
Nureva’s audio product line to the Singapore market,” said CK Lim, Intellie International’s channel development manager. “Nureva’s audio solutions will be of great interest to our reseller channel, and I know they’ll be just as excited to introduce this innovative technology to their customers.” “Singapore is the regional headquarters for many multinational companies and home to leading universities,” said Nancy Knowlton, Nureva’s CEO. “We are delighted to add Intellie International as our distributor and look forward to working with them to address the elevated need for audio conferencing solutions that support hybrid models of learning and working.” .
Powered by patented Microphone Mist technology, Nureva audio conferencing systems bring clear, reliable audio to meeting and learning spaces.
DCC Technology acquires The Music People DCC Technology has announced the acquisition of The Music People through its musical instruments, audio and lighting company, JAM Industries. Tim Griffin, DCC Technology & Exertis Group Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Music People into our portfolio of companies. Now more than ever, music has proven to be an uplifting and enriching element of daily life. JAM’s company ethos and impressive organic growth provide a great basis for more acquisitions such as this, and we look forward to continuing this successful journey.” The Music People (TMP) is the American parent company of the On-Stage and TMP-Pro divisions. Founded in 1979 by Jim Hennessey, TMP will operate as a division of JAM managed by TMP’s Co-Presidents John and Sharon Hennessey, who now report directly to JAM Industries President & CEO Martin Szpiro. TMP specialise in Pro Audio equipment and premium instrument accessories that include stands, cases and bags. “Over the last 48 years,
JAM has grown organically and through acquisition into a $400-million company comprised of eight divisions that serve a broad range of Musical Instrument, Consumer Electronics, Pro Audio and Lighting customers,” said Martin Szpiro, JAM Industries President & CEO. “With the support of DCC we can now grow faster than ever before.” Co-President Sharon Hennessey explained: “The Musical Instrument and Pro Audio industry landscape has evolved a great deal over the last 40 years. What began as a small
cottage industry of enthusiasts has become a much bigger industry that serves a broader range of customers across many vertical markets”. Co-President John Hennessey added “JAM shares the same customer-first core values and provides our employees with the long-term commitment and resources we need to meet the needs of all of our customers for many years to come.”
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Business News
DMF Prevails in Patent Office trial Ingram Micro adds eSignature solution SignTech DMF Lighting has announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB or Patent Office) entered judgment in favour of DMF in an inter partes proceeding trial instituted at the request of AMP Plus Inc., d/b/a ELCO Lighting (ELCO) to challenge the validity of DMF's U.S. Patent No. 9,964,266 ("the '266 Patent"). This continues a string of victories by DMF in its litigation against ELCO in the Patent Office and district court that started from ELCO's improper copying of DMF's patented DRD2 products. In August 2018, DMF filed a patent infringement suit against ELCO in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles based on ELCO ELL LED
products that ELCO copied from DMF's award-winning DRD2 LED products. In March 2019, the District Court granted DMF's request for a preliminary injunction against ELCO and all those acting in concert with ELCO that were selling the accused infringing ELCO ELL products. On March 19, 2020, the District Court also granted summary judgment in DMF's favour, finding that ELCO infringed '266 Patent claims, dismissing ELCO's unenforceability defences and dismissing most of ELCO's validity challenges. A trial will be held to determine if ELCO also infringes other additional patent claims and to consider ELCO's remaining validity challenges that are based on two primary pieces of prior art. That trial
has not been scheduled yet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In parallel to the District Court case, ELCO also has tried to invalidate the '266 Patent claims in the Patent Office based on the same two pieces of prior art at issue in the District Court. On March 17, 2020, the Patent Office ruled in DMF's favour that ELCO's validity challenge, based on one piece of prior art, did "not demonstrate a reasonable likelihood that [ELCO] will prevail" as to any patent claims. The Patent Office did grant a trial on the other piece of prior art. On November 19, 2020, the Patent Office issued a judgment in DMF's favour, ruling that ELCO failed to invalidate any of the 22 challenged patent claims except for one claim.
User training anytime, anywhere with e-learning Disguise has recognised the need to take learning online. Users can now access the company’s full complement of training courses directly from a new online learning management system (LMS), free to anyone looking to upskill in any of the disguise workflows and disciplines. The launch of the online platform coincides with disguise’s decision to extend the free licence for their market-leading Designer software until June 2021 in an initiative to extend learning opportunities to all. The disguise training team has redesigned the entire training programme, in order to facilitate remote and flexible learning. The new programme will split each
pace and recap material easily after they have taken the classroom courses, as disguise Global Head of Training, Chris West, explains: “The purpose of having a learning management system is to have a central location where our customers can manage their learning journey through disguise. It provides a pathway for people to find the right courses to suit their needs and gives us the opportunity to deliver training directly to anyone across the globe.” The system will include all major training pathways offered by disguise: Fundamental Training, Pre-production Workflows, Systems Integra-
which will eventually enable access to the expert-level xR Workflows course. Launched in beta earlier in the year before its full release in September, disguise’s new LMS has already registered over 1,000 users who have actively undertaken and managed their training pathways. Continuing their commitment to support the user community after the suspension of live events, disguise is extending the free Designer software licence until June 2021. Originally set to expire in October this year, the extended free access gives users the opportunity to further their development while encouraging new starters
major course up into two parts; one taught online on the new system, and the second, more practical part, carried out in-person. The programme will allow students to test their knowledge on specialist disguise equipment, and students will also have the option to undertake entire courses in a classroom setting should they request. The new approach allows disguise users to learn concepts anytime, anywhere at their own
tion, Creative Sequencing, DMX Workflows and OmniCal. An expert-level xR training pathway will also be available, aimed at demonstrating the setup of an xR project inside disguise; from initial stages through to the final steps of the xR calibration process and integration with generative content engines. The journey to becoming xR trained will be through a series of fundamental and advanced courses,
to experience the software. “As we expand our message into new markets, there are many people who are now just hearing about disguise,” US Training Manager, Vickie Claiborne, explains. “With many of our customers currently experiencing reduced work opportunities, offering free licences helps people continue learning, while also building a stronger bond with our community.”
P12AV P6 AVNews NewsDecember November2020 2019
Ingram Micro has unveiled a new addition to Ingram Micro Cloud’s UK Cloud Marketplace. Cloud solution SignTech, a paperless form solution, offers a fully integrated, private application server that instantly creates paperless workflows to streamline work processes and save valuable time. The partnership directly supports SignTech’s plans to increase UK channel presence following on from great success in over 120 countries worldwide. Leke Babalola, CEO of SignTech, expresses his enthusiasm for increasing SignTech’s brand presence in the UK with Ingram
Micro Cloud: “SignTech, the paperless, award winning eSignature provider is unique in that it offers every client the option of having their very own private on-premise solution. We are making it easy for Ingram Micro Cloud partners to integrate with their existing offering by providing fast and easy onboarding through demos/PoCs and ROI illustrations”. Being a channel-led cloud solution has proved business-critical since the onset of the global pandemic. As we move into a new era of remote working, SignTech will no doubt continue to assert itself as a key
tool for partners and their customers. Scott Murphy, Director Cloud, Cyber, UCC, Ingram Micro UK&I, is in agreement with Babalola and adds that this exposes channel partners to other best-in-class digital eSignature solution providers, stating “Ingram Micro is always seeking new ways to offer our partners greater choice. By actively expanding our product portfolio, we can help support partner growth with complimentary products to their existing offering”.
Direct to Consumer, augmented reality and sustainability: eCommerce trends for 2021 Following a year like no other that saw eCommerce hurled five years ahead of its time, 2021 is set to see emerging eCommerce trends that will centre around preparing for the unpredictable, says global eCommerce platform provider Kooomo. “If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is out of the realm of possibility as far as the future goes,” says Ciaran Bollard, CEO of Kooomo. “Bricks and mortar retailers were forced to place digital transformation at the top of their agendas and online retailers have had to respond to the immediate, and unprecedented changes to consumer behaviour at the hands of COVID-19.” With this in mind, Kooomo outlines the key trends it expects to see in retail and eCommerce in 2021: 1.More brands will go Direct to Consumer (DTC) More and more brands will experiment with Direct to Consumer eCommerce, as sales are expected to grow by 24.3% this year to $17.75 billion[1]. While third-party distributors (for example supermarkets and multibrand outlets) are likely to always play a part in the consumer goods sales mix, there’s a lot to be said for brands owning everything from logistics to supply chain and everything in between. That, paired with the fact that a large majority of bricks and mortar stores have had to close this year, be it temporarily or permanently, makes DTC a very attractive option for brands. 2.Sustainability and belief-based buying will be top of consumers’ list of priorities No huge surprises here. Sustainability has been at the forefront of retail in recent years, but with online being the main channel for sales in the wake of the pandemic, excess packaging, and the environmental impact of deliveries are going to be highlighted even more in 2021. Not only that, the lockdown has sparked a movement of belief-led buying among the masses - opting to buy and support local as much as possible. Now, more than ever, consum-
ers are pledging to vote with their wallets - a trend we fully expect to stretch into 2021 and beyond. 3.Social commerce will continue to grow (but will it take over completely?) Removing friction from the online shopping experience has long been a topic for businesses to consider, with the primary focus being on the checkout user experience (UX), but more recently on the browsing experience also. By 2021, the global social commerce market is predicted to grow by 34%[2], and more channels are hopping on board the eCommerce train - most recently with WhatsApp adding a shopping button to business chats. But while social channels are a no brainer for playing a key part in retailers’ omnichannel strategies, the likelihood of social commerce replacing websites entirely is highly unlikely. Retailers want to be able to maintain control over their customer experience (CX), which is a key differentiator for eCommerce right now - and they will be very limited in what they can then do to set the customer journeys apart if all businesses solely rely on social channels to sell. 4. More retailers will invest in augmented reality What could arguably have been considered a ‘nice to have’ feature on retailers’ online stores until now, augmented reality is fast becoming a ‘must-have’ in the wake of the pandemic. The try in-store, buy-online tactic hasn’t been available to consumers for much of 2020, meaning that the digital doors must now open for products that have traditionally been deemed ‘something you couldn’t buy before you see it in person’. Augmented reality is the virtual answer to try before you buy, and will be key to supporting buying decisions, so expect to see more and more brands integrating it into their eCommerce strategy in 2021; virtual changing rooms for fashion brands, try-on apps for cosmetics, and 3D placement for furniture and interior design will
become even more prevalent. 5.Content will have to play a greater role in eCommerce Competition has always been stiff in the online retail space, and it’s only going to intensify as retailers put digital to the forefront of their strategies. So how can merchants stand out? Well, the expression ‘content is king’ has been doing the rounds for years, but 2021 is the year that retailers who marry eCommerce and content to enrich the customer journey will really get ahead. Similar to the rise of augmented reality, we envision more brands weaving content into their online stores as a means to showcase their brand values, as well as replicate the in-store experience. Expect to see more product ‘how-to’ videos, as well as storytelling through blog posts, videos, and podcasts. We also expect to see more website pages dedicated to brands’ sustainability pledges, as well as deliveries, returns, meet the team, and more. 6.An omnichannel strategy will no longer be optional Implementing click and collect has probably been the quickest measure used by retailers to deal with the pandemic. In 2018, an average of 52% of online stores[3] had omnichannel capabilities. 2021 is likely to see that trend not only continued but broadened into full omnichannel strategies by businesses of all sizes. This means synchronisation of stock, real-time inventory updates, online and offline loyalty point collection and redemption, unified customer service channels - the list goes on. Ciaran concludes, “With digital transformation projects sped up this year, 2021 is set to be an exciting year for retail and eCommerce. While there may still be some difficult times ahead for the industry as a whole, those retailers who implement these strategies, and other innovative developments will certainly differentiate themselves from their competitors and have a better chance of succeeding in 2021 and beyond.”
Strategy
ViewSonic - Continued success in all the product lines during 2020 AV News met over a video call with ViewSonic’s Ricky Kumar and Kevin Cheng in the run-up to Black Friday. The company was enjoying continued success despite the pandemic situation, setting records in both B2B and B2C channels. How do sales through the e-commerce channel sit alongside those through the regular AV channel? “You've got to balance it out because we're giving them a significant volume discount, you have to cap the number of units as well. Otherwise, while it is a successful selling exercise, it's probably more of a marketing exercise to get your brand known. You may even break even, or even lose money on your product. but you do get the product into the UK market and get the product search rankings on Amazon.” explained Ricky. Companies that are seeking to operate a hybrid "working from home" structure and looking for solutions that can be integrated across both environments? What solution does ViewSonic offer that can be operated seamlessly across both environments? “The vast range of our visual display products can cover both working in the office and home environments. We have monitors which have taken a different stance this year and the demand has gone out of control. Because many people are working from home this year, many are looking for a decent monitor with simple connectivity via USB-C, high refresh rates, high levels of adjustment and ergonomics. These monitors are not just suitable for home and office use, but they are equally good for home entertainment.”
“We also have a range of LED smart projectors which sold very well this year. Take our M2 projector as an example, it was designed as a portable office projector. Users can potentially carry the M2 to the office to do a presentation and then take it
portfolio. Ricky believes the upsurge is due to the positioning of the product range. So, the projectors are doing well, but how about the flatscreens? “We also have our ViewBoard interactive display and myView-
they are in an actual classroom or online via our video conferencing feature "myViewBoard Classroom", we have a whole hybrid-learning solution to help educators during these unprecedented times. We are proud to have helped many teachers
ViewSonic’s Ricky Kumar and Kevin Cheng: “We have made progress in three areas: LED projection, the myViewBoard software, and obviously, the ergonomic monitors. They've all been selling very well.”
back home and watch Netflix, Amazon Prime or even gaming. As a smart projector, not only is wifi compatible, it can also be used as a Bluetooth speaker with it's built-in Harman Kardon speakers and can be voice-controlled via an Amazon Echo or Google Home device. So, I think a vast range of our products fits in that in the multiple-use category”, said Ricky. The recent upsurge in projector sales has been mirrored by success across the ViewSonic
ViewSonic’s 4K projector range
Board digital whiteboarding software for education. That's undergone a big development in the last two years. As a result, we became one of the leaders in the education space.” explained Ricky. Marketing Director Kevin Cheng added: “myViewBoard is a free whiteboarding software developed by ViewSonic where teachers can plan and build lessons online before presenting and collaborating with their students in real-time. Whether
globally during the pandemic as myViewBoard allows them to stay in touch with the students anywhere." said Ricky.
Value proposition Given recent developments and sales success, will ViewSonic extend its range into the installation segment of the market? Does the company feel there is an opportunity here? “We do a wide range of projectors – Laser, LED and traditional
lamp – and we aim to be number one in the UK and across Europe in LED projection. However, I would say we're not focusing on installation especially large proAV installation projectors at this moment in time. As a company, we are slowly phasing out traditional lamp-based projectors and focusing on the laser projectors from 3500 to 7000 lumens, which is an area we're good at and where the majority of the demands are."
Development focus So what has ViewSonic learned in 2020? “I think we have made great progress over 2020 and established ourselves as one of the top LED projector brands in Europe. What we're doing within the channel proves successful, leading to positive results as we became the number one LED projector brand in the UK in Q3 2020 according to the Futuresource. Looking back, the first six months were very tough with the uncertainty of the market when the pandemic began, but we've managed to turn it around since April/May this year in the projection market.”
learnt in 2020 will no doubt help us refine our software furthermore in the future. We have a dedicated in-house team of software developers in our headquarter working tirelessly to develop the best digital whiteboarding solution for our customers.” “And the final area where progress has been significant? I would say the monitor side of the business, especially the ergonomic monitors for working from home. We have made some tweaks to our range by offering 4-5 years warranty on our ergonomic monitors to differentiate from the competition, so it's an additional selling point on top of design and spec.” “So, I think we have learned and made progress in those three areas: LED projection, the myViewBoard software, and obviously, the ergonomic monitors. They've all been selling out very well whether to NGOs and corporates. Given the year we’ve had, the progress is remarkable.”
