AV Integration July 2019 by Sun Circle Publishers

INTEGRATION July/August 2019

www.av-integration.co.za

IN THIS ISSUE

MEDIATECH AFRICA SHOW REPORT INSIDE THE VIRTUAL COURTROOM LOCAL INTEGRATOR REWIRES

FEATURE

EDUCATION GETS SMART

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Mindstec Distribution (South Africa) Tel: +2711Distribution 803-0093/0096/0098 Mindstec (South Africa) Email: info@mindstec.com Tel: +2711 803-0093/0096/0098 Email: info@mindstec.com

First Floor, Building 2 703, Woodmead Office Park 20 First Floor, Building 2 703, Morris Street East Woodmead, Woodmead Office Park 20 Johannesburg Morris Street East Woodmead, Johannesburg

IN THIS ISSUE

CONTENTS

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 REPORT • EDUCATION MARKET AV • INTEGRATION SOLUTIONS

BIAMP ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF COMMUNITY LOUDSPEAKERS AND APART AUDIO

MEDIATECH AFRICA IGNITES CONFIDENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA’S AV INDUSTRY

A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SA LEARNERS

SOUTH AFRICAN CLASSROOMS NEED TO GET SMARTER

4 HARMAN PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS PARTNERS WITH SOUNDHOUND INC.

18 INSIDE THE VIRTUAL COURTROOM

22 EDUCATION GETS SMART

28 BEYOND “CHALK AND TALK”

32 IPTV TRANSFORMS LEADING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE UK

38 LOCAL AV INTEGRATOR REWIRES

40 SPOTTED AT MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019

DSS EUROPE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

EDITOR'S COMMENT

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EDITORIAL Nicole Barnes – Editor editor@pro-systems.co.za +27 (0)66 489 3482

MEDIATECH AFRICA DELIVERS INNOVATION

Greetings, and welcome to the winter edition of AV Integration magazine. The second quarter of 2019 has brought a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities for the professional AV and integrated technologies industry in our region. There is little doubt that the depressed economic climate in South Africa, and in many of our neighbouring states, continues to place pressure on distributors and installers of professional AV and integrated technology solutions. While it is tempting to become disheartened, the changing economic climate, rapidly evolving technologies and end-users’ need to reduce overheads, streamline processes and engage with clients abroad presents an opportunity to rethink, restructure and evolve product offerings to drive growth, both for the professional AV industry and the clients that it serves. Nowhere was the energy to innovate more apparent than on the showroom floor at Mediatech Africa 2019, held at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg between 17 and 19 July. A range of equipment manufacturers, both local and international, used the opportunity to showcase a range of display, audio and collaboration solutions – specifically chosen to answer the unique needs of the African market. In our post-show report, presented in this issue, we have highlighted some of the exhibitors and the products that they brought to the show. Held every two years, Mediatech Africa serves as a stimulus for the industry, providing the opportunity for stakeholders in the industry to demonstrate what integrated technologies have to offer the African market. It also serves as a great opportunity to network, share and learn from each other – and this year's iteration of the show delivered on all of these accounts. In this issue, our team have focused on the role that integrated technologies play in education. As highlighted by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa in his latest State of the Nation Address, ensuring that our children are empowered to become active and productive participants in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is of paramount importance in safeguarding the country’s future. The integrated technologies industry in South Africa has a huge role to play in achieving success in this regard – not only by ensuring that appropriate technologies are available and well supported but also in an advisory role. As any experienced technologist will tell you, good intentions do not automatically make for good solutions, and it is evident from some of the statements on the topic at a national level that professional guidance is desperately needed. As always, I hope that you enjoy the read and encourage you to contact me with any comments, suggestions or story ideas. Regards

Nicole Barnes

David Cornwell – Staff Writer david@suncirclegroup.com Cover image: The Arbitration Foundation of South Africa offices in Johannesburg.

PUBLISHERS PUBLISHER

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SALES

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WEB

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BIAMP ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION Biamp has announced the acquisition of Audioprof Group International, the parent company of Community Loudspeakers and Apart Audio from 3d Investors of Gent, Belgium. Founded in 1968 by speaker design pioneer Bruce Howze, Community Loudspeakers has a long history of speaker design firsts. Currently, Community Loudspeakers is a well-established and respected

manufacturer of a broad range of premium speakers targeting demanding indoor and outdoor applications including commercial, leisure, stadiums, and other large venues. Apart Audio is a strong competitor in full signal path functional and commercial and leisure audio solutions for small and mid-size venues including retail, food service, education, and small offices. Apart has a well-established business in Europe and just entered North America in 2018, a market in which Biamp’s extensive distribution system can provide an immediate boost. Rashid Skaf, Biamp President, CEO, and

co-chairman commented, “Building a comprehensive lineup of speakers has been a priority of mine as we move to position Biamp as a full line provider of professional audiovisual solutions. Acquiring Apart Audio and Community Loudspeakers was my preferred route to accomplishing that quickly with incredibly strong and respected brands.” “I am thrilled that Community Loudspeakers and Apart Audio are joining the Biamp family. The great product complementarity and geographical fit strengthen my belief that we are now part of one of the strongest and most respected AV solutions providers and that we will be able to offer best in class solutions to our channel partners and end users. I want to thank 3d Investors for their hands-on support and guidance during the last ten years that helped our company grow into a worldwide installed sound specialist,” added Kris Vermuyten, CEO of Apart Audio.

HARMAN PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS PARTNERS WITH SOUNDHOUND INC. HARMAN Professional Solutions has announced a partnership to power the voice interface for future JBL Professional-branded solutions for hospitality environments. Powered by SoundHound Inc.’s Houndify voice AI platform and featuring legendary JBL audio performance, the solutions will provide sophisticated, voice-enabled Smart Room experiences for hotel guests. HARMAN is currently running pilot programs of the future solution in hotel locations around the world. In the pilot, HARMAN’s Houndify-powered JBL Professional prototype speakers enable hotel guests to use their natural, conversational voices to seamlessly navigate the hotel’s

many offerings and features, and control room settings. Guests can also stream music of their choice through the JBL Professional speaker via Bluetooth. By providing guests with immediate access to hotel information and services, along with the ability to automate common requests, the JBL solution will enable hotels to reduce their customer service load and times, and improve customer satisfaction. Also, customisable integration with HARMAN’s Hospitality Cloud AI allows the solution to be tailored to return on-property or affiliated responses to queries such as restaurant, service or entertainment recommendations thereby increasing on-property dwell times and revenue. Beyond providing its Houndify voice AI platform, SoundHound Inc. worked together with HARMAN to fine-tune applications specific to a hotel environment. To tie everything together, HARMAN Professional enlisted the help of HARMAN Connected Services (HCS), HARMAN’s division that

accelerates enterprises’ transformation to the connected world through cloud, mobility and analytics solutions. HCS developed the integration between the Houndify voice AI platform with the JBL and AMX components, and they also developed the solution’s dashboard for device commissioning and management. “HARMAN partnering with SoundHound Inc. and its Houndify platform allows hospitality providers to deliver a simple and pleasurable in-room experience for the guest, whether it’s controlling the room environment or using it for concierge services,” said Brian Divine, Senior Vice President, Products & Customer Solutions, HARMAN Professional Solutions. “As voice-enablement becomes ubiquitous with consumers in their home, having a seamless experience while travelling represents a huge opportunity for the hospitality industry and we’re proud that HARMAN/JBL and SoundHound Inc. are coming together to deliver on that experience.”

DSS EUROPE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Integrated Systems Events has announced the successful return of the Digital Signage Summit Europe (DSS Europe) to the Hilton Munich Airport hotel. DSS Europe, which took place this year on 3 and 4 July, is Europe’s leading strategy conference for the digital signage and digital-out-of-home (DooH) industry. A packed two-day, two-track conference programme saw nearly 500 attendees register to hear over 50 expert speakers discuss the latest developments in the digital signage and digital-out-of-home market. In the exhibition area, close to 25 exhibitors – including Diamond Sponsors DynaScan Technology and NEC and Gold Sponsors iiyama, Kitcast and Samsung – were also there to showcase their latest digital signage solutions. Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, commented: “We mixed the elements of the conference that have always been enjoyed by attendees with new initiatives designed to keep it fresh. And, recognising that networking opportunities are an invaluable element of DSSE, we launched a free MeetToMatch service to make it easier to arrange meetings ahead of the show. The Hilton Airport Hotel was always a firm favourite with attendees because of its location, ease of access, ambience and world-class facilities – so when the hotel created additional capacity, we were delighted to be able to return. Our decision to go back was fully justified: the conference was a huge success.” “There is no doubt that the digital signage market is thriving – and that was confirmed by those who presented at, and those who participated in, this year‘s DSS Europe,” said Florian Rotberg, managing director, invidis consulting. “The theme of this year’s conference was how our industry is rapidly becoming more customer-centric and delivering more individual encounters in an age of personalisation, experiences and AI. Technology is enabling digital signage to communicate with consumers in a way that resonates with and engages consumers as no other medium can – and we see the results of that in the way the digital signage market is growing.” The next Digital Signage Summit (DSS ISE) takes place during ISE on 12 February 2019 at the Hotel Okura near the RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam. For further information on the Digital Signage Summit events, please visit: https://digitalsignagesummit.org

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019

MEDIATECH AFRICA IGNITES CONFIDENCE IN SOUTH AFRICAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AV INDUSTRY The tenth edition of Mediatech Africa delivered on its promise to ignite the imagination of exhibitors and visitors alike during its three-day run at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg, between 17 and 19 July.

