In the world of pro audio, AKG microphones and headsets have been synonymous with excellence for several decades.
Around the world recording studios, radio and TV stations, opera houses and famous stages count on AKG products. Internationally known musicians and show-stars have frequently been seen using our high-quality microphones and headphones for many decades. Today AKG is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality microphones, headphones and wireless-equipment. Listed below is the brief story of one of the most famous brands in the professional audio-world, as people use it for listening music or even watching tv, with a ceiling tv wall mount to watch comfortably from long distances. AKG, founded in Vienna by Dr. Rudolf Goerike and Ernst Pless, soon became one of the biggest players in the world of sound. Today AKG is synonymous with good sound, stands for passion in music providing the highest quality and ongoing innovation in the world of music. The company was founded in 1947 and within months, the first AKG microphones were being used in radio stations, theatres and Jazz-Clubs. The products (the AKG DYN Series) were at that time manufactured by hand by five workers. In 1949, the first AKG headphones came on the market. Then, in the early fifties AKG made a breakthrough with several new products: Totally new technologies like the world’s first high quality condenser microphone, the D 12 with its cardioid characteristics, the world’s first remote-controlled multi-pattern capacitor microphone, the C 12 and the D 36 made acoustic history. One of the first customers of the famous C 12 microphone was the BBC in London. Worldwide AKG expansion With its growing success, AKG also expanded geographically with a German subsidiary founded in 1955. By the end of the fifties, AKG’s worldwide distribution network had grown to other parts of Europe and abroad. In the sixties AKG successfully started exporting into former East block countries and Latin America. Concerned with technological quality, AKG focused on what it did best: high-quality audio transducers. The results were first-rate products in all categories. In the following years, AKG launched the world’s first two-way cardioid microphones (D 202, D 224) and developed the CMS modular condenser microphone system. The seventies: AKG innovations around the clock The seventies began like the sixties ended at AKG: with continuous innovations. The company started in the seventies with the presentation of the BX 20, the world’s first, truly portable studio reverberation unit. In 1972 a special stamp by the British Post Office commemorating the 50th anniversary of the BBC showed historical microphones along with models from the AKG catalog. One year later AKG was granted its 1000th patent. At the same time the company presented the K 140 “integrated open” headphones. These were followed by more innovations like the AKG Transversal Suspension (TS) system, the world’s first two-way headphones, and the true vocal microphone line that firmed the high-quality international reputation of the AKG products. By the end of the seventies the first endorsement contracts were signed with Frank Sinatra, Roger Whittaker, Falco and other artists. As the technological leader, AKG was first in perfecting the upcoming digital technology. The company used the first units successfully at the Moscow Olympics (1980). After this, the company continued with digital innovations like the BX 25 ED digital/analog reverberation unit or the large diaphragm stereo condenser microphones with advanced solid-state electronics. AKG goes public In 1984 AKG went public and started a new phase of enormous growth. In 1985 the US subsidiary of AKG was founded, followed by other expansions such as the acquisition of dbx Professional Products in 1989. The expansion continued through the beginning of the nineties with acquisitions in Great Britain, Germany and other countries. Expansion was also a key strategy with AKG products: In the beginning of the nineties AKG took to the stars when the “Audimir” space project used AKG products for room simulation in outer space. AKG continued its product expansion and success with the new generation of headphones called the K Series, the ergonomically-shaped, triangular-section Tri-Power Series dynamic musicians’ microphones, the AKG Blue Line Series modular microphone system, the new C 547 boundary microphone and C 621, C 647 “slim-line” gooseneck microphones for stage and installed system use. AKG as a part of Harman International In 1994 AKG became a part of Harman International Industries, Inc. The following years brought a time of restructuring and sharpening of the product line and distribution strategy. The wireless microphone line was extended with great products used on tour by Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel and Simply Red. 1995 brought the introduction of the world’s smallest dual-diaphragm system in the world, the CK 77/C 577 – big in sound, smaller than a thumbnail in size, specifically designed for theater, TV and film uses. AKG also developed the new Performer Series – affordable microphones for