Taking into account modern trends, Siam Commercial Bank embarked on a reimagining of its corporate work and learning space. Vichai Trading 1983 details how it helped deliver technology and AV systems to make this possible.
the corporate sector is undergoing a series of changes as it seeks to cater to a new age demographic entering the workforce. As millennials and members of Gen Y begin to comprise
a greater portion of employees, their relationship
with technology and their expectations with
regards to working environments are causing a
change in how corporate clients structure their
spaces and deploy AV technology.
Siam Commercial Bank is no different, and it
has established a facility in Bangkok, Thailand to
cater to the needs of its employees.
Rawiwan Kumthongmak VP, learning platform
management, LX & engagement platform,
has been appointed in charge of the learning
platform and for the special project of the SCB
Academy.
Kumthongmak shares the vision behind the
initiative: “The SCB Academy was established
to share new ways of learning between our
employees. We wanted to provide a new channel
for our employees and wanted to have a more
modern learning facility that moves away from
the traditional classroom and towards more of a
flexible and dynamic space.”
From the start the goal was for technology and
interior design to come together to help Siam
Commerical Bank achieve its vision for the SCB
Academy. Kumthongmak says: “The aim was to
create a working and learning space based around
the idea of sharing experiences. This is why we
have the decor and the aesthetics that you see, to
enable learning and sharing.
“The technology we selected also needed to
match our aim. It had to be flexible in order for
us to maximise the utility of the space. For our
employees, we would like them to have access
to the content and the learning activities in the
easiest way possible. The technology should not
limit or restrict them to just specific spaces. They
should be able to use a multitude of rooms or
spaces according to their needs.”
Turning to technology also matched a trend
in the world of banking which Kumthongmak
highlights: “We are seeing a shift from traditional
banking to digital banking and it is important to
address this trend. One of the reasons for relying
on technology for the SCB Academy was to create
a level of digital awareness and digital fluency
amongst our employees to keep in step with the
changes that we are seeing.”
Core components
Vichai Trading 1983 served as the system integrator
for the SCB Academy project. The integrator’s job
was made a bit easier by the fact that the kind of
flexible and dynamic technology solutions required
by Siam Commercial Bank are enabled by AV over
IP products. The fact that both audio and
can be transmitted over IP infrastructures meant
that Vichai Trading 1983 was able to deliver truly
connected systems.
It is no surprise that the heart of the AV systems
is an IT switch. Two 48-port Cisco switches across
the two levels are used.
Another key component of the AV systems
deployed at SCB Academy is the QSC Core 110f
processor. Like the IT switches, one Core unit has
been deployed for each of the levels.
Pichit Ngamtubtim, sales manager at Vichai
Trading 1983, details the advantage of using IP
networks: “We have two control rooms on the two
floors of the SCB Acad emy. But both control rooms
have been linked with fibre optics. The signal can
be routed from the QSC Core processors to the
edge switches and across the network as needed.”
The QSC Core processors also serve as the
control units for the SCB Academy. QSC Q-Sys
4.7-in and 7-in touch panels are provided to
access the control system.
Ngamtubtim says: “Siam Commercial Bank
wanted to centralise the control as much as
possible. That is the reason we have provided the
touchpanels, so that they have an easy access
point for the control system. The GUI, which we
designed in-house, allows them an easy way to
manage all the AV systems. So for example, if the
user wants to book or manage one of the rooms
it can all be done from any of the touch panels
located around the SCB Academy.”
AMX NMX encoders and decoders have been
chosen for video transmission.
Ngamtubtim summarises: “With AV systems
now being on IP networks, it is easier than ever
before to control technology.”
Making an entrance
The decreasing costs of LED tiles means that they
are now within the reach of many clients. Siam
Commercial Bank has chosen LED displays for its
entrance and town hall space.
The town hall area is of particular interest. The
space follows an ‘open design’ concept and can be
used by the employees of Siam Commercial Bank
for impromptu meetings if required. However, the
space can be called on for larger meetings and
town hall gatherings when needed.
Novastar processors are used to power the
LED videowall and Ngamtubtim provides
details regarding the display’s function: “All the
processing for the videowall is handled by the
Novastar processors. They are also responsible
for scaling of the content and ensuring that it is
displayed in the correct aspect ratio.”
The Novastar processors also empower the
functionality of the LED videowall as Ngamtubtim
explains: “We can split the LED videowall into seven
separate images. This provides Siam Commercial
Bank flexibility in terms of how the videowall
is used and how content can be displayed and
arranged during the meetings.”
The townhall space has also been provided with
six Tannoy CVS6 ceiling speakers for audio. On
the backend QSC amplifiers provide power while
QSC processing is also employed. Audio-Technica
microphones are used for input. A Lumens camera
is used to record proceedings.
Immersion unbroken
The immersive space at SCB Academy straddles the
line between the traditional and the modern. A
smaller town hall space, it features a traditional
orientation for seating and a face forward
configuration for presentation. However, the
aesthetics and decor of the space are meant to
foster an atmosphere of inclusion and immersion
which is in line with the modern trend of
collaborative meetings and discussions.
A Sony projector provides visuals. However,
the usual projection display system has been
elevated as Ngamtubtim details: “We’ve used
Sony projectors along with a vinyl screen. The
space has been backlit so as to provide a pleasing
aesthetic. Projection was the obvious choice for
this space as the display needed to be quite big
to be effective.”
For audio input, Audio-Technica wireless
handheld microphones have been provided. Sound
itself is delivered by QSC ceiling speakers. To pack
a bit more punch, a QSC ceiling sub-woofer is also
included. Amplification and processing is provided
by QSC products.
Interestingly, a QSC IO-8 Flex is also included.
This Q-Sys peripheral essentially replaces a mixer
and gives Siam Commercial Bank the ability to
bring in rental AV systems to the immersive space.
This adds another dimension of multi-functionality
for the end user to explore.
Collaborate anywhere
The best example of the change in Siam Commercial
Bank’s approach to its working spaces is a simple
open space which could be missed if one was not
looking. In terms of technology and equipment,
the space looks quite barren. It only features an
Epson interactive, short throw projector and a
traditional whiteboard.
The idea behind the space is to allow employees
to have impromptu meetings without the need to
go through the room booking process and send
out invites. When collaboration is spontaneous,
Siam Commercial Bank employees can simply walk
in and use the equipment provided.
Talking with Ngamtubtim reveals the reasoning
behind the selection of Epson for projection: “The
SCB Academy uses a wide variety of projectors
from Sony, NEC and others. But for this space the
only option was Epson. We needed an interactive
and ultra-short throw projector and the only
manufacturer that makes a product that meets
these requirements is Epson.”
The projector is brought onto the network with
the help of AMX NMX encoders and decoders.
Connectivity with the projector can be achieved
via HDMI or VGA. A 3.5mm connector is provided
for audio when using the VGA connector for video.
The decision to forego wireless connectivity was
deliberate as Kumthongmak says: “Due to security
concerns, especially with regards to having devices
on our WiFi network, we decided against wireless
connectivity. I know that young people increasingly
want to present from their phones and don’t want
to bring laptops. But we have
to follow the regulations set
forward by the Bank of Thailand
and the need to comply with
these regulations outweighs the
benefits of wireless presentation.
Our focus will always be security
first.”
The SCB Academy is
operational and Siam Commercial
Bank is monitoring the response
to its initiative. Kumthongmak
says: “We’re currently still in the
trial phase and are evaluating
how our employees receive
this initiative. Perhaps if it
is successful we can look at
expanding the number and the
scope of the SCB Academy.”