Business Success Stories

AMX offers simplicity, efficiency, and productivity with cost-effective integrated automation and control solutions for today’s technology rich presentation facilities including media-driven presentation facilities with participants in the room or audio conferencing or videoconferencing.

Boardrooms / Conference Rooms

To ensure a meeting runs seamlessly from beginning to end, AMX solutions maximize your communication experience in your meeting by automating and controlling environmental controls like HVAC, window treatments, and lighting presets, audio / video equipment like projectors and projection screens, DVDs and VCRs, microphones, cameras, speakers, computers and internet access, and electronic voting with AMX Touch Panels.

Training Facilities / Distance Learning Centers

Whether a corporate training is local or has participants and presenters from remote locations around the world, AMX provides solutions to automate and control the electronics and content needed for world-class corporate education.

Auditoriums

In larger auditoriums or theater-style presentation facilities, it is important to manage the challenges that come with large presentation venues. AMX can control and automate the acoustics and sound systems, microphones, cameras, lighting, and other equipment involved with a speaker’s presentation, projecting the speaker’s message to the audience, allowing audience interaction, and the climate of multiple areas or zones of an auditorium.

Success Stories

• Air Command and Staff College (Air Force)
• Center For Creative Leadership
• Electronic Data Systems (EDS)
• Endeleo Airport Case Study-Major International Airline
• Interpolis (Netherlands)
• JD Edwards Boardroom
• Unilever Nederland Holdings BV

Air Command and Staff College (Montgomery, Alabama)

For military personnel at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., the amount of AMX technology in a small conference room proved a little too overwhelming. In other words, they had more than enough control options for basic in-classroom facilitation, such as video and PowerPoint presentations. Approximately 10 years after the installation of the current Axcent2 Control System, it was time to streamline the process of one-touch control and automation.

"It was really nice to be able to go in years later, plug in NetLinx Studio, and add the required upgrades to the Touch Panel so seamlessly," Bell said. "I have used the other guy's stuff and it's so time consuming. NetLinx Studio does everything I expect it to do."

"They wanted it to be more user-friendly," said David Bell, Senior Design Engineer at Media Visions, Inc., of Birmingham, Ala. "They were very happy with what we had done so many years ago. Now, they wanted the technology to be more straight-forward." Rather than replace the entire system, the military college simply wanted to update the AMX Touch Panel design and on-screen commands. Not a problem. Bell walked into the conference room and completed the task in just half a day - thanks to NetLinx Studio software from AMX.

"I figured it would be simple," Bell said. "I have always been extremely happy with AMX products. When NetLinx (Control System) came out, I had very few issues with the NetLinx Studio software. Every time I used it, I never encounted any major obstacles."

The conference room incorporates audio, lighting, screen, projector and PowerPoint control and automation using a wireless AMX Modero ViewPoint (MVP) Touch Panel. Streamlining the process meant manipulating current code strings through a control system nearly a decade old. Bell took full advantage of NetLinx Studio's backwards compatibility.

"It was really nice to be able to go in years later, plug in NetLinx Studio, and add the required upgrades to the Touch Panel so seamlessly," Bell said. "I have used the other guy's stuff and it's so time consuming. NetLinx Studio does everything I expect it to do."

Center For Creative Leadership (Greensboro, North Carolina)

Each year, thousands of individuals from professional organizations around the world visit the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL©), where they receive specialized leadership development training. CCL is implementing the benefits of an enhanced learning environment using AMX® NetLinx® Control System technology.

“The reason I specified AMX from the start was for the high level of product reliability," said McKeithan. "I needed it to be bulletproof. If I had chosen another manufacturer and the system did not work, then it would be of no value to the Center.”

CCL's Greensboro, N.C. facility includes a fully-integrated, 130-seat combinable/dividable special events room with two rear observation areas. The power of an AMX NI-3000 Controller, operating behind the scenes on CCL's local network, seamlessly interconnects and automates a host of electronic playback devices, presentation equipment and touch panels.

By implementing a standardized AMX control system in this way, regardless of the models and types of source equipment already in place, CCL provides its users a single point of control that appears consistent in design and responds to each command, in the same way, every time. This translates into less time trying to figure out the technology and more time spent in event facilitation. The AMX control systems enhance event media delivery to produce the desired results of visiting participants, according to John McKeithan, A/V Specialist for all five CCL campuses located throughout the United States, Brussels, Belgium and Singapore.