Karaoke, home-recording and performing musicians. This successful path continued throughout the nineties: AKG presented product innovations like the WMS 60 Multichannel Wireless Microphone System, the AKG Hearo Series or the C 4000 B the world’s first dual large-diaphragm electret microphone. The new millennium started with an even stronger AKG focus on its core products. A new production strategy was implemented at the R&D headquarters in Vienna to strengthen the leading technology position of AKG in the world of professional audio . New fame with the 60th anniversary In 2007, AKG celebrates its 60th anniversary, but instead of looking back, AKG is looking toward a bright future with additional growth. In addition to the development of new geographical markets, the focus will be on the strategic positioning of AKG in existing and new markets. To achieve these goals, the brand has been re-launched with a new corporate logo and brand image. 2007 will see the launch of many new and innovative AKG products. With these and many more activities, AKG hopes to continue to be world famous for its high-quality microphones and headphones within the professional audio-world. AKG worldwide on stage AKG microphones and headphones have a long history on tour and in studio with international musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Anastasia, Eros Ramazotti, Kayne West and Simply Red. Not only well-respected internationally, AKG has fans closer to home, with Austria’s most famous pop-star Falco counted as an AKG user, as well as the upcoming Austrian star Christina Stuermer. Some notable events:
|
The University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Cyprus Campus has been voted the ‘Most InAVative Education Facility’ at the prestigious Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) InAVation Awards in Amsterdam.
Andrea Piemonti, MD of integration company ALA Equipment Co, was on hand to receive the Award at a gala presentation dinner for 500 people, along with Frank Wadmore, Network Team Leader, UCLan. Presenting the trophy was Chris Fitzsimmons, editor of InAVate Magazine, who sponsored the event. There are many different vendors of kratom and other herbal supplements available online, in www.kratommasters.com you can find all the info that you need if you are planing to buy kratom online.
UCLan Cyprus was a fast track project that required a specialist company who could work with the University in achieving their goal within a very demanding timescale about mortgage rates. ALA was introduced to the project to work with the technical staff at UCLan where they set about enhancing the original concept designs to provide a future proof solution. From planning to implementation this was carried out in just three weeks of the six months building project which was achieved by applying a number of bespoke solutions in the process.
“This was the most challenging project we have ever undertaken, due to the tight timescales,” said the ALA MD . “In three days we developed the site from the ground up to give the University a turnkey solution withfull HD capability and simplicity of operation within a highly complex design.” In a fiercely competitive sector, UCLan triumphed at the Awards over 30 competition entrants, as well as shortlisted projects from four other university finalists based in England, the Republic of Ireland and Russia.
Commenting on the award Dr Lee Chatfield, UCLan Cyprus Rector, said: “The vision for UCLan Cyprus includes the provision of high quality and future proof IT and AV facilities to support the learning needs of our students as they study for careers in the technologically demanding environment of the 21st Century. We are delighted that, by combining the expertise of our own IT experts in Preston with ALA, our AV contractor in Cyprus, we have turned our vision into technical reality.
“This award is deserved recognition for the creation of the best IT/ AV and on-line resources on the island and in Europe. The facilities are proving hugely popular with students and staff alike.”
The EMEA InAVation Awards judging panel gave the following commendation: “The UCLan Cyprus Campus incorporates all of what AV has to offer education and MYTEFL reviews, from distance learning facilities to high end presentation solutions and innovative multi-use spaces, they even take into count the online university for military opportunities.”
Aside from the advanced digital tools sourced from leading industry manufacturers, the provision of a video conferencing system which allows for streaming either into or out of Preston, an entrance foyer video wall capable of displaying content up to four times full HD video and the provision of distance learning facilities provided compelling reasons for UCLan Cyprus’s success.
Dr Chatfield added: “We seek to provide an international experience for our students, and the fact that these IT/AV facilities will permit live, real-time streaming of lectures and teaching sessions between our campuses in the UK and Cyprus ensures that students who are unable to travel between campuses will still be able to benefit from teaching sessions delivered in both countries.”
