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Choosing the Right Network Switch for AV Projects

May 2, 2022 By Eric Olson Leave a Comment

So, you’re putting together your next AV project and the need for a network switch comes up. This could be due to many factors, most commonly for Audio-Visual over Internet Protocol (AVoIP) applications, control, monitoring, or Internet connectivity.  But if you’re not an experienced IT person, or you’re not very knowledgeable about this, what’s the best way to choose the right switch for your project?

Many current and future AV systems will involve some aspect of networking; this is the future of our industry. The main component within these systems is the network switch (or Ethernet switch), which connects devices to a Local Area Network (LAN) and allows the devices to communicate with each other.  All of those audio-visual packets of information traverse the network and go to their destinations through the switch.

network switches for AV projects

The difficulty arises when we realize that switches come in many different flavors for many different applications. Managed, or unmanaged? PoE (Power over Ethernet), or PoE+, or PoE++? How many ports, and what speeds per port (1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, 10 Gbps, etc.)?  Will the switch be front or rear-facing in the rack? This can get very confusing, especially if you don’t do it every day.

Let’s break it down so that it is more digestible in a series of questions that I use to help specify the correct network switch. Take a look below:

Does the information being sent across this network require a managed, or unmanaged switch? Layer 2 (MAC addresses), or 3 (IP addresses)? If your application involves controlling network traffic, you will need the features of a layer 3 managed switch. The following examples require a managed switch, like having concurrent bandwidth-intensive applications running, prioritizing important data in your LAN, improving the performance of a network, and implementing other advanced services.

What type of AV equipment will be connected to the network? Audio (i.e., Dante, AVB, AES67)? Video (i.e., H.264, JPEG2000, IPMX, NDI, SDVoE)? Control? Or all of them? If you’re multicasting audio & video, you will need a managed layer 3 switch – there’s no way around it. If you are implementing IP-based control in a system, you can use an unmanaged Gigabit switch, as there are few network protocols required to allow control commands to work, unless you need Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN). Then, you will have to dive right back into the managed switch realm.

But which network protocols does the managed switch have to be capable of? Multicast? Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)? VLANs? Multicasting, IGMP, and VLANs are all necessary features that are only available on managed switches. If these terms are not familiar and you plan on putting an AV over IP (AVoIP) system together, you should consider purpose-built gear. Some manufacturers are even offering preconfigured switches that have all of these network protocols enabled by default to work right away…without having to be an IT professional and spending tons of time programming and testing.

How many ports are needed? Count the total number of devices that require a LAN connection…and then add a few more. Leave room for expansion and for devices that are often forgotten. If you think you’ll add more devices in the future, choose a switch that will give your network room to grow. Will this AV system have any future add-ons or requirements to consider? If so, we should be thinking about a switch that is stackable, or has the ability to trunk ports and seamlessly add more switches through uplinks.

What speed per port is needed (Gigabit, 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, 10 Gbps, etc.)? Every network device will have its LAN port speed listed. These speeds will typically range from 100 Mbps, Gigabit (1,000 Mbps) and 10 Gigabit (10 Gbps). Equipment that has gigabit specifications definitely necessitates the use of a gigabit switch. Remember that devices with lower port speeds (ex. Gigabit = 1,000 Mbps) will always be able to utilize switch ports with higher ports speeds (ex. 10 Gbps). Most compressed video codecs (i.e. H.264, H.265, JPEG2000, VC2) will work just fine on a managed 1 Gbps network switch. But be aware that any SDVoE (Software Defined Video over Ethernet) gear will require 10 Gbps on every port, usually accompanied by 40 Gbps or 100 Gbps uplinks to support the total bandwidth of utilized ports.

What type of PoE switch is needed? Determine which devices can be powered or require PoE (Power over Ethernet). There are different standards of PoE, so they are not all the same, and making sure that enough power is delivered to the enabled device is important. Does the PoE switch apply power on all ports, or just select ports? Always check the receiving device’s PoE class/requirement (PoE = 15.4 Watts, PoE+ = 30 Watts, PoE++ = 60 or 90 Watts depending on Type 3 or 4, respectively), and plan for a cumulative total power budget that will support all devices. When you see a switch that is rated for 300 Watts, you can connect up to ~20 PoE devices, or 10 PoE+ devices, or 3 PoE++ devices. Dividing the switch’s total power budget by the cumulative device power consumption will help figure out what you need – and always remember to leave a little room for overhead.

Last but not least, let’s not forget about the aesthetics of the amazing audio-visual system that was just built. Within the equipment rack, tidy cabling and carefully stacked black boxes of hardware are neatly aligned for a clean and organized look. Having the ports on the front side or rear-facing side of the switch is a big deal, and your cabling and rack fabrication technicians will thank you for selecting those AV switches with customizable port locations.