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019

“Mediatech Africa prides itself providing a platform for engagement not only for the South African market, but for the continent as a whole. We had visitors from all over Africa, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Nigeria and Namibia – many of whom came to the show to seek out professional AV solutions to support the continent’s rapidly-growing commercial, broadcast and live events markets.” – Simon Robinson, Exhibition Director

Mediatech Africa once again offered visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to take part in the largest tradeshow for the broadcast, live events and integrated technologies industries in Africa. The Mediatech showroom floor played host to one hundred exhibitors, representing some of the leading local distributors and an impressive contingent of international equipment manufacturers who showcased their most cutting-edge products on their company stands. “We are proud to report that more than thirty international equipment manufacturers had their own brand presence at Mediatech Africa 2019, demonstrating a strong vote of confidence not only in the show, but in the African market as a whole,” says Mediatech show director, Simon Robinson. Among the leading solutions providers for the professional AV and integrated technologies verticals, who came from Asia, the UK, Europe and America to man their Mediatech stands, were Absen, Yamaha, Sony, Sennheiser, Extron, Exterity, and Quest. Mediatech Africa played host to approximately 8,000 unique visitors from four continents, representing a 6% increase in attendance since the last iteration of the show. “Mediatech Africa prides itself providing a platform for engagement not only for the South African market, but for the continent as a whole. We had visitors from all over Africa, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Nigeria and Namibia – many of whom came to the show to seek out professional AV solutions to support the continent’s rapidly-growing commercial, broadcast and live events markets,” says Robinson. Robinson goes on to state that most of the exhibitors at Mediatech understand the needs of the African market, and showcase products and solutions that are designed to meet the market conditions. “There are a number of large-scale tradeshows on the international circuit which serve as a platform for the world’s leading product manufacturers to launch new products and solutions. What differentiates Mediatech Africa is that most of the exhibitors at the large international tradeshows showcase technologies that have been developed with Western markets in mind. At Mediatech Africa, exhibitors take into account the market that they are addressing and showcase solutions that are designed to meet our unique performance demands and costing requirements.”

Robinson’s astute insight into the professional AV market has been honed over the almost two decades that he has served as Mediatech Africa show director. “It would be remiss not to acknowledge that South Africans are struggling to overcome mounting economic pressures and there are few, if any, in the country who have not been directly affected by the current economic downturn,” he reflects. Robinson, however, points out that Mediatech Africa 2019 provided a critical platform for professionals in the AV industry across all verticals to interact with international representatives and showcase the strength of the local industry. “Mediatech provides an opportunity to demonstrate the high levels of professionalism, skill and dedication that are so entrenched in the South African pro-AV market. Despite the trying times, Mediatech provides an opportunity to ignite confidence in the market and in our industry,” Robinson states. While there were noticeably less exhibitors in comparison to years past, the show still managed to exceed expectations on all fronts. “The feedback that we have received from exhibitors and visitors alike has been great,” says Robinson. “The rate at which technology is developing across verticals is phenomenal, particularly if one considers the rapid evolution of IP-based technologies, which continue to dominate across verticals. The level of excitement on the showroom floor was evident from the moment we opened the doors to the point at which we had to ask all visitors to leave the floor on Friday evening. When the market is under pressure and we are all feeling the pinch, it is easy to become despondent. However, when one sees the enthusiasm, optimism and drive expressed by our industry partners and visitors to the show, one's faith in the promise of a strong and thriving professional AV industry in Africa is easily restored. We look forward to seeing what the 2021 iteration of Mediatech Africa will bring.”

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 EXHIBITORS

EXHIBITORS ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES Speaking to AV Integration at their stand at Mediatech Africa, Tiaan Hoogstad, one of the directors of Alpha Technologies, said: “This is our first opportunity to represent TID and Alpha technologies as one company at Mediatech Africa. It’s been two years since the merger, and we are happy to report that it has been a great success. We are one of the play-makers in the industry because of the way we service the market. We’re making our mark, and the industry is responding well.” As a result of the merger, Alpha Technologies were able to bring in an impressive range of technologies from its extensive stable of distribution partners to the show, including Beyerdynamic, Barco, Biamp, Alphatron and Bose, among others. “We focus on the entire pro-AV industry, but when you investigate specific verticals, such as corporate, hospitality, retail, events, education or residential, we’ve got a very particular set of products that services each one. We strive to be distributors who offer full turn-key solutions. We’re able to offer everything from projection, to brackets, cabling, microphones, amplifiers and DSPs, speakers and everything in-between. We’re at a point now where we have got a solid customer base that relies on us to provide products across the board to ensure that they can deploy a turn-key solution to the end user while relying on a single supplier.”

ATEN ATEN International is a leading Taiwanese technology company who returned to Mediatech Africa this year after successful showings at the 2015 and 2017 editions of the show. As Luke Wu, manager of ATEN International, explains, “ATEN is on track with latest global trends in the crossover between AV and IT, offering innovative products ranging from professional audio and video over IP solutions to control systems, switches and extenders.” The company’s target segments range from consumer and SOHO/SMB to enterprise clients and include vertical industries such as corporate and education, areas in which the South African pro-AV industry is seeing major development. In addition to a brand-new online streaming AV mixer for the broadcast market, the company “continues to specialise in the back-end server room side of managing all types of data. The futures of AV and IP are coming together, and our message is that ATEN is the best partner to handle both sides of the equation. We stay on top of all the major global industrial trends, and the products we prepared [for Mediatech] – such as the True 4K Presentation Switch – were specifically chosen for the African market,” Wu concluded.

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 EXHIBITORS

EXHIBITORS EXTERITY Exterity exhibited at Mediatech Africa for the first time in 2019. Sales manager for the sub-Saharan region, Gary Davies, told AV Integration that this decision was motivated by the fact that they are gaining increasing traction in the region as a premium solutions provider of IP video, digital signage and guest experience solutions for a wide range of clients across verticals. Visitors to the Exterity stand had the opportunity to learn more about Exterity’s ArtioGuest solution, which offers an enhanced and intuitive in-room guest experience for the hospitality industry, as well as ArtioSign Digital Signage. ArtioSign is a unique digital signage solution which offers clients a customisable solution for digital signage applications. The product allows clients to create eye-catching, branded signage content using a simple drag-and-drop interface. Create tailored digital signage layouts using live TV, video, text, graphics, PDFs, PPTs, Twitter, RSS feeds, meeting room information and more. “Exterity has an end-to-end product portfolio to match any vertical in the market, and we pride ourselves on being agile in our response to the client’s needs,” said Davis.

EXTRON Gary Atkins, technical account manager at Extron Electronics, says that the company wanted to use this year’s edition of Mediatech Africa to introduce visitors to some of the new components that Extron has brought to the market. “The market is changing rapidly, and although we are doing a lot of local visits and presentations, it’s a great opportunity at a show like this to showcase some of our key components in this ever-changing market.” Some of these important products included “new wireless presentation capabilities, with all-in-one room systems taking that very traditional wireless presentation device and adding control, switching and other components, so you get a single-box solution. We’ve also got new 4K switching and distribution products, as well as integration products that bring room control and unified communications systems into one control system.” Extron covers every sector in the AV integration market, and Atkins explained that the company now has “more than 5,000 items in the catalogue”, enabling them to provide customisable solutions available for small schools and houses of worship, all the way to large corporate environments. “From tiny all-in-one solutions, which can be done very affordably, right up to stadium solutions and big concert halls – we can do it all, and everything in between,” Atkins said.