“I think we have also made significant progress on our software side of the business. Our myViewBoard whiteboarding software has been a massive highlight for ViewSonic in 2020 due to the closure of schools and the increase of demand for a hybrid-learning solution. From what we've
AV News December 2020 P7
Technology News
Utelogy launches workspace management solution Utelogy Corporation, a provider of control, monitoring and analytics software for workspace management, has announced the release of High Availability, a powerful new component of its software system that works in the background to eliminate single points of failure. It utilizes the N+1 architecture, providing redundancy across geolocated datacentres, promoting responsiveness, and ensuring continuous uptime for the company’s widening enterprise cus-
technology achieve maximum productivity and reliability. “As many of the world’s largest organisations contemplate what their 2021 ‘post-Covid’ workplace will look like, one thing has become abundantly clear. That is that meeting spaces must be able to replicate the levels of reliability and usability their employees have enjoyed from their personal devices whilst working from home,” comments Jonathan Mangnall, Managing Director,
data loss. It eliminates single points of failure by ensuring seamless stateful failover to always-ready backup servers in case of any problem with the primary server. “The High Availability component ensures the U-Server application can endure different demand loads and different types of failure with the least possible downtime,” says Mangnall. “As the market expands and matures, our customers demand for enterprise
Vision tethers HDMI Adaptors to cable Vision’s tethered four-in-one Multi HDMI Adaptor ensures quick and easy meeting connections. Vision’s new Multi HDMI Adaptor is now shipping, providing a simple but always-there solution to meeting connectivity. “It’s such a pain having several loose adaptors floating around a conference room. They get lost, or visitors put them in their bag and take them away in error, leading to annoying delays next time the meeting space is used,” explains Vision Managing Director, Stuart Lockhart. “We’ve solved the problem with a tethered four-in-one HDMI adaptor for the commonly-used video formats, which is driver-free, ensuring participants get connected immediately.” The Multi HDMI Adaptor fixes to HDMI cables of various thicknesses and is tamper-proof. It includes four of the most common video formats: MiniDisplayPort, DisplayPort, Mini-HDMI and USB-C, which has been tested and is compliant with the latest Microsoft Surface Pro 7. It couldn’t be simpler. The
installer installs a long HDMI cable between the conference table and the display. The user grabs the cable from the table and plugs the selected adaptor into their laptop. And because it is tethered, it won’t go missing. Stuart Lockhart explains: “Our focus during development was to make sure it worked without drivers, especially for USB-C devices which are becoming much more common-
place. We trialled a load of different form factors and, as is so often the case, found the simplest is the best. Bullish early sales indicate we’ve hit the nail on the head.” The Vision Multi HDMI Adaptor is shipping now and is available through Vision’s international network of distributors. Like all Vision products, it is backed by a Vision’s Lifetime Guarantee.
Vision’s tethered four-in-one Multi HDMI Adaptor ensures quick and easy meeting connections.
Lumen and Zoom collaborate
Utelogy Corporation, a provider of control, monitoring and analytics software for workspace management, has announced the release of High Availability, a powerful new component of its software system that works in the background to eliminate single points of failure tomer base. High Availability (HA) has been developed as a direct response to soaring customer demand and to support global deployments and the needs of some the world’s largest Managed Service Providers. HA ensures the blue-chip F500 organisations using the Utelogy platform to manage and monitor mission-critical workplace
EMEA. “To achieve this they are increasingly turning to Utelogy to provide unparalleled levels of equipment and platform insight via our market-leading platform.” High Availability has been designed to ensure the Utelogy platform is continuously available and active, thus saving time, avoiding lost revenue, and combating the threat of
grade management, monitoring and control is only becoming more exacting. With High Availability we match their expectations for world class service to be delivered across the whole AV/UC estate whilst also enabling a significant reduction in the total cost of ownership.”
At a time when the world needs to be closer while being apart, Lumen Technologies and Zoom have been bringing together their technology capabilities and communications expertise to help businesses keep their vital conversations going. Today, they are expanding that partnership and offering customers Zoom delivered by Lumen. This solution provides an enhanced collaboration experience for businesses around the world, combining the speed and reliability of the Lumen platform with Zoom’s worldclass collaboration solutions. “When the world turned to virtual meetings, Zoom turned to Lumen’s fibre network to power its best-in-class video communications platform,”
said Shaun Andrews, chief marketing officer at Lumen. “We’re happy to take this partnership a step further by combining our platforms and our strengths to create Zoom delivered by Lumen. Together, we will help keep families, businesses, schools and hospitals securely connected to the world, and thriving in the 4th industrial revolution.” Zoom delivered by Lumen brings together Lumen’s embedded network security capabilities with Zoom’s built-in security features to proactively protect businesses using their combined services. “Lumen has been a very valuable partner to Zoom and over the past several months, we’ve helped businesses connect and
grow,” said Ryan Azus, chief revenue officer at Zoom. “With their wide market incumbency, as well deep expertise in the networking and Unified Communications & Collaborations space, Zoom delivered by Lumen is poised to bring our mutual clients an optimal experience that we are very excited about.” The partnership was first announced in September 2020, with the goal to provide unparalleled managed services and experiences to today’s businesses. Zoom delivered by Lumen will rollout new service features and enhancements over the coming months, including Zoom Phone and Lumen Cloud Connect for Zoom.
TeamViewer supports Apple Silicon TeamViewer, has released TeamViewer 15.12 for MacOS which already supports the new custom architecture known as Apple Silicon. The TeamViewer app is optimised to use the new architecture to the fullest without relying on the Rosetta 2 emulation. The latest TeamViewer client supports the Apple Silicon structure as well as the new macOS Big Sur, which will be the first operating system on Apple Silicon. The key benefits of using the latest version which supports Apple Silicon natively are improved performance and less energy consumption. And this is key for apps that need to
run as reliably as TeamViewer. Christoph Schneider, Director Product Management at TeamViewer says: “We establish connections between a huge number of different devices based on all major operating systems. Ensuring horizontal connectivity is part of our DNA. Therefore, we are especially proud to run native on the Apple Silicon architecture right from the beginning.” Apple provides the software Rosetta 2 along with Apple Silicon which enables other programs to run on the new architecture even if they are designed for
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intel processors. Older versions of TeamViewer for Mac will still work but rely on the Rosetta 2 emulation as well. For the best experience, we recommend using the latest TeamViewer build 15.12.
Lumen Technologies and Zoom have been bringing together their technology capabilities and communications expertise to help businesses keep their vital conversations going.
Technology News
Christie combines security and performance Christie has announced the next generation of Secure Series, a range of LCD displays designed with performance and security in mind. Secure Series II now includes multi-source viewing without a processor, and will be available in five sizes, from 55 to 98 inches. The hallmark of Christie’s Secure Series is non-RF video transmission, critical for facilities like government and military, as well as any application that requires onscreen content to be secure from external interference. Secure Series II is ADA compliant, and features advanced capabilities including an OPS slot, a smaller bezel, and DICOM simulation mode for advanced greyscale reproduction, to analyse x-rays and medical scans for training purposes. “Secure Series II LCD displays are designed for demand-
ing applications, incorporating a sleek new profile, updated input connectivity, and multisource viewing capability. These displays combine professional features in a secure, budget-friendly package, and are TAA compliant,” says John Dixon, senior product manager, Christie. Christie’s portfolio of high-performance LCD displays are used globally in installations including Singapore’s ITE College Central, which uses Secure Series displays in its multi-purpose theatre as relay monitors; an executive meeting room for Ecuador’s largest private company, which installed an Extreme Series video wall; and the Montgomery County Emergency Operations Centre uses Extreme Series to monitor large-scale events.
ViewSonic launches Pantone validated monitors ViewSonic Corp has announced the introduction of two new Pantone validated monitors to the ColorPro VP68a Series, including the VP2768a (27”) and VP2468a (24”). Both come standard with outof-box colour accuracy, colour blindness modes, and USB-C one-cable solution. “ViewSonic’s professional monitor VP series provides consistent and accurate colour performance with industry colour standards,” said Oscar Lin, Head of the Monitor BU at ViewSonic. “With 100% colour performance and Pantone validation, the new VP68a Series of Pantone validated monitors set a new standard for colour performance to meet the discerning needs of creators for boosted productivity with increased workflow efficiency.” Pantone is the standard language for colour which plays a critical role to assist designers, producers, and brands making decisions every day. The VP68a Series has been verified and factory tuned with a series of in-house colour tests and the VP2768a and VP2468a have both been evaluated by Pantone and met the requirements to be Pantone validated by passing the full range simulation test of 2,161 colours of the Pantone Formula Guide.
ViewSonic Corp has announced the introduction of two new Pantone validated monitors to the ColorPro VP68a Series In addition to the incredible colour accuracy, VP68a monitors assist those with colour blindness by offering two unique modes: colour blindness simulation and colour blindness filter. These features help both creators and end-users by allowing them to see how the artwork would appear from a colour blindness perspective
and aid those who are colour blind to better see on-screen details respectively. With USB-C one cable solution with multiple connection ports, VP68a monitors can quickly deliver video and audio as well as up to 90W power charging, allowing users to charge their laptops and smartphones. The USB-C one-cable
solution, which is designed to make it suitable for enterprises and design studios, also includes Ethernet connectivity, making wired connections more reliable than wireless network connections.
Secure Series II will be available beginning this month with the 75 and 86-inch models, followed by the 55 and 65-inch models in early 2021. The 98-inch model is currently available.
HoverCam presents first fully integrated transparent writing glass HoverCam has announced it has partnered with Learning Glass to bring eGlass, a fully integrated illuminated writing glass, to the market. Being shown for the first time at ISTE20 Live, eGlass is an innovative, all-in-one, transparent writing surface with a built-in camera and adjustable lighting that is ideal for remote, hybrid, and traditional classrooms. “In this age of distance learning, teachers are faced with a dilemma when using virtual meeting software — they are forced to choose between emphasizing student engagement, or the content they are trying to teach. Sure, their webcam can provide the engagement while their presentation software provides the content, but one of these always takes the spotlight from the other, leaving students feeling disoriented and disconnected. Those students can't focus on two places at once, and it's getting harder for instructors to make eye contact with them, which has been shown to improve learning outcomes,” said Bayley Pierson, HoverCam's director of marketing. “eGlass prioritises both the instructor-student connection and content, all on one screen.
Instructors can gauge reactions and comprehension while also presenting the content clearly onscreen for everyone — both in-class and remote students — to see. It's the evolution of writing on the board, and the single most engaging innovation the education industry has seen.” HoverCam's eGlass reimagines the traditional and virtual whiteboard experience. Leveraging HoverCam's leadership and expertise in camera technology, the built-in camera captures the instructor and whatever they write on the surface of the glass at the same time. As the user writes on the glass, eGlass automatically flips the writing for students to read, and the embedded LEDs intensify the pen ink with an eye-catching glow. While writing, the instructor has direct line of sight with their students without toggling between whiteboard and video conference software. Said to be ideal for virtual teaching, lesson recording, training, and even in-class instruction, teachers can use eGlass in place of a regular whiteboard to boost eye contact and monitor comprehension in real time. The adjustable light within the bezel of the eGlass frame
properly lights the user for the camera, eliminating the need for a separate lighting solution.
It can be used in any room, accommodating both light and dark backgrounds.
Available in 35-inch and 50inch models, eGlass is easy to set up and use, as it plugs into
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HoverCam has announced it has partnered with Learning Glass to bring eGlass, a fully integrated illuminated writing glass, to the market.
AV News December 2020 P9
XR in Today’s Reality 15 December | 15:00 CET (14:00 GMT) RISE Spotlight is a monthly series of free-to-attend digital events, based around key Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) technology areas. During December’s Spotlight we look at some of the most compelling use cases of XR. We often hear about the potential of XR and for many, it is deemed as simply a complement or supplement to business activities which can provide an innovative edge within product design, development, marketing, or general business processes. However, XR is no longer just an add on, there are multiple use cases to be excited about. This is your opportunity to explore the art of the possible. So, what’s holding you back?
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Technology News continued from page
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HoverCam presents first fully integrated transparent writing glass
AVer soundbar certified for Microsoft Teams
a PC, Mac, or Chromebook with a single USB cable. It comes with intuitive software built around HoverCam's robust and powerful Flex 11 camera software. Users will be pleased to know that the eGlass software features Zoom integration, allowing users to schedule, launch, or join Zoom calls directly from eGlass' software.
It's also compatible with other remote conferencing programs including Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Google Meet. In addition, the solution features image insertion, allowing users to drag eye-catching visual aids directly onto the screen, with the ability to add annotations in real time.
Video meetings provider StarLeaf is working with over 100 English NHS organisations, helping them to communicate and collaborate remotely, train and recruit staff and keep vital treatment, clinics and consultations going, as social distancing measures remain in place. During the initial stages of the Coronavirus pandemic in the spring the NHS was forced to dramatically change the way it operates, with almost all-non Covid patient care having to be carried out remotely, and non-frontline staff required to work from home. StarLeaf video solutions have helped Trusts to take pressure off life-saving critical services, while allowing patients continued access
and remote working. StarLeaf’s software also enables NHS staff to record and stream meetings where required, ensuring important communications can reach wider audiences and be subsequently accessed. Many NHS organisations choose StarLeaf because of its stringent cyber-security measures. StarLeaf is directly connected to the NHS’s Health and Social Care Network, meaning information can be accessed and shared using a secure, private cloud connection, designed specifically for the NHS. As well as having ISO/ IEC 27001 certification, StarLeaf has its own NHS specific data centre, ensuring sensitive patient information discussed
AVer Europe, announces today the VB342+, an all-in-one USB soundbar, is now certified for Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business. The VB342+ is optimised to deliver an exceptional audio-visual experience to huddle and small conference rooms and works seamlessly with Teams or Skype for Business software. AVer's all-in-one soundbar features an enterprise-grade 4K conference camera, SmartFrame technology, and powerful bass speakers that wraps your space in high-quality audio. The VB342+ boosts professionalism to a whole new level with vivid 4K images, 120° wide-angle FOV, and SmartSpeaker auto-tracking functionality. It has one of the widest possible fields of view with zero distortion, perfect for capturing team members further apart in huddle rooms. The VB342+ is an easy to use, plug-and-play device that is compatible with all your favourite applications and connects to virtually any desktop or laptop, via a single USB cable. “AVer further simplifies the customer journey for Microsoft users and lets them make the
Half of all NHS trusts in England opt for StarLeaf
The NHS also benefits from StarLeaf’s 99.999% service availability guarantee to essential care appointments and exchanged during meetand keeping its staff as safe as ings remains confidential and possible. is transmitted and stored seStarLeaf ensures that mental curely. StarLeaf’s data centres health, physio, dermatology, have not routed information outpatient and GP appoint- through China, and all patient ments are still able to take data resides within the UK. place via video call. Fetal medThe NHS also benefits from icine, hepatitis C, neuro-oph- StarLeaf’s industry leading thalmology and renal clinics 99.999% service availability and consultations are also guarantee, which ensures NHS running through StarLeaf, re- teams have a reliable, stable ducing unnecessary travel and means of communicating and face-to-face contact, to keep collaborating. patients and consultants safe. Mark Richer, co-founder and In addition to clinical use, CEO of StarLeaf said: “The NHS organisations are also us- NHS provides a vital service ing StarLeaf to drive business to all of us across the country efficiency. Internal team meet- and the last few months have ings, cross-Trust meetings, been testing times for everytraining and recruitment are one. We’re proud to work with all taking place using StarLeaf, NHS teams across the country, enabling NHS trusts to contin- giving them access to secure, ue collaborating, upskilling and reliable video solutions that recruiting much needed em- enable them to continue to proployees. The adoption of Star- vide first-class care and vital Leaf means that more NHS em- services, regardless of geogployees are able to work from raphy or other obstacles, such home, while still providing cru- as the pandemic. We’ll contincial care. A number of Trusts ue to ensure that StarLeaf is a benefit from the use of Star- solution that people can rely Leaf meeting room solutions, upon to easily and safely conas well as use via desktops and nect with organisations such as other devices to facilitate home the NHS.”
most of their meetings by offering affordable, high-quality solutions for every type of collaboration,” said Carl Harvell, Director of Product Marketing for AVer USA. Albert Kooiman, Director of Microsoft Teams Devices Partner Engineering and Certification, said: “AVer's VB342+ is the newest addition to the devices Certified for Microsoft Teams, expanding the Teams meeting device offerings for our focus and small meeting room solutions. The broader collab-
AVer Europe, announces today the VB342+, an all-in-one USB soundbar, is now certified for Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business. with a high-quality video hard- Microsoft Teams and Skype for oration with AVer offers our ware solution.” Business. customers the opportunity to The CAM540, CAM520 PRO enhance their audio and video Standard, and CAM520 PRO experience in Teams meetings Advanced are also certified for
Philips Projection is launching 3 new NeoPix home projector Philips Projection is launching 3 new NeoPix home projectors. After the success of the NeoPix Collection last year, Philips Projection is upgrading the NeoPix Easy, Prime and Ultra with the Easy 2+, Prime 2 and Ultra 2. “This year, we have decided to push the limits even further by bringing the PicoPix Collection’s premium features to our NeoPix collection. Our customers can now enjoy our smart Philips OS with pre-loaded apps, Wi-Fi Dual Band for
The NeoPix Prime 2 and Ultra 2 get smart image correction, including a 4-corner correction to place it wherever you want in the room, digital zoom, and projector settings appearing on the top of every content. The Philips OS will constantly evolve, adding brand new features and extra apps via Wi-Fi. The Prime 2 gets the Philips OS with built-in apps, new speakers and fan, and an updated AirMote for the same price as the 2019 Prime. The Ultra 2
Philips Projection is launching 3 new NeoPix home projectors. The Easy 2+ stays our most affordable projector and gets double brightness with 720p resolution compared to the first iteration.
maximum speed, Bluetooth, a new light engine delivering better color and contrast, upgraded resolution up to True Full HD and a brand-new AirMote control for a super easy navigation.”
gets smaller, smarter and projects True Full HD 1080p images for only 329USD/EUROS.