There are many things to consider when deciding on a specific switch from a manufacturer. It’s not just about the features, it’s about support with dedicated resources. So, don’t overlook one of the most important components of a networked AV system, because it could be the difference between a successful deployment and a problem-ridden project.

**For ALMO add-on for Manufacturer/Product specific**

NETGEAR has also taken out much of the complexity with setting up an Ethernet switch with the various protocols required for video and audio to ride over the network. Preconfiguring protocols like IGMP, Multicast and VLANs make the network switch a plug-n-play device right out of the box, saving time, money, and resources usually dedicated to this task. NETGEAR’s IGMP Plus™ is a fantastic and unique feature simplifying the deployment of multicast solutions, which especially helps people who are uncomfortable with some of the more complicated IT configurations such as Layer 3 Protocol Independent Multicast or PIM routing.

If you are still unsure of what to do or how to specify a network switch for your project, you’ll be happy to know there are resources out there to assist. In fact, NETGEAR has a dedicated ProAV design and engineering team specifically for our industry, with purpose-built products that are engineered for any AV over IP project. Give them a shout when you need some engineering assistance at ProAVDesign@NETGEAR.com. This is a fantastic resource available to all integrators for free.

Now Is the Right Time for AV-over-IP

June 22, 2020 By Eric Olson 1 Comment

AV-over-IP continues to pick up traction among integrators in the ProAV industry, but there are still quite a few that find themselves questioning if they should start implementing this technology.  In fact, 45% of respondents in a 2019 industry survey revealed that they either do not embrace, or are on the fence with adopting AV-over-IP as a viable AV distribution solution – nearly half.  So why all the hesitation, and furthermore, why is now the right time for using AV-over-IP?

Let’s start with asking what is AV-over-IP?  It stands for Audio-Visual over Internet Protocol, which might sound a little challenging to some AV integrators who don’t know anything about networking. 

AV-over-IP (also known as AVoIP) refers to the use of standard network equipment to transmit and switch video and audio.  At its foundation the basic AV-over-IP system is quite simple.  Sources are being encoded, connecting through a network switch to decoders that are then connected to displays (see image below).

Image courtesy of Atlona

What about more complex AV-over-IP applications in ProAV?  Just take a look at the sample below where you see converged usage of Digital Signage, IP Surveillance, Content Servers, Blu-Ray players, Set Top Boxes, and Personal Computers…. all on the same network.

When looking at these examples it may cause some AV dealers to avoid taking on AVoIP due to apprehensions about the technology, networking skills, cost, interoperability, flexibility and scalability.  Let’s address some of these concerns head on.

There are numerous products available for AVoIP, which can cause difficulty deciding which technology, networking hardware or brands to use.  In contrast with past attempts at accelerating AV over IP, it’s not just one or two obscure vendors that are stepping into this change.  The largest and most influential AV vendors in the industry are leading the change.  For example, the Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE) Alliance is an eco-system of companies in and around the AV-over-IP space, working together to create a fantastic platform for the next generation of audiovisual applications.  Not only do all SDVoE products and solutions work together, network hardware manufacturers, like NETGEAR, are making it easier than ever to deploy them.  SDVoE partners provide the audio-video products while NETGEAR, one of the founding members, provides the backbone network products that make it all possible, with interoperability being key.

What about the networking skill sets and support required for these systems?  NETGEAR, for example, not only will provide design engineers (with ProAV experience) to help specify products, but will actually provide an optimal network topology design for you.  Their Pro AV Engineering Services team are trained AV and IT professionals to help you both before and after the sale as well as during installation, all for free.  This takes a huge load off of the AV system designer and often leads to the best outcome for the project. 

NETGEAR has also taken out much of the complexity with setting up an Ethernet switch with the various protocols required for video and audio to ride over the network.  Preconfiguring protocols like IGMP, Multicast and VLANs make the network switch a plug-n-play device right out of the box, saving time, money and resources usually dedicated to this task.  NETGEAR’s IGMP Plus™ is a fantastic and unique feature simplifying the deployment of multicast solutions, which especially helps people who are uncomfortable with some of the more complicated IT configurations such as Layer 3 Protocol Independent Multicast or PIM routing.

AVoIP also solves the distance limitations with traditional AV cables (by utilizing copper Ethernet & fiber cables instead), is more scalable and flexible than traditional circuit-based AV products (by adding more ports & stacking the switches), and equipment costs are decreasing.  All of these factors will contribute to more adoption and it will only get better as time goes on.  IP convergence has already happened with telephony (POTS vs. VoIP), surveillance (analog vs. IP cameras), audio (ex. Dante, AVB) and other industries, and at some point, everything else will move to the network.  AV-over-IP is happening right now and the ProAV industry will continue its way down this inevitable path, so don’t get left behind.

