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If you or your staff spend a lot of time supporting multiple AV systems, the Resource Management Suite® from AMX would be worth considering.
The reality is that most problems in a well-built AV system come from user error. Presenters and instructors are so focused on the material they're trying to get across that they forget how to find an item on a menu, choose the wrong input or make similar mistakes. Technical staff can find themselves spending significant parts of their day walking or driving out to meeting rooms where there's no hardware malfunction. With ResourceManager, they can solve these problems without leaving the IT or AV office.
The system also helps to minimize hardware problems by keeping track of lamp hours, filter hours and other maintenance items. It can put a stop to theft, help schedule classrooms and meeting rooms and help managers plan for better resource allocation as well.
"My customers love it," says Sound Vision's Tom Allison, CTS-S. "In a large building or on a campus it's a lot more effective to be able to touch an AV system from a desktop PC versus running all over the place."
The Resource Management Suite consists of two main software components running on an IP network with connected AMX NetLinx® components in each meeting room.
AssetManager uses a flexible, intuitive interface to provide
- Help desk functions. Using any networked PC with AssetManager installed, staff can view a user's AV system and take over its remote control. They can use this function to solve user problems, shut down or control an unattended system or configure a room to the functions that a particular user needs.
"Asset Manager is the package that we installed at Judson University," says Allison. "The benefits on a campus like theirs can be enormous."
- Monitoring. AssetManager constantly monitors equipment and reports any issues, such as component failure or theft to the appropriate support staff.
"If a theft takes place," says Allison, "the system will email security (or page them through the email system) the moment the component is disconnected from the network. Should a lamp burn out or some other device fail, a technician can be on the way before the user even realizes there is a problem."
It gets better. "The system can proactively send out messages based on parameters which we've preprogrammed," says Allison. "Lamp failures become rare to nonexistent, because AssetManager notifies staff as each projector reaches logs a given number of hours."
- Database. The system has the ability to maintain a SQL database of all system components that includes information such as serial number, model number as well as a link to the devices on-line user's manual. "The client has to provide a server with SQL installed, and then we tie it into all the rooms that have AMX Netlinx processors and touch panels," Allison explains.
- Reporting. Resource Management applications create instant web reports to help monitor usage and enable proactive preventative maintenance. Standard reports include: help requests, room and source usage, system and device usage, lamp hours, transport device run time and service quality. Custom reports are also an option.
MeetingManager is a package that makes scheduling rooms easier and more flexible. It can be used with or without Asset Manager..
- Scheduling. Compatible with Microsoft Outlook/Exchange®, GroupWise® and Lotus Notes®, MeetingManager gives users the ability to check a room's availability, reserve the room, preset equipment and controls to the user's specifications and have the room up and running as guests arrive.
- Electronic signage. MeetingManager also includes a component that automatically generate welcome messages from the scheduling component and display them on AMX Modero Touch Panels at room entrances.
"We have one large customer," says Allison, "who asked us to install a panel outside of every meeting room in their conference center. The panel shows what's going on in the room and what's coming up, so you can find your meeting room more easily and avoid walking in and interrupting a meeting in progress."
A recent upgrade to the software allows users to schedule a room from the touchpanel in the room or on the wall outside, making it easier for them to find a meeting room at the last minute or extend a meeting, yet still prevent conflicts by updating the master schedule.
- Reporting. MeetingManager uses a database similar to AssetManager and can generates all of the same asset management reports, plus reports based on the scheduling package.
"We typically tie into Outlook," says Allison, "but you can generate reports from the AMX system that you can't get from Outlook or any other way.
"You can find out who's scheduling rooms, how often they're scheduling rooms, what resources they're using and then use that data to make business decisions. You can say, ‘hey, we need to build more conference rooms with projectors, but we don't need any more DVD players because very few people use them."
Anterus RF ID, a new add-on for ResourceManager, uses radio-frequency transmitters to enhance the AV system's flexibility and security:
- The system can configure a room to a particular user when he or she enters wearing an Anterus RF transmitter embedded in an ID badge.
- You can embed RF transmitters in portable equipment not connected to the control network. Thus the system can track the location of projectors, carts and wireless microphones and alert security should a piece of gear leave its assigned area.
In short, AssetManager and Meeting Manager can be a tremendous help as you manage a multi-room AV system. They can help you anticipate, prevent and solve problems, better allocate your staff, increase security, schedule meeting rooms and better allocate your resources.
Contact Sound Vision about networked control systems
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