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 EXHIBITORS

EXHIBITORS INTERACTIVE AV SOLUTIONS Interactive AV Solutions, a Cape Town-based supplier to the corporate and education markets, gained a lot of interest at Mediatech Africa 2019 with their Clevertouch interactive whiteboard displays. As Damien Swarts explained to us, Clevertouch is a UK company that was the first to market with an interactive display solution and have been developing the technology ever since. “We are the South African distributors for Clevertouch, and we are able to provide a range of products in various sizes to suit either the corporate or education markets.” According to Swarts, “we have seen a huge shift in the way that people collaborate in the workplace globally. Everyone is moving away from projection-orientated technology towards LED touchscreen technology.” Swarts told us that “Clevertouch technology works by creating an ecosystem with dedicated apps and functionalities to suit the user’s needs and environment.” He noted added benefits that include the ability for Interactive AV Solutions to provides clients with real-time support, as well the fact that Clevertouch is a highly responsive company, who invest a lot of time and money into listening to customer feedback and constantly improving their products. “Clevertouch designs products that fit into your organisation and not the other way around,” he concluded.

MINDSTEC Since the founding of the company in 2006, Mindstec Distribution has been at the forefront of establishing and managing distribution networks for suppliers of audiovisual technology from the USA, Europe and Asia. At this year’s edition of Mediatech Africa, lead channel manager Nathan van Zyl was on hand to demonstrate some of the company’s most exciting products. “With have new releases on all of our product lines, across all verticals from collaboration to audio. We are particularly looking forward to showcasing our new ClearOne conferencing products, while T1V also have a whole lot of new software capabilities. T1V is an interactive collaboration suite that allows us to build customisable solutions, from single-panel collaboration devices to large, multi-panel suites.” Van Zyl also took the time to show us a new range of modular, high-resolution indoor LED displays by Shenzhen-based manufacturer Aoto – including a jaw-dropping 175-inch version. “These are the Rolls Royce of LED displays on the global scale, and we are very excited to be selling these locally.” Finally, visitors to the Mindstec stand were able to view a ‘control room’ scenario, where representatives from the company were on hand to show exhibitors how Datapath can easily allow users to manage video display content from a centralised location, as well as how RTI’s innovative products that combine traditional scalers, switchers and extenders into single, multi-functional units.

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 EXHIBITORS

EXHIBITORS PERIPHERAL VISION At this year’s edition of Mediatech Africa, Peripheral Vision was able to set up a highly effective solution demonstration, not only of their prowess as an AV integration company, but also some of their choice products for the corporate conferencing environment. Visitors to the Sennheiser Hospitality Suite at Mediatech Africa 2019 – set up in collaboration with Peripheral Vision – were given an ‘ears-on’ experience of the peerless TeamConnect Ceiling Mic II system. Conferencing solutions are one of the fastest-growing verticals in the professional AV integration industry, and by being able to ‘listen in’ to the conversation happening in an adjacent room at Mediatech, visitors were able to experience for themselves the impeccable vocal pick-up the microphone system provides. As Wynand Langenhoven, CEO of Peripheral Vision, explained, the company were excited to bring the TeamConnect Ceiling Mic II system into their portfolio “because of the synergies between the product and the other technologies that we distribute, particularly our Extron integration solutions. The demo you see [at the Hospitality Suite] is Extron flat-field speakers with the Sennheiser ceiling mics, and they both drop straight into the ceiling structure. So, there’s an example of a commonality that we’re able to leverage.” Langenhoven concluded: “If you had to look at our relationships within the AV integration market, we’ve got a long track record of solid, long-lasting relationships. This project was the just the perfect example of Sennheiser filling a gap in our product portfolio, and of us being able to benefit Sennheiser through our network of partners.”

PVISION PVision is a well-established distributor and equipment manufacturer that specialises in digital display technology for the professional AV market. The company offers an extensive range of locally-engineered displays for commercial, retail and digital signage applications, and impressed all visitors to the 2019 edition of Mediatech Africa with its range of LED-based display solutions. “We have decided to bring our product to Mediatech Africa this year as we have seen the market evolving a lot over the past few years, and we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase what PVision has to offer the South African market,” said company director, Jacques Landsberg. PVision specialises in manufacturing custom-designed LED screens for a wide range of installation applications and has established themselves as a leader in the local market, with clients in the hospitality, corporate and advertising markets. “We build all of our fixed-frame LCD and LED screens at our manufacturing plant in Cape Town and will be establishing a new manufacturing plant in Gauteng in the future. A lot of people have a perception that investing in LED display screens is prohibitively expensive, and we are here to showcase that we are able to deliver display solutions for a wide range of clients across verticals that will fit both your purpose and your budget. Our display solutions are affordable because we manufacture these products in South Africa specifically for our market.”

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 PRODUCT ROUND-UP

AUDIO

Catchbox Throwable Wireless Microphone Catchbox is the world’s first throwable microphone, developed in light of the philosophy that meetings should be about engagement, participation and discussion – and not just information. •

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“With Catchbox, play becomes central to the tone of meeting and more people engage in the conversation” – Inc. Magazine Available in three models, the Catchbox Lite features a built-in transmitter, audience support for up to 100 people, a built-in microphone and active automute for when the device is dropped or thrown Catchbox covers are dirt-repellent and customisable upon ordering for branding purposes Catchbox microphones are compatible with transmitters from Shure, Sennheiser and AKG, ensuring flawless performance Not only has the frequency response of Catchbox mic been optimised for speech, but the special construction of the device eliminates all handling noises

www.alpha-tec.co.za www.catchbox.com

Extron SF 3CT LP SoundField XD Speakers SoundField XD ceiling speakers represent a new paradigm in speaker technology for pro AV applications. With innovative materials, modular construction and unique features, these speakers provide significant savings and superior performance. •

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Extron’s SF 3CT LP range comprises 3” full-range ceiling speakers, featuring a 4” deep low profile composite back can for plenum-rated ceiling environments They are ideal for installations with tight space issues above the ceiling caused by HVAC, plumbing, conduit connections and the like Features a rigid, acoustically damped, lightweight plenum-rated enclosure that is UL 2043 listed and is constructed in such a way as to avoid internal standing waves and resonances in the enclosure itself Shipped as a complete speaker assembly, SF 3CT LP ceiling speakers are ideal for both single-trade and division of labour installations SoundField XD speakers come with finely-perforated metal grilles that are either round or square in shape, giving the owner, architect or interior designer an additional choice for matching décor

www.extron.com

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 PRODUCT ROUND-UP

AUDIO Powersoft Mezzo Mezzo is a highly reliable and flexible system from one of the leading innovators in amplifier technology – and an ideal fit for integrators working in the pro-AV market. •

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Mezzo offers the same sound clarity, reliability, and overall build quality of any Powersoft install dedicated amplifier platform in a ½ rack unit form factor Mezzo comes in two power supply sizes, two or four channels, and state of the art DSP All models offer multiple analogue input options, and the two-channel versions feature line-level outputs AD versions of Mezzo add audio networking capabilities with DanteTM/AES67 and an internal Gigabit Ethernet switch and a second port so that multiple products can share the same network cable The smaller versions of Mezzo are sealed designs, therefore approved for hidden placement, such as mounted above the ceiling or tucked into a wall box

www.surgesound.co.za www.powersoft-audio.com/en/

Bose Professional DesignMax Loudspeakers Bose’s new range of DesignMax loudspeakers combines the legendary quality of Bose audio products with outstanding aesthetics. With ten loudspeakers and two subwoofers to choose from – including ceiling-mounted, surfacemounted, and outdoor-rated options – the DesignMax range offers great flexibility without compromising on style. •

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DesignMax loudspeakers range from two-inch low-profile models to eight-inch high-SPL compressiondriver loudspeakers Elegant form-factor surface enclosures, sleek, minimum-bezel grilles and removable logos allow DesignMax loudspeakers to blend with any corporate or office décor The 125-watt DesignMax DM8C features a two-way, 8-inch coaxially mounted woofer and a centre-firing 1-inch compression driver, delivering 50 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range The 50-watt DesignMax DM5C loudspeakers each feature a two-way 5.25-inch woofer and one-inch tweeter coaxially mounted within the Dispersion Alignment system, producing a frequency range of 60 Hz to 20 kHz

www.alpha-tec.co.za www.pro.bose.com

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 PRODUCT ROUND-UP

DISPLAY

Absen N Series Absen N Series displays remain the standard for permanent indoor LED solutions. At just 57mm, they are the thinnest front installation and front service LED panels available on the market and can be either rear- or front-mounted, making them a favourite choice amongst installers. • •