"Before using AMX, we had similar training rooms being controlled using different techniques and control devices. That made things difficult and frustrating to operate." said McKeithan, a 25-year A/V industry veteran. "I've had long-term exposure to AMX equipment and controllers. I have seen AMX products at InfoComm trade shows for years. Additionally, to remain current on technology being used at different training organizations, I conduct on-site surveys and frequently run into AMX control systems."

According to McKeithan, the CCL-San Diego campus first installed AMX as the control system of choice in its presentation rooms. A year later, in 2002, CCL-Colorado Springs specified AMX in an effort to upgrade several integrated presentation classrooms and breakout rooms, which include remote/off-site control capabilities only possible with NetLinx.

CCL-Greensboro would be the next to incorporate the latest AMX NetLinx / NI-3000 Controller technology. CCL President John Alexander gave McKeithan approval to commission systems integrator and AMX Dealer OneSource Building Technologies (OSBT) to manage the custom design and installation of the combinable/dividable special events room.

"The Center is very familiar with AMX, as many other rooms in the building were outfitted with legacy AMX controllers and touch panels," said Holt Stevens, Head Engineer and Design Engineer at OSBT. "For this project, it was made clear that no other control system was ever considered."

"The reason I specified AMX from the start was for the high level of product reliability," said McKeithan. "I needed it to be bulletproof. If I had chosen another manufacturer and the system did not work, then it would be of no value to the Center."

The Center's combinable/dividable room provides users a single point of control to quickly and easily activate, operate and power off a laundry list of in-room electronics: Video conference, audio conference, dual Projection systems, PC, 5-disc DVD players, VCRs, digital video recorders, audio cassette decks and multiple mounted cameras with pan-tilt-zoom systems. A dedicated touch panel positioned at the front of the room displays a simplified user interface, which was designed by OSBT and based on navigational specifications created by McKeithan.

"The touch panel made the use of the rooms very easy," said McKeithan, who also acted in an advisory/consultant role during the installation. "With such a wide range of users, I worked closely with OneSource on how the devices should be controlled and to what extent."

In an effort to deliver the desired on-screen touch panel graphics, plus necessary video capabilities and video conferencing features, Holt and the OSBT team installed AMX TPI/4 NetLinx Touch Panel Interfaces. A start page with the Center's logo welcomes users to select between two separate modes — Presentation and Video Conference.

"We have everyone from our president to multinational visiting faculty members using the rooms to facilitate classes, make presentations and take part in conferences," McKeithan said. "The level of experience using control technology varies from none at all to advanced users. The system we have now allows us to conduct a brief production and training meeting with each presenter before they begin using the touch panel. The setup is extremely simple."

Also located in the back of the combinable/dividable room are two observation areas. Each is hidden behind two 6-by-5-foot one-way mirrored glass. These observation rooms, which accommodate up to four people, serve as central points of A/V management for the Center's technical support staff. The technicians have the ability to "run the room remotely" — assisting in the operation of required pieces of equipment — so CCL faculty and other presenters can concentrate on the lesson and group discussions. The Web Server inside the NI-3000 Controller allows the technicians to automate devices through a networked PC on a workstation counter in either observation area. "CCL feels they are using the best control technology available," said Steve Kates, Sales and Design Representative at OSBT. "With all that we have installed, I'd say it's a pretty sophisticated system."

Electronic Data System (Plano, Taxes)

"The room was originally designed in 1992," said Scott Stamps, Audio Visual Technician at EDS. "To incorporate AMX technology in here was a natural progression."

During the past 10 years, EDS has installed AMX Control Systems, both NetLinx® and Axcess® as well as AMX Touch Panels, in conference rooms worldwide — company headquarters in Plano, Texas, plus regional offices in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. At EDS, like many Fortune 100 companies, AMX is the standard.

"This is the first NetLinx system we have installed in Plano," Stamps said. "The power we have with NetLinx is amazing. There are things we are doing that only NetLinx can do. We have benefited tremendously."

Initially, the 7th Floor Video Conference Room did not support various components necessary for daily executive meetings. "It was built as a conference room, not a presentation room," Stamps explained. "So there wasn't adequate space for an audio/video control room or projection equipment. We had to get creative in our utilization of this limited area."