AV News December 2020 P11
Research
Will the pandemic drive edtech sales in the long-term? Promethean’s State of Technology in Education research project has been updated for 2020 / 2021 It’s wider reaching and promises to be more insightful than ever. This year the research gathered opinions from over 2,000 educators across the UK & Ireland. Here are a selection of the most important conclusions and some observations from AV News. Now in its fifth year, with input from over 8,000 educators to date, Promethean’s annual State of Technology in Education report is more important than ever. By gathering the opinions of over 2,000 educators during lockdown, Promethean found out which strategies and technologies schools relied on and how COVID-19 will impact the future of learning. A hybrid approach, while ensuring the classroom remains the nucleus of learning, will create the flexibility needed to respond to the uncertainty of the coming months. 2020 “It's been a challenging year so far. Still, over 80% of educators have identified technology as a great way to improve engagement in classrooms. Yet keeping pupils motivated, despite the huge reliance on tech, was a number one challenge during lockdown. As such, COVID-19 has forced a realism and pragmatism around tech use. Approaches have streamlined.” “The Report reveals what's truly useful and what's not: it's not about futuristic, startup solutions, it's about using and evolving tried and tested tech. Tools that have pedagogy at their heart,” Promethean’s annual State of Technology in Education report
Strategic plans “The focus on boosting student engagement with tech has grown 29% in five years, now a priority for 39% of schools. Using technology to engage pupils and boost collaboration has jumped up this year but updating technology and providing technology training has significantly dropped. Results and attainment are still the highest priority for the coming year. Staff training and updating technology are still low on the priority list. • When it comes to technology, the focus on maximising online safety (48%) has increased. • Boosting engagement (39%) is the second highest priority for all educators this year. • 43% of SLT members, however, believe technology should be prioritised as a tool for collaboration above everything else. • 28% of teachers say schools should focus more on teacher training. • 57% of IT staff believe schools should also prioritise updating their technologies.” From these key messages from
that “Headteachers continue to play the lead role in strategy setting: that's according to 76% of educators. Fewer than 40% tell us it's a collaborative project.” What’ more “Only 50% of school staff confirm their school has a strategic vision”, and 44% of teachers feel that, even if there is a ‘vision’ it is rarely communicated. “Overall, teachers don't feel involved in their school's strategy — 35% provide input, but almost 60% have no say whatsoever.” So how influential is the protech lobby in schools? “When asked how significant technology is to achieving wider goals, over a third (35%) agree some tech is indeed important. Over 22% confirm that it's included in the strategy but does not contribute to meeting wider objectives,” concludes the Promethean Report
Given the renewed focus on edtech of late, surely it merits long term planning and execution? “Only a third (36%) of schools confirm their school
“Video conferencing, while finding its moment in the sun over the course of lockdown, was an area of particular concern for IT staff and SLTs who faced issues with safeguarding and security. No standard approach was applied, so the gap in provisions from schools was huge. It was also problematic for teachers, who need face to face contact with pupils to get the most from edtech.” To talk about edtech in terms of threat rather than opportunity
has an IT-specific strategy, while the largest proportion (44%) of respondents are unclear whether an IT strategy exists in their school.” Of all the issues surrounding edtech, “Promethean finds that the strategic prioritisation of online safety unsurprising: schools were forced further online in 2020, teaching from a distance, and school leaders were expected to think fast about realistic threats posed by technology.”
it id perhaps unsurprising that the Report finds: “In many instances, school strategy setting is rarely a collaborative or communicated project, with the focus most commonly on school results. This presents a chance for gathering strategic input from teachers and IT staff and setting more specific goals.” But. “Teachers have become reliant on technology for basic lesson delivery in 2020. In doing so they have identified an opportunity to focus on training
IT strategies
Key findings An article in August’s Forbes Magazine posed the question: “Will the pandemic present a positive effect on education technology in the longer term”. The article observed that: “Covid-19 has caused a significant disruption in the world of education, but it has been a boon to education technology companies. Even when a vaccine for Covid-19 is approved, online education is here to stay filling gaps that already existed in education curricula. Online education has been helping reach underserved populations as well as students with special needs and disabilities. Additionally, many parents and educators are likely to use online education to be ready for the next public health or natural disaster.” Educators say that attainment comes first, but more schools are prioritising tech to engage. Tech for engagement is now a strategic priority for almost 40% of schools, up 29%. Yet most educators struggled to engage pupils remotely, highlighting the importance of the classroom setting.
educators in the Promethean report, we can infer than, while the pandemic has moved edtech into the spotlight. many of the issue the issues remain the same: technology does not get the consideration it deserves; teachers do not get adequate training; or adequate funding.
Strategic visions So who makes the strategic decisions in school environments? The Promethean report tells us
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and development and bringing their school's software and hardware up to date. While front-of-class technology is often considered a basic requirement in schools, there continues to be a training gap.
“But if most educators agree that tech improves engagement and behaviour, shouldn't schools prioritise using future-proof tools at the heart of the learning experience instead?”
Interactive learning
Tools
In trying to encourage the take up of edtech in schools. the channel’s efforts are supported by IT specialist in schools who the report identifies as increasingly well regarded. “Are IT managers schools' unsung heroes for 2020? With fasttracked remote working deployment and a universal reliance on technology for basic teaching, the technical staff kept schools up and running. With this, there's a fresh perspective on school tech. Schools now recognise which tools truly aid learning and boost results, and which don't. This realism can be the first step to a refreshed tech roadmap. 86% say tech should be a core part of learning. But a third admit they avoid using it because school hardware is often unreliable.” When it was working, the Report found educators to be largely favourable about edtech: “Perhaps unsurprisingly, almost 80% of educators agree that technology helped them do a better job in education this year. Technology helps me do my job better (%) • Strongly agree 31.1% • Agree 47.7% • Neither agree nor disagree 16.3% • Disagree 4.4% • Strongly disagree 0.5% • When it comes to boosting learning outcomes: • 84% have identified that technology is a great way to improve engagement. • 33% believe it can improve behaviour, too.”
The Reports conclusions recognise the extent that conditions in 2020 have influenced educators. “This year, schools were forced to rely on technology for basic lesson delivery, homework setting and marking. Thanks to this, remote teaching software and video conferencing solutions have come into their own, supporting teachers and pupils remotely. This, however, has presented its own challenges.” “Despite this, video conferencing was minimally effective for learning during lockdown. Children learn through social interaction, so the classroom is and always will be the nucleus of the learning experience. The true benefits of tech are realised when the educator is there to combine it with appropriate, tried and tested learning methods.” “Given classrooms have barely changed in 100 years, there's an entrenched traditionalism in schools that's hard to shake. Educators want to use modern technologies more, but updating their existing hardware is proving to be a bigger challenge. A digital-first approach is needed, but it must be effective. Pupils thrive in a classroom environment and there are technologies available to support class-based learning in more ways than it is used.” the Report postulates.
Impact of school closures Training to use edtech appropriately has long been an issue in
Research
the education market, and the shortfall in provision was only too obvious when the pandemic led to school closures. “Due to the unexpected school closures in early 2020, a large number of educators were required to work and teach remotely with almost no warning. This pushed new technologies to the fore, such as remote teaching tools (used by nearly 80%) and video conferencing software like Zoom (used by over 55% of respondents).” says the Report. “But there's no patience for passing fads or tech-gimmicks — 94% of educators stand firm that tech should be used where it can be appropriately adapted to the learning situation.” “Schools want to make more use of tech, but faulty hardware is an ongoing problem. The vast majority of educators are confident, competent users of technology. They recognise the school-wide benefits of tech adoption, striving to innovate within their own learning practices. Yet school technology is frequently considered less reliable than home tech, often due to its age. Of those who avoid using technology, 34% admit it's because it doesn't work. A similar number lacks the time or training to get the most out of it.” “There's been wavering yearon-year confidence in using tech for learning. More educators want to use tech to improve student engagement and behaviour this year. Also, fewer educators are struggling with tech: down 5%. This means, teacher’s enthusiasm and overall tech skills are on the rise and educators are keen to get more from their tools.”
Teacher training and CPD Edtech training and CPD have long been an issue largely because of a failure to recognise its importance in teacher training and a reluctance to provide an adequate budget from school funs. The Report comments that: “2020 has forced schools to re-evaluate how they use technology for the basics: setting homework, teaching lessons, communicating with pupils. Now, with pupils back in classrooms, many educators would like technology to blend seamlessly with traditional teaching methods. Yet training is at a concerning all-time low. Only 1% of schools are prioritising tech training. And 41% of respondents say staff have had to find time to train themselves.” “Providing tech training for teachers has dropped in priority by 23% over the past five years. The need for base-level tech skills has risen this year. It's perhaps not surprising, then, that 41% of educators say they've had to find time to train themselves. Only 11.5% of educators think full training is provided by their school. Of all the school objectives identified for the coming year, teacher training is third from the bottom, prioritised over soft skills and updating technology only. Staff training is a funding priority, according to 55% of school senior leaders and senior managers.” “Training continues to be a complex issue — staff want more training but feel time and money are holding them back. Almost half of educators (49%) identify budgets as the main
reason there's not more training provided at their school, followed by time restrictions. The majority of respondents (59%) admit that, while tech is available in their school, staff are not trained or provided any support. Only 6% of educators are provided with full tech training. 36% of SLT members believe the provision of tech training is adequate, compared to under 19% of teachers.” “Pupil safety (29%) and governmental changes (23%) are considered to be the most important aspects of staff training. Just over 1% of schools identify technology training as a priority. 41% of teachers disagree with their school's training priorities.”
Budgets With the UK government claiming to have increased school budgets. debate continues about how any extra money will be used. “We now know that real education takes place in the classroom. Students' learning has been seriously impacted whilst pupils were at home. COVID-19, however, has been the catalyst for change. Tech has been used for collaboration, hybrid and remote learning which presents a fresh opportunity for schools to take a digital first approach.” “To assimilate these 2020 learnings into the classroom, however, teachers will need ongoing training to support it, or the benefits of these new skills could diminish,” cautions the Report. “But why has training plummeted? As teachers become more proficient with tech, seen in our survey, is the
perceived need lower? Or have other goals simply taken priority? The data above suggests that a combination is true — issues like online security and safeguarding have become increasingly pressing with the widespread use of online tools, all while teachers have become more and more confident with tech”. “At the beginning of April 2020, the UK government announced it would make funding available to schools to support them with costs associated with COVID-19. However, our survey suggests that many educators were already concerned about the impact of budget on strategy before the extra pressure of coronavirus hit. This ongoing financial issue, however, has forced schools to invest more carefully in tech that genuinely supports their strategic objectives.” “The number of educators that believe money is invested in the right edtech tools has gone up by 13% in five years. The use of technology in school at the minute is a frustrating affair. Much of the equipment, both pupil and teacher, is out of date or budget so performance is hampered. Where there is upto-date equipment it is restricted by knowledge or held back by outdated equipment, e.g. IWBs connected to outdated or under-specced laptops that can't keep up with them.” “Budgets are expected to make next year's strategic goals harder to achieve, according to 45% of SLT members. All staff members are aligned on these budgetary issues, with a similar number of teachers and IT staff voicing the same stra-
tegic concerns. Salaries will make up the largest spend of schools' budgets next year, according to 60% of educators. A further third admit they're not clear where the school's money is spent. Much more budget needs to be provided for schools to develop their technology and ensure all children have equal access to it.” “Of all survey answers, the greatest proportion of educators agree (37%) that too little is being spent on technology in schools. IT staff, however, are the most critical of all: 55% say there is too little budget, compared to a third of teachers. This disparity makes sense, however, as the majority of teachers have no visibility on their school's tech budget — 45%. After 3 years of a deficit budget we are finally at a balanced budget. However, there is no budget for further IT expenditure. The deficit budget was in large part due to very expensive leasing arrangements.” “Over the past five years, most educators agree too little budget is allocated to technology. This sentiment peaked in 2019 at 46%. 5 years ago, 29% of educators believed their school's tech budget alloca-
tion was at the right level; that number has dropped by 16% today. IT managers have lost the most confidence in their schools' IT budgets: 46% were happy with the level of investment in 2016, yet only 19% say the same 5 years on. But it seems that schools are making smarter tech investments overall. The number that say money is incorrectly invested has gone down by 13% in the same period.” “Budgets continue to be a disagreeable subject for educators. Almost all staff agree that financial constraints are holding back their school's potential and their pupils' access to the best educational tools. This hasn't changed in half a decade. While the weight of concern around budgets hasn't lightened, it's forced schools to think strategically when it comes to technology. There might not be enough funding, but more schools are making smarter investments. They are getting better at repurposing existing tech or choosing upgradable tools with lower total cost of ownership.”
Read the full report Promethean’s State of Technology in Education Report contains a great deal of useful information. You can download a copy at: https://resourced.prometheanworld.com/technology-education-industry-report/?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=202009-UKI-DigitalMarketing-StateofTechnology2020&utm_term=PDF-EM1&utm_content=SLT#schools-strategic-goals
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Diarylast The andyear column in perspective
Highlights of the past year Looking back at events in 2020, its hard to look much further than the outbreak of Covid-19. Sure, we gave some consideration to whether attending ISE in February was the right thing to do. On balance. we decided it was, and, personally, I’m glad we did. Covid was far from the only topic of conversation at the show last year, but the pandemic certainly had an unparalleled impact on collaboration. working and learning from home, retail, sport and leisure. AV News managing editor Bryan Denyer gives his selection of the most important events of the past year.
January 2020 January saw the emergence of a new force in AV marketing - Technological Innovations Group or TIG – which was to make rapid progress throughout the year:
TIG / Crestron opens new experience centres The rapidly expanding Technological Innovations Group is to partner with its key vendor Crestron in opening new facilities in Europe. Crestron has announced two new customer-focused facilities in Frankfurt, Germany this winter. First, a new customer centre will provide training, technical support, and a fully equipped product presentation and demonstration area. Second, a new Experience Center will showcase all the Crestron technology in live application usage. This new Experience Centre has been developed in partnership with TIG, Crestron’s exclusive sales organization in EMEA, and is ideal for end users, consultants and integrators to see Crestron solutions up close and in action. The beautiful, brand-new Experience Centre will offer Crestron commercial dealers the ideal venue to bring their customers for hands-on, immersive experiences with the latest Crestron solutions that will help them meet the communication and productivity challenges they face every day. Clients of Crestron residential dealers will be able to experience the invisible luxury of Crestron smart home solutions in elegantly appointed real world settings. In the UK, support team and training rooms move to Weybridge, while the new TIG sales office can be found in the in Cobham, Surrey. The new Crestron office space at 400 Dashwood Lang Road in Weybridge will offer increased training facilities to enable commercial and residential AV professionals to prepare for the control system design and programming challenges they face every day. The Weybridge office will also be the home of the support team, comprised of accomplished service technicians and specialists. This support team is backed up by the experts situated in the Crestron head offices in Belgium and the US.