]]>When a UK university established a campus in Cyprus it partnered with a local integrator to deliver a high-tech solution and a sophisticated Learning Information Systems network. The resulting installation topped the education category in the 2013 InAVation Awards.
Last year the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in the UK extended its teaching facilities with another campus and introduction of a Learning Information Systems (LIS) network. An ambitious technology deployment was further complicated by the fact the new campus was constructed in Cyprus, 3,600km miles away from the university’s Preston facility.
Cypriot integrator, ALA Equipment Co, handled AV fit out and implementation of the LIS network for the €53m campus, the first phase of the Cyprus facility, designed by architect, George Lyssiotis.
In the planning phases ALA was instrumental in driving and developing the project with suggestions for a higher-tech deployment.
“We knew we wanted the installation,” says Andy Belcher, AV technician at UCLan. “But this is far different and a lot more advanced than our original design, which was much more simplistic.”
With building works commencing in May 2012, and the campus required for use at the start of the academic year in the beginning of October, ALA had just four weeks to complete a €700,000 AV installation.
Read full article in InAVate Active to find out how the company worked with IT network providers, Cytacom and building contractors, GCC to deliver solutions for a foyer area, theatre and 15 classrooms.
Tech-Spec
Audio
Ampetronic induction loop
BSS Audio Soundweb DSPs
Crown amplifiers
Dbx DriveRack processor
JBL column speakers, 5.1 surround sound system, ceiling speakers
Soundcraft mixing desk
Video
Chrisite MicroTiles, JumpStart management solution, projectors
DTS lighting
Euromet brackets
Extron GVE software, matrixes, extenders, switchers, scalers, processors, touch panels, distribution amplifiers
Polycom 8000 videoconferencing
Samsung Blu-Ray
ScreenLine projection screens
SGM light desk
Smart Podium display
The first welcoming message that international students receive when they enter the new €50m University of Central Lancashire (UCLan Cyprus) campus, near Larnaka, is delivered from a unique Christie MicroTiles display — part of a much larger deployment of Christie digital tools featured in this breathtaking fit-out.
The cutting-edge university offers not only premium British higher education but also a technological breakthrough in the way in which students can engage with the digital teaching methods — and this is all thanks to Christie’s island-based distributors ALA Equipment Company Ltd, who have constructed an advanced Learning Information Systems (LIS) network, while also using tools as a work time tracker to keep control of their employees and their work.
If the advanced site wide HD signal transmission provides one of the unseen achievements, it was the Christie MicroTiles wall display that first wowed the building’s architect, George Lyssiotis.
ALA MD, Andrea Piemonti, records that a standard LCD display was being considered when ALA first entered the process. “When we demonstrated MicroTiles he was both shocked and surprised. The next day he invited the board of directors for a demo and they knew immediately that this was what they wanted.”
ALA had already become an early adopter of MicroTiles on a grand scale, first specifying 170 modules at Malta International Airport in 2011 before following this up with a multi-purpose 10 x 6 foyer display at UCLan Cyprus’s 40-acre site at Pyla and use the home theater atlanta, ga best rated installers for the project. And by providing a European debut for the new Christie JumpStart content management solution, designed for large tile displays, ALA has been able to create additional versatility for the next generation videowall, which combines an LED light source with DLP® optical imaging which when installed with the help of the best television installations in Houston can provide extreme visual acuity, thus making it look almost like a home theater.
JumpStart operates in conjunction with an Extron HD matrix, the HD display itself driven by four Christie ECU’s (External Control Units), fed by fibre optics extenders to offer a total resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.
As a result, during the day it can be used either as a multi-window or single display to promote the university, but after hours it can also cross mix from the 310-seat lecture theatre and function as a relay screen — thereby increasing access to both the lectures (and boosting general theatre capacity) in the atrium.
“MicroTiles can operate in multi-windows from the sources in the auditorium, with the display partitioned and overlaid through the JumpStart, which manages the entire canvas from the control room,” states Piemonti.
