Hurrairah bin Sohail explores the AV deployment at SAP’s facility in Vietnam where integrator Vega Vietnam stepped up to the plate to implement global standards with local flair.
For enterprise software giant SAP, the expansion of its Ho Chi Minh City facility represented the next step forward in creating a workspace that empowers its users. The core requirement was a unified technology system capable of supporting a variety of functions and outcomes.
Vega Vietnam was entrusted with deploying technology systems at SAP’s facility which comprised huddle rooms, small, medium, and large meeting rooms, an executive boardroom, a flexible training room, and a work café.
The design and selection of all products were dictated by SAP’s global AV standards. Linh Pham, country manager for Vega Vietnam, elaborates: “SAP has very clear global standards when it comes to the technology for their rooms and spaces. These global standards were communicated to us, and we followed the client’s direction. But as the facility is in Vietnam there was a certain degree of localisation required, and we collaborated with SAP to make sure that the AV systems met their requirements.”
To deliver the mandated scalability and unified user experience, Vega Vietnam anchored the technology deployment to an AV-over-IP system based on the Q-SYS platform and ecosystem. This decision was central to the project’s success, offering a single, software-based architecture to manage audio, video, and control functions across all endpoints. Going down the AV-over-IP route allowed systems to be deployed over a standard gigabit network, aligning with SAP’s IT infrastructure requirements.
Q-SYS NV encoders and decoders, together with Q-SYS Core 110f processors, were used across the facility as they are a part of SAP’s global standard specification for AV distribution and processing.
The Q-SYS NV encoders and decoders proved particularly effective for standard meeting spaces. They operated as a software-configurable encoder or decoder on the network and offered a single USB-C connection for device charging and high-bandwidth data transfer.
Pham noted that the AV-over-IP route delivered a key win for the user experience: “The system provided a streamlined solution that removed the clutter of dongles, USB hubs, and multiple cables, directly addressing the client’s demand for a frictionless, unified workspace.”
The Q-SYS ecosystem, with PTZ cameras included, provided the flexibility required to solve the project’s most challenging technical requirement which came in the shape of the combinable training room and event space. This area, intended to be SAP Vietnam’s first large-scale event space, needed to function flawlessly as four completely independent training rooms or combine seamlessly into one large venue.
Pham details: “Event spaces have become part of workplaces. But what set the event space in SAP’s Vietnam office apart was the fact that it was four rooms that can be combined in a variety of ways. All four rooms can be used independently, two rooms can be used together, three rooms can be combined, or all the rooms can be combined and used as a one space. Previously, SAP event spaces had been divided into three or two rooms and the ensuing combinations. This meant that SAP’s global standard did not have a clear guideline on how to implement technology.”
Ryder Nguyen, technical manager and lead programmer for the SAP project, Vega Vietnam, focused on ensuring the complexity of this zone was invisible to the end-user. He said: “The core idea was to make the highly complex engineering behind the scenes appear simple to the end-user. We achieved this through the platform’s unified architecture. Having the cameras, endpoints, and processor all be from Q-SYS and using AV over IP helped us deliver for the client.”
In this multi-functional space, a central Q-SYS Core 110f handles the intricate audio routing, ensuring high-quality sound reinforcement and essential AEC across all zones, whether they are separated or combined.
When the partitioning walls are retracted, a simple action on the Q-SYS touchscreen triggers a programmed sequence. The Core merges the four distinct audio zones, re-routes the video distribution path to display a single source across all room displays, and locks the control interface into the combined event mode.
Custom programming, with a Crestron CP4 processor also employed, ensures that the event space works as desired. Throughout the facility, LG flat panel displays of appropriate sizes were used as the primary visual output devices. Q-SYS cameras are employed as required.
For standard collaboration spaces, such as the meeting and training rooms, Vega prioritised simplicity and a clean aesthetic. Complementing the Q-SYS infrastructure in the smaller and medium rooms are Logitech Rally Bar videobars.
Where required, Logitech extension microphones are deployed to provide complete coverage in meeting and collaboration spaces. In the boardroom, a Crestron UC gateway is used.
Overall, the audio system comprises QSC amplifiers, Bose ceiling speakers, and Shure wireless microphones. The primary challenge in the delivery of the project was a condensed timeline. Initially planned for a five-month execution window, the schedule was expedited requiring full deployment and commissioning in just three months.
This acceleration applied logistical pressure to the entire delivery process and Pham details: “We had challenges from the supply chain perspective to source equipment that met SAP’s global standards within this narrow timeframe. Specifically, there were issues in procuring the cabling identified by SAP’s global standard. This is where localisation came in, and we worked with the SAP team to identify alternatives that were then approved on their end after due consideration. With our collective efforts, we successfully managed to complete the project on time.”
The deployment phase was characterised by meticulous planning and a strong commitment to quality from Vega Vietnam. While the focus was on the immediate hardware rollout, the integrator implemented a strategy for long-term viability making decisions to future-proof the technology systems.
Recognising SAP’s growth and the fluid nature of corporate workspace requirements, the Vega team made a conscious decision to install capacity beyond the immediate need. Pham details: “Workspaces today need to be flexible and the technology needs to support this. We cannot accurately predict how hybrid routines will evolve or how working culture will change so we made the conscious decision with the client to make sure the AV systems can be moulded in different directions in the future. We made spare provisions for cabling for each room for example and in the future this means that these spaces can be changed with relative ease. If SAP wants to modify their offices in the future, the system can still be repurposed, and new equipment can be brought in.”
The entire system is currently operating smoothly. The project exemplifies how modern AV-over- IP platforms, paired with disciplined deployment and strategic future-proofing, allow integrators to meet aggressive timelines and deliver complex enterprise solutions.
Pham concludes: “At Vega, we prioritise our clients’ needs and aim to exceed expectations with innovative solutions that drive positive business outcomes. Our close communication with SAP from the outset enabled us to showcase Vega’s capabilities in this project effectively. We are optimistic that this will highlight our One Vega mission in delivering excellence and our commitment to supporting future SAP office expansions across the Asia Pacific region, backed by our presence in 20 offices and over 700 dedicated team members throughout APAC.”