Don’t you think it’s time to invest in AV-over-IP to advance the future of your business?  Please drop me a line and share your experience, or let me know if you would like some help getting started.

My Visit to LG’s Business Innovation Center

May 25, 2016 By Eric Olson 1 Comment

Recently, I was fortunate enough to visit the LG Business Innovation Center (BIC) outside of Chicago at LG’s corporate headquarters. It was quite an experience where all of LG’s newest innovations and product verticals are on display to see and feel.  You really get a chance to experience everything that LG has on their commercial display product roadmap, and it’s there specifically for customers and end users to absorb and engage in the future of their technologies.

lg

For every vertical market there was an LG display suited perfectly for it. Whatever the application, the LG BIC has the full array of products for Hospitality, Healthcare, QSR (Quick Serve Restaurants), Transportation scheduling, Museums/Art Galleries, Indoor/Outdoor Digital Signage, Video Walls, Open-frame OLED technology, LED lighting…it’s all here for the taking.  They’ve even created a new market for “digital décor” which stems from their uniquely designed 86-inch Ultra-Stretch 4K model that is ideal for art galleries, museums and the high-end digital signage projects.

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Most notable was the new OLED display technology that LG recently unveiled. They showcase a cutting-edge 55-inch OLED 4K UHD Wallpaper display that is absolutely unreal! (see Front View) Everyone at the meeting was completely blown away.  No one could believe their eyes when they saw how thin this unit actually is.  This amazing display is literally thinner than a credit card (see side view).  And, not only was it a gorgeous image, but at less than 4 pounds, this stunning display was installed using Velcro (you can also use magnets)!

LG’s 55-inch OLED 4K UHD Wallpaper Display (Front View):

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Yes, I said Velcro! That was not a typo.

You also may notice a black plastic frame behind the actual display (see side view image), but this is not part of the actual OLED display portion and is required for structural stability due to the extremely thin, flexible OLED layer in front of it. This model is truly going to be a game-changer for the industry.  Get ready for a groundbreaking 2016 with LG’s sights set on the future of OLED technology, and the technical developments and advancements that result from those efforts.

LG’s 55-inch OLED 4K UHD Display (side view):

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So next time you are in the Chicago (or Atlanta) area and looking to see the latest and greatest that LG Electronics offers, make the trip to their Business Innovation Center. It will be well worth it, I promise!

For more information on LG’s latest products, please do not hesitate to contact me, Eric Olson, via phone at (888) 420-2566 ext. 4082 or via email at eolson@almo.com.

Super Stretch Your Digital Signage with LG

February 17, 2016 By Eric Olson 1 Comment

It’s no secret we’ve been moving away from the classic form of advertisement for quite some time. Static advertisement strategies to merely attract customers are a thing of the past. With the onslaught of information, creating an engaging experience around the customer is today’s minimum requirement.

Digital signage is an exploding market with ever expanding applications and innovative products that help draw attention to the message. But have you ever wanted to exhibit your latest signage project on a display that truly stands apart from the rest? Well, LG has introduced an amazing new 86” Ultra Stretch monitor for these types of cutting edge digital signage applications – the 86BH5C-B. It’s the world’s first 58:9 format featuring 4K Ultra HD resolution.

UltraHDResolution(3840x600)This distinctive display size is ideal for some very unique visual applications. The 3840 x 600 resolution provides a one-of-a-kind canvas to display lots of content with amazing color and imagery. Having an extended wide format display can provide a lot of information on a broad canvas without sacrificing image quality. For example, mounting it sideways in landscape format is a fantastic way for retail stores to display them on top of shelves and demonstrate the latest products.

lg_stretch1The portrait format mount is equally valuable and really shows the versatility of this type of monitor where it can be utilized in spaces previously unused for signage. You can mount them vertically on building columns to show the latest information and schedules at transportation hubs (i.e. airports, train stations, bus depots, etc.) and businesses (hotels, banks, art galleries, etc.). Plus, the Picture-by-Picture (PBP) feature allows you to divide the screen into four parts in landscape or portrait installations. You can use one portion of the monitor to show video (live TV) and the remaining 3 portions of still images (date/time, weather, flight schedules, etc.).

Debuted as a new digital signage format, the 86-inch LG Ultra Stretch Signage display can even double as “digital décor” (art galleries and museums come to mind). Its stunning image quality and capability of being used in diverse scenarios make this a revolutionary breakthrough in signage.

The only challenge may be in getting the exact content you desire to be custom created for this unique format. However, with the LG SuperSign media editor, you can easily edit images or video clips of original content without any additional editing programs. If you ever need help obtaining the content needed to ride on that display, Almo Content Creation services is also a fantastic option!

For more information on LG’s Ultra stretch display or any of their products please reach out to me at eolson@almo.com / 888-420-2566 X4082

Barco ClickShare 2.0… Reboot

February 3, 2016 By Eric Olson Leave a Comment

barco1Being a pioneer in the meeting room/conference room collaboration and presentation product development is a tremendous feat. But how do you top yourself when you already have an award winning product with tremendous sales growth? How did Barco outdo itself again?

Well, Barco is introducing the new CS-100 and CSE-200 models that will transition and compliment their existing offerings. They are tapping into new customers and markets at an aggressive price point while continuing to give them the ease of sharing and collaboration during presentations.

feature2The CSM-1, also known as the ClickShare mini has now transitioned into a new model – CSE-200. In addition to the simplicity of Barco’s one-click-wonder, they have completely redesigned the unit with brand new look with all the simplicity of its predecessor. The CSE-200 is taking on the new role of the ClickShare mini and making it even more secure. With updated security embedded into the ClickShare buttons, it becomes even more secure while sharing participant content on the big presentation screen.

feature1Barco also added a new cost-effective model, the CS-100, which is a lower cost unit that has most of the features of the CSE-200. The CS-100 model is priced low to allow any potential end-user to invest in a great platform to share content in their meeting room spaces. This model looks a little different than the CSE-200, with no external antennas and only one USB button to share. But, even with only one button end-users can still use the Barco mobile APP (Android & iOS) that will allow mobile device users to still contribute to the main display.

feature3These two new additions to the Barco family will be sure to complement its big brother, the CSC-1, which is still available for the larger conference rooms that have more participants.

But, the CSC-1 has some fresh news of its own. With a new firmware upgrade, existing CSC-1 ClickShare Classic units can be upgraded to support 4K UHD resolution (with the use of an active DisplayPort to HDMI adapter) and Airplay for iOS 9 devices.

Barco continues to elevate itself in the products they continue to develop for the collaboration and presentation.

For more information on Barco’s ClickShare or to schedule a demo, contact Eric Olson at eolson@almo.com or 888.420.2566 x4082.

One Click – Captivate by Simplicity

December 28, 2015 By Eric Olson Leave a Comment

Barco clickshareClickShare, the one click wonder, has been an extremely valuable product for many of our customers who are looking for an easy to use presentation and collaboration solution. ClickShare solves many of the issues that so many customers have with meetings; the actual sharing of information.

It is easily the most user friendly system to use when compared to other wireless presentation and collaboration tools. With a zero-IT footprint, using the ClickShare buttons on your laptop can be a breeze without the added IT support required from network administrators. The participants in a meeting can now effortlessly join in and present, share and collaborate with their peers, making the actual meeting more productive and engaging.

barco wireless collaborationAlmost every time someone new sees the ClickShare in action for the first time they are captivated by the simplicity and ease of presenting and sharing information on meeting room displays and projectors. The usual reaction is…”that’s pretty cool, what is that”? Followed up by a series of questions on how it operates and ultimately leads to, “how can I get one of those for my conference room?”

With my primary background from the wireless realm of IT, I really appreciate the ClickShare’s autonomous integrated access point that is built in. Users have the option to either use the wireless access point built into the ClickShare, or make the ClickShare part of a company LAN and utilize their WLAN to access the unit. This can be advantageous in the sense that you minimize concurrent wireless devices that may cause interference within your own wireless network, thereby degrading the wireless speeds and achieved data rates. You are essentially competing for RF “air space” when you run a wireless access point in the vicinity of another wireless network.

However, it can be equally advantageous for ClickShare integrators to run the built-in autonomous AP to run parallel to a company network. Too often A/V professionals are told, “You want to put an A/V project my corporate LAN? Not on my network!” With responses like these, you will soon see why using a Barco ClickShare has a huge advantage over its competitors.

We can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for Barco’s ClickShare!

LG: Breaking Ground on Innovative Products

December 18, 2015 By Eric Olson Leave a Comment

LG continues to impress me with its innovative technologies and drive for manufacturing better products.  Over the last 6 months we’ve been talking about their industry leading slim bezel display, the VH7B series.  But aside from this model there are quite a few additional technologies that they have developed for their new line of displays.

One really interesting development is the conformal coating of board level components on their printlg-monitor-IPS4-feature-img-Key_Visualed circuit boards.  This breathable, clear coating covers printed circuit boards, preventing short circuits and corrosion on board-level components that are damaged due to moisture/humidity, dust, and heat – the three leading causes of electronic hardware failure.  This technology leads to longer hardware lifetime, higher reliability and lower total cost of ownership.  Furthermore, conformal coating helps protect against water, dust and iron powder deposits which accumulate in harsh environments, saving on expensive installation and added enclosure costs.  This coating is even resistant to grease, which is very common in QSR (Quick Serve Restaurants) and transportation venues where digital signage is located.

