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| A Primedia Property | |
| May 27, 2004 | |
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Table of Contents Welcome to Systems Integration Special Focus: Corporate A/V Corporate A/V Top Story Corporate business bouncing back, but differently Installation News Cerner taps PESA's Tiger for flexible switching in Cerner Vision Center Product News Draper AeroLift 25 now shipping OmniMount introduces new U3TILT plasma mount Toshiba introduces new DLP projectors with wireless capabilities Industry News IMCCA announces conferencing industry showcase ADVERTISEMENT For over 30 years, Comprehensive has been the professional's choice for premium interface and multimedia products. The new 2004 Comprehensive catalog is packed with thousands of new products including Comprehensive's world famous cables and the latest from Belden, Canare, Kramer, Neutrik much more. Click here for your free copy or shop online at our website www.comprehensiveinc.com Welcome to Systems Integration Special Focus: Corporate A/V Welcome to the premier issue of Systems Integration Special Focus: Corporate A/V. Mastery of a broad platform of disciplines is required for contemporary corporate AV installation, including projection and display, telecommunication and video communications, and audio. Couple that with the industry's convergence with information technology, and it can certainly create challenges for systems integrators. But opportunity also exists. To help you make the most of these opportunities, this newsletter comes to your inbox twice monthly - brought to you by Sound & Video Contractor magazine. We'll supply market insight and keep you abreast of new product releases and developments in corporate applications. Systems Integration Special Focus: Corporate A/V provides timely information and handy tools to keep you up to date in today's fast-moving and competitive corporate A/V world. Corporate A/V Top Story Corporate business bouncing back, but differently The corporate AV marketplace may be poised for significant growth in the next several years, but it's going to require some different thinking for systems integrators and AV dealers to take full advantage of the opportunity. That's the reality underlying an optimistic report this spring from the International Communications Industries Association (ICIA). ICIA's 2004 Market Forecast Survey (see June's Sound & Video Contractor) finds that corporate business is still the most significant category for most dealers, accounting for an average 23 percent of revenues. What's more, among dealers who said they focused chiefly on the corporate sector, 80 percent are expecting increased revenues in 2004. The average firm in this area expects revenues in 2004 to be about 27 percent higher than in 2003. But there's another story beneath the surface, notes Jim Smith, Director of Strategic Initiatives at HB Communications and chair of ICIA's Sound, Audiovisual and Video Integrators Council. The corporate business may be coming back, but it's coming back "different." "A lot of projects got put on hold" during the downturn of 2001-2002, Smith says. "The technology has changed, these projects have been re-evaluated, and many people are letting them go forward." Among these changes has been significant downward price movement. "Where before, people had a line item that would cover doing one room, now you can do three or four rooms for the same amount," Smith says. Corporate projects being revived today also frequently reflect a much greater emphasis on fitting into the overall information technology (IT) environment. "You really need to be Internet Protocol-educated," Smith says, "very conscious and sensitive to network issues." The AV systems integrators may be challenged to deal with a new wave of IT-minded customers who don't always "get" AV. "It's part of our job to bring the IT people up to speed and make them our allies," Smith says. The commodity mindset pops up fairly frequently these days among corporate clients, Smith goes on, particularly when they can compare an integrator's price for a plasma or LCD display with what's on offer at their local Circuit City. Customers may feel display devices have become so simple and inexpensive they can buy them like TV sets and just plug them in. "They usually only do that once, and then they realize the value of working with an integrator and having someone they can call on," Smith says. Still, prices will be squeezed and profit margins appear certain to shrink. Among the survey's striking findings: Respondents are more optimistic about revenue increases in 2004 than about profit gains. Nearly three-quarters of respondents expect revenue to rise over the next three years, compared to only about 59 percent who expect a similar performance in profits. The ICIA survey reveals that nearly two-thirds of the responding dealers (64.4 percent) expect the business/corporate segment to remain highly important over the next three years. About 90 percent of all dealers derive at least some of their revenue from corporate applications. Among dealers with a distinct focus on corporate AV, the average gross revenue in 2002 was about $4.7 million, and this gross declined to $4.1 million in 2003. For 2004, the average revenue is projected to jump to about $5.2 million, an increase of 26.8 percent. Mid-sized companies focusing on the corporate market were the most likely to have lost money in 2002 and 2003, the ICIA survey reveals. Installation News Cerner taps PESA's Tiger for flexible switching in Cerner Vision Center PESA Switching Systems, a leading provider of analog and digital video and audio equipment, today announced that Kansas City, Missouri-based Cerner Corp. has installed PESA's Tiger video and audio routing switcher in its expanded "Cerner Vision Center," an executive briefing facility designed for introducing the company's leading healthcare information technologies to current and prospective clients. Business Media Incorporated (BMI), the design and build contractor for the project, installed PESA's Tiger switcher in the facility's command center to provide maximum control throughout meeting areas. Three large and four smaller presentation rooms, all designed in-the-round, feature Christie DLP projectors and rear projection utilizing Da-Lite wide-angle screens for videoconferencing, product