Adding in-room capabilities usually means bringing in extra conduit for numerous electronic devices and extended control and automation features. However, EDS technicians had one rather large obstacle facing them. In fact, it was everywhere they looked: The conference room is part of an executive level that suspends outward from this particular EDS building. The obvious solution was to harness the existing conduit already in place.

"There was no really good way to get conduit to it (the room)," Stamps said. "We couldn't put in as many inputs and outputs as we would have liked to, but we worked successfully with what we had."

The first step was to go across the hall, take a small telephone booth and transform it into an audio/video control room, fully integrated with the conference room. Richard Walker, Integrated Media Designer/Installer at EDS, provided the code and programming for the entire system, including Touch Panel features. NetLinx operates efficiently and discreetly behind the scenes.

"The control room is really small so everything had to be a flat panel," Stamps said. "All the displays are flat panels. The AMX Touch Panel Interface uses a flat panel. We couldn't take up a lot of space in here or generate too much heat."

A wireless AMX Modero® ViewPoint (MVP) Touch Panel in the control room guarantees anywhere, anytime control. An EDS technician can remotely prepare and orchestrate the videoconference needs of the CEO — without ever entering the conference room unless absolutely necessary. The AMX control and automation is seamless, reliable and intuitive. No more wheeling in an overhead projector and manually pulling down a projection screen. No sudden computer shutdowns that halt an important videoconference. EDS has created redundant computer and power supplies, audio equipment and conferencing components, so everything can be re-routed if a shutdown does occur.

"The features we are using are the kinds you wouldn't want to work without," Stamps said. For example, the technician is able to customize the control options for each and every meeting by taking into account the personal preferences of each presenter. Rather than clutter the conference room's AMX 10.4-inch Table Top Touch Panel with too many control icons, only those commands necessary for the current meeting are displayed. This saves valuable time and minimizes any confusion for the end user.

"It's easy to get overwhelmed with so many buttons on more than one page," Stamps said. "I give the end user what they specifically need at that time. It has worked out quite well."

The handheld MVP is the proverbial staging point for the amount of control and automation allowed in the conference room, as well as the current status of equipment employed for a meeting in progress.

"If I need to make changes, I can take control of the room wherever I go," Stamps said. "Since the control room is just across the hall, I can take the ViewPoint with me to do several different things, like get a presenter's microphone activated and cue the presentation simultaneously."

EDS also uses NetLinx as a means of instant communication between the technician in the control room and the executives in the conference room. During every meeting, an "executive sponsor" is chosen to operate the AMX 10.4-inch Touch Panel. At anytime, this person can pick up the telephone handset located under the table to speak with the control room technician or use an on-screen keyboard to type text messages for assistance. A video window appears on the panel's display in which the technician and executive sponsor can see each other in real time. In the conference room, one of the videoconference cameras can zoom in on the executive sponsor. In the control room, the technician looks into a much smaller camera the size of a large marker.

"We can speak right there, face-to-face — from the camera in the conference room to the touch panel in the control room — without having a major impact on the flow of the meeting," Stamps said. "Prior to NetLinx, I would have to go into the room, pull a person out of the meeting, and explain things. Now, they can continue while I navigate the touch panel to make their lives better."

Almost daily, the CEO communicates with global offices to discuss different projects. Time and results are of the essence. These project updates must occur as seamlessly as possible. From the control room, the EDS technician can prepare each videoconference or audioconference through NetLinx. The technician contacts by phone or online connection each EDS employee from around the globe, then groups each person into the appropriate videoconference or audioconference queue.

"They're live and already online for the CEO," Stamps explained. "The executive sponsor navigates the panel, hits a button, and brings them digitally into the room. When the meeting is over, the executive sponsor presses another button and they are gone. This practically elimates the wait time between projects. In the old days, we would have to break everything down and reestablish the calls. There were so many projects that even a few minutes of down time between meetings would ad up to several hours. NetLinx has paid for itself already in the amount of time we have saved, not to mention the lower levels of stress for everyone involved."

The conference room is about 30-feet wide by 30-feet long. In the center is an octagon-shaped table that sits 14 people. At the front of the room, two retro-cabinets have been removed and replaced with rear projection screens. Three cameras for videoconferencing and security are built into the walls. The control rack is situated between the digital projectors and cameras located behind the front wall. One 60-inch projection screen drops down to accommodate overhead slides that are used to display highly confidential information. Other integrated electronic equipment includes a VCR player, lights, microphones, satellite television, speakers and a document camera.

"With all that we had to do, the control system code became quite sophisticated," Stamps said. "We actually built the entire room in our shop first, wiring it up in a mock arrangement in order to test the programming. In the end, everyone here thinks it is cool. Several of the executives have stated that they noticed how much smoother, quicker and less stressful the meetings have run with this new system."

Endeleo Airport Case Study (Major International Airline)

A major international airline needed to centrally locate all Flight Information Display Servers (FIDS) and distribute video to various locations throughout an airport terminal, including check-in, baggage claim, gates, arrivals and lounges.

One option was to mount a dedicated Small Form Factor FIDS PC behind every display – which while potentially cheaper on initial outlay, could become extremely costly for ongoing maintenance in hard-to-access locations during the lifetime of the display/PC.

By centrally locating rack-mount PCs in secure, cooled data closets, the operating lifetime of the equipment and ease of maintenance made a video distribution network much more appealing.

An alternate solution was to use A/V extenders with networked controllers to control the displays – which would require multiple power outlets per display and multiple UTP runs to each display.

Ultimately, the ability to distribute and control over 1x UTP made the AMX® Endeleo solution a much more affordable solution for the customer.

The ability to distribute HDTV (as YPbPr) to specific displays was a Day 2 consideration, which was deemed a bonus because the design would be future proof.

The architecture required a combination of Endeleo UDM-0404 and UDM-1604 Multi-Format Distribution Hubs to distribute RGBHV and YPbPr to more than 180 large-format NEC LCD displays connected via Endeleo UDM-RX02 Multi-Format Receivers to provide improved video quality over longer distances.

All displays needed to display native resolution from high-end graphics cards in the FIDS machines (1360x768), as well as 1080i from HDTV Satellite Receivers and CableTV Boxes.

Interpolis(Tilburg, Netherlands)

At Interpolis, one of the largest insurance companies in the Netherlands, employees rarely call in sick. No made-up excuses. No mental health days. That's because the staff of 5,000 strong enjoy not only where they work, but the unique environment in which the job gets done.

“Interpolis wanted to apply advanced technologies that would support the smart, overall design of the work space, offer extreme functionality, and be easy enough for anyone to operate. AMX has helped Interpolis to realize an environment that motivates employees and enhances production.”

Embracing the flexibility and freedom of AMX® control technology, Interpolis, located in Tilburg, Netherlands, has created a business space where each employee has practical autonomy. It's called a Virtual City, complete with integrated meeting areas, individual workspaces, silent areas, entertainment corners and more. No cubicles. No offices. No closed doors. Everything is open. More than 64,000 square-feet (6,000 square meters) for the flow of people, ideas and communication — all controlled and connected through AMX. "It reminds you of an actual city with smaller neighborhoods," said Willian van de Sande, Technical Designer, Installer and Consultant of MK2 Visuele Media of Breda, Netherlands, the AMX Dealer that handled this installation. "It's rather unique to Europe in that something like this has never been accomplished before. This project is well ahead of its time. I think this will start a future trend."

Interpolis management, renowned for its forward-thinking philosophies, is using the power of the AMX NetLinx® Control System to institute a successful "work anywhere" business model that has yielded overwhelmingly positive results. Located on the first floor of a 19-story building, Interpolis' Virtual City is a real-life testament to how technology can make work simple, convenient, productive and even luxurious.

"Interpolis wanted to apply advanced technologies that would support the smart, overall design of the work space, offer extreme functionality, and be easy enough for anyone to operate. AMX has helped Interpolis to realize an environment that motivates employees and enhances production."

No desks. No land line phones. No desktop PCs. So, how does anything get done? Wireless is the answer. Laptop computers and mobile phones. Taking into consideration Interpolis' desire for its employees to remain versatile at all times, van de Sande thought to harness the networking power of NetLinx. Using the control system to manage a wireless local access network (LAN), every staff member equipped with a laptop and wireless phone has the ability to access computer files, search the Internet and communicate through email. By entering into the Internet browser the name of a specific area within the Virtual City workplace, an Interpolis employee is automatically logged into the NetLinx system. Visitors cannot access the network without prior authorization. This safeguard ensures the stability and security of the LAN.

"That was my idea," van de Sande said. "I had seen a story about NetLinx using wireless LAN and we were able to sell Interpolis on it. Everything works perfectly."