“From our research we’ve discovered that today already 50% of all meetings include remote participants. Moreover, 70% of employees can choose the conferencing solution they want to use, and on average people use no less than 6 different conferencing solutions in their day-to-day professional life,” says Wim De Bruyne, VP and GM Meeting Experience. “Needless to say, this brings new frictions with challenges to select and start-up one of the conferencing tools, connect the right conferencing hardware and start sharing with the rest of the team. With ClickShare Conference, we bring better collaboration for all meeting participants, and this in any type of meeting room regardless of the conferencing solution you need to use.” ClickShare Conference introduces its own concept of ‘Bring Your Own Meeting’. It offers a solution for the high pressure on IT departments to support different conferencing tools and brings person-centric experiences and multi-purpose collaboration spaces to the work environment. Connecting wirelessly to your AV meeting room equipment, ClickShare Conference combines the power of Unified Communications with the simplicity of wireless collaboration. Michaël Vanderheeren, Product Management Director, ClickShare, underlines. “ClickShare Conference gives you the choice to use the conference tool that you find most productive and connects you to cameras, speakerphones, soundbars and other USB-peripherals in the room for a better, more immersive meeting experience. Everything becomes part of your laptop.”
It didn’t take long for the warning bells to sound, so important have major events like ISE and InfoComm become in the marketing and product development plans of manufacturers and developers. I know that the ISE team worked hard with the Barcelona local authority and medical experts but all to no avail for the original show dates:
March 2020 Perhaps it was inevitable that the ISE attendance would suffer as the pandemic spread across the globe like the proverbial wildfire: “This year’s show demonstrated to us just how determined our attendees were to come to ISE.” said Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events:
ISE visitor quality compensates for numerical decline.
It was apparent from the early days of the pandemic that collaboration solutions were going to play a vital role in supporting distributed workplaces. Barco’s timing in introducing the Bring Your Own Meeting was impeccable: ClickShare Conference - wireless conferencing for the workplace Barco has announced the expansion of the ClickShare family with the introduction of a brand new range of ClickShares. ClickShare Conference is all about wireless conferencing and BYOM (Bring Your Own Meeting), as it allows you to join any type of video conference from your own familiar device, whether you are in huddle, a meeting room or a board room. ClickShare Conference works seamlessly with your videoconferencing software, your camera brand, your laptop, and most importantly, makes remote meeting as intuitive as having a face-to-face meeting.
P14 AV News December 2020
formed ISE early-on that they did not intend to take up their stand at show, many other major exhibitors did take part. Understandably, global travel restrictions resulted in some cancellations from Chinese exhibitors. But this amounted to less than 20% of those booths. Visitor registration for ISE 2020 was ahead of the total in 2019. While specific factors impacted actual attendance of ISE 2020, registration numbers have otherwise been an accurate forecast of the final numbers at the show. During ISE 2020, over 950 exhibitors booked their stands for ISE 2021, with 61,968 square metres of stand space sold by the close of the show. This equates to 82% of the available ISE 2021 show floor, and approximately 115% of this year’s exhibition floor space. Reflecting the increasing number of vertical markets that ISE serves, additional Technology Zones for next year include Live Events and Lighting, Broadcast, and VR/AR/XR.
April 2020
ClickShare Conference enables users to select the UC solution they prefer, to control their meeting room display and peripherals including their camera right from their laptop.
February 2020
ISE 2020 those attending were those who really needed to be there.
ISE 2020 saw those who really needed to be at ISE present at the show, meaning that the quality of visitors encountered by exhibitor AV News was universally high. The AV News Awards were themed “Thank You to Amsterdam” and included a video retrospective looking back over the 15-year stay at RAI Amsterdam. Given the backdrop of the international health crisis and a storm sweeping across Europe, ISE 2020 delivered a vibrant exhibition floor and a compelling programme of content that included conferences, keynotes and training. The cumulative total of 116,599 visits to ISE 2020 by 52,128 unique attendees maintaining ISE’s position as the biggest AV event in the world. Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, commented: “This year’s show demonstrated to us just how determined our attendees were to come to ISE. Many of our exhibitors exceeded their targets for customer engagement and lead generation. The show has delivered on all fronts: as the global industry’s biggest annual forum, as a launchpad for new solutions, as a place to do business, and as a source of professional development and education.” Of the 250 top exhibitors plus many others, ISE received amazing support and assurances of their participation. LG has in-
ISE organisers seek to allay cancellation fears Amid rumours that events even as far ahead as next February, ISE has issued a statement to allay fears. In a statement, the ISE organising team said: “Planning for Integrated Systems Europe 2021 is well underway with its organisers, Integrated Systems Events, committed to delivering a compelling and safe exhibition for the world’s audio-visual integrated systems community.” Questions have not surprisingly arisen given the event’s new home at the Fira de Barcelona, Gran Vía as an emergency Covid hospital and morgue. “The world class exhibition centre plans to reopen for business in September. This will follow the successful completion of a collaboration with risk mitigation consultancy AON and the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona which will determine the specific security criteria for holding B2B events at the venue later this year.” With ISE scheduled for the 2-5 February 2021, over 850 world leading technology and solutions providers have already committed to participate at ISE 2021. Over 55,000 sqm of exhibition floor-space has been confirmed for nine dedicated technology zones. This represents a 5% increase on the total floorspace booked for the 2020 show. The state-of-the-art exhibition centre will house a new-look ISE featuring nine dedicated technology zones, in an easy to navigate layout. These are: Audio, Broadcast and Content Creation (new), Digital Signage & DooH, Education, Live Events (new), Residential, Smart Building, Unified Communications and VR/AR/XR. Inevitably, ISE’s organisers are preparing “other engaging digital opportunities to help attendees connect with the world’s leading technology innovators as well as hear from thought-leaders and experts. ISE also plans to develop the show’s digital reach to help engage with a bigger audience than ever before. This will include a wide selection of cross-platform live ISE content being made available, along with many Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems
CTouch whitepaper Events, commented: “ISE is committed to delivering an engaging in-person event in Barcelona and is taking all necessary steps to deal with the new post-pandemic reality that will impact those attending exhibitions and conducting international business. “The Fira de Barcelona has partnered with AON and the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona and other experts to create a set of safety protocols that are designed to guarantee health and safety around the conditioning of spaces and the regulation of visitor flows. This work started in April and involves risk evaluation, the creation of mitigation strategies and an action plan. Once completed, guidelines for event organisers and exhibitors will be communicated. “We are listening and adjusting to ensure the show continues to provide the connections the industry needs to grow brands and business. We are determined and confident that we can deliver a compelling show in a safe and secure environment.” Questions have not surprisingly arisen given the event’s new home at the Fira de Barcelona, Gran Vía served as an emergency Covid hospital and morgue.
The last year in perspective Business opportunities employers can ensure projects stay on track even if their teams are forced to start working remotely in the coming weeks as the country comes up against coronavirus. “Employers should trust their employees are working, whether they're in the office or not. The coronavirus is clearly going to have a huge impact on the UK workforce. If employers are truly worried about their team working remotely, employers can see how many hours were worked (and from where they were registered) if using a cloud-based time tracking system,” said Yves Hiernaux, CEO of the time tracking tool BeeBole Timesheet. “Presenteeism and absenteeism are very much alive and well in today's work culture, so remote or not, the real key is being able to measure productivity in other ways. Remote working is not the enemy.” Today, many businesses throughout the UK are realising that implementing an easy and efficient time tracking system is no longer simply about clocking in and or clocking off. It's about the type of business intelligence that data holds. Imagine knowing your employees' absenteeism rate at a glance or being able to pinpoint when they might be burning out. This opens the door for a very necessary conversation perhaps even before any serious issues have arisen. Not keeping track of this data or having the context to really understand what you're seeing are missed opportunities.
June 2020 While I have not seen it recognised anywhere by official sources, the response to the Covid crisis by the VA and UC sectors has, in my estimation, been outstanding. I have picked a couple of examples to make the point:
BrightSign touchless engagement for Covid affected business
May 2020 Like the disrupted show calendar, it didn’t take long for reality to strike once lockdown prevented office staff from travelling:
Tracking the time of home workers In recent years, there has been a huge spike in the number of businesses offering flexible hours and remote working, as increasingly more and more of us crave being able to escape the 9-to-5 and a culture of presenteeism and dominating office hierarchies. The coronavirus outbreak has brought this straight to the fore-
BrightSign has announced two new solutions, BrightLink and BrightMenu, to help retailers, restaurants and other businesses safely operate in the face of new health regulations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. BrightLink is a new touchless solution that eliminates the need to physically engage with touch-interactive digital signage. By simply scanning a QR code, customers transfer control of the experience to their phones to browse or interact with content as they normally would, eliminating the need for physical contact. BrightMenu uses very similar BrightSign technology but delivers a one-way experience whereby patrons scan a QR code and receive the restaurant’s menu on their mobile device – no internet connection, no app to download, and no printed menus. “Safely resuming operations requires businesses to reimagine the experience they offer customers, particularly as it relates to any sort of physical engagement,” said Ann Holland, VP of Marketing at BrightSign. The BrightLink solution addresses many of the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 – retailers in particular, and also higher education, museums, amusement parks and other settings where touch screens were previously in use. As a phased re-opening of the economy takes shape, customers will bring a heightened awareness of safe hygiene, gravitating to proprietors that take steps to curtail pathogen spread in their places of business. “COVID-19 gave us pause to think creatively about how our platform and our core technologies can be applied to help businesses operate under today’s very unique circumstances,” said BrightSign CEO Jeff Hastings. “Allowing customers to browse and control content via their phones is a natural way of empowering them to enrich their shopping and leisure experiences, while slowing virus spread by eliminating contact with high-touch surfaces.”
July 2020 No one has worked harder during the pandemic than the edtech and collaboration suppliers, keeping our businesses, schools and universities open:
CTOUCH builds unique virtual classroom facility BeeBole Timesheet was founded in 2008 when founders Yves Hiernaux (pictured) and Mic Cvilic realised there was a need for a cloudbased HR tool for small and medium sized businesses. front, with at least one in five UK employees potentially having to work from home in the coming weeks and months. Yves Hiernaux, CEO of time tracking experts Beebole has urged decision makers not to see remote working as the enemy. He says it is vital that organisations have the correct policies and procedures in place - like an effective time tracking system - which not only enables flexible and home working but also combats the ageold problems of absenteeism and presenteeism. No matter your business size, time is your greatest commodity. It's how you utilise your time- and the time of all of your employees- that determines efficiency, productivity and, ultimately. success. By implementing a cloud-based time tracking system,
In collaboration with our partners Barco and Kinly, CTOUCH has built a unique virtual training room at the its office in Eindhoven. With this state-of-the-art facility, we make it possible for companies and institutes to organize real-time, interactive trainings and classes with co-workers, students or partners from all over the world. The virtual training room will also be used by ourselves to provide collaboration sessions and technical product trainings to our network of resellers and touchscreen users. “At this moment, there are only a couple of these training facilities in The Netherlands”, says CEO Remmelt van der Woude. “The latest one is built here at our CTOUCH office in Eindhoven. What makes our virtual training room unique, is that we’ve been able to integrate our touchscreens in it. This adds an extra dimension to an interactive training, since everybody in the session is able to see what’s happening on the touchscreen, in real-time. With Barco’s weConnect SaaS solution as a backbone and the expertise that Kinly provided in facilitating the complete solution, I’m happy
In collaboration with our partners Barco and Kinly, CTOUCH has built a unique virtual training room at its office in Eindhoven. that we enable ourselves and other companies to effectively train, teach and coach teams in these challenging times.” The demand for remote working and blended learning solutions has increased tremendously in the past few months due to the Covid-19 outbreak. With many companies currently preparing for a new way of working, another challenge is arising: how to bring interactivity and engagement into a virtual classroom environment? “As a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, we see an increased demand from our customers - in education, government and companies for blended learning”, says Robert Blaas, Marketing Director Kinly Benelux. “However, what is missing in many of the solutions for blended learning are interactivity and engagement. Matters that are important in training and lectures. Together with Barco and CTOUCH, we have built a solution for remote education and training where interactivity and engagement are paramount. We believe that solutions such as the virtual classroom should not only be used today as an emergency solution, but should also contribute to the innovation of education and training.”
August 2020 ExCeL London announces plans to reopen for exhibitions
Following the announcement that business events and conferences can restart from 1st October, ExCeL London has outlined its reopening plan, for safe, organised events. Jeremy Rees, CEO, ExCeL London explains: “We are delighted that the government has confirmed the timetable for when business events and conferences can resume. Having played a full role in supporting the NHS, providing all of our facilities for the Nightingale Hospital, we are now looking forward to playing an equally active role in the nation’s economic recovery.” “The vast majority of the venue (90%) has been restored to its original state, with the remaining space secured as equipment storage for NHS Nightingale. This ongoing support will not impact the normal operation of our venue and we look forward to hosting safe, secure, and successful business events and conferences from 1st October onwards.” ExCeL has been working with the AEV (Association of Event Venues) and other key stakeholders to develop the All Secure Standard, an industry wide benchmark to enable the safe return of organised events. The announcement came a little too late for UC Expo as an in-person event this year – see P 20 for details of the postponement of the in-person event and its replacement by the virtual UC X.
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AV News December 2020 P15
Reviews
Reviews: ViewSonic’s new releases boost ratings
ViewSonic has enjoyed considerable success over the last six months as its LED projector sales grew 30% in the first half 2020(Note 1), which is a new milestone for ViewSonic in LED projection. ViewSonic entered the LED projector segment in 2017 and became one of the world’s top three LED projector brands within three years. It boasted the fastest growth amongst the top five brands in the overall projector market in 2019 and continued its strong sales performance in the first half of 2020 with year over year growth of 30%. “LED technology has now progressed to a point where it is an ideal audio-visual solution for all the activities consumers partake in at home. ViewSonic’s mission is to deliver a feast for the senses at home,” said Dean Tsai, Head of Projector BU at ViewSonic. “As an innovator
Note 1: Source: Futuresource Q2’ 20 World Projector Market Track. The market share is assessed by the sales volume.
and leader in LED projector technology, ViewSonic is combining its advantages in LED know-how, and consumer insights to bring new smart LED projectors to market. We are focused on redefining lifestyle-oriented, all-inclusive solutions, from mobile, outdoor, to home. We want to light the way for more people to enjoy a new flexible bigscreen audio-visual experience in their daily lives. ”ViewSonic has enjoyed considerable success over the last six months as its LED projector sales grew 30% in the first half 2020(Note 1), which is a new milestone for ViewSonic in LED projection. ViewSonic entered the LED projector segment in 2017 and became one of the world’s top three LED projector brands within three years. It boasted the fastest growth amongst the top five brands in the overall
projector market in 2019 and continued its strong sales performance in the first half of 2020 with year over year growth of 30%. “LED technology has now progressed to a point where it is an ideal audio-visual solution for all the activities consumers partake in at home. ViewSonic’s mission is to deliver a feast for the senses at home,” said Dean Tsai, Head of Projector BU at ViewSonic. “As an innovator and leader in LED projector technology, ViewSonic is combining its advantages in LED know-how, and consumer insights to bring new smart LED projectors to market. We are focused on redefining lifestyle-oriented, all-inclusive solutions, from mobile, outdoor, to home. We want to light the way for more people to enjoy a new flexible big-screen audio-visual experience in their daily lives.”
app, allowing for intuitive touch control, easy typing and simple annotation on the big screen. Enjoy content streaming via the built-in app centre from content providers directly and support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant via voice control. Test routine We first saw ViewSonic’s X10-4K. in prototype form, at a demonstration event held in London. This initial viewing left us keen to get a sample back to AV News HQ for rigorous testing. We put this smart shoebox-sized unit through its paces paired with PC, MacOS and Chrome laptops, with wireless streaming from Netflix
and Amazon Prime accounts and gaming using a Nintendo Switch games controller. We felt that this was a representative sample of what consumers would want to use with the X10. Test results The ViewSonic X10-4K is a portable short-throw 4K Ultra HD single-chip DLP projector with an LED light source. The X10-4K’s architecture and an all-in-one design, with its integrated Harman Kardon audio solution supports quick and easy tabletop set up. The standard ViewSonic user interface divided opinion, but the consensus was that it was clear and straightforward to a consumer
Review: ViewSonic X10-4K ViewSonic Europe introduced a series of advanced Lamp Free projector solutions at ISE 2020, which are designed for home entertainment, innovative work endeavours or a fun mobile lifestyle. These included the X series for home entertainment with enhanced smart functionality: “At ViewSonic, we are devoted to enriching the lives and careers of our customers through outstanding projector solutions in which the optimal set of technologies and design features delivers an equilibrium between performance and value,” said Luke Chen, Business Line Manager for Projectors at ViewSonic Europe. “Our updated projector portfolio is a testament of ViewSonic’s promise as we are offering solutions to render truly enjoyable home cinemas, dynamic mobile studios, as well as convenient audio-visual anywhere you go.”