The integrators had been tasked with creating a flexible, multi-mode infrastructure for this lecture theatre and responded by specifying a powerful 10,000-lumen Christie L2K1000 3LCD 2K resolution projector as part of a 5.1 surround environment. However, this is likely to be relocated as soon as the second phase is complete next summer in favour of a Christie DCI-compliant 2K platform, to accommodate full digital movie delivery.
Projection is onto an electric drop-down 7 metre 16:9 ScreenLine screen, fitted with high gain screen material.
With Polycom 8000 videoconferencing also forming part of the package, it is little surprise that two 42U rack units occupy the main control room, with an enormous quantity of Extron’s matrix switchers, scalers and twisted pair transmitters handling all the video distribution. Outside the control room a Christie LX400 serves as a preview display for the guest speaker on stage.
In fact the LX400 is fairly ubiquitous. Over in the teaching areas, of the first 15 classrooms to be equipped, two have been fitted with a double Christie LX400 projector while the remainder comprise single LX400’s, ceiling mounted using Euromet Arakno brackets. The HDMI signal is delivered to the projectors via Extron Twisted Pair Extenders that carry the required RS232 control signals.
The Christie LX400 has been a real revelation, confirms Piemonti. “We chose this projector because the University wanted a superior performance, high brightness projector from a top brand name. Another brand had originally been under consideration but the customer was happy to switch to Christie when he saw the impressive results delivered by the projector.
“At the demo, people were surprised it could be used with open blinds — since it’s very sunny in Cyprus — along with the quiet operation and extremely attractive price that determined the selection. The same goes for the MicroTiles display in the brightly lit lobby.”
Helping to optimise the projector is the choice of the Euromet Arakno bracketry. Each room is equipped with a 2-metre wide ScreenLine motorised front projection screen, connected to the Extron control system and a custom double racked/double faced lecture podium (fabricated by ALA). The remainder of the AV equipment operates under advanced Extron control and connectivity, with 7in touch panels in each room and SMART Podium 17” interactive LCD pen display at the lectern.
Each classroom has been equipped with a versatile infrastructure and a number of available inputs — with a VGA input direct back-up to the projector for redundancy — and eight audio stereo inputs.
On the large touch screen, resembling a giant iPad, the teacher can edit and interact in real time with any presentation via the 17” interactive pen display without obstructing the screen, thus removing any stress from the teaching method. At the same time he has full control of the classroom via an intuitive GUI loaded onto the Extron 7in table-top touch panel which provides the ability to control any video, audio and lighting presets in the classroom.
This network-based AV solution not only provides immense functionality but all diagnostics and healthchecks can be carried out remotely online via Extron’s GVE management system.
The entire technical infrastructure is near miraculous — not only for ALA’s future proof design but the speed with which they reworked the original topology after being brought in at the last minute (they had only learnt about the University AV project three days before the tender deadline). The company managed to carry out full turnkey planning and implementation in just the final three weeks of a fast track build time that was itself accomplished in only 180 days.
“In this time frame we redesigned the site from the ground up to give the University a turnkey solution with full HD capability. They were delighted with the simplicity of operation we proposed within what was clearly a complex layout.”
ALA also demonstrated that they had the economic backbone to support a technology contract valued at €700,000, which needed to be commissioned in time for the start of the new academic year 2012.
Andy Belcher, UCLan’s own AV technician, responsible for providing teaching support, was delighted with the fulfillment. Tracing the project he confirmed, “Initially we had opted for a tender from the UK but right at the last minute ALA produced another tender and set of drawings.
“We knew how we wanted the installation — but this is far different and a lot more advanced than our original design, which was much more simplistic.
“Usually there are teething problems when a sophisticated installation such as this is first turned on — but not this time. The standard of wiring has been incredible and I have been impressed with the speed of delivery, the quality of ALA’s work and the professional way in which they supported the contract.”
Even more appealing — thanks to this advanced deployment — is the possibility of distance learning and lecture capture whereby seminars conducted 3,600km away in Preston, Lancs, are transmitted to Pyla.