demonstrations, video presentations, and standard PowerPoint presentations, as well as for internal training and community events. "We specified PESA's Tiger system for this project because it is a flexible system that is easy to configure for required inputs and outputs and because it is expandable and capable of growing along with Cerner's A/V facilities," said BMI Regional Manager Janice Bartels. "The system's hot-swappable power supplies and easy front-panel access also are valuable features that help ensure efficient operation with no down time. As a result, Cerner personnel can work confidently in the expanded briefing center, using its advanced presentation tools to build and maintain strong business relationships." "We partnered with BMI to incorporate cutting-edge presentation and communication technology into our new facilities, and our efforts have resulted in beautiful rooms, loaded with high-tech equipment," said Dan Cowan, technical project manager at Cerner. "PESA's switching system already has proved to be a great fit for the command center, providing superb performance with flexible switching capability and high-quality images." The PESA Tiger video and audio routing switcher is engineered to meet the needs of virtually any application. Expansion is easy and affordable with the installation of standard digital and analog cards in the same frame in increments of 8 inputs and 16 outputs. The system also provides the utmost flexibility in system configuration, allowing users to combine digital and analog matrices in the same chassis. Cerner Corp. (NASDAQ: CERN) is taking the paper chart out of healthcare, eliminating error, variance, and waste in the care process. With more than 1,500 clients worldwide, Cerner is the leading supplier of healthcare information technology. More information is available on the Cerner Web site at www.cerner.com. Business Media, Inc. (BMI) is dedicated to providing businesses and individuals with fully integrated, easy-to-use presentation and videoconferencing systems that are expertly designed, installed, and maintained to meet their needs and expectations. Learn more about BMI at www.bmiav.com. Located in Melville, N.Y., and Huntsville, Ala., PESA Switching Systems, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality analog and digital video and audio routing switchers and control systems for the broadcasting, mobile production, post-production, corporate, educational, cable, religious, industrial, and government markets. For more information, visit the PESA Web site at www.pesa.com. Product News Draper AeroLift 25 now shipping Draper has announced that its new motorized video projector lift is now shipping. The AeroLift 25 has the smallest footprint and height of any video projector lift, installing easily between standard 2-inch thick ceiling joists on 16-inch centers. Built-in adjustability allows the installer to ensure a proper fit even when joist spacing is a little off. When fully closed, the AeroLift 25 is a mere 4" high x 12 1/2" wide x 22 1/2" long - not including the projector. The AeroLift 25 can also be used to recess speakers, security cameras, videoconferencing cameras or document cameras. AeroLift 25 options include a plenum housing, ceiling closure and Aero Projector Mount with universal bracket. For more information on the AeroLift 25, visit www.draperinc.com. OmniMount introduces new U3TILT plasma mount OmniMount is pleased to announce the introduction of the new U3TILT plasma mounting system. The U3 allows the mounting of plasma display of up to 63 inches diagonally and 200 pounds. Several key features take the U3 a significant step forward in plasma panel mounting. The wall plate is 32 inches wide and designed for mounting to 16 through 24 inches on center wall studs. The plate uses slotted mounting holes for quick alignment. OmniMount makes this mount expandable by including extension rods and extension rails that allow you to mount plasma displays from 37 inches up to 63 inches. The 24-inch wide center opening simplifies installation when the J-box hole isn't in the ideal position on the wall. Ease of installation is one of the key features of the U3. The included adhesive Fast Installation Guide allows for the precise location of the mount to the wall, and it collects the dust from drilling into the wall. If the simple instructions are followed correctly, the plasma display will be mounted safely, in the correct position and with virtually no cleanup - all in one step. As with all OmniMount products, the U3 includes a comprehensive installation hardware package. This includes spacers that allow the installation of plasma displays with curved backs and recessed mounting lands. Once the mounting rails have been secured to the back of the plasma display, OmniMount's Lift n' Lock Installation feature comes into its own. The display is simply hung onto the rails of the mount; slide the TV into position and the flip-locks move into place to insure security. A small padlock can then be inserted through the flip-lock holes at this stage for extra security. Once mounted, the display can be set to the desired viewing angle, +5 through -15 degrees, by loosening and retightening the tilt-tensioning levers. An attractive and functional cable cover is also included to ensure a clean and elegant finished installation. Toshiba introduces new DLP projectors with wireless capabilities Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD) today introduced the TDP-S20U and TDP-SW20U projectors that deliver DLP technology and wireless functionality to mobile users, educators and small-to-medium business owners at aggressive prices. Priced at $999 ESP, the TDP-S20U projector offers users high-quality projection images with minimal impact on their wallets. At $1,199, the TDP-SW20U is the industry's first wireless projector available at this price point - providing budget-conscious users with a presentation choice that was not previously available. "With the economic demands put on today's small and medium-sized businesses as well as educators, price is a key factor in their purchasing decision," said Alex Ijuin, assistant general manager for Toshiba DPD's Projector Business Unit. "With the S20 Series, Toshiba provides its customers with a cost-effective projection solution that not only fits into their budget, but provides them with the latest