The groundbreaking video wall display features LG’s “webOS for Signage” smart platform, which takes advantage of the built-in high-performance system-on-a-chip (SoC) that eliminates the need for an external media player, helping to reduce the total cost of ownership. LG’s webOS for Signage enables a variety of web-based applications across multiple platforms, as well as the ability to write applications using HTML 5.  The displays are equipped with built in Wi-Fi and LG’s webOS for Signage platform, which allows software developers to install and run their software in a more simplified solution. Using LGs Software Development Kit, integrators can construct their own ideal customized signage solution for their clients.450x370_CLOVER_FRONT_INFILL_v2

Additionally, LG has made some improvement in their digital content creator/editor for their models with SoC.  This new version is called SuperSign Simple Editor, which is a throwback to the days of the simple EZ Sign from LG, is their new signage creator and editor.  This new software platform will allow the user to select from 44 different templates to create signage from, along with the option to import content that the end user has stored already.  Forty-two of these templates are customizable, with 22 supporting live video or live TV signal.  You can even select templates based upon different vertical markets, like Bars & Restaurants, Shopping, Educations/Public, Information, Finance, Hotels/Hospitals, etc.  It’s the perfect solution for small or medium-sized businesses that need a straightforward, eye-catching and effective way to communicate with their target audience.

And, of course, anything LG does is worth mentioning their proprietary In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel technology.  IPS panels minimize image distortion at wide angles and provide high picture quality that offers original image color matching.
Most importantly, IPS panels create a viewing experience that is watchable at virtually any angle.

As you can see LG isn’t just resting on its laurels, and they aren’t just breaking ground on innovative new products; they are delivering on them!gen_header

Why Offering Voice, TV & Internet is a Benefit to Resellers

December 11, 2015 By Eric Olson Leave a Comment

Integrators looking to offer complete A/V solutions to their customers will eventually need to offer telecom services as part of those solutions. Currently, Pro A/V integrators are offering products, services and solutions that have converged with IT. Consequently, they will require some form of telecom service for it to work effectively. As an audio visual professional, you work closely with your customers to ensure they have the right technology for their digital signage, outdoor displays, surveillance and videoconferencing. But, there’s one thing they need to help ensure these applications run successfully: bandwidth.

Bandwidth governs all access to the Internet, the speed that data, images, and video can be uploaded and downloaded, and whether usage will be seamless or problematic.  Capabilities vary from venue-to-venue, location-to-location, and project to project. As A/V technologies and solutions advance there is a perpetual need for the correct telecom services that will make them work well. There are many key indicators that trigger the need for more bandwidth to be successful in a new project.

But how well are you prepared to handle bandwidth requirements and telecom services on your next A/V solution? What are some of the key benefits and advantages to offering these services?

When you are involved in the process of determining the appropriate telecom services for your customer you become more valuable to them in many ways. Bypassing telecom service offerings and leaving it up to the end-user to determine can negatively affect the performance of your A/V solution. Being involved from the beginning of the decision making process for telecom/bandwidth services makes your A/V project run more smoothly, while also making your presence in this solution recognized.

Let’s discuss some of the key advantages and benefits of offering telecom services to your customers:

  • Become a more complete solutions provider to your customers. You can make yourself an even more important resource for your customers by providing the robust connectivity they need. Not only are you a valued technical advisor and trusted integrator, but now you are also their telecom service consultant and can become intimately involved in their decision making process to accomplish their A/V goals more efficiently. As a result, data connectivity and bandwidth requirements are in high demand and must be addressed for these A/V solutions to function. Who better to address those needs than a trusted integrator with telecom service offerings? Not to mention that you will not be doing your customer’s a great deal of service if you just refer them to the local cable/telecom agent for their needs. They will ultimately wind up in a carrier’s call center to speak with an agent that knows very little about their business and solutions needs. After that call, who will be the one to help them as their needs increase or if problems arise? You can be their trusted telecom resource that will back them up indefinitely, start to finish.
  • Tap into a whole new revenue stream – Adding business communications to your portfolio of products and services that you sell can realize an incremental revenue stream; getting monthly commissions for the lifetime of the contract (including renewals and upgrades). Telecom service providers will continue to pay you as long as your customer has telecom services that they’ve initiated. Oftentimes a lump sum or finder’s fee will be given to integrators who refer their customers over to telco carriers. However, a one-time lump sum is nowhere near the cumulative amount that will be paid to you over the contract period. And, with technology requirements increasing the drive for more data, the customer’s services will undoubtedly be requiring more bandwidth in the future. That translates into higher monthly recurring revenue for you for the lifetime of the contract. Plus your monthly commissions will continue to bring cash flow into your business, and can even help free up financial resources during economic difficulty.
  • Save your customers money and help budget their A/V projects. Part of this involves you proposing to evaluate their current telecom bill and offer other carriers that may have a better pricing alternative. If your customer’s existing carrier has left something to be desired with regard to price, speed, and reliability then you can save your customer a lot more than just a reduction in the monthly bill. Think about how critical connectivity is to that business’ every day operations. What if they require multiple services that can be bundled to save them money? How much will it cost in downtime for unreliable services? How much will your A/V solution be impacted by poor bandwidth and insufficient download/upload speeds? When answered honestly, these questions can help form a realistic picture for your customer to understand the critical nature of their network bandwidth and telecom service requirements. Additionally, the money you can save your customer can also help offset or augment their A/V project budgets. If your customer or project needs guaranteed services for mission critical projects, then maybe it’s time to re-evaluate their current uses and future needs.
  • Become more aware of telecom services to offer; educate yourself on telecom requirements for A/V projects of any type. Identifying opportunities and projects that need telecom services are an important part of becoming a telecom services provider. Whether it is for a video wall or digital signage that requires substantial download speeds for regular HD content updates; streaming video services that gobble up lots of download bandwidth to view HD content (and eventually 4K UHD content); surveillance cameras that upload their images to a remote network NVR (Network Video Recorder) or cloud service; implementing a video teleconferencing system that needs loads of upstream bandwidth to avoid choppy images and lagging video/audio; or even for customers who have upgraded to an advanced business phone system (VoIP) or hosted cloud-based PBX system; as your experience evolves, so will your knowledge of telecom services. Identifying opportunities is only one aspect, but now you will also know which telecom services go hand-in-hand with your A/V solution to offer your customers.
  • Evolve your business by incorporating and offering telecom solutions with your A/V projects. You effectively can drive more business to your company by adding these services. When you become an integrator that can offer essential telecom services to your customers you will be paving the way to a whole new customer base. Not only will these services be an important part of the daily A/V solution, but by offering Business Class Internet, cable TV, voice services (VoIP, hosted PBX) you have effectively added a whole new facet to your business. And, there is literally no financial investment on your part to getting this started. Equally important, you will not need any formal training or education to become involved. From prospecting and developing leads to closing the deal; it is all taken care of for you when you partner with Almo CONNECT. What better way to add new business to your existing capabilities without the costs of new customer acquisition (including training for your staff)?

Remember: Key indications that you need a bandwidth discussion begin with a complete evaluation of the project, network environment, and overall requirements. Without the right speed, their applications may be slow. They need connectivity that will help keep everything working as you intended. And they are going to look to someone for connectivity. Why not have it be you? Offering customers something that they have an existing need for adds an additional tool in your tool belt, and allows integrators to become more complete solutions providers. If you are a trusted technical partner of your customer and they depend upon your expertise to keep their projects running flawlessly, you should be involved in the discussions for bandwidth requirements and telecom services.

Almo CONNECT’s national telecom service partners aim to be your complete telecom solutions and bandwidth provider that will help you become even more valuable to your customers and their projects.

Do You Know Your Bandwidth Options?

November 30, 2015 By Eric Olson Leave a Comment

Over the past few years AV professionals have known that their industry has merged with IT in many different facets.  Part of that collision of industries involves an impact on network resources, which is significant to say the least.  Equally important is finding the best telecom services that are needed to support those network requirements.  Almost every AV project involves some form of telecom in how they will effectively operate.  Consequently, data connectivity and bandwidth requirements are in high demand and must be addressed for these A/V solutions to function successfully.

Bandwidth governs all access to the Internet, the speed that data, images, and video can be uploaded and downloaded, and whether usage will be seamless or problematic.  Capabilities vary from venue-to-venue, location-to-location, and project to project.  As A/V technologies and solutions advance there is a perpetual requirement for the right telecom services to make them work.  There are many key indicators that would trigger the need for more bandwidth to be successful in a new project.

But how well are you prepared to handle bandwidth requirements and telecom services on your next AV solution?