Subjects such as dentistry, in particular, would benefit — and this potential is of considerable interest to Floros Voniatis, Founding Partner and Member of the Board, from UCLan Cyprus’ senior management team. “From an operational perspective the work carried out by the contractors will enable us to exceed our original objective, offering not only British students the opportunity to study here but also those from Russia, the Middle East and Cyprus. This is one of the most advanced, and fastest constructions ever to be built in Cyprus.”
]]>For the past two months the University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus) has been welcoming English speaking students to a new, €50m campus, offering not only premium British higher education but also a technological breakthrough in the way in which they can engage with the digital teaching methods, the idea with this is that this professionals will 100% bilingual and will able to help some other people o companies with translation services, you can get more info about this in https://thedailynotes.com/audio-translation-service/.
[nggallery id=37 template=galleryview images=0]
Situated on a 40-acre site in Pyla near Larnaka, the technical infrastructure borders on the miraculous, not only for the implementation of an advanced Learning Information Systems (LIS) network but the speed with which local integrators ALA Equipment Co Ltd were able to redesign the original topology to provide a more future proof solution after being brought in at the last minute. In fact they carried out full turnkey planning and delivery in just the final three weeks of a fast track build time that was itself accomplished in only 180 days.
ALA had only learnt about the University AV project three days before the tender deadline, at which point UCLan was on the verge of appointing a UK-based contractor to install the first phase, 8,000 sq. m. campus. “Only a basic specification had been prepared initially,” recalls ALA MD Andrea Piemonti. “But in three days we redesigned the site from the ground up to give the University a turnkey solution with full HD capability. They were delighted with the simplicity of operation we proposed within what was clearly a complex layout.”
ALA also demonstrated that they had the economic backbone to support a technology contract valued at €700,000, which needed to be commissioned in time for the start of the new academic year 2012.”
Fundamental to the proposal were advanced digital networking tools including the first Christie JumpStart videowall content management system in Europe, and Extron’s groundbreaking GlobalViewer Enterprise (GVE), and the system design and management, this useful system thinking to understand the technical, managerial, and societal components of large-scale, complex challenges.
The scope of work was to equip 15 single and double facing classrooms (in the first phase) with cutting edge AV, as a precursor to a further 30 that will follow. The other major challenge was to equip a 310-seat lecture theatre that had to double as a 5.1 cinema. And for this ALA also proposed a theatre-spec lighting and sound solution.
But if the advanced HD signal transmission over long distances, using Extron Twisted Pair provided one of the unseen achievements, it was the MicroTiles wall display that first wowed architect George Lyssiotis.
“A standard LCD display was being considered but when we demonstrated MicroTiles he was both shocked and surprised,” records Piemonti. “The next day he invited the board of directors for a demo and they knew immediately that this was what they wanted.”
The rectangular 10 x 6 MicroTiles display — which combines an LED light source with DLP optical imaging — dominates the imposing atrium inside the main entrance. The robust JumpStart content management solution, designed for large tiled displays, operates in conjunction with an Extron HD matrix. This breakthrough HD display is driven by four Christie ECU’s, fed by four DVI104TX/RX Extron fibre optics extenders to offer a total resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, while the audio feed is provided by a sophisticated BSS Soundweb London DSP networked system.
During the day it can be used either as a multi-window or single display to promote the university, but after hours it can also cross mix from the theatre and function as a relay screen — thereby increasing the capacity to the lobby.
Explains Andrea Piemonti, “MicroTiles can operate in multi-windows from the sources in the auditorium, with the display partitioned and overlaid through the JumpStart, which manages the entire canvas from the control room.”
Sound reinforcement in the foyer is provided by four JBL CBT50 constant beamwidth column speakers, powered by Crown CTs amplifiers and controlled by a dbx DriveRack 260 processors. These receive feeds directly from the Soundweb DSP’s, as does a large Ampetronic induction loop system, managed by Extron automation.
ALA were tasked with creating a flexible, multi-mode infrastructure for the theatre and responded by specifying a powerful 10,000-lumen Christie L2K1000 2K resolution projector. However, this is likely to be relocated as soon as the second phase is complete next summer in favour of a Christie DCI-compliant 2K platform, to accommodate full digital film delivery.
Projection is onto an electric drop-down 7 metