Flexibility and ease of use go hand in hand as A&ITS brings flexibility and simplicity to a governmental auditorium. Reece Webb reports.
No business happens without clear and effective communication, and for the province of Pavia, this was an absolute necessary for its refreshed auditorium.
As the auditorium’s AV system was beginning to show its age, the provincial government required a modern auditorium space that could fulfil not just its needs for clear and effective communication at the local government level, but also opens up a new revenue stream as a hall for hire to outside clients, providing an additional source of income.
To achieve a new level of modernisation, the client turned to integrator A&ITS to deliver an overhaul that would meet the local government’s flexible needs. The integrator was pitched into a battle against time – not only did A&ITS have to deliver a streamlined system that ticked every box for the end user, but to do so in just two weeks.
Gabriele Celli, CEO, A&ITS, explains: “The auditorium is used for both traditional auditorium purposes and for conferencing. The auditorium considered many proposals for this project, and the client chose A&ITS for the project.
“The end user wanted a renewal of this space with new technologies; they wanted the function of the room to stay the same but equipped with the latest products. For the customer, this room brings economic income, because it is available for rent by external customers.
“They use this space as an auditorium and rent this hall out to the public [for events]. Half of the room is for the provincial county meetings, for which they needed a traditional conference setup; The other half is for public administration” adds Celli.
The auditorium required an AV system that delivered not just quality conferencing and crystal-clear audio for traditional auditorium usage, but also had to be easy to divide into two parts without excessive complications when hosting two events.
Celli continues: “The space can be subdivided into two spaces. We simplified control so that when one side is in use, the other is off. Alternatively, both spaces can be used simultaneously, it’s so easy. The system can handle videoconferencing or simple, in-person conference meetings. The strong point of the system is its easy user interface.”
Simplifying this space was at the forefront the integrator’s mind, supplying a streamlined technology system that could easily be controlled by a Samsung touchpanel, streamlining the management of all the systems in the room.
A&ITS ensured that the system could easily be used by non-technical personnel on site, eliminating the need for adjustment of the system outside of the use of simplified presets. Celli adds: “The touch panel manages the entire system through presets, I have the option to recall a simple preset for each type of event, there is no unnecessary tampering to change the audio or other settings. All of our projects have the same mission in mind: Make it simple to use.”
Stepping into the auditorium, visitors are met by the unique architecture of this deconsecrated church space, and a sleek, modern design that not only delivers from a technical standpoint but offers an intimate experience for audiences that ensures quality audio and visuals no matter where a participant is sat.
The hall is equipped with ten Bose 402 IV Panaray speakers supported by a Bose Entero 4400 power amplifier. This audio setup also features a LTech RSD-1616D digital mixer which distributes the audio signal of various sources to the loudspeakers and the in-room conferencing system, controlled by a Cue controlCUE device which operates both the audio and video system.
For clear audio during conferencing, A&ITS supplied the conference table with Beetronics 15HD7 15-in displays, supported by pre-installed Bosch CCS 900 discussion units, with additional AKG WMS470 Vocal D5 and Sennheiser G3 microphones to support conferencing and other events.
For videoconferencing, the space is equipped with five Lumens VC-A61P-3 cameras which record the stage environment and the audience, providing flexibility for the multiple uses required of this space.
“The cameras are controlled by a joystick to record either the preset or adjusted up and down. The devices are linked by a Netgear GS116LP switch, offering AC power and PoE,” adds Celli.
The video signal for the entire room is distributed via TX-RX HDBaseT. The HDBaseT platform is managed by a Vivolink VL120016T HDBaseT extender/transmitter, supporting 1080p signal up to 70 metres over a single Cat5e/6 cable.
Celli continues: “We can manage all the routing of the video by using an Aten matrix. For the back-end monitoring of the conferencing system, we used Beetronics 15HD7W monitors for the visualisation of the content on the Barco G62-W11 VPL projector. Wireless presentation is handled by a Kindermann Klick & Show presentation system.”
For monitoring of the system in the operation room, A&ITS delivered a Samsung Tab S6 monitor for previewing of content, delivering a preview mode and an additional monitor to display signal monitoring. “There are four sockets for audio and four sockets for HDMI in case of a service outage,” says Celli. “I can put the signal of the audio and the video inside our system, or I can take it elsewhere, such as the audio from the speakers for use by interpreters.
“The entire system is managed by a touchscreen which offers redundancy. I can merge the room on site just by using the Samsung wireless tablet, and the system can be managed remotely.”
“The brands that we chose guarantee great technical performance, and easy integration between the systems. Sometimes, there can be some problems integrating different devices in a videoconferencing context, so we picked these devices as they were the best choice to get the most from the room.”
Race against time
Upon taking on the project, A&ITS had only two weeks to install, test, and sign off on the project. A&ITS not only had to work in an unconventional environment, but also strip out the old system and install the new AV system in a real race against time.
Celli explains: “The client had an event in the calendar, and they had a need for us to finish this project quickly. We had to work quickly and efficiently with the other contractors on site, reacting quickly to the requests of the customers, and this is what really made us proud. In the end, the project by itself was not difficult to deliver, but the deadline was the real problem -we had a few sleepless nights completing this project! We had to do it fast, and we had to do it well.”
Today, the auditorium is equipped with a comprehensive system that can meet local government needs while also offering a flexible environment for the end-user’s customers when renting the room.
A&ITS delivered a system that simply works, providing post-installation support and maintenance coverage to support the system going forward. The end user was so impressed with the project, that they have brought A&ITS on board to deliver a new project in the future.
“We have not received a single call from the customer related to technical problems”, says Celli, “We use the technology that we know very well, and it works.
“The client told us that they were very proud of how we handled the timing restrictions; we initially doubted that we could do it, but we completed the project and did it well. The client understands the system well, and we provided the training and support that they needed; we provided rapid answers to queries and there are no problems.”