Here are some examples and ways to evaluate your AV projects and the resulting telecom needs:

Connect blog video wallVideo Walls – need bandwidth to update content and stream video/audio content.  They require a substantial bandwidth pipeline to accommodate the download requirements of streaming high definition video content and services.  Without the appropriate amount of bandwidth your message
becomes non-existent.

connect blog video teleconf clearoneVideo Teleconferencing – Expecting flawless video and audio during a teleconference requires proper upstream bandwidth for smooth conversations without lag, jitter, and choppy images.  If you’ve just outfitted your customer with a new video teleconferencing system, you need to have the conversation with them about obtaining the appropriate amount of bandwidth to accommodate that service functionally.  The impact on network resources should be realized and planned accordingly from the beginning.

connectblog video survVideo Surveillance – We’ve been seeing the transition from analog to IP cameras used for surveillance over the last few years.  Now that these cameras are riding on category cables (Cat 5e/6a) and connected to a network they will also need to send and retrieve stored information on network video recorders (NVRs).  If you plan on viewing or recording footage remotely then you will need to have substantial upload capability to accommodate bandwidth hungry high resolution megapixel cameras.  For reference, a single 3 megapixel IP camera operating at 30 frames per second will need at least 50 Mbps of network bandwidth to operate effectively.

VoIP Phones – If you have a PBX system that is about to migrate to the cloud, you will have to consider the bandwidth requirements to support this new move.  You’ll save money on hardware overall, but an upgrade to business class voice services will definitely require an increase in available bandwidth.  And, since your telephone system is so critical to daily operations, you will likely need to have a dedicated Ethernet circuit brought into the business.  These types of circuits offer guaranteed service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee uptime of your network for mission critical operations, like your phone system.  This is especially critical for call centers handling numerous calls simultaneously.

Streaming HD Video Services – with the advent of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube the network will always be taxed to deliver the intense data load of HD content.  Bandwidth hungry services like YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, etc. are driving the need to provide more bandwidth to businesses that support these applications.  Hospitality is one market that is constantly changing its bandwidth requirements to conform to their customer’s habits of online gaming, streaming video services, guest Wi-Fi usage for multiple devices, etc.

All of the previously mentioned examples are key indicators that a conversation should take place about evaluating, and possibly upgrading, your bandwidth circuits to support – cable TV services, streaming HD video, video teleconferencing, digital signage content, command and control rooms, VoIP phone systems, and surveillance applications.

Remember:  Key indications that you need a bandwidth discussion begin with a complete evaluation of the project, network environment, and overall requirements.  Without the right speed, their applications may be slow.  They need connectivity that will help keep everything working as you intended.  And they are going to look to someone for connectivity.  Why not have it be you?  Offering customers something that they have an existing need for adds an additional tool in your tool belt, and allows integrators to become more complete solutions providers.  If you are a trusted technical partner of your customer and they depend upon your expertise to keep their projects running flawlessly, you should be involved in the discussions for bandwidth requirements and telecom services.

ALMO CONNECT’s national telecom services aims to be your complete telecom solutions and bandwidth provider that will help you become even more valuable to your customers and their projects.

Collaboration & Control: Trends towards wireless presentation and BYOD and the need for simple control systems

October 21, 2015 By Eric Olson Leave a Comment

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is starting to become the norm for meetings and work gatherings.  As companies begin to provide access to multiple devices, like smartphones, tablets and laptops, these tools should promote productivity and the changing styles of communication.  In today’s marketplace the concept of BYOD is becoming commonplace as users have grown accustomed to the personal and portable characteristics of tablets and smartphones.  BYOD is no longer just an emerging trend, it is here and it will continue to transform the way businesses work.  The one place that needs BYOD the most is the meeting room.  And a professional solution should be integral to every company strategy, as it can significantly improve the quality of meetings, and reduce the amount of time spent in them.

Unengaging meetings and boring conferences are a thing of the past.  Today, meeting rooms and huddle spaces have taken their place in how groups communicate.  But, how do the participants become more involved in these events?  BYOD can bring significant benefits to the meeting room.  Sharing content across tablets and smartphones makes these devices useful for many different meeting scenarios, ranging from sales presentations, to training, to planning sessions.  Bringing one’s own device to meetings is now an acceptable practice that allows everyone involved to participate and exchange ideas, files and plans.  So, part of this new age of holding meetings requires us to redefine how we present, collaborate, communicate and share.

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Presentation – Presentations that consist of “death by PowerPoint” are no longer a desirable practice during meetings and conferences.  Rarely are participants able to exchange thoughts and ideas with others in a meaningful or impactful way.  Nor does anyone take anything meaningful away from a one-sided presentation that feels more like a lecture.  That’s why wireless presentation systems are making a big impact in the way people participate in meetings with their own devices.

Collaboration – Collaborate truly means to work together.  But how do people work together when they are simply looking at a presentation on a projector screen or display?  The true meaning of collaboration starts to take place when participants are engaging each other throughout meetings.  This ultimately leads to a more effective use of meeting time and productivity from team members.

Communication – For meetings, all invited parties need to be able to access the conference from various locations.  If any members are working remotely, their devices need to have the capability to connect with the home office’s conference room or line through audio and/or video.  In line with wireless presentations and networks, the connections need to be stable to allow for clear communication exchange.