Smart Features In the era of streaming, home cinemas require smart audio-visual devices that realise the highest standards of comfort and convenience. Combining stunning 4K UHD resolution with smart streaming functionality, Review: ViewSonic X10-4K series ranges up to 2,900 LED Lumens brightness with 2nd generation LED technology, HDR imaging, Cinema SuperColor+ technology with 125% Rec.709 and Harman Kardon-customised audio design to provide excellent audio-visual quality. Additionally, the latest smart functionalities raise the experiences of home entertainment to the next level. With integrated smart Wi-Fi connectivity, users can cast or screen-mirror content from smart mobile devices directly, or transform a smart mobile device into an alternative powerful remote controller via the vCastSender
P16 AV News December 2020
Business opportunities opportunities Business
far the most important source today, and this is where we ran into some trouble with HDCP content protection. So, while there is Bluetooth 4.0 for those who want to stream audio directly from their smartphones or tablets, anybody using a MacBook could come up against the HDCP issue. Conclusion The ViewSonic X10-4K has an unconventional look, but one that is well conceived and that would fit perfectly into a dedicated home cinema space or family room environment where its shortthrow capabilities are best deployed in tabletop installations. For new projection users the X10-4K is an easy-to-use and rewarding device that creates a genuine home cinema experience from a device that looks great.
Specifications: ViewSonic X10-4K 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) resolution with 0.47-inch DLP chip with XPR technology 2nd-generation DLP chip RGBB LED light source with 30,000 hours max lifespan 2,400 LED lumen rating, 1,000 ANSI lumen rating; measured at 761 ANSI lumens Full Rec.709 and 83% DCI-P3 colour gamut
audience. Other consumer friendly features included instant on / off and a longer lifespan for its LED light source. Other pluses for this £1200 plus device includes a stylish appearance, excellent build quality, and support for voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The front glass panel incorporates a built-in IR sensor and an auto focus camera. Given its intended safety is an important feature, so an eye-protection sensor prevents accidents. A leather handle for moving the device and a matching leather cover conceals the I/O ports. This brings you to the question of sourcing the 4K content to make full of the ViewSonic’s capabilities. There are two HDMI 2.0 inputs, plus a USB-C port for video playback from compatible smartphones or tablets. There’s also a microSD card slot, a 3.5 mm analogue audio jack, and two more USB connections, one of which is of the fast 3.0 variety. In terms of audio outputs, there are two options: an optical digital and another 3.5 mm analogue jack. The audio playback features of the X10-4K are beyond reproach. even when playing bass-heavy content. When it comes to 4K video content acquisition, we have to consider current trends. Streaming from subscription services is by
HDR10 and HLG support Screen sizes from 30 to 200 inches diagonal (1.6 to 11.5 foot throw range) Short-throw 0.8 lens; less than 6 feet required for a 100-inch image Auto keystone (+/- 40 degrees) and focus adjustments Wi-Fi connectivity with included dongle Android-based Smart TV interface Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control compatible Integrated MicroSD media player Harman Kardon speakers with Bluetooth capability Full-3D compatible with DLP-Link shutter glasses Safety Auto-Off eye protection 3-Year limited warranty, 1-year on light source
Review: ViewSonic X100-4K
In terms of overall architecture, the projector houses the projector lens and has 2 vents for airflow, the back has one large grille with 2 fans that provide silent cooling. The bottom of the projector has three small stands where 2 are adjustable for tabletop mounting, For ceiling mounting four holes attaching the mount. Ports are placed on the lower sides of the projector, providing easy access when hanging the unit from the ceiling. Given the price and target market for the X100-4K, potential owners are likely to invest in a surround sound system, but regardless of that the two 20-Watt speakers built into the projector will provide more than decent audiooutput. While the UI feels a little basic. Not only does the UI look basic, the performance feels sluggish as well. Changing the settings during viewing is a chore, and certain settings can only be changed through a separate setting window, which is a bizarre design choice. It comes preloaded with the Aptoide app store and setups for Google Home and Alexa. Conclusion So, having tested ViewSonic’s X100-4K projector with a variety of content types, we found that the device does everything with quality. It also looks the part – stylish and enhancing the set-up of our whole home cinema. True. there are some minor design issues, and we were not overly impressed by the UI, but with the clear and vibrant projected image, serviceable built-in audio and generally appropriate aesthetics the X100-4K represents outstanding value having a street price of around £1400.
ViewSonic’s new X100-4K is a 4K UHD LED is a mid-range home cinema projector. Set-up is easy relatively easy while primarily designed as a ceiling mounted device. The output from the projector is as clear and detailed as you might expect from a 4K projector. The look of this somewhat bulky unit is nonetheless stylish and would enhance any home cinema space. How do you want your home cinema solution to look? Restrained and purposeful, or flashy and emphasising the tech? ViewSonic has opted for the former with understated casing emphasising the serious commitment to the projector’s state-of-the-art innards, quality and simplicity. For a home cinema model, the X100-4K is undeniably professional-looking and clearly distinguished from competitor products – perhaps a case of “less is more”? The more you use it, the more you appreciate the placement of various controls and ports around the projector. The top of the projector has a small compartment which houses all the lens controls and also has a led to show you whether the projector is active or
Specifications: ViewSonic X100-4K not. The sides contain the two 20-Watt cube speakers and also another compartment which houses the basic controls present in all projectors. The remote control has the feeling of a unit standard across the range. along with software user interface. As an alternative, the X100-4K can be connected to home automation systems like, Crestron, and Network Control. Either way, the degree of adjustment available enables the user to achieve impressive video and more than adequate audio. With 4K resolution and 2900 Lumens of brightness, the projected image is not both clear and vibrant. The LED light source has 30,000 hours of life.
Native Resolution 3840×2160 Brightness 2900 (LED Lumens) Contrast Ratio 3,000,000:1 Light Source Life (Normal) up to 30,000 Lens F1.8-1.825, f=12.62-15.13 mm Optical Zoom 1.2 x Audible Noise (Normal/Eco) 23dB /20dB Local Storage Total 16GB , (12GB available storage) Speaker 20W cube x2 Image Size 40”-200” Throw Distance 1.06 m-6.37 (100 @2.65m) Dimensions (WxDxH) with Adjustment Foot416 x 463 x 183 mm
AV News December 2020 P17
The last year in perspective
September 2020 Following the initial negative impact on the proAV market, but the end of last summer, things began to change as customers realised that life had to continue despite the pandemic: Growth returns to Pro AV sales Pro AV sales are growing once again. This month, the AV sales index (AVI-S) reached 53.7, indicating growth for the first time since February. This represents an increase of 3.4 points from June, when the index’s 50.3 mark suggested no net change. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows yet, as this month’s figure represents only slow growth. But the operative word is “growth,” and all signs point to it continuing. This month, AVIXA folded in questions from the weekly COVID-19 Impact Survey which ran from March until the end of June. The top finding from the additional questions is that panellists report a year-to-date revenue decline of 20.8% versus the same period for the previous year. Staffing was steadier, dropping 9.0%. Despite these big declines, providers show optimism for recovery, with a clear majority anticipating revenues to get back to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2021. Second quarter GDP numbers came out for key markets, revealing the steep economic toll our world has paid so far this year. The EU statistical office reported that the eurozone second quarter GDP dropped 12.1% from its first-quarter figure, which was already down 3.6% from the end of 2019. U.S. numbers released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed an even worse situation, with a second-quarter drop of 32.9% on the back of a 5.0% first-quarter drop. The silver lining of these figures is that they roughly matched expectations. Economists and business leaders knew such massive declines were coming, so measures like equity markets did not significantly change in response to the news.
extremely well, even in the current climate. We welcome the added leadership and solutions from Boxlight as we aim to accelerate our growth in key markets around the world,” commented Kevin Batley, Director at Sahara. “I am very excited about the journey ahead,” commented Mark Starkey, CEO at Sahara. “The global footprint and infrastructure of Boxlight, with their experience in delivering education software and audio visual solutions, paired with our extensive experience and expertise in AV, will position us to provide our customers across the world solutions for advanced and collaborative working environments. We are committed to continue our rapid expansion plans and under the new acquisition.” Michael Pope, Chairman and CEO at Boxlight added, “I am thrilled to combine the resources of Boxlight and Sahara, two of the most recognised companies in education technology. The acquisition expands our geographic reach - particularly in the EMEA region, provides significant revenue growth, results in immediate consolidated profitability, and adds tremendous global management talent. We have committed to dramatic growth, both organically and through acquisitions, and we are delivering on that promise.”
Orbital Sound reports an outstanding summer season for its innovative Car-Link wireless in-car speaker series, designed specifically to address the Drive-In sector’s demand for a high quality, reliable solution. up the design gauntlet. So, the Car-Link concept was born – with the brief to build our own self powered, stereo, wireless in-car speaker with true clarity of sound, that would work reliably dayin day-out, and for at least 12 hours on a battery charge. It also had to look great, compliment a car’s design, and be completely “public proof”.” The first model was launched in June as Car-Link Carbon, coupled with Orbital Sound’s own long-range RF distribution system, and was rolled out successfully at events hosting up to 500 vehicles. The system is designed to deliver charging, distribution and storage from a fully integrated system of 50-bay wheeled cases, simply requiring a single power feed to provide 50 automatically recharged units ready to be handed out with ease. Orbital Sound’s Car-Link has been rapidly adopted by the industry’s leading names, including The Luna Cinema, with over 250,000 deployments to date.
December 2020 So, a vaccine is on the horizon, which poses the question: “Will the worlds of work education and retail ever go back to the way they were?” Personally, I don’t think so:
Hybrid working to become permanent?
November 2020 Pro AV sales are growing once again. AVIXA reports the AV sales index (AVI-S) reached 53.7, indicating growth for the first time since February.
October 2020 October saw the long-anticipated sale of Sahara. But the choice of acquisition partner - Boxlight – was surprise to many:
Boxlight acquires Sahara Presentations Group The Nasdaq quoted Boxlight Corporation (Nasdaq: BOXL), described as ‘a leading provider of interactive technology solutions for the global education market’ has announced that it has acquired Sahara Presentation Systems PLC. Having grown to become a leader in distributed AV products and a manufacturer of
multi award-winning touchscreens and digital signage products, including the globally renowned Clevertouch and Sedao brands. The company was formed in 1976 by Kevin and Nigel Batley, who grew the company to over 100 employees with offices worldwide. “This is an exciting time for the Sahara business, which is trading
P18 AV News December 2020
Six months after the first Covid lockdown it was widely recognised that the arts and entertainment sector was suffering disproportionately. Once again, the AV community responded, starting with the drive-in movie business:
Orbital revolutionises drive-in sound Orbital Sound reports an outstanding summer season for its innovative Car-Link wireless in-car speaker series, designed specifically to address the Drive-In sector’s demand for a high quality, reliable solution. Car-Link was created to address the challenges of delivering consistently excellent in-car audio, overcoming the myriad issues associated with reproducing modern movie soundtracks and live music performances without compromise in the growing DriveIn market. MD Chris Headlam expands: “Car radios fitted to vehicles are all different. Some have big bass speakers, and others just tiny tweeters. None really sound very good, and none are designed for accurate sound reproduction. As a result, it is totally impossible to relay clear and fair sound equally to everybody via the vehicle manufacturers’ car installation. Add to this a raft of other issues – including car
batteries going flat, radios auto-switching off after 5 minutes and obtaining an appropriate licence from OFCOM, and you face a long and tortuous list of negatives. We recognised that the industry was breaking a fundamental rule: the responsibility of safely delivering the sound to the paying public had been moved from the organiser to the audience itself. Our phone was ringing constantly for better solutions to this hazardous situation, and we knew we had to pick
Hybrid working success is about culture as much as it is about technology, says TelcoSwitch. As the pandemic rumbles on and additional work-from-home recommendations are issued by the government, what was once considered a temporary remote working situation has now evolved into a broader, more long-term concept of hybrid working. For unified communications and collaboration For Russell Lux, CEO at TelcoSwitch: “A solid culture always breeds high productivity and discourages the formation of silos, so you’ve got to be close with your teams.” : “A solid culture always breeds high productivity and discourages the formation of silos, so you’ve got to be close with your teams.” specialist TelcoSwitch, making a success of the hybrid approach means not just putting the right technology in place, but also ensuring that the overall workplace culture means leaders can effectively managed dispersed teams. After a short period where employees were encouraged to return to their offices, current guidance now recommends that people continue to work from home throughout the winter if they can. For Russell Lux, CEO at TelcoSwitch, this should be an indicator for businesses to move past the sometimes-makeshift nature of remote working initiatives, to something more robust. Lux said: “The world has gone through an enforced ‘trial period’ of remote working, which has been a valuable proof of concept both for employers and employees. From a tech standpoint, what leaders in IT and the wider business need to do now is go back and look at what was already implemented: did you deploy everything in a secure and compliant fashion, or are there holes in your strategy that could result in a costly data breach further down the line? “While the technology challenge can present hurdles, it’s actually the cultural aspect of hybrid working that can pose the toughest problem to solve. Ultimately, making a hybrid approach work is as much about managing and supporting people as it is deploying a technology stack.”
Application news
LIT Live weeps the concert flame shining When the global pandemic completely shut down the entertainment industry back in mid-March, Chris Brodman and Cody Lisle, the principals of Phoenix-based LIT Lighting, were faced with two choices: do nothing and simply wait, or hit the drawing board with their crew and make plans to adapt and retool. Quickly choosing the latter option, the Phoenix-based lighting company established LIT Live, a series of live streamed concerts that has allowed its staff and clients to continue doing what they love in an environment that is in compliance with current safety protocols. The LIT Lighting team moved fast, converting part of LIT Lighting’s warehouse into a studio with a 40x30-foot fully equipped audio-visual stage. By March 27 the crew was able to host its first show by the local band Hollywood Slasher, which
skimping on any of the production elements, deploying more than 130 fixtures - spots, washes, blinders, bars, and other formats—much of it flown from 30-foot spans of truss at FOH, midstage and upstage, plus ladder and boom towers
the console for a number of the shows. “The Tiger’s ease of use allows us to have lighting designers of all skill levels come in and educate themselves in a time where virtually no other opportunities to do so are available. The lighting rig we
ing LDs that have come in have busked their LIT Live shows on the Avolites console, while others have set up cues. “Our LDs are utilizing the built-in Visualizer to PreVis their shows from home, but the choice to busk or cue list is highly dependent on the amount of time available to program before the set,” he says. “Some of our clients have been booked far in advance and others are very last-minute. We always want to produce the best shows possible, so when
cleanest possible show for our viewers.” Although the LIT Live shows haven’t, as of yet, generated significant revenue for LIT Lighting—and most of those proceeds have been directed to the employees and industry organizations that desperately need them—Cody Lisle still describes the program as a success. “This whole experience has been very positive on all fronts: the artists love being able to play again, the
eral of my long-time crew members grew up on Avolites while working for Creative Backstage, where we used Azures, Pearls, and Sapphires. The first Avolites console I purchased for LIT was the original Tiger Touch in 2011. We now own four Tigers, one Quartz, five Titan Mobiles, and four T2 systems, and have sent them on tours and shows around the world. Avolites has always been our ‘go-to’ for reliable hardware, software, and impeccable customer service,
we have the time, we prefer to cue list. The Titan software allows us the versatility to do both but is superior in that the time it takes to put together a busk show is much less than other manufacturer’s consoles. The ability of the Titan software to create organized and intricate cue lists as well as its tracking system allows us to create the
crews continue to hone their skills, and the audiences get to enjoy watching and sometimes interacting with the bands,” he shares. “We’ve gained a large following, in part due to the standards we set forth for ourselves and in the quality of our streams, and Avolites is a key ingredient of that formula.” Brodman agrees: “I and sev-
and they’ve really helped grow LIT Lighting into who we are today and where we’re heading for tomorrow.”