"Everything" is a combination of $2 million worth of audio/video equipment that brings together the 12 large meeting rooms and other specialty "office gardens" referred to as "cockpits," "zap corners," and "silent areas." A NetLinx system, with CardFrame and Master260 Card, is installed in each meeting room, where an AMX Touch Panel provides one-touch control of DVDs, VCRs, AV Tuners, projectors, projection screens and more. AMX Dynamic Menu Select (DMS) Keypads are also positioned at the entrance of each "office garden" for convenient control of lights, temperature, video components and audio equipment.

"It's perhaps a costly investment, yet it pays for itself with fewer employees calling in sick or not working as hard as they should be," van de Sande said. "Interpolis is also able to attract top talent because people in the insurance business really want to work there." In other words, AMX technology and the Virtual City business model has a significant effect on the company's bottom line. Employees stay longer, become more efficient at their job, and less money is spent on high-turnover, new-hires and training.

Facility managers at Interpolis can relax as well, or at least until NetLinx notifies them of necessary repairs and maintenance that demand immediate attention. MK2 programmed a special control system application that provides these managers a way to monitor all areas of the Virtual City, track data concerning equipment usage, and adjust macros or presets through secure Internet pages.

JD Edwards Boardroom (Denver, Colorado)

Nearly 6,000 customers. Approximately 5,000 employees. J.D. Edwards is the leading supplier of e-business solutions, delivering resources built on speed and agility for customers worldwide. No wonder this highly respected company relies on AMX control and lighting systems as an integral part of its success and professional image.

Welcome to the Visitor's Center, located at J.D. Edwards Corporate Headquarters in Denver. Aptly named Pike's Peak Conference Room, this high-tech meeting area is one of 12 total on the building's top floor. Each room's moniker identifies a famous mountain and, better still, has a fantastic view of the Denver cityscape and surrounding summits.

The Pike's Peak Conference Room exemplifies today's modern meeting facility. An Internet-intensive company, J.D. Edwards incorporates AMX control to focus on simple presentations that include high-resolution graphics and video.

It all starts at the podium, where you'll find an AMX 10.4-inch Color Active Touch Panel—your proverbial command center. At the press of a control button, the lights dim and a welcome message is revealed on a 90-degree rear projection screen. Vivid, animated images can be generated anytime from a PC also built into the podium. A flat panel LCD monitor is smartly placed so any speaker can glance at the current-playing presentation without breaking eye contact with the audience. A few feet away, a Color Active Tiltscreen sits on the conference table.

Just another easy-to-use alternative for total control. Only from AMX.

Unilever Nederland Holdings BV

Unilever ranks among the globally prominent producers of consumer products with high turnaround times. The company’s mission is to add vitality to life; hence, Unilever products help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. The company employs more than 223,000 people in approximately 100 countries worldwide. Each day 150 million people choose Unilever brands.

“As one the most prominent producers of consumer products, we wanted to equip a boardroom in our head office in Rotterdam which in terms of atmosphere and exclusivity would suit a business of our magnitude. BIS realised this for us to our full and complete satisfaction.”

Meetings With Presence
BIS was approached to equip a boardroom in Unilever’s Dutch head office that would provide technical capabilities and atmosphere on par with the most exclusive boardrooms in the world. BIS was involved with the design and implementation of the boardroom from the very beginning. During that period it has realised less or more complex audiovisual solutions in dozens of conference rooms, training rooms, lunch rooms and corporate restaurants. Partly for that reason BIS was selected as the candidate to carry out this exciting, yet complex instruction and to ensure its success.

BIS was involved with the design and arrangement of the boardroom from the beginning. Intensive consultation with the commissioning party, the architect, contractors, subcontractors, electro-technical fitters and other parties involved in the project resulted in a highly luxurious conference room, in which every detail has been carefully orchestrated.

A total of 26 TFT screens are sunk in the conference table and rise from the table top by means of a lifting system, when so required. Each seat, next to the TFT screen, features a voice enhancement device, with which the participants in the meeting can make themselves heard when talking. The voice enhancement system is connected to a recording set so that the meetings – if so required – can be recorded, worked out or archived.

An AMX system controls and automates all of the audio/video equipment in the room, allowing the presenter to quickly and easily initiate a conference call or prepare the room for a presentation.