Streamline your presentations – Multiple people sharing a presentation can be a common occurrence, and one that can become seriously time-consuming, especially when each presenter has to plug their laptop into the projector, give out their own hand-outs, etc.  By introducing BYOD, employees can use their own smartphones and tablets to give their presentations, using mobile apps from A/V specialists, to project their presentations wirelessly on to a single monitor. This allows presentations to run more quickly and smoothly.

Share your information – Wireless collaboration technologies, can bring participants’ devices together at the touch of a button, making meetings more productive.  A wireless connection to a shared display from participants’ seats will remove the need for complex configuring and cabling.  Get wireless or upgrade your wireless infrastructure.  If you’re not wireless, get there!  If you are wireless, make sure you are up to standard.  Ensure that your Wi-Fi network provides the optimal speed and connections to support multiple devices and platforms, especially for audio and video communication, for internal and external team members.

Meeting Rooms and Huddle spaces have been evolving, and as a result, require more technological advancements that allow for a more productive and engaging experience.  The wireless presentation and collaboration systems have a host of features to make more effective use of meeting time and productivity.  Technology companies especially are exploring how it can increase productivity, employee happiness and efficiency in the workplace.  Investing in the right technology is key to the success of bringing BYOD in to a meeting room environment.  Mainly because technical issues are one of the foremost factors that negatively impact the effectiveness of meetings.  Choosing a streamlined solution from A/V specialists which is fail-safe and easy-to-use, and you will quickly see meeting room performance improve.

Selecting an appropriate wireless collaboration solution will bring all of the devices together regardless of the operating system.  With so many options for wireless collaboration, which product suits your current and future requirements for your meeting room?  How can you begin the task of updating your conference room technology to support BYOD?  Fortunately, there are several solid vendors that bring unique strengths to the wireless presentation and collaboration systems market.  Barco’s ClickShare is an early pioneer in this realm, while Kramer’s VIA Collage & Connect PRO models have other features and benefits.  Even AMX has its hand in the game with its relatively new ENZO product.  Each product has its own unique strengths and benefits that can satisfy different meeting room requirements and sizes.  Start checking out hardware and run it through a vetting process to whittle down your ideal selection.

Hardware – Review your current conference room set-up and how it is being used.  If you are working with mostly internal employees, look at how the equipment works with different devices, especially smartphones and tablets.  You will need to determine how the different hardware will work in connecting with multiple users for any teleconferencing or video conferencing with clients and vendors.  Other considerations that must also be factored in to make certain that the hardware can support it include:  the number of participants, number of displays supported, number of simultaneous sources displayed, Android/iOS APP support for mobile devices, security features, file sharing, moderator capability, and whiteboard annotation.

Software – Software on BYOD devices should be similar across platforms to ensure all team members can connect and share content.  If your BYOD policy does not permit certain software usage, review what current software will meet conference room needs.  If there is anything missing, it may be time to invest in new software tools.

The rising trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), whether as an official enterprise policy or an informal practice by employees, has resulted in additional devices being increasingly used in the workplace, with inherent benefits for employees and organizations. It makes mobile and flexible working more straight-forward and improves the opportunities for collaboration.

Simple Control – Once the presentation and collaboration systems are in place, there is something else left to address.  Using a simple control system would be the ideal method of controlling your sources and inputs on the displays and projectors in use.  With the touch of a single button a control system can set the entire meeting room up including lighting, shading, projector/display power control, and so much more.  Toggling between inputs on a remote control is an antiquated concept, and a waste of productive time.  Not to mention, lost remotes and lost time spent changing settings, inputs and adjusting screen resolutions affect the bottom line.  The result is increasing productivity while reducing costs and maximizing employee time.  This also makes it both secure and easy for your users.

The goal of BYOD should be to provide both flexibility and empowerment to employees while promoting productivity to reach assigned targets and goals as a team.  To do that, there needs to be a clear policy with the proper tools to support all.

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Digital Signage Information

The Digital Signage Federation defines Digital Signage as a network of digital displays that is centrally managed and addressable for targeted information, entertainment, merchandising and advertising. Now Digital Signage means different things to different people. It could be a digital display at a supermarket checkout line showing information about products and promotions; it could be a television in your local deli or pizzeria showing live programming and advertising for businesses in the area; it could be a welcome sign with the day’s events in a hotel lobby; along with a nearly unlimited number of other purposes. Here at Exertis Almo, we are experts in all areas of Digital Signage. We would be happy to help you with any of your Digital Signage needs. Want to know more about Digital Signage? On this page we have a collection of our blogs all around the topic of digital signage.

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