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Available in pixel pitch from 1mm to 5mm (models ranging from Absen N1 to N5) High grey scale, vivid details, A3C calibration technology for uniformity and extra-wide 160-degree viewing angle contribute to excellent image quality For some models (N3-N5), no additional monitoring cards and cables are needed, as real-time monitoring of the display is available via different devices All models in series produce 1000 nits of brightness, except the N4D (which produces 4000 nits) The refresh rate on all models is 1920 Hz, and they are noise-free, making them perfect for both retail and information display applications

www.dwrdistribution.co.za www.absen.com

AUDIO

PVision GM Series Interactive WhiteBoard LCD Displays Local manufacturer PVision has entered the interactive whiteboard market strongly with their GM series of LCD displays. These boards are designed for use in both educational and corporate environments, offering high-quality display technology and effortless connectivity. •

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The new GM series features an integrated Android system and wireless display functionality that is fully compatible with other smart devices like laptops and mobile phones regardless of their operating system (Android or IOS), as well as powerful connectivity with I/O ports in the front and rear of the unit Its one-piece-moulding front frame design is simple and elegant, while its brand-new industrial-grade LED backlight and professional DCPI colour adjustment technology help to preserve the smallest nuances in colour Features a 10-point touch system driven by infrared technology Features all-in-one-meeting software, as well as embedded HD camera Metal housing design effectively avoids electromagnetic interference

www.pvision.co.za

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 PRODUCT ROUND-UP

DISPLAY Exterity ArtioSign Digital Signage Platform Exterity’s ArtioSign technology makes it easy for any organisation to create, manage and display eye-catching, dynamic HD digital signage. Designed for organisations that want to install multiple displays to enhance employee, visitor or guest experience, ArtioSign offers users a feature-rich, fully-configurable digital signage application that can work alone or as an addition to a full IPTV system. •

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The ArtioSign Create graphical screen editor enables the creation of uniquely branded, tailored signage, with drag-and-drop ease The Smart Control application lets you manage what is displayed on both individual and groups of signage devices Manage signage campaigns quickly and easily in ArtioSign Schedule; schedule content to be displayed at different times to target your message to the right audience at the right time ArtioSign Display enables you to turn any connected display into a digital signage delivery point. Publish content to a single end-point or a network of screens AvediaPlayer Media Players come with ArtioSign built-in as standard: gain instant access to the digital signage functionality with simple licence-based activation and display video up to 4K

www.exterity.com

Barco UniSee With the Barco UniSee platform, Barco has completely redesigned and optimised every component of the LCD video wall, resulting in a new way to look at large screen visualisation. The Barco UniSee platform consists of three components – UniSee View, UniSee Mount and UniSee Connect – which come together to define the future of LCD video walls. •

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Barco UniSee’s lack of metal bezels creates a virtually seamless canvas, to ensure the best possible and uninterrupted viewing experience avoiding information loss The UniSee Mount structure needs fewer connections than traditional mounting systems. The way the connections are conceived makes the system flexible, enabling it to self-align, and all cabling can be positioned neatly inside the guiders Using real-time sensors that continuously measure the colour and brightness, and adjust as soon as necessary, Barco’s Sense X automatic calibration system ensures that the complete wall gives a perfectly balanced image at any time The software platform (UniSee Connect) that manages the entire video wall automatically assigns and calibrates the panels, and acts as the single point of connection for remote diagnostics and control

www.peripheralvision.co.za www.barco.com/en

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 PRODUCT ROUND-UP

COLLABORATION RTI VSS-51 HDBaseT Presentation Scaler Switcher Kit Made up of the VSW-51 5x1 presentation scaler switcher and the VSW-51R HDBaseT receiver, the VSS-51 Presentation Scaler Switcher Kit is an innovative AV solution for use in conference rooms, classrooms and lecture halls. •

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The VSW-51 combines seamless switching with advanced scaling to provide excellent picture quality regardless of the source Built-in scaler upscales input resolution to up to 1920 x 1200 output resolution The compact switcher comes with five video inputs, including three HDMI, one display port and one VGA port. Video is output through an HDMI port, and a mirrored HDBaseT port for delivery of HD video to an additional display via the included VSW-51R HDBaseT receiver A microphone input is also available with support for condenser and dynamic microphones (including 48V phantom power), as well as line-level audio Controllable via the front control panel, RS-232 platform or web interface

www.mindstec.com www.rticorp.com

AUDIO

ATEN 8-Port True 4K HDMI Switch Engineered to meet today’s demand for True 4K signal transmission and user-oriented design, the ATEN VS0801HB is a powerful solution for a wide range of settings, such as home theatre, meeting rooms, trade shows and shopping centres. •

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The ATEN VS0801HB is designed for applications that require the routing of eight sources to one compatible display device It supports video resolutions up to True 4K (4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz 4:4:4), data rates up to 18 Gbps, 3D content, Deep Colour up to 12-bit and HD lossless audio formats The unit features Auto-Switching modes for auto port selection and Instant Switching for a smooth video transition between HDMI ports Multiple convenient control options include front panel push buttons, bi-directional RS-232 operability, IR and auto-switch, allowing for easy integration Clear LED indication of device status, plug-and-play functionality ideally suited for rental markets, plus rack-mountable configuration for installed applications

www.aten.com/au/en

MEDIATECH AFRICA 2019 PRODUCT ROUND-UP

COLLABORATION Barco wePresent Wireless Presentation Systems Barco’s wePresent range of products offers professional wireless presentation systems that allow up to 64 users to share content from any device to present, interact and collaborate with one another. wePresent offers flexible features designed to bring value to the user’s collaboration experiences. •

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In today’s BYOD environments, cross-platform presentations are more important than ever. wePresent makes it easy for users to connect and present their content quickly, without any software installation All models offer cross-platform compatibility allowing Windows, macOS, Chromebook, Android and iOS devices The wePresent WiPG-1000 is a basic 1080p wireless presentation system offering wireless screen sharing for up to four users The WiCS-2100 provides businesses and educators with new features specifically designed for more efficient and effective collaboration, such as the Student Monitor function within the wePresent Education Pack

www.alpha-tec.co.za www.barco.com/en

QSC Q-SYS Integration Platform Created from the ground-up, Q-SYS from QSC is a software-based platform built around an open IT-friendly ecosystem. It uniquely leverages the power of Intel processing, the robustness and mission critical reliability of a Linux operating system and the interoperability of IEEE networking standards. •

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Q-SYS offers audio, video and control (AV&C) features at the software level, which means you don’t need dedicated hardware like most competitive systems require. AES67enabled devices can stream audio without additional licensing fees A single Q-SYS Core processor can handle nearly any small installation including local inputs and outputs, audio and control processing, conference camera routing, endpoint bridging, advanced echo cancellation processing and EQ This paradigm allows IT to centralise all processing, control and monitoring of every piece of technology in the entire building, while offering full redundancy on nearly every Q-SYS component, just as you would for any other IT service on their network This IT-centric, layered approach allows QSC to easily migrate the Q-SYS Platform to other Intel platforms as they introduce new, faster chipsets, and to other off-the-shelf hardware

www.stageaudioworks.com www.qsc.com

INSTALLATION

INSIDE THE VIRTUAL COURTROOM

The recent Mindstec and Page Automation installation at the Sandton offices of the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa represents the best of what AV technology has to offer: immediate user engagement, increased efficiencies and exciting new ways to connect people in real-time around the world. It also shows a promising new vertical for future growth within the industry and is an exemplary case study of how innovative local partnerships can yield world-class results.

LEGAL GROUNDING The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) was founded in 1996, as a joint venture between organised business and the legal and accounting professions. Based in Grindrod Tower in Sandton, with branches in a number of major centres throughout South Africa, it is the national leader in all types of appropriate dispute resolution. Offering arbitrations, mediations and a fully-administered dispute resolution service in comfortable surroundings, AFSA has always aimed to provide “a one-stop dispute resolution service” – but has recently found its ability to do so enhanced by the adoption of cutting-edge digital conferencing technology. From the installer’s perspective – according to Conrad Engelbrecht, telecommunications sales executive at Page Automation, a leading technical supplier with 20 years’ experience of the AV industry – this entailed: “Providing a platform that would allow the client to share information, concepts or plans, and discuss and brainstorm ideas in either scheduled meetings, lectures and or during collaboration sessions that would include more specific tasks with relation to arbitration sessions. Specifically, the ability was required to hold recorded arbitration sessions where the defendant and accused are captured simultaneously along with a full room view, and the ability to bring in external participants regardless of geographic location, either local or international.”