DLP technology and wireless connectivity options to meet their application needs." The lightweight TDP-S20U and TDP-SW20U projectors boast 1400 ANSI lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio, and native SVGA 800x600 resolution, providing users with high-quality images in a small form factor. With the integrated wireless capabilities, TDP-SW20U users can enjoy faster set-up time and presentation flexibility without the hassle of additional cables. The TDP-SW20U also offers on-the-go professionals the option of delivering a "PC-free" presentation by switching a type II storage card with the wireless card, to create an all-in-one projection device. "There's growing demand for wireless technology in the SMB and education markets," said Sanju Khatri, senior analyst at iSuppli/Stanford Resources. "After the consumer segment, the education and SMB markets are the fastest-growing sectors for projection technology. iSuppli/Stanford Resources forecasts compound annual growth rates of 40 and 24 percent for the education and SMB projection markets respectively over the next four years." Equipped with a host of multimedia capabilities and connectivity options, the TDP-S20U/SW20U projector series offers three video input sources for users to improve presentations by adding video clips, or to enjoy bigger-than-life action on weekends by hooking up a gaming console or watching a sporting event. In addition, the projector series includes audio in/out capabilities for an enhanced sound experience, and a special monitor output connector that allows users to view presentations from an external display in addition to what is projected on the screen. This capability is especially valuable for educators who need to keep an eye on the class while presenting. With inclusive one-touch auto set-up, keystone correction and pocket-sized remote, Toshiba's new projectors include the features and functionality needed to deliver professional presentations with minimal setup time. Additionally, the TDP-S20U and TDP-SW20U come with a soft carrying case, so users can quickly and easily pack their projector up and take it anywhere they need to go. Pricing and Availability The Toshiba TDP-S20U and TDP-SW20U projectors will be available in June for $999 and $1,199 respectively (estimated street prices), and come standard with a two-year warranty. All Toshiba projectors are available through Toshiba's enterprise sales team and authorized distributors, dealers, VARs, retailers, mail-order outlets, and at www.sell.toshiba.com. Industry News IMCCA announces conferencing industry showcase The Interactive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Alliance (IMCCA) today announced the collaborative conferencing industry will showcase its business at the InfoComm tradeshow to be held in Atlanta, June 5 to 11, 2004. Attendees to the show will have the opportunity to learn about the most recent advances in the conferencing industry through manufacturer product and service exhibits in the Collaborative Conferencing Pavilion and through a full-featured conference program. Additionally, InfoComm will be the site for the first annual meeting of the new Teleconferencing Users' Group. "Infocomm is a perfect venue for the IMCCA and the industry because it is the premier conference and trade show in the AV communications and systems integration business," said Carol Zelkin, Executive Director of IMCCA. "Our members have provided tremendous support in making this showcase a viable and worthwhile event in an industry that is growing at an estimated rate of 36 percent a year." Sponsored by the IMCCA, vendor products and services will be exhibited on the show floor in an area dedicated to conferencing technology. From videoconferencing to audio conferencing to webconferencing to telecommunications and conference related products and services, including an IMCCA booth, Infocomm attendees will find an abundance of technology solutions and providers. Over 35 exhibitors including ACT Teleconferencing, Applied Global Technologies, Polycom, Radvision, Sony, Starbak, Tandberg, and VSGi will be located in the pavilion. Manufacturers will also have the opportunity to present their new product introductions separate from their booth exhibits, in a special area within the Pavilion. Designed with both the novice and experienced end users in mind, these sessions will focus on the latest technology being offered in the collaborative conferencing marketplace. In keeping with IMCCA's mission of educating the marketplace on the benefits and applications of conferencing and collaborative technologies, a comprehensive conference program will be offered during the pre-show and show dates. Dr. S. Ann Earon, IMCCA Chairperson, stated, "The need to learn, develop communication strategies and address challenges has become paramount in today's corporate, education, and government sectors. By attending InfoComm, technology managers and those interested in the field will have the opportunity to learn about the latest technology, talk with experts in the field, hear from end users, and delve into relevant issues such as IP conferencing, selecting the right vendor, or designing a conferencing environment." Highlights of the conference track include: * Super Tuesday Program on June 8 -- an all-encompassing full day tutorial titled Introduction to Collaborative Conferencing. Led by IMCCA Chairperson Dr. S. Ann Earon, the course is aimed toward industry newcomers. * "The State of the Technology For Collaborative Conferencing Lunch & Learn" on June 10 - industry experts will provide knowledgeable insight in an interactive panel format. * IMCCA Courses from June 9-11 -- a roster of 8 courses over three days will offer expert advice on collaborative conferencing and end user case studies. * InfoComm Academy Courses from June 5-11 -- geared to the AV professional, this track will address subjects and issues in the conferencing industry. Further details about the courses and other collaborative conferencing opportunities at InfoComm 04, as well as information about registration and fees, are available at www.infocomm.org/ic04. The Collaborative Conferencing Program is presented jointly by the Interactive & Collaborative Communications Alliance (IMCCA) and the International Communications Industries Association (ICIA). |
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