The LIT Lighting team moved fast, converting part of LIT Lighting’s warehouse into a studio with a 40x30foot fully equipped audio-visual stage. was streamed out live to a concert-hungry audience sheltering in place via TwitchTV, Facebook, and YouTube. In the eight months since then, LIT Live has live streamed performances from dozens of acts of numerous genres—from rock, pop and country to rap and EDM—some of which have been publicly streamed for free while others have been private shows paid via ticketing. Although most of the acts have been local, Brodman points out that they’re not
flanking the stage on three sides. And controlling the entire setup has been an Avolites Tiger Touch II lighting console, running Titan v13 software, occasionally paired with a Titan Mobile Wing for additional handles and control. “The Tiger Touch II was our first choice of console for this project because of its ease of use and compact size as well as its processing power and Keyframe effects engine,” notes LIT Lighting LD James Simpson, who has been manning
are using is highly dependent on multi-cell fixtures; therefore, the Tiger was the obvious choice because of its superior ability to handle and program high-quality effects for those fixture types. Plus, we appreciate the console’s ability to easily drive upwards of 20 universes of DMX over streaming sACN to our racks of nodes.”
Built-in Visualizer According to LIT Lighting LD Cullen Noon, some of the visit-
Digital Projection provides permanent video-mapping installation 20 Digital Projection M-Vision Laser 21000 units have been used as part of a multimedia facelift for the Roshen confectionary factory in Kiev, Ukraine; one of Eastern Europe’s most recognised institutions. The Roshen installation – which features illuminated fountains and an animated ice rink alongside the video projections – was headed by French light design agency Les Éclaireurs, whose artistic director, Lucas Goy, took care of multimedia and lighting design, as well as show programming and content. “We designed the lighting, mapping and sound systems together with Peutz and The Space Factory, as well as fountain designer Philippe Carton,” said Lucas. “We also assumed the artistic direction of the mapping (both form and content) and coordinated the audio with musician and composer, YiPing Yang.”
Les Éclaireurs was invited to begin work on the installation in September 2016, alongside Lyon-based landscape agency and regular partner, In Situ. “We had to conceive all of the projection mapping and general lighting of the site first, with the majority of our focus being the fountains, the facades, and the ice rink,” said Lucas. “The project then evolved when we were asked to oversee the complete management of all these elements, as well as designing seven fountain show programmes with the original music. We also had to design a series of programmes that could build the ambience of the site by using a combina-
tion of fountain animations, light animations, and musical loops.”
Second show As well as the extensive catalogue of content Les Éclaireurs created, the client wanted another distinct show to be entrusted to Kiev-based company, Front Pictures, to ensure diversity of approach and the inclusion of local creativity. To ensure that the projection mapping aspect of this ambitious installation lived up to the high standards set by the client, the team conducted an exhaustive analysis of the technology available; ultimately deciding
20 Digital Projection M-Vision Laser 21000 units have been used as part of a multimedia facelift for the Roshen confectionary factory in Kiev, Ukraine; one of Eastern Europe’s most recognised institutions.[© Lucas GOY lucas@leseclaireurs.net)
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Diary and column Application News Digital Projection provides permanent video-mapping installation that Digital Projection was the right choice across the board. “The high performance of the laser sources combined with the compactness of the projectors, and the quality to price ratio made us prefer Digital Projection by far,” said Lucas. “The challenge was integrating the products into a balcony, which was erected to ensure that the nuts and bolts of the project remained discreet. We looked first at Digital Projection’s M-Vision Laser 18K units, eventually opting for the M-Vision Laser 21000’s,” said Lucas. “The client and the artists involved were all impressed by the power of the projectors, especially since the site is particularly exposed to light pollution from the nearby road.” The M-Vision Laser 21000 projectors proved to be the ideal choice thanks to their ColorBoost+ Red Laser technology, where red lasers are combined with the traditional laser phosphor illumination, bring the most realistic and saturated
colours to this 1-Chip DLP Projector. Coupled with its intelligent processing brings the colour performance ever closer to that of a 3-Chip DLP projector.
Reliability Although the city of Kiev has resolved to address this situation, les Éclaireurs and the rest of the team could rest assured that the M-Vision units had the brightness and definition to show their content at its best no matter what happens. “We also appreciated the reliability of the Digital Projection units,” continued Lucas. “They are combined in an AMX monitoring / management system, which controls the proper functioning of all the equipment and gives us feedback on the whole system with hierarchical sets of alerts: opening of the projector boxes, internal temperature, status of the fibre optic communication, status of the IP and DMX switches, control of the blinds and lighting of
the site before the shows, and so on.” The entire multimedia installation was carried out with “great care and professionalism” by Sound House Pro, based in Dnipro, while the electrical installation was taken care of by EQUIPA. The 20 x M-Vision Laser 21000 projectors themselves were installed in March 2020, under a balcony specifically designed for this purpose. The units are enclosed in boxes specially developed by Audipak, with the whole bank being concealed by a set of acoustically treated wooden gratings. “Although the install went well overall, we did experience a few thermal challenges due to the shape of the balcony,” said Lucas. “In order to help the Audipak boxes cool down the devices, Sound House Pro fitted an external remote ventilation system that filters fresh air into the boxes. These air intakes maintain the discrete aesthetic though, as they are concealed in the balcony between the
units.”
Collaborative content The original concept for the projection mapping content came from Lucas Goy / les Éclaireurs, who wanted to focus on the idea of ice as a medium. Having already collaborated with video artist Guillaume Marmin and musician and composer YiPing Yang in the past, the three of them worked together to create the ‘Icescapes’ portion of the show that can be seen now, projected onto the façade of the factory. “I also created the content for the fountains and lights, while Front Pictures is currently developing several small shows for the site, including a big bell on the façade and a show called ‘Creativity",” said Lucas. The content is created using Autodesk 3ds Max and Adobe After Effects at 12K 60Hz and driven by VIOSO Anystation Media servers installed with AV Stumpfl PIXERA software.
VIOSO technology was also used for projection calibration / auto-recalibration, as well as full show control. The fountain light show is then driven by software developed by IMMOLAS for fountain specialist, Imperia Vody. “As we are talking about a 100m x 16m building, the ‘sweet spot’ for projectors would be around 80m away,” said VIOSO France’s Etienne Servant. “We only had 1520m of space for the audience, cameras, and projectors, so the challenge was how to blend and warp 20 projectors with short throw lenses. We ended up using five VIOSO calibration cameras, which allowed us to automate the process and offer an awesome result with easy recalibration. Five custom-made Anystation Media Servers were also installed for playback and to ensure that all hardware and software receives the scenarios imagined by Lucas Goy.” The calibration cameras were linked to the same fibre network that
controlled the projectors, lighting, and show control. “We had to use a lot of fibre optic cabling due to the distance between the control room and the video projectors,” explained Lucas. “The media is output via HDMI from the servers and then encoded by EXTRON modules to the fibre optic cable. In the balcony, we have hidden waterproof ventilated cabinets with other EXTRON modules that decode the signal.” During the installation, Digital Projection helped Lucas’ team with the choice of optics and advised them on some of the intricacies of the equipment itself. “We received logistical help for on-site tests, and for optical corrections during the construction period,” Lucas added. As a permanent installation, the projection mapping shows can be seen at the Roshen factory every night, while other winter and summer programmes are currently being designed for use in the future.
PeopleCount keeps accountant’s staff and customers safe Hengelo-based accounting firm, Acar Accountants & Adviseurs became the first corporate business to install a new intelligent camera and display technology designed exclusively to help businesses keep staff and customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award winning PeopleCount solution, brought to market by PPDS is designed to automatically monitor and manage Acar’s office capacity.
Visitors entering Acar’s threefloor offices are now greeted with a 32-inch Philips display at the main entrance, which uses a live traffic light system to indicate whether it’s safe to enter based on capacity readings. Information is automatically generated using live data gathered from a ceiling-based smart Bosch IP camera, counting people in and out of the building 24/7. With the safety and wellbeing of everyone that passes through its doors of paramount importance – more so than ever before due to the ongoing concerns and threats surrounding COVID-19 – Acar sought a cost-effective solution that would not only meet new essential social distancing safety requirements, but also instil confidence and trust in those frequenting it, as part of reopening. Managing capacity levels was key to ensuring social distancing was possible at all times but investing in a full-time security guard or redeploying existing staff to self-manage foot flow, manually counting or clicking a button as people enter and leave the building were not viable options, with both bringing a potential and long lasting drain on resources and likely to impact quality of service. Acar turned to Fidato, a national AV integration and project design specialist from Arnhem, which has provided innovative a wide and varied range of display, audio and software solutions to a variety
P20 AV News December 2020
of markets and verticals, including corporate, government, hospitality (hotels), education and healthcare. Founded in 1992, Fidato has an extensive knowledge and reach of the AV market, priding itself on keeping itself abreast of all the latest ground breaking products and solutions available around the world, in
order to best support its customers and meet their ever changing needs. To meet Acar’s needs, PeopleCount, a new solution from PPDS using Philips displays combined with an intelligent camera from Bosch, was the standout choice for Fidato, not only meeting safety requirements but also opening up new
opportunities, relevant both now and in the future. For this important project, Fidato installed a 32-inch Philips PDS 32BDL4051D display, positioned and installed in portrait mode and connected to a Bosch IP Counting Camera to greet people as they enter Acar’s reception area insides the building’s main entrance.
Acar Accountants & Adviseurs became the first corporate business to install the new purpose-built intelligent Bosch camera and Philips digital display technology to protect staff and visitors at its offices.
The Bosch IP Camera 3000i was strategically mounted on the ceiling near the entrance, automatically counting the number of people entering and exiting the offices. The data is then used to provide automatic live visual information displayed on screen – with an immediately identifiable stop and go traffic light system.
Application News
PeopleCount also provides Acar with a new way of displaying company branding and messaging (including marketing promotions) to staff and visitors, making the solution ideal both for today and into the future. Acar is the first business to install the PeopleCount technology in a corporate setting – joining some of the world’s leading retailers, restaurants and bars in deploying the new purpose-built solution. Isa Acar, CEO at Acar Accountants & Adviseurs, shared his delight with the performance and impact of PeopleCount since staff returned back to work: “Investment in technology, particularly in these tough economic times, may not seem a desirable approach for everyone. However, with the price of PeopleCount comparable to just one month’s salary of a security guard, this has very much been money well spent. The trust and safety of everyone is paramount.” Roeland Scholten, Sales Director Benelux & IKAM EMEA, concluded: “The incredible versatility of PeopleCount continues to grow, now supporting a range of different businesses, helping them to overcome the various challenges caused, primarily, by the pandemic. “We were delighted to play such an important role in this installation. The positive feedback speaks for itself.
Maurice Hurxkens, CEO at Fidato, the national AV integration and project design
specialist from Arnhem that completed the installation, commented: “Feedback since
the installation has been extremely positive, with staff and customers adapting to the
Christie 4K projects “digital curtain”
system, with the importance of maintaining a 1.5 metre social distance now an almost natu-
ral and instinctive part of their day, helping everyone to feel more comfortable.”
stage curtain of MUSIC POOL CINO. This is a brilliant demonstration of how Christie’s various technologies can breathe new life to a traditional art form and enable our partners and customers to transform their creativity into reality.” Weighing in at less than 150lbs (68kg), Christie Boxer 4K30 is a 30,000-lumen projector designed for high impact live events, rental staging, con-
ference rooms and large halls. Boasting 4K resolution, builtin Christie TruLife image processing, and omnidirectional deployment capabilities, the Boxer is easy to use and offers optimum feed and performance flexibility.
The Senzoku Gakuen College of Music (SGCM) has adopted Christie’s 4K projection and auto calibration solutions for the “digital curtain” of its new theatre, named MUSIC POOL CINO. SGCM has chosen to use a “digital curtain” instead of installing a traditional Japanese tab curtain – made from a single or several pieces of fabric with elaborate embroidery widely considered to be a work of art – to provide entertainment and boost MUSIC POOL CINO’s public image, as well as to surprise, impress and uplift audiences before a performance. The MUSIC POOL CINO’s “digital curtain” is the first of its kind to be installed in an educational institution in Japan. The large curtain measuring 19 metres wide and 4.84 metres high is used to project digital content. Projector delivery and control is accomplished by Ushio Lighting Inc. using two Christie Boxer 4K30 3DLP projectors installed at the rear of the theatre. Both projectors are equipped with Christie Mystique, an automated camera-based alignment and recalibration solution that enables quick installation, alignment, calibration and maintenance of multi-projection systems. Professor Makoto Shinohara, Head of Musical Theatre Course, SGCM, said: “When audiences enter MUSIC POOL CINO for a performance, a still image is displayed so it looks like a normal stage curtain. The surprise comes when visuals on the curtain begin to move a few minutes before the show starts.” A spokesperson from Ushio Lighting Inc. added: “Since im-
ages are projected on the curtain, its edges may shift back and forth under the influence of air conditioning or atmospheric pressure, resulting in distortion or deviation of the portion where two images blend. Christie Mystique software has been introduced to overcome these misalignments. The ability to quickly adjust and maintain multiple projector projections makes troubleshooting easy for the user.”
Content Content was produced for the digital curtain by Naked Inc. and is based on “Nanban Byobu” by renowned 15th century Japanese painter Naizen Kano. This “Byobu”, or the folding screen itself, is from the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the late 1500s, which depicts colourful and gorgeous Nanban (foreign) ships, buildings and people that arrived in Japan from ports in places such as Spain and Portugal. Prof. Shinohara noted that the digital curtain of MUSIC POOL
CINO has been designed to draw attention to art, not only for visitors but also for current students of SGCM, students preparing to enter the university, and international students. “Musicals are a stage art that originated in the West and are often performed around the world. In addition to traditional musicals, we are also creating original musicals in Japanese. This is why we selected “Nan-
ban Byobu”, which is a mixture of Japanese and Western styles, and the projector reproduces the details of this elaborate work brightly and vividly,” he added. Michael Bosworth, executive vice president, Enterprise, Christie, commented: “We are delighted that SGCM has chosen our Boxer 4K30 projectors and Mystique to deliver extraordinary digital projections on the
AV News December 2020 P21
Opinion
Are you winter-ready? Protecting the wellbeing of home-based workers Modern office spaces are purpose-designed for productivity. The beneficial impact of appropriate lighting, good air quality and regular breaks are understood and are an integral, yet subconscious part of an office worker’s daily routine. So, what happens when this ‘regular daily routine’ is interrupted? Whose responsibility is it to support continued productivity? And how can employers and employees work together to create a conducive setting at home? NEC, in cooperation with its partner Fusion Spaces, looks at the future of home working wellbeing.
Feel well to work well First off, it is vital to recognise that productivity and wellbeing go hand in hand. It has always been so, but with the sudden and ongoing disruption to people’s lives, an understanding of human welfare and how it impacts our ability to work has become fundamental to business success. Fusion Spaces workplace wellbeing and design consultant, Kenneth Freeman, highlights some of the effects of enforced isolation – and they’re not all bad! – in his blog ‘many healthy returns.’ He concludes: “ …those organisations willing to invest in creating more humane working cultures will be in the best place to attract and retain eager and talented people.” It is time to rethink what we mean by productivity. Being the first to arrive and the last to leave the office was always a nonsensical measure of productivity, but this was sadly an enduring office culture. Having now proven that you don’t have to be micro-managed to be productive, quite the opposite in fact, now is the perfect time to reshape common misconceptions. Freeman says: “Workplace managers are going to have to consider whole new interactions of disciplines: space, furniture, technology, connectivity, restoration and recuperation and new approaches to managing people. All will need repackaging to create work environments that people want to use, and we must learn from our experiences over the last few months to create those new working environments.” As many workers are tentatively returning to offices, many believe that a hybrid of home working alongside face to face meetings taking place as needed in the office, will be the new working practice. Preparing workspaces which support this new standard, alongside a more compassionate working culture which prioritises employee wellbeing, should be high on the agenda as businesses plan for the future. Preparing for winter Weather-wise, 2020 has been uncommonly good to us. An exceptional spring and better
than average summer at least made lockdown bearable! As we head towards winter however, new challenges arise, with seasonal sadness a scientifically proven condition. Humans need daylight to thrive; our ancient ancestors lived in harmony with the seasons, changing their work pattern accordingly. Many species in the animal kingdom hibernate in the winter - although we’re not suggesting you just go to sleep for the next 6 months! An appreciation of the physiological effects of seasonal change will help to alleviate associated anxieties and enables us to put measures in place to support wellbeing. We highlight 7 key areas to consider when creating an environment at home which is conducive to work, particularly as natural light becomes an increasingly scarce resource. Through our partnership with Fusion Spaces, we can offer help, advice and innovative products to help you combat the effects of these issues:
1.Get the lighting right As we head towards winter in this most unprecedented of years, lighting becomes an increasingly important element as daylight hours shorten. Where the traditional office is ‘lit for purpose’ - designed to support alertness and minimise eyestrain - in the home setting, the ‘purpose’ is quite different. Lighting is well known to impact our circadian rhythm, or body clock; warmer light temperatures mimic the sun at sunset, it prepares us for rest and sleep. Perfect for the bedroom or living room at the end of the day, not so great if you’ve set up your home office in the corner of these spaces! There is no better light than natural light, but as the days shorten, we’ll be turning the lights on at home to continue work. What will the quality of this artificial light be? Studies have shown that reliance on artificial light affects our health and wellbeing: decreased motivation, low mood, lethargy and eye fatigue. Understanding this link should place more importance on ap-
P22 AV News December 2020
propriately lighting the workspace at home. Biodynamic lighting solutions work with your body clock to help you feel energised in the daytime and ready to sleep well at night. Cooler light temperatures are closer to daylight, a time when your body should naturally be more active, it therefore helps to increase motivation and productivity.
2.Take a daylight break We’ve touched already on the importance of daylight - a precious commodity which is in increasingly short supply at this time of year. Getting outside for a daylight break should be considered as normal as taking a coffee break, as one would have done in the office without a second thought. The additional benefit is the opportunity to disconnect for a few minutes, a stretch of your legs and a few deep breaths can be remarkably invigorating, ready to return to your desk, refreshed. Jayne Cox, wellbeing consultant at Fusion Spaces, recommends to aim for regular breaks: “at least 5 minutes per hour; you can use your wearables or set discrete alarms if you’re likely to forget.” “Light allows us to live - it’s that simple. This makes daylight breaks an essential part of planning to feel calmer over the course of the changing seasons.”
Don’t leave it until the end of the day, it could be dark by 4pm. A brisk early morning walk and a lunch time stroll can be enough to reset body and mind. Those lucky enough to own a dog will also benefit from the satisfaction of knowing you are multi-tasking!
3.Stand, sit, move Sometimes termed ‘sitting disease’, our sedentary lifestyles can see office workers regularly sitting for 10 hours or more each day. There is a depressingly long list of risks associated with long periods of inactivity including type 2 diabetes, some cancers and cardiovascular disease. Quite apart from the physical benefits, getting active stimulates your mental wellbeing. UK Government guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity (such as brisk walking or cycling), or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity (such as running), or a combination of both, per week. We’ve already recognised the benefits of a daylight walk each day so we can pat ourselves on the back for that, and if you can factor in more vigorous exercise, even better! But even the smallest movements can make a huge difference in getting the blood pumping, feeding your vital organs, including your brain!
Rather than just sitting, get up, stretch, move. For relatively low cost, a standing desk enables workers to move from sitting to standing, raising and lowering with a manual hydraulic lift action. Featuring dual monitors mounted on an arm, by taking your zoom call whilst standing, you will be literally thinking on your feet which is scientifically proven to make us sharper and more attentive.
4.Improve the air quality In a modern office environment, air quality will be carefully monitored and regulated by the facilities manager. Disputes can arise where there is the ability to open a window however - whilst it might be empowering to control your own environment, you’re likely to be sharing the space with others! Opening a window risks letting pollutants in (as well as a cold draft!) but it’s also an effective way of reducing ‘stuffiness’ and pollutants building up inside the building such as carbon dioxide which can make you feel sleepy. Recent research confirms that elevated levels of carbon dioxide have a significant impact on cognitive ability. In your home office you have the luxury of deciding for yourself whether to open the window, but as the weather turns colder its likely to remain closed more often than not.
Depending on the size of the space you have claimed for your home office it could quickly become oppressive without you realising that it’s affecting your ability to function effectively, consider using an air purifier to improve the quality of the air naturally and sustainably.
5.Get the temperature right The onus has always been on corporate organisations to minimise and declare their environmental footprint, now, as the fuel bill reduces in the office, it will increase significantly at home – certainly something to be aware of as the heating clicks in more frequently. Whilst you have saved money and contributed to reducing your cardon footprint by travelling less frequently, keeping your home office at an appropriate temperature will have budget implications too. By fitting a smart meter (free from your energy supplier) you can track your power usage to keep on top of the costs, you’ll be surprised how they build up when you’re spending more time at home than you used to. There’s no point being uncomfortable however, and whilst an extra layer is sensible, frost bite in your toes is not conducive to productivity. You may be surprised to note that your gas central heating system probably accounts for at least 50% of your annual en-
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built-in ambient light sensors combine to ensure the best possible viewing experience to support user wellbeing. A whole new working style Working away from the office, and its prescriptive office hours, should release us from following a standard work pattern. We should respect the wisdom of our ancestors and start early and finish early, to be more in tune with our circadian rhythm. We can achieve the same number of productive hours, we simply give ourselves a little flexibility. By being kinder to ourselves, cutting
ourselves a little slack, we can relieve the tension and gain all the benefits that working from home always promised us. We have entered this new workstyle in very dramatic fashion, however. Whilst many organisations sign up to employee wellbeing standards for traditional office-based working practices, there is little provision for different management styles and the level of trust and empowerment given to staff. Are organisations ready to allow greater autonomy to their workforce in how they manage their working day?
Whitepaper
ergy bill – it could be worth investing in a modern condensing boiler to dramatically reduce your energy consumption. A brand-new condensing combi boiler is going to be far more efficient than a boiler even just 5 years old. By converting 94% of consumed energy into usable heat, a high efficiency A-rated boiler wastes just 6% of energy, compared to 20-35% wastage from an old inefficient boiler. A comfortable temperature range might be between 18 and 22 C, but it is entirely down to personal preference. One of the many benefits of working from home is that you have personal control over the thermostat without having to negotiate with colleagues or facilities managers!
6.Bring the outdoors in This year especially, outdoor spaces have been a lifeline, offering us the chance to leave the confines of the four walls to benefit from our allotted exercise time during lockdown. With our social lives curtailed, simply working in nature has become enormously pleasurable. Human beings have an inherent need to connect with nature and green spaces. Biophilic design has long been a key concept in modern office interiors, recognising the psychological benefits of bringing natural elements indoors. Research published in 2014
In a new whitepaper, Kenneth Freeman puts forward the need for a new assessment method, one which acknowledges that working practices will differ significantly between working in the office (which is well regulated) and working from home (with widely different set-ups and additional psychological considerations). He says: ‘Responsible employers should consider whether they are ensuring that their home-based workers are in healthy, safe, engaged environments, and whether they are complying with best practices as well as the law’. Download the whitepaper: ‘Away from the office: how to create new working environments that are happy, healthy and effective’
by the “Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied” found that the presence of plants inside a building increases the occupants’ feelings of wellbeing by 40 percent; adding biophilic elements to offices can increase productivity and reduce absenteeism. From a few simple pot plants to dramatic living walls and glass domed green houses, the extent to which organisations have invested in this trend has been varied - let’s hope someone is tasked with keeping them watered whilst many buildings are largely unoccupied! With less opportunity to get outdoors in the winter months, surrounding ourselves with some natural elements indoors can keep us connected with nature, perhaps we can bring a few biophilic elements of our own into our home office environments.
DOWNLOAD the whitepaper: www.fusion-spaces.com/wp-content/uploads/away-from-the-office-how-to-create-new-working-environments-that-are-happyhealthy-and-effective.pdf
USE the WorkFree online assessment tool: www.fusion-spaces.com/homeworking-workfree-free-range/ Temporary guidance for home working is no longer appropriate. Remote working is now a normal occurrence and employers must ensure that they can provide legally compliant working environments. With a more compassionate perspective on productivity, new guidelines to support home workers will lead to better outcomes for organizations. WorkFree is a new assessment method for managing the health, wellbeing, safety and engagement of home-based workers. It is based on three equally important foundations, which will enable employers and employees to achieve the mutually beneficial goal of healthy, happy and effective work.
7.Avoid video conferencing fatigue Connecting remotely with colleagues and customers is likely to continue to be a key feature in our working day. Many have already noticed how intense it can be compared to face-toface meetings, even just an hour-long conference call can be tiring making the need to take regular breaks all the more important. It’s not always possible to schedule your call for daylight
Simply C Photography hours, especially if you’re connecting with people overseas, but natural light is always best to work by where possible. Artificial light can be tricky to get right for video conferencing where task lighting can cause reflections and unflattering shadows. Staring at a screen in unnatural light is fatiguing, Jayne Cox suggests ‘taking breaks for your eyes to avoid
eyestrain, headaches and general tiredness. Try looking at the horizon for a few minutes and closing your eyes and complete some slow and complete blinks.’ Ergonomically designed screens such as NEC’s desktop display ranges incorporate low blue light technology to protect against macular degeneration. Flicker-free technology and
• Assurance. To enable employers to meet their responsibilities and obligations to ensure that employees have a safe place to work. This includes having systems to manage compliance with legal requirements, and the need to provide the necessary evidence for compliance and benchmarks for continuous improvement. • Comfort and quality. To ensure that home-based workers can set up an effective and comfortable working environment that suits them, and which gives access to a range of professional quality (but domestic scale) products to support and improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing. • Freedom and empowerment. To ensure that home-based workers are empowered to manage their work and space. Employers must respect boundaries of privacy, minimise intrusion into the private space of their employees (physically and digitally), and recognise and respect different domestic and family arrangements without judgement.
AV News December 2020 P23
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Boxlight Corporation, following the acquisition of Sahara Presentation Systems, has announced that Mark Starkey has been appointed as President. Starkey will lead global sales and work cross-functionally across operations. Starkey has a strong industry track record and has proven himself to be a technology visionary, offering Boxlight a unique advantage in a fragmented, evolving market. Starkey joined Boxlight through the acquisition of Sahara Presentation Systems in September 2020, an acquisition that provided geographic expansion into the EMEA region and a substantially improved financial outlook. He successfully led Sahara as its CEO through the sale amid significant market uncertainty, while producing strong financial performance. “I am thrilled to add Mark’s experience, relationships and talents to our executive team as we navigate the next phase of Boxlight, with a specific focus on driving revenues within our target verticals, improved margins and strong profitability,” said Boxlight CEO Michael Pope. “We believe Mark is an ideal leader to help guide the company through the market opportunities ahead as we continue to disrupt education and corporate environments with interactive technologies.” Having graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Economics at Brunel University London, Starkey qualified as a Chartered Accountant with EY before moving into the technology industry 22 years ago. Starkey spent 17 years with Logicalis in senior commercial management roles including COO and Managing Director before moving to EMC and Dell where he was initially responsible for the software business across EMEA before heading up the sales strategy for Western Europe. Starkey joined Sahara PLC as CEO in February this year and then joined Boxlight upon merging the companies in September 2020. Mark Starkey commented, “I am honoured to join the Boxlight executive team and have the opportunity to lead the global sales organisation as we integrate the Sahara AV, Clevertouch and Boxlight businesses. We have the best solutions in the market, an energised sales team, and a very exciting future as we execute on our growth strategy”.
Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has appointed Jon Rhodes as its new European Sales Director of Unified Communications. Leading TIG’s team of UC sales professionals and focussing on the Enterprise product range from Crestron, Jon will be responsible for growing the UC division. The appointment comes as TIG increases its focus on being able to provide a consistent unified user interface and user experience across multiple devices and media types. On his appointment, TIG CEO Robin van Meeuwen comments: “We are thrilled to welcome Jon to lead our growing team of Unified Communications specialists. Having worked in the UC and video communications industry for over 20 years, his knowledge of the sector is second-to-none and he demonstrates a range of important skills such as Business Development, impressive Solution Selling and fantastic Leadership. It is amazing to see the rapid growth in remote working that we have experienced recently, and Jon’s appointment reflects TIG’s commitment to providing any-size business with the right UC and AV expertise when embarking on their digital transformation journey.” Jon adds: “We are living in difficult times and it is rewarding to see UC technology helping businesses of all sizes remain efficient, even in the face of such adversity. TIG and Crestron have an unparalleled, market-leading portfolio of solutions that improve the ways in which people work and communicate. I am very happy to join TIG to help more companies and individuals realise the many enhancements to their working environments we can deliver.” Customers are invited to book an appointment with Jon at TIG’s new Experience Space in London, where they can discover more about TIG’s ecosystem with in-depth demos of the solutions available.
Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has appointed Jon Rhodes as its new European Sales Director of Unified Communications.
Following the acquisition of Sahara Presentation Systems, Boxlight Corporation has announced that Mark Starkey has been appointed as President. AV News has appointed Rita Balestrazzi as a brand ambassador, specifically tasked with promoting and organising the annual AV News Awards. Best known for her work for the Vestel Group, Rita founded her own B2C/B2B public relations and marketing communication practice. Rita has helped with the administration and execution of the Awards in recent years and we are delighted to formalise the arrangement. Rita’s experience before Vestel embraced a variety of white goods brands and consumer marketing, notably Baumatic. Rita Balestrazzi, the new brand ambassador for the AV News and the AV News Awards.
P24 AV News December 2020
PPDS has announced the appointment of experienced marketing specialist, Marion Chaignon, as its new marketing campaign manager, EMEA. Part of PPDS’ continued recruitment and team strengthening across the European business, Marion brings a wealth of marketing experience to this important role, having executed major campaigns for some of the world’s most recognised technology brands, including Samsung Electronics, Asus, Nikon, HP, Lenovo and Logitech during her flourishing 12-year career. Bilingual in French and English and university-educated in business and business marketing, Marion joins PPDS from leading B2B and B2C marketing agency, Red Pimiento, where she spent almost six years under various EMEA roles, including account director, project director and team manager. Her roles have providing extensive marketing experience in promoting a wide range of specific industries, including retail, hospitality, corporate and healthcare – all key focus areas for the Philips pro TV and digital signage ranges – and Marion will soon be visiting the firm’s dedicated European training facility in Gent to get a deeper understanding of all current and future products in the portfolio. Working out of PPDS’ global head office in Amsterdam, Marion reports to marketing director, Ron Cottaar, who hailed her experience as a “perfect addition” to help execute the manufacturer’s continued and ambitious growth plans and brand strategy, moving into 2020 and beyond. “We’re delighted to welcome Marion to the team,” he commented. “She joins during an extremely busy period for PPDS, with a range of important new products now being brought to market, including our industry-specific Philips B-Line, C-Line and T-Line display ranges. Marion’s extensive knowledge and experience in not only working with leading technology companies like ours but working on specific vertical market campaign strategy will add further strength to our already thriving team.” Marion added: “Having spent the past decade working with multiple clients and executing a wide and extremely varied range of brand campaigns, the opportunity to work with PPDS and devote all my efforts and everything I’ve learned to a single brand is a tremendously exciting challenge. “My background and experience have provided me with a deep understanding on how to successfully curate and execute the
correct ways to market brands and products to specific industries and verticals. Skills that are an essential criterion for PPDS and its multi-industry product strategy, be it pro TVs in hospitality, interactive touch displays to reimagine education and corporate meetings, or attention demanding LED in retail stores. I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I already feel we’ve achieved so much. It’s an exciting time for the company and for me personally.” Marion Chaignon, the new marketing campaign manager of PPDS EMEA 0 part art of continued recruitment and team strengthening across the European business.
Schneider Electric has appointed Mark Yeeles as Vice President of Industrial Automation in the UK & Ireland. Yeeles, will take over from Martin Walder, who will move into a new European role, overseeing Industrial Automation Transformation in Europe. Yeeles will play a fundamental role in driving forward Industrial Automation in the region, with a specific focus on increasing the uptake of interoperable automation software. While the sector has yet to feel the full benefits of digitalisation and automation, Yeeles will help to make its potential a reality, fuelling the next phase of fast-paced growth in the UK and Ireland. In the midst of a period of intense change following Covid-19, the importance of
Schneider Electric has appointed Mark Yeeles as Vice President of Industrial Automation in the UK & Ireland. remote management, advanced robotics, and predictive analytics solutions has never been higher. With a specific focus on the CPG, food and beverage, and water and water waste markets, Yeeles will be tasked with helping partners and clients meet a new set of challenges.
AV News November 2020 P24
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“Mark is the right person to continue the growth of the Industrial Automation division,” said Mike Hughes, Zone President UK&I at Schneider Electric. “Over his 25 years’ in the industry including five with Schneider Electric, he has consistently proven his understanding of the market challenges our customers and partners face and how Schneider can help them. He brings great skills, knowledge and a fantastic ability to exceed customer expectations to the role.” Commenting on the appointment Yeeles said, “I am absolutely delighted with the opportunity to lead the Industrial Automation team in the UK & Ireland. 2021 will be a year of great change with many opportunities for the sector to transform. We must embrace software collaboration and broaden our technological horizons to meet the challenges ahead. I cannot wait to start delivering innovations to our client and partner networks, whilst empowering them to meet their sustainability targets.” Aiydec today announced that Sean Andany has joined Aiydec as Strategic Board Advisor for Technology. Sean has 25+ years of experience in Technology, specializing in Data and Analytics. Coming from an Investment Banking background, he has extensive Financial Services Knowledge (Retail, Corporate, and Investment Banking) and has recently expanded into supporting clients in the Pharmaceutical Sector. Sean is currently working with Astra Zeneca, as their Head of Delivery (Global CDO Office). He has previously held programme director/ Head of Big Data IT roles with HSBC (Retail & Wealth Division), and CTO roles with Barclays (EMEA) and JWG Group. Sean holds an M.S. in Computer Science from Polytechnic University, School of Engineering. and B.S. in Computer Science and
Sean Andany has joined Aiydec as Strategic Board Advisor for Technology.
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Biochemistry, from S.U.N.Y. at StonyBrook, School of Engineering, School of Arts and Sciences. Aiydec's CEO Aashutosh Mishra said: “We are excited to have Sean on board with us. He is an expert in industrializing technology based on data/ analytics in a way that is commercially viable and robust”. “Sean will guide our further data/ software technology development of our AI platform, Zinia to make it more robust and accessible”. He added. Sean said: “It's great to be part of Aiydec, as the company is working closely with financial institutions democratizing AI based decisioning across the organization through Zinia AI platform”. “I am looking to draw upon my extensive experience of working with data/ analytics applications and technologies to shape Zinia's software distribution model and the overall platform robustness and usability,” he added. TelcoSwitch, the Unified Communications and Collaboration specialist, has appointed industry veteran Eddie Buxton as Chairman of its Board. Eddie joins TelcoSwitch following more than a decade as CEO at Maintel, the AIM-listed cloud and managed services company for both public and private organisations. During his time at Maintel, he was responsible for a period of dramatic change, developing and implementing strategic plans to advance revenue, profitability and growth. Russell Lux, TelcoSwitch founder and CEO, said: “We are very pleased to make this announcement, with Eddie’s appointment a key part of our strategic plan to increase our leadership capabilities. Eddie has an exceptional level of experience and is highly regarded in both our industry and in the funding and operating space. He will be a fantastic asset as we move forward.” Eddie added: “I am very excited to be joining a talented management team at TelcoSwitch. I believe the company is in an enviable position and has navigated the current period of uncertainty exceptionally well. With a number of key activities underway to bolster our product offering to the market and increase our customer base through acquisition, this is an exciting time to be joining such a dynamic organisation.” With over 20 years’ experience in the telecoms, technology, software and services sectors, Eddie will bring a number of key strengths to the existing senior management team. Prior to Maintel he, served in leadership positions at Redstone Telcom, Onetel and Cable & Wireless, focussing on business development, M&A, fundraising, restructuring and strategy. Eddie assumes his role effective immediately.
New appointments The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) has announced a newly elected 2020-2021 board of directors that will lead the organization's effort toward a standards-based IP infrastructure for professional media. AIMS Chairman of the Board Michael Cronk (Grass Valley), Vice Chair Steve Reynolds (Imagine Communications), and Chief Financial Officer Andreas Hilmer (Lawo) were re-elected to their positions and are joined by newly elected board members Terry Holton (Yamaha) and Andrew Starks (Macnica). “With the pace of IP adoption and innovation accelerating, our work to educate the broadcast and Pro AV markets is as — or more — important than ever,” said Cronk.” “Terry and Andrew both have contributed enormously to the success of AIMS in promoting a common set of standards for IP media transport across the media and entertainment industry. We are pleased to welcome them to the AIMS board, where they will be invaluable in helping us to carry on this critical work.” Terry Holton has served as AIMS audio chair, leading a number of initiatives and AIMS participation in several audio events. Holton was previously general manager of the Yamaha R&D Centre in London. He is now a consultant specializing in professional media networking solutions and represents Yamaha in AIMS. Andrew Starks is the director of product management for Macnica, where he leads the company's standards efforts and has been a significant contributor to the AIMS Pro AV initiative, including the development of the IPMX roadmap, and its marketing plan. His prior experience includes co-founding Tightrope Media Systems, where he collaborated to design and market multiple award-winning products in Pro AV and broadcast as the company's CMO. AIMS board members are selected annually. Their terms start immediately. Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS) has announced a newly elected 2020-2021 board of directors that will lead the organization's effort toward a standards-based IP infrastructure for professional media.
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ISE Digital Event Series: RISE Spotlight Integrated Systems Events and The Next Web launched RISE Spotlight on Tuesday 24 November, a monthly series of digital events. A curated panel of industry specialists tackled the hot topic of ‘Workspace Evolution’ in lively digital discussions with plenty of audience participation. With extremely positive feedback from participants, RISE Spotlight was welcomed by an AV industry eager to network and discover what is next. The RISE digital programme offers a monthly dose of ISE which, given the current global situation, could not have launched at a better time. The programme includes virtual events plus online editorial content including a collection of interviews called RISE Culture, which link to the monthly theme but also touch on cultural issues such as inclusion. The Big Read is an in-depth feature article, authored by an industry expert, which takes a deep dive into the theme. This content is live at www.iseurope.org and featured within the RISE Connect newsletter. RISE Spotlight events, produced in partnership with TNW and supported by ISE co-owners AVIXA and CEDIA, are hosted on virtual event platform Hopin and have been designed to encourage industry engagement through compelling speaker sessions, a live audience Q&A chat function and networking opportunities. The first two-hour Spotlight event attracted an international audience from 60 countries. It included an opening keynote with John Egan, CEO of L’Atelier, a Reporter Roundtable panel discussion, an ‘On the Sofa with ISE’ interview with Marit Janssen of ABN AMRO, Startup Nation business showcase and Watercooler Virtual Meets networking. AVIXA and CEDIA both contributed expertise to the programme. Sean Wargo, Senior Director of Market Intelligence, presented AVIXA Insights into the unified communications and collaboration market. CEDIA’s Ed Wenck (Content Director) and Walt Zerbe (Senior Director of Technology and Standards) hosted a networking session about optimising technology in the work-fromhome environment, while Wargo’s networking session discussed preparing for next-level
Webinar calendar AVer’s Microsoft Teams certified devices Dec 9, 2020 07:00 PM Greenwich Mean Time
Webinar description:
Mike Blackman, Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events: “The first RISE Spotlight has been a great success and we’re pleased to have received some really positive feedback from attendees.” collaborative working. Among the many positive comments on social media were these posts: • “Well produced, quality presenters, great pace/tempo and an excellent use of time. #1 takeaway is that online event production has come a long way in the last 8 months.” Brock McGinnis @brockmcginnis on Twitter • “Loving the panel discussion so far! #RISEspotlight#avtweeps”Technological Innovations Group @TIG_Europe on Twitter Post-event attendee research carried out by Integrated Systems Events revealed that just under four-fifths of attendees (79.4%) rated the online experience as good or excellent. Willingness to recommend the event to a business friend or colleague was high, with an average score of 8 on a scale of 0 (would not recommend) to 10 (would definitely recommend). Asked how this RISE Spotlight compared to the other online events they had attended this year, one survey respondent replied: “This one was professional, but also personal, not over-polished. It had a personal touch, which is appreciated.” Another commented: “The interactivity was much better. I liked the breakouts.” Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, commented: “The first RISE Spotlight has been a great success and we’re pleased to have received some really positive feedback from
attendees. I’d like to thank all of our speakers for sharing their expertise, our sponsor Nureva and TNW for their continued support. We know the ISE community cannot wait to get back to face-to-face events and we look forward to getting together with you all in Barcelona next year. In the meantime, join us for more digital events in the months ahead, as we take a closer look at some of the key topics in the AV industry today.” The ‘Workspace Evolution’ Reporter Roundtable panel included John Egan – CEO, L’Atelier; Marit Johnson – Transformation Consultant, ABN AMRO; Jon Sidwick – President, Collabtech Group; Nancy Knowlton – President and CEO of Nureva Inc; and was moderated by Már Másson Maack – Editor of Growth Quarters, TNW. All the sessions, including the opening keynote, Reporter Roundtable, On the Sofa and Startup Nation are available to watch on demand at https:// www.iseurope.org/content-hub/ rise-connect-workspace-evolution/. The next RISE Spotlight takes place on 15 December at 15:00 CET (14:00 GMT) with the theme ‘XR in Today’s Reality’. Register now to take part: https://www.iseurope.org/ content-hub/xr-in-todays-reality/. Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2021 will take place at the Fira de Barcelona, Gran Vía, on 1-4 June 2021.
Join VP of Sales and Marketing and expert in the AV industry, Charles Montoya, for the announcement of the newest AVer Devices that are Microsoft Certified! Learn which of AVer’s hardware devices are Certified for Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business. We'll discuss the benefits this offers you, and why this is important to you and your customers.
Key learning objectives: • Strategy & techniques for successful sales. • Facilitate collaboration AVer products. • Potential equipment for collaboration spaces. • Live Q&A during the webinar.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom. us/webinar/register/5016050467952/ WN_Y-DOBdtJQSCWcc5UDgifEA
DTX webinar SASE in a Work from Anywhere World: How should you prepare? 15.00 Thursday 10th December
Webinar description: Business requirements are evolving to deliver any user, any device connectivity to any cloud and any application. This demands a digital transformation that is spanning distributed edge, data centre, and cloud, and is enabled by a new digital foundation. The
legacy WAN and security architecture in the middle of this transformation is obsolete, customers are rapidly adopting a new secure access service edge (SASE) architecture model. Organisations need to transform their WAN edge, build a digital foundation for new application adoption, and enable work from anywhere initiatives. But what is the best strategy for this? Who should they work with? On Thursday 10th December join VMware for 'SASE in a Work from Anywhere World: How should you prepare?'. Tune in at 3pm to hear from Vinod Kumar Balasubramanyam (Technical Product Management) and Vivian Clark (Product Marketing) as they help you to plan your SASE strategy and to examine how SASE could be implemented in distributed enterprises embracing cloud and SaaS.
Key takeaways: • Understand how SASE could support your organisation • Plan a SASE strategy for your business • Examine how SASE could be implemented in distributed enterprises
Register for the webinar here:
dustries share a number of similar issues as changing consumer habits and the COVID-19 pandemic are shifting the balance between online and offline, posing challenges such as reinventing customer experience and building loyalty, fraud and authentication, security and health safety, to name a few. AI-based technologies can help take on these challenges and our speakers will share innovative solutions that can create safe, secure and enjoyable experiences, online and offline.
What You Will Learn: Issues and challenges from changing consumer habits, a shifting competitive environment and the current pandemic How AI-based and edge technologies can meet these challenges and increase customer satisfaction and loyalty Use cases and illustrations of solutions that enhance in-store customer experience while ensuring security, health and safety How AI-based authentication technology can help prevent identity theft and fraud for online banking and payments How robust, cost-efficient solutions can be deployed today Outlook into future technological advancements
https://www.workcast.com/register?cpak=6618203635254079&re- Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/regisferrer=email er/1230810219230157070 Reinventing retail and banking to deliver safe and exciting user experience with AI Biometrics
Webinar Date: 12th December 2020 Time: 4.00 PM EDT/ 1.00 PM PDT
About the webinar: The retail and banking in-
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Paper & Pulp Retailers capitalise on publicly available data
The Industrial Data Conference Online Sponsored by TQS Integration.10am to 4pm GMT: 28th January 2021 • 15+ Talks, panels and workshops Over 15 speakers will inform and educate industry leaders from sectors such as food, pharma, chemical, oil & gas, automotive, water & wastewater, energy etc that have an interest in transforming their business through the use of data & IT. • Free to Attend • Key Topics
Blockchain Automation & Robotics Cyber Security Big Data, Data Science and Analytics Machine learning & AI IOT and Industry 4.0 IT Infrastructure AR ERP & MRP Digital Transformation And Much More …
Pharma Medtech Biotech Food & Beverage Chemicals Petrochemicals Oil, Gas & Energy Automotive Water & Wastewater
Data reveals a major increase in e-commerce retailers leveraging technology to understand the actions of competitors and customers over Black Friday period With UK retail shops closed over Black Friday this year and online sales already accounting for 28.5% of all retail sales in October (in comparison to 19% in January), consumers were inundated with options when it comes
tailers that Lockdown 2.0 coincided with the most important period in the retail calendar, The Golden Quarter and Black Friday. However, our findings from Black Friday this year highlighted the fact e-commerce retailers have had to become far smarter with their use of publicly available data, if they are to secure their share of consumers wallets and survive throughout this turbulent period.”
them to have sufficient time to leverage new insights and refine their strategies ahead of one of the busiest trading periods of the year.” Cerniauskas concludes, “The impact of Covid-19 on the e-commerce landscape is undeniable. Generations that never previously shopped online are now doing so, and retailers have moved quickly to meet this demand. We’ve already seen a tremendous
to shopping online, leaving e-commerce retailers facing unprecedented competition. In a bid to better understand their audiences as well as competitor movements, retailers turned to technology, in order to gain critical insights. This is according to new research from Oxylabs which shows e-commerce retailers leveraged web scraping significantly more so, ahead of Black Friday, compared to last year. The data revealed residential proxy traffic (made per e-commerce customer) increased by 301% on Black Friday 2020 in comparison to 2019 and datacentre proxy traffic increased by 97% on Black Friday 2020 in comparison to Black Friday 2019. Breaking this down, these findings show there was a huge increase in retailers leveraging technology to efficiently understand their competitors’ actions. These insights included data on pricing and promotion of products, product catalogues, shipping information, stock levels, and even consumers' reviews and ratings of competitors, to name a few. Commenting on these findings Julius Cerniauskas, CEO at Oxylabs explains: “It was very unfortunate for UK re-
“In reality, it is unlikely we’ll ever return to the same preCovid landscape and even before the pandemic, bricksand-mortar retailers had been fighting a fierce battle against e-commerce players. Those challenges have now accelerated at a staggering speed, as more businesses pivot away from physical outlets to online stores. Black Friday has evidently proved that retailers are recognising more than ever the need to leverage technology to gain a better understanding of the landscape they operate in.” Cerniauskas continues, “Our data illustrates that our residential proxies solution recorded the highest number of requests and traffic a week before Black Friday 2020, yet in 2019, the highest number of requests and traffic was recorded one day before Black Friday 2019. This demonstrates customers were leveraging publicly available data further in advance of Black Friday in comparison to the same period last year, showing those operating in the e-commerce space are becoming increasingly aware of the competitive edge that technologies such as web scraping can provide. “As e-commerce players identified more and more competition it was clearly important for
increase in traffic across all our platforms when comparing against the same periods last year.”
•Sectors Attending
Next RISE event XR in Today’s Reality Tuesday 15 December 2020 RISE Spotlight: XR in Today’s Reality begins at 15:00 CET (14:00 GMT) on Tuesday 15 December. It is produced in partnership with TNW and is sponsored by Immersionn. XR in Today’s Reality is the second in our new series of free online events called RISE Spotlight. These two-hour events feature global subject experts, technology entrepreneurs and startups. People who attended our November Workspace Evolution Spotlight praised the structure of the event and the interactivity of the platform as well as the calibre of the speakers. What are the most convincing use cases for XR technology right now? Find out during two fast-paced, interactive hours of roundtable discussion, presentations from established practitioners, one-to-one interviews, pitches from startups and moderated virtual hangouts. RISE Spotlight will explore the most compelling applications of VR, AR and mixed reality and the very real benefits they are bringing today.
Speakers include: Tony Parisi Head of AR/VR Ad Innovation Unity Technologies Alexandra Hussenot CEO, Immersionn Andy Lurling Founding Partner, Lumo Labs Amelia Kallman Futurist, Speaker, Author, The Big Reveal
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You’ll have plentiful opportunities to ask questions, network with other attendees and, if you want, appear ‘on stage’ yourself at one of the virtual hangouts. REGISTER Here:https://hopin.com/events/ rise-spotlight-xr-in-todays-reality?_ And More Register here: http://www.industrialdataconferenceonline. com/register/