INSTALLATION In the context of a project where a two-bytwo metre interactive video wall was brought in to replace projector technology, Advocate Michael Kuper S.C., director and chairman of AFSA, expands on the benefits of the technological overhaul. “From our point of view, the [conference room solution] is multi-functional. Primarily, we run private court cases here – various forms of arbitration – and many of them are international in their scope. So you get a situation where a witness is in Europe or in China and the expense of bringing them here is extravagant, and so too in the case of experts – people who need to give evidence and who may be scattered around the world. “So, not only does this give us the opportunity, by video link of high quality, to put the arbitrator, who is the private judge, and the parties in exactly the same visual position – it as though the witness is present, allowing for cross-questioning and the like – but, in addition, it provides us with a visual record after the event of what has happened. “It also allows us to send the footage of that person giving evidence anywhere in the world. For example, I may have an expert in England, whom I don’t want to bring out at this stage – but I do want that expert to hear this witness testimony from China, for instance.” He summarises the advantages of the new solution by saying, “It is the answer to all the problems of physical location.”

QUALITY CONNECTION

Found The Arbitration

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Nathan van Zyl, lead channel manager at Mindstec, describes the company as “a value-add distributor. Often what will happen, is that our resellers will bring end-users into our experience centre based on a specific requirement they have. This then allows us to get a deeper understanding of what their requirements are and then allows us to showcase the various options available to them This is often followed up by a visit to the end users office to understand the site conditions – such as the size of the rooms, lighting and network situations. From there, we can put together a working solution. “In this case, one of the rooms was a large council chamber used for arbitrations. It’s an interchangeable 20-seater room, a factor which we had to take into consideration. We also had to take into account viewing ability for everyone in the room, from any particular angle based on how the seating was arranged for any particular session. The customer also specified that they required interactive and wireless technology for their

INSTALLATION

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presentations while engaging with the audience, such as the ability to bring up documents, digitally annotate over them, save these changes and send them out over email all from the same screen. This would be a requirement both during video conferencing or an internal meeting. “Interactive Technology is one of our specialties,” Van Zyl explains. “Whether it’s a single static, interactive display or an interactive eighteen-panel video wall, we are able to manufacture customised interactive solutions to spec with our Wavex Touch and MTC video wall technology. In the case of AFSA, they also needed high-end camera and audio pick-up – and so the solution we put together is unique and rather revolutionary for the local market.” Advocate Kuper underscores the necessity of having the highestpossible audio and visual quality in the arbitration room. mp “You want the quality of the ce ilin gm visual and the auditory material to be icro p ho perfect. That’s hugely important – you ne need one hundred per cent concentration on what’s being said. You must hear every word; if there’s a problem with the communication, it’s a huge irritation and a distraction.” After extensive consultation between van Zyl and Engelbrecht, the latter explains that they ended up “addressing the requirements by utilising three PTZ high-definition cameras, as well as flush in-ceiling speakers for crystal-clear audio clarity evenly distributed across the room, multiple beam-tracking pendant microphones with 360° coverage for even vocal pick-up and the supporting digital audio server for noise and echo cancellation.”

INSTANT IMPACT The hardware in the room is all brought together using Flipbox, a software-based solution that offers an all-in-one interactive collaboration experience, including video conferencing, in-room recording and the ability for the room to be used across multiple geographic locations for up to 200 meeting participants,

regardless of what device they are using. Van Zyl comments that this platform “is easy-to-use and user-intuitive, and gives us the ability to customise the user interface depending on the client’s needs.” He explains that this is in line with the philosophy that Mindstec Distribution adopts towards all projects. “We try to make technology as simple as possible, all the time. The biggest driving force for the uptake of new technology in an environment is the ability for people to use it; there’s no point investing in new technology if it’s not going to be adopted by the user and make a difference in people’s lives. “For example, everything in the new conference room is completely wireless – which means no more struggling with cables or connectors that don’t fit. The overall solution was put together with the products carefully selected for our distribution in this space. It is a blend of different components which allows us to put together a seamless end-to-end trusted solution. This is one of our big selling-points within our partner community: we build solutions with our partners that are scalable, with an open platform that has no limitations for future growth, addressing needs as and when they arise. This allows us to be flexible and extremely adaptive to the customers’ needs.” Advocate Kuper concludes by reflecting on some other areas of AFSA’s operations that have benefited from the new conference room solution. “We do a lot of training, and we often have people using the room to give presentations and the like. The video wall also lends itself to this purpose very well – allowing all parties in the room to scrutinise the same document at the same time. From a presentation and training ra e am nc point of view, it’s fantastic. initio f e d PTZ high “It also gives you instant access to anything you might need on the internet. It really is multifunctional, and I would think – or I would have thought – that something like it would be found in every arbitration facility in the world. But, in fact, this is really cutting-edge – even by international standards – and we are very proud to have it.”

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FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

EDUCATION GETS SMA Over the past decade, academic institutions at all levels have begun to take advantage of digital technology to transform the learning experience for both students and educators. In the following feature, AV Integration takes a look at how Smart Classroom technology is transforming the educational landscape. 22

In his most recent State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the need to introduce technology and improve the level of technology-based subjects at South African schools. “Over the next six years, we will provide every school child in South Africa with digital workbooks and textbooks on a tablet device,” he told the country’s Parliament on 20 June. While providing school-going children with tablets for academic purposes is, without question, a step in the right direction, it by no means takes full advantage of the wide and revolutionary opportunities that digital technology offers today’s learners. Educational institutions around the world are integrating learning technologies, such as computers, smart devises, specialised software, audience response technology, assistive listening devices, networking and audiovisual capabilities, to create interactive and dynamic learning spaces, generally called Smart Classrooms. In another approach, called the Flipped Classroom, students are provided access to recorded lectures and digital resources to view on their smart devices at home. Activities

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

FEATURE

“With technology, we can achieve universal access to secondary education within a single generation.” – Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2015

make tablets and smartboards functional, there is little point. A tablet is most effective in a classroom environment when learners are able to share what they are seeing on their displays with the teacher and vice-versa. This level of functionality requires a solid internet connection with sufficient bandwidth and abundant, cost-effective data, as well as a collaboration platform, a smartboard and video and audio recording equipment. Finally, and perhaps

ART emerging from the new content, traditionally set as homework, are then carried out during class time with the teacher present. The digitally-enabled Flipped Classroom approach is gaining enormous popularity with students and teachers alike, as learners can view the material at their own pace before class and teachers can spend more time addressing individual problems and providing guidance rather than simply delivering lecture-style lessons. Creating a Smart Learning environment, therefore, requires a little more than a few tablets to achieve. As Samsung’s Smart Classroom initiative makes clear, a Smart Classroom can radically transform educational outcomes for children in remote and underserviced communities. However, without the electricity and internet connectivity needed to

most critically, a Smart Classroom needs a teacher who has been adequately trained and who has the confidence needed to operate the available technology. When viewed from this angle, the challenges of deploying Smart Classrooms in resource-restricted economies may seem overwhelming. It is, however, important to keep in mind that the potential benefits are well worth the investment, both in the short and long run. If South Africa hopes to become a “player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” as President Ramaphosa proposes, we need to provide our children with the same educational opportunities as their counterparts in the developed world. Smart Classrooms open up opportunities for learners with special needs who have long been excluded from the mainstream education system, as evidenced by our case study at St Vincent’s School for the Deaf in Johannesburg. Technology in the classroom also provides an equal opportunity for learners in remote and impoverished communities to access world-class educational resources, a factor that could become a major disruptor in patterns of inequality in a very short space of time. As Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka so memorably stated at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2015, “With technology, we can achieve universal access to secondary education within a single generation.” However, it is evident that technologists need to take the initiative in educating policy-makers and educators about how to harness technology to design sustainable, cost-effective and outcomesdriven integrated technology solutions for schools and institutions of higher learning. While the opportunities to radically transform access to quality education for all have never been greater, the risks are equally as great should we falter at this critical time. – Nicole Barnes

A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SA LEARNERS

BEYOND “CHALK AND TALK”

IPTV TRANSFORMS LEADING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE UK

SOUTH AFRICAN CLASSROOMS NEED TO GET SMARTER

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SA LEARNERS Samsung’s Smart Schools work with global governments and organisations to provide classrooms in underserved communities around the world with its technologies and products, so that more students may enjoy the full benefits of a quality digital education.

According to the 2016 UN Sustainable Development Goals report, some 124 million children and teenagers worldwide were unable to receive a proper education due to financial costs and lack of accessibility. Education is a major determinant of one’s quality of life, not to mention the general well-being of a community, and Samsung has, therefore, made an effort to improve access to education through its Smart School initiatives. The goal of Samsung’s Smart School initiative is to bridge the IT accessibility gap and improve the quality of students’ education by collaborating with governments and appropriate organisations to provide interactive learning opportunities with digital devices. Since 2013, Samsung’s Smart Schools have supported over 200,000 students in 72 countries. Since 2011, Samsung’s African Regional Head Office has jointly operated solarpowered internet schools throughout Africa in cooperation with the Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS) under the Korean Ministry of Education. Equipped with Samsung’s tablets, PCs, and other devices, the schools motivate students through captivating lessons taught by local, KERIS-trained teachers.

