The interplay between technology and space is becoming even more important for corporate clients. Actis Technologies details how it deployed AV systems for Viacom18 with this fact at the forefront.
Corporate clients have realised that AV technology not just essential for office spaces to perform their function. AV
technology, by definition, also dictates how this function will be performed and consequently set the underlying tone for the entire office space.
When Viacom18 India moved to a new office at Shiv Building, Mumbai, India, it knew that the spaces it developed needed to be an extension of its work culture as well. Actis Technologies was engaged by Viacom18 as the integrator to deliver the AV technology for its new spaces.
Viacom18 is one of India’s fastest growing entertainment networks and offers multi- platform, multi-generational and
multicultural brand experiences. Understanding its corporate identity was an obvious first step for the integrator.
Abhimanyu Gupta, owner of Actis Technologies, says: “Viacom18 India, wanted to create a dynamic new office space that was trendy and used technology in futuristic ways. It needed to reflect the vibe of the new media and entertainment industry in which they are seen as an innovator and leader. The communication requirements envisaged at Viacom18 were varied and involved both internal and external stakeholders at the organisation.”
Regarding the scope of the project, Gupta says: “This was a design and build project where Actis Technologies was responsible for the AV integration for 38 rooms across seven floors. These included the reception area, 26 huddle rooms which seat four people, six small meeting rooms accommodating six people, one boardroom which can accommodate 10 people and two larger boardrooms which seat up to 16 people. In addition,
we were also asked to work on the training room.”
The different areas highlighted by Gupta have been equipped with AV systems that fit the space in question.
Gupta details: “The reception, which is a space where many external stakeholders arrive and spend some time, has been equipped with a videowall which features live broadcasts of six key Viacom18 products. The content includes a live showcase of Viacom18’s TV channels to inform and entertain visitors while they are waiting.”
The videowall in the reception area is in a 2 x 2 configuration comprising Samsung UD46E-P panels. These are linked to an Xtreme Media signage system while a Crestron DM-MD16X16- RPS 16x16 DigitalMedia switcher was installed to sit at the centre of the video system.
Viacom18 had a particular vision for the meeting rooms, huddle rooms and boardrooms. Gupta elaborates: “For internal stakeholders, the creative teams that are at the core of the entertainment business, video
collaboration technology was sought to simplify their interactions. Viacom18 wanted to create greater flexibility for their teams to conduct meetings and training sessions between offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Gurgaon and Hyderabad.”
For videoconferencing, an overall UC strategy was developed and deployed by Actis Technologies. Gupta details: “Each of the smaller huddle rooms had to be equipped with basic meeting and video collaboration tools while the larger boardrooms had a wider scope including a programmed audio system for audio reinforcement, an AV control system and a lighting control system.”
He continues: “The videoconferencing system needed to provide support for Skype so that smaller groups can use their laptops to conduct or participate in VC calls with other offices. Basic VC systems in the smaller huddle rooms needed to be interoperable with higher-end ones installed in the larger boardrooms.”
The boardrooms have been equipped with ClearOne Collaborate Pro 600 videoconference systems.
In order to provide the
flexibility that Viacom18 demanded, Actis Technologies went for an approach that simplified the situation. Gupta says: “Boardrooms and training rooms use large Samsung displays and wireless presentation systems to ensure smooth connectivity and limited cable clutter when using any presentation device or source.”
A variety of Samsung displays and WePresent WiPG-2000 wireless presentation is employed across the training rooms and boardrooms.
Gupta says: “Most of the technology and AV interfaces provided in the meeting and boardrooms is recessed or concealed, except for displays and the cameras. This also simplifies things for the facilities team who don’t need to ‘set up’ and ‘clear up’ before and after meetings.”
Audio for the spaces has been given specific consideration with added attention being paid to the boardrooms and training room.
Gupta says: “In the boardrooms, the audio setup comprises ceiling microphones and a wireless microphone to ensure that the presenter and other participants are clearly audible. Sound is processed by the DSPs to ensure echo cancellation and audio
routing and to ensure it is audible through the ceiling speakers. In the training room, a similar audio system is employed, with a simpler microphone and overall audio system.”
A Biamp Nexia TC DSP serves as the heart of the audio system for the boardrooms. Audix M3 tri-element hanging microphones are provided for audio pick-up while Crestron Saros Express 4-in ceiling speakers provide sound.
For the training room, a Biamp Nexia TC DSP is used as well. Shure SVX24/PG58 wireless microphones and Bose SoundTouch 520 audio system are also employed.
Tying the audio and video systems together is a control system based on Crestron CP3 processors and Apple iPads serving as input devices.
Actis Technologies expended significant effort to make sure that the control system met Viacom18’s requirements and the end result is a customised solution. Gupta details: “A centralised room scheduling system was also implemented to manage meeting bookings across all the rooms. Touch panel controls were programmed in the larger rooms for more intuitive control of the AV systems and the room environment.”
According to Gupta, Actis Technologies met the brief set out by Viacom18. He details how the technology elevates the spaces at the end user’s office: “Technology fits seamlessly into
the elegant and futuristic decor of the workspaces while performing its functions. Wireless presenting simplifies things for presenters and eliminates unsightly cable clutter. Thanks to video collaboration, teams need to travel less to interact productively with colleagues elsewhere. They experience natural and flexible sharing of ideas and information in varied formats.”
He concludes: “Networked AV setup simplifies management of several rooms that are enabled for meetings, training and entertainment and allows interoperability of technologies. Greater flexibility in many ways that allows use of the optimum room size for meeting groups and also the appropriate technology — Skype equipped laptops or high-powered VC endpoints for videoconferencing.”