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

“So far, the initiative has supported over 3,000 schools that have allowed well over 1.4 million bright young minds to learn in more fun and interactive environments. As is the case with Samsung’s Tech Institutes and other educationenriching initiatives, the ultimate goal of the Smart School program is to level the playing field to help students in these communities thrive in the digital era.”

SA CLASSROOMS GET SMART

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Over the past five years, Samsung has deployed a number of fully integrated, real-time digital classrooms in some of South Africa’s most educationally marginalised schools to support the empowerment of South Africa’s youth in light of the rapidly-unfolding digital revolution. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, a vast range of evolving technologies are revolutionising the way that we interact with and learn about the physical, digital and biological worlds. This trend has a fundamental impact on all aspects of life, radically changing the way that we learn, work and play. For children growing up in marginalised communities, the digital revolution has the potential to unlock opportunities that transcend traditional divides between developed and developing economies as cloud-based computing, e-commerce and remote working opportunities make location irrelevant in the modern world of work. Though its global Smart Classroom and Digital Villages social responsibility programme, Samsung Electronics is ensuring that African children growing up in low-income areas have access to Smart Learning Environments in communities that have access to electricity, improved health care and better economic opportunities. “So far, the initiative has supported over 3,000 schools that have allowed well over 1.4 million bright young minds to learn in more fun and interactive environments. As is the case with Samsung’s Tech Institutes and other education-enriching initiatives, the ultimate goal of the Smart School program is to level the playing field to help students in these communities thrive in the digital era.”

Justin Hume, chief marketing officer at Samsung South Africa, says, “Educating children in a way that ensures their space in the future working environment is critical to enabling the growth and stability of our country. Samsung’s Smart Classroom and Digital Village initiatives are making an enormous difference in the lives of children who wouldn’t normally have access to learning about and through technology.” In a smart classroom environment, access to information is no longer tied to location or circumstance. Connected learners in the most remote villages have the same opportunity to learn using web-based resources and integrated classroom solutions as children in welldeveloped urban environments. At no point in history have we been better positioned to challenge existing cycles of poverty through education, which is made possible by Smart, connected learning environments such as the Samsung Smart Classroom. According to Samsung, electronic devices such as tablets and interactive displays, together with the IT infrastructure needed to operationalise the Smart Learning environment, opens a whole new world to learners. The connected classroom provides access to interactive learning solutions and capabilities that aren’t found in books and are easily updated to present learners with the latest global trends and current research to develop critical learning areas such as maths, science, engineering and technology. The Smart Classroom also allows learners to work at their own pace, and augment primary learning materials with additional activities and web-based resources, which creates a tailor-made learning environment. The Samsung tablets used by learners during classes are

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION pre-loaded with educational content that is aligned with the national curriculum and teachers are able to create interactive experiences with interactive eBoards, installed in classrooms, negating the need for outdated paper and chalkboard-based learning methodologies. Samsung not only provides all of the infrastructure and assets needed to create a fully interactive, technologically enabling environment in their Smart Classrooms, but also ensures that teachers receive the training needed to use the resources to maximum effect.

SMART LEARNING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE The Samsung Smart Classroom is a fully integrated, real-time digital classroom that creates a simple, interactive and engaging environment for students and teachers. Samsung’s goal is for the Smart Classroom experience to enhance interactive learning and collaborative teaching with shared best practices to support the development of new teaching methods based on the students’ needs. Educators and students share dynamic learning

materials and apply innovative technology to the learning experience through the screen sharing and S-Pen digital handwriting features. The Smart School Solution by Samsung has three components. The first is an interactive management solution which allows teachers, through an LCD e-board, to deliver content to students, share screens, check student progress, conduct group activities and run tests or instant polls. The second is a learning management system that provides educational material and content, such as e-textbooks and learning apps. The third is a student information system which helps teachers track an individual pupil’s progress, attendance and other information. Both teachers and learners are provided with tablets to carry out the programme. “Technology is a powerful tool for social change, especially when it comes to education. The desired end-result is to introduce technology and make e-learning accessible to learners from previously disadvantaged communities,” said Justin Hume, Chief Marketing Office for Samsung South Africa.

“Arming a child with a decent education that is relevant to today’s world is vital to the future of South Africa.” – Justin Hume, Chief Marketing Office for Samsung South Africa

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

Samsung has successfully rolled out its Smart Classroom Initiative across the globe, including in the Far East, India and Africa – where access to digital resources in the learning environment has the greatest potential to empower the youth to disrupt historic patterns of underdevelopment and poverty.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE Samsung South Africa points out that the key to creating a sound and sustainable future for South Africa, and in the rest of the world, is to ensure that children are given the very best opportunities to learn about the world around them, in a way that is relevant to today’s technology and pace. There is no disputing fact that children in resource-restricted communities who are afforded the opportunity to attend technologyenabled schools are at an advantage. However, if the community in which the school is embedded is left behind, the benefits could be seriously undermined by poor service delivery, high rates of unemployment among adults and resistance to change, among other factors.

Samsung has answered this challenge by deploying Digital Villages in South Africa, with the aim to provide under-resourced areas access to advanced ICT, education and health services. The idea behind the Digital Village is to provide the infrastructure and technology needed to bridge the digital divide and serve as a catalyst for local business development and government service delivery. The Samsung Digital Village Initiative includes several interventions which take advantage of solar energy to introduce electricity to villages that are underserviced by the national grid to power Smart Classrooms, medical centres, and small businesses. The Digital Village Model successfully addresses one of South Africa’s greatest challenges – sustainable electrification, which continues to undermine economic development in the metropolis and cripples advancement in rural areas. Since its introduction in 2015, thousands of South Africans – both young and old – have benefited from Samsung’s Digital Village and Smart Classroom Initiatives, both directly and indirectly. The inclusion of children from lower income communities in the digital revolution lights a flame of hope for many, and paves the way for South Africa to achieve President Ramaphosa’s ambitious vision for the country as a global contender in the digital age.

"Educators and students share dynamic learning materials and apply innovative technology to the learning experience through the screen sharing and S-Pen digital handwriting features." 27

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

BEYOND “CHALK AND TALK” HOW INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS HAVE ENRICHED ST VINCENT SCHOOL’S EDUCATIONAL OFFERING 28

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

St Vincent School has been educating deaf and hard-of-hearing children for more than 85 years. The only school of its kind in the greater Johannesburg region, St Vincent is committed to providing opportunities and offering services that will minimise language delays and optimise learning for deaf students – including speech therapy and audiology, occupational therapy and psychological services, sign language classes for families and innovative technologies aimed at enhancing participatory learning strategies.

In this feature, AV Integration spoke to St Vincent School teacher Carla Vieira about the school’s learning philosophy and the enormous impact that evolving technologies – such SMARTBoard interactive whiteboards – are making within her classroom.

ENRICHING THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE Vieira explains that the school first benefited from interactive whiteboard technology “about seven or eight years ago. The school received a donation and we used it to purchase one board – just to try it out and see how we could incorporate it into our school. Because our kids are such visual learners, it seemed like the kind of thing that could be advantageous in our classrooms.” Vieira explains that the idea was to “start with one board – just to see who would catch onto it. Whenever new technology is introduced, there can be resistance to adopting it – not from students, but sometimes from teachers, who already feel comfortable with their methods and don’t want to change. But when I [started at St Vincent School], I was quite young and I actively wanted to integrate this technology into my teaching.” She explains that, although the new technology did require a “change in mind set” – as well as in pedagogical practice – the results were immediate. “With the interactivity of the board, kids all of a sudden got up and participated during lessons. The technology allows teachers to go beyond the traditional method of ‘chalk and talk’ – the kids are now so much more involved in their learning.” There have been many case studies (emerging mainly from the US, the UK and Australia) into the educational benefits of interactive whiteboards, with all them confirming the conclusion of a seminal 2004 study published in the education and technology periodical, The Journal, which claimed that this technology fundamentally “enhanced the learning experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.” Indeed, even one of the world’s leading manufacturers of interactive whiteboards, SMARTBoard, explains that: “Though not originally created with deaf learners in mind, SMARTBoard is a technology which has allowed the opportunity to provide education for deaf children in a visual medium that responds to their needs and supports sign language use in the classroom. Use of this technology for deaf and hard-of-hearing students not only enforces the notion that alternative forms of learning and literacy are acceptable and worth implementing in their education, but also empowers these students to participate in their instruction in a visual medium.”

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

“It’s exciting that many schools – who might find themselves out of the educational ‘mainstream’ for one reason or another – can now be at the forefront of innovative teaching practices, thanks to technology.” – Carla Vieira

Vieira agrees wholeheartedly with these insights. “The self-esteem component is very significant,” she says. “You get different personalities in the classroom. Some kids want to answer every question, while others like to be a little more in the background. This technology allows all students to interact in the way they want to – especially when everyone is linked to the board using their own device, no one gets singled out, it’s a collaborative learning experience that supports the individual’s own learning style.”

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY Vieira currently has a SMARTBoard M600 unit in her classroom, which she describes as “already much more sophisticated and user-friendly than the first boards we had. The technology constantly changes, it updates and improves all the time.” The M600 features a durable interactive surface that incorporates SMART’s proprietary DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology, which digitises writing using four cameras mounted in the corners of the board – thus producing SMART Ink, which can be used to annotate websites, ebooks, videos, PDFs and MS Office documents. With an integrated Epson PowerLite ultra-short-throw projector for maximum visibility (and minimum glare), the board enables you to write, erase and perform mouse functions by touching the interactive whiteboard with your fingers, while gesture functionalities – such as flick, rotate and zoom – provide a natural and flexible way to interact with content that is especially appreciated by tactile (or kinaesthetic) learners. The M600, moreover, features multi-touch interactivity – meaning that two learners can work together on the board simultaneously. As Vieira explains, “This is a new feature that has been introduced over the years in response to feedback from learning environments such as ours, where collaboration is so important within the classroom.”

BRIDGING THE GAP Vieira reflects positively on the impact that technologies such as interactive whiteboards can have on the South African educational landscape. “It’s exciting that many schools – who might find themselves out of the educational ‘mainstream’ for one reason or another – can now be at the forefront of innovative teaching practices, thanks to technology.” Sentiments like this have recently been expressed by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, who has planned a “radical overhaul” for the country’s education system to prepare its citizens for the effects and opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “We will start with those schools that have been historically most disadvantaged and are located in the poorest communities… This is essential in equipping children to succeed in education, in work and in life – and it is possibly the single most important factor in overcoming poverty, unemployment and inequality,” Ramaphosa said in his State of the Nation address in February this year. Expanding on this idea – of how technology can be used to address historical disadvantages and overturn a legacy of unequal schooling policies – Vieira concludes: “It is so important to get this technology into public schools, and to have the Department of Education be involved in teacher training for the digital age, as it helps kids become more digitally aware. It teaches them how to use technology as a beneficial creative tool – not as something destructive, which we see in some uses of social media and cyberbullying. It can also help to close the gap for students who need a little more time to get comfortable with content – by being able to access learning materials at home, for example, on a smart device, they don’t get left behind. They are empowered to keep pace, in their own time and in their own way.”

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www.exterity.com

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

IPTV TRANSFORMS LEADING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE UK New England Institute of Technology delivers transformative IPTV and digital signage with Exterity. As a leader in technical career education in southeastern New England, Rhode Island’s New England Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit technical university offering a range of associate, bachelor and masters degrees in over 50 programmes. The institution has three campuses: the main one in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, with two other locations in nearby Warwick, Rhode Island. New England Tech’s newest campus at One New England Tech Boulevard, East Greenwich, RI, covers over 200 acres and features a completely renovated 265,000 square foot educational facility, including the recently completed 42,000 square foot student centre. Among many of the new features it brings to students, it offers specialised laboratories where students can work with industry equipment; video laboratories with HD equipment; and a nursing simulation lab, complete with computerised mannequins. Among the Institute’s degree programmes are a wellregarded associate and bachelors degrees programs in Game Development and Simulation Programming, as well as Digital Media Production.

A CAMPUS-WIDE SOLUTION In 2014, under the leadership of President Richard I. Gouse, New England Tech started planning the university’s first-ever residence hall. The multimillion-dollar capital project would transform the campus into a traditional university setting. The modern 400-bed residence hall offers single and double occupancy rooms, as well as semi-suites with student living areas divided into 13 'pods'. Each of these pods can house approximately 30 students and includes its own lounge and study rooms. Social spaces in the residence hall include study rooms, game areas, a fireplace lounge and multi-purpose room, student collaboration rooms, kitchen area, vending machines, public area TVs and a patio opening onto a courtyard green. The residence also has a gigabit-capable Ethernet and WiFi network with access points in each room. The network is designed to power an IPTV solution that serves the halls and integrates with the wider campus-wide upgrade to distribute content to TVs and digital signage in the common areas. Jacques N. Laflamme, chief information officer for New England Institute of Technology, looked at newer systems, including technology from two comparable vendors, before testing a solution from Exterity. “The difference was evident from our first demonstration,” he says, “Exterity was a truly integrated system that offered a great deal of flexibility and an intuitive interface that we find incredibly easy to use.”

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

DEPLOYING THE RIGHT PACKAGE With a comprehensive set of features for both video and signage, the Institute chose an Exterity IP video solution, which was installed with the assistance of ATR Treehouse, a well-regarded local AV and Video production solutions provider. Following intradepartmental committee recommendations to decide which channels and features would be made available to in the halls of residence, the Institute worked with DirectTV to create a flexible licencing package that would allow it to build a channel line-up from a pool of over 300 entertainment, news, movie and sports channels. The 22-channel line-up also integrated six local free-to-air digital terrestrial channels to provide students with access to local news.

The solution uses a mix of Exterity Media Players, AvediaStream Encoders, Transcoders and Origin Servers, all controlled by the AvediaServer central IPTV management platform. The whole process took about two weeks to implement and delivers TV and digital signage to 70 fixed displays, ranging from 85” UHD TVs in recreation rooms to 32” LED screens used to display menu items in the cafeterias. “Building our own channel package was straightforward, and the Exterity platform allows us to not only create detailed schedules but also to quickly change individual and groups of displays,” says Laflamme.

A FOCUS ON FLEXIBILITY According to Laflamme, the Exterity system is instrumental in adapting ceremonies for the American football and baseball season, as well as the Olympics. Even with short notice, the IT department can quickly rearrange channel line-ups to include games featuring popular local teams and distribute content to common areas – even for channels not within the standard channel line-up. The focus on flexibility also extends to halls of residence students. Using the Exterity system, the Institute was able to deploy an app that enables students to watch IPTV channels on any smartphone, tablet or PC – providing it is connected to the local WiFi or Ethernet network. Digital signage has also benefited from the deployment of the Exterity system, with staff and students singling out the increase in quality of the animated and static graphics. “We have made it easier for groups and events taking place around the campus and the local area to create and publish signage through the creation of scripts that let students design signs and quickly upload them into the Exterity ArtioSign system.” With the new IPTV up and running, and delivering faultless operation, Laflamme is now examining ways to extend its value further. “We already run a campus radio station and courses on digital media and video production, so we are now considering the possibility of creating our own campus-wide TV station. We know the Exterity technology has the flexibility to deliver these features and potentially other areas like televised lectures and more streaming content. “Overall, it has been a very successful project that has delivered to our expectations while opening a lot of potential for the future,” Laflamme concludes.

“Our old IPTV system only offered two channels, and it was clunky to operate both for TV and digital signage. The new halls will allow us to create an audiovisual platform that is better suited to the needs of our residents and of the wider campus.” – Jacques N. Laflamme, Chief Information Officer for New England Institute of Technology

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

SOUTH AFRICAN CLASSROOMS NEED TO GET SMARTER

BY BRUCE GENRICKS

Over the past few decades, professionals in the field of integrated technologies have spent a lot of time trying to forecast how the rapidlyunfolding digital revolution will impact our lives. In the meantime, our children are growing up in a world where access to information is immediate, multidimensional and multifaceted. While those of us who were around for the birth of the internet may struggle to make the shift to a digital world, our children have never experienced a world without digital connectivity. It is, therefore, imperative for us to teach our children using the technology that they are familiar with – so that they are empowered to become productive members of the digitally connected global village.

REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST A mere decade ago, a Smart Classroom consisted of an electronic whiteboard (either projected or direct view), which was designed to replace a traditional whiteboard or chalkboard. You would also typically have a VGA laptop

connection available and a hard-wired internet connection. While cutting-edge at the time, such systems were often clunky by design and offered limited functionality. Operating such rooms was not very intuitive, and a teacher or lecturer would often need to call on a technician to “get the room working.” Collaboration, in this type of classroom, involved asking a participant to physically approach the digital display, plug a USB or other data-carrying device into the PC that was connected to the display and present their work. More often than not, compatibility issues would arise if presentations were made in earlier or later software visions, and the experience did not always present a dramatic improvement on paperbased teaching methodologies or outcomes.

THE ADVANTAGES OF SMART CLASSROOMS

EFFICIENT 1

From the teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective, being able to prepare for lessons remotely and save class notes at the touch of a button saves a lot of time. Many laborious administrative processes, such as student admissions, attendance registers and maintaining student records, can be automated in a Smart learning environment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; improving both efficiency and efficacy.

RESPONSIBLE 2

The Smart Classroom is a paperless classroom, which is costsaving and kinder on the environment. Instead of printed textbooks, worksheets and workbooks, students can download content onto their devices and submit assignments electronically.

CURRENT

Paper-based textbooks are expensive to print and the information that they contain dates very quickly. Teaching students with outdated material can contribute significantly to poor educational outcomes, especially in critical subjects such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Providing students with access to digital resources ensures that they are always able to access up-to-date research and information.

The Smart Classroom enables students to collaborate actively both in and outside of the physical classroom. Students can share notes, work remotely, stream lectures, download materials and submit work using platforms with which they are comfortable and which maximise productivity.

COLLABORATIVE

INCLUSIVE

Smart Classroom technology allows the teaching environment to be tailored to the individual, which is important when catering for learners with special needs. For example, displays can be adjusted to cater to a person with colour vision deficiency. Text can be magnified on a tablet or display for those with impaired vision, and speech-to-text applications can transform the learning experience for a wide spectrum of special-needs learners.

FEATURE AV IN EDUCATION

THE DIGITAL EVOLUTION

ENTER THE SMARTER CLASSROOM

With rapid advancements in digital technology, AV has evolved more over the past ten years than in any other period. Today, everybody – especially the younger generation – has access to a smart device, be it a laptop, tablet or smart phone. Young people today typically have more technology in their pockets and backpacks than the first astronauts took to the moon. These devices have become an extension of the individual, providing entertainment, social engagement, learning opportunities and productivity tools. Today’s youth are extremely comfortable with technology because they constantly interact with it. Why would you want to force students to work using pen and paper or typed notes, especially as we are abandoning these old-style ways of working in the professional world? We now have technologies that improve the learning experience, while fostering collaboration and boosting productivity. It would be completely counter-productive to exclude these technologies from our schools and universities – especially because the primary aim of education is to prepare young people for the world of work.

A truly Smart Classroom should provide an immersive space, where students are able to participate interactively in the lesson. Information should be immediately available and easy to share, even if it is not a part of the primary material outlined in the lesson plan. It may seem overwhelming to a school administrator who knows little about integrated technologies to devise a Smart Classroom solution, which is why it is imperative to consult with an industry professional. To effectively achieve a Smart Classroom environment, administrators should, first and foremost, ensure that there is sufficient bandwidth available at the learning facility to support digital connectivity throughout the campus. The next step is to consult with a professional AV integrator and develop a comprehensive project plan for the deployment of Smart Classroom technology. There are many options available, and projects can be implemented in various stages over a number of years, or as an all-in-one solution that requires a once-off installation. Some institutions will want to provide students with tablets and others will expect students to bring their own devices (BYOD model). Some schools will cater for a few hundred learners, while other institutions may need to accommodate several thousand students, both on and off campus. No two educational institutions are exactly alike, and therefore a custom-designed and well thought-out project plan – with clear timelines, a defined budget and a solid maintenance plan – is the cornerstone of success. No matter which solution you choose, the most important factor is that equipment is sourced from a reputable dealer that has a local, reliable and proven repair facility. A standard warranty of at least two years is non-negotiable and could be an indication of quality.

We now have technologies that improve the learning experience, while fostering collaboration and boosting productivity. It would be completely counterproductive to exclude these technologies from our schools and universities – especially because the primary aim of education is to prepare young people for the world of work.

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COMPANY PROFILE

LOCAL AV INTEGRATOR REWIRES Audiotech SA, a well-established South African integration technology and installation specialist, has recently been re-launched as Solved Technology Hub. AV Integration spoke with company director Brett Lancaster about the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dramatic growth and transformation over the past 18 years. 38

COMPANY PROFILE

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Audiotech SA first opened its doors in Cape Town in 2001, and quickly gained a reputation as a competent and reliable supplier of audiovisual solutions to customers in the Western Cape. In the early days, Audiotech SA could best be described as a micro-enterprise, with a sales rep and technician operating out of a garage. “Back then,” Lancaster recalls, “we offered only audiovisual assistance, and our ‘team’ was one guy working from his garage.” Since then, Audiotech SA has steadily grown its footprint both nationally and internationally to become a leading integrated technology service provider. As the company grew, Audiotech SA expanded its service offerings to take maximum advantage of the ever-evolving technology that fits between AV and IT solutions. “We have worked hard to develop our services and expertise over the years to offer our partners what is now a vast range of integrated technology solutions, including audiovisual, digital signage, music and media content development, atmospherics, safety, security and IT and networking solutions,” Lancaster explains. Over the past 18 years, the company has gained a reputation for outstanding design and installation work and reliable aftersales service, which has contributed to the establishment of strong working relationships with several significant local and international brands. “From our humble beginnings, we understand what it’s like to start at the bottom and, as such, we value the relationships we’ve established with our partners along the way,” Lancaster reflects.

AUDIOTECH SA SETS SAIL Since opening its doors in the early-2000s, Audiotech SA has transformed as an organisation, now boasting offices in four major cities in South Africa and delivering integrated solutions across a wide range of verticals for an impressive range of A-list clients in the retail, hospitality, corporate and education spaces, to name a few, both locally and internationally. It goes without saying that the solutions-driven organisation has outgrown its original identity, which motivated the decision to re-launch Audiotech SA in the first quarter of this year. “With the expansion of the company’s offering, the name Audiotech SA was not only limiting but also misleading to partners,” Lancaster points out. “By 2018, Audiotech SA was offering so much more than audio and visual services, and it was important that this was reflected in our brand and corporate identity.”

“We are committed to remaining loyal to our partners by collaborating closely throughout the conceptualisation, design, implementation and aftersales support phases of a project.” – Brett Lancaster

In the first quarter of 2019, Audiotech SA officially changed its name to Solved Technology Hub and now sports a colourful origami boat as its logo, which – Lancaster explains – represents the company’s drive to engineer simple, effective solutions for its partners. “Our mission is to provide our partners with cutting-edge, pioneering technology, coupled with a level of service that exceeds their expectations at every turn. We are constantly testing and redesigning the solutions we recommend so that our partners stay two steps ahead.”

PROBLEM SOLVED Solved Technology Hub is dedicated to designing integrated technology solutions that are innovative, pioneering, simple and practical. Says Lancaster: “We provide our partners with a consolidated point of contact for a wide range of integrated technology solutions. This is important for the successful deployment and management solutions, because by reducing the number of vendors you can simplify the overall management of your project – saving you both time and money over the long run.” To achieve this goal, the company is heavily invested in upskilling its team to remain cutting-edge, current and relevant – which is a huge challenge given the breakneck speed at which AV and IT technologies are evolving. While the company has expanded and advanced dramatically over a relatively short space of time, the organisation remains committed to the partner-centric culture that so successfully set it on a path to success at its inception. “We are committed to remaining loyal to our partners by collaborating closely throughout the conceptualisation, design, implementation and aftersales support phases of a project,” Lancaster explains. “As a part of its promise to its partners, Solved Technology Hub strives to provide the best possible service to its partners, with delivering high-quality, bespoke solutions on time and within budget being another major priority.” Being a tech-savvy company, Solved Technology Hub also understands the high cost of downtime in the digital age and is therefore committed to ensuring that aftersales support is as much of a priority as project implementation. The company offers partners a dedicated 24/7 support service as a part of its service-level agreement contracts.

THE FUTURE UNFOLDS Having already deployed integrated technology solutions for clients across the African continent, the company has now set its sights on the international market. In 2017, it crossed the Atlantic for the first time, establishing its first international distribution centre in the USA. The company has also successfully consulted on projects in the UK, USA and South America. With its finger on the pulse of innovation and its feet firmly planted on a grounding of partner relationships, Solved Technology Hub is set for a bright future.

SOCIAL

SPOTTED AT MEDIATECH AFRICA The Dome, Johannesburg

Tiaan Hoogstad (Alpha Technologies)

Farrell Prinsloo (Interactive AV Solutions)

Fred van der Merwe (Peripheral Vision)

Syed Abdul (CEO, Mindstec)

Leonardo Weber (Powersoft)

Peripheral Vision's Greg Rouwendaal, Karen Lanenhoven and Hugh Barker

Gary Atkins (Extron)

Mindstec Distribution (South Africa) Tel: +2711 803-0093/0096/0098 Email: info@mindstec.com

First Floor, Building 2 703, Woodmead Office Park 20 Morris Street East Woodmead, Johannesburg

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Web: www.alpha-tec.co.za

Tel: +27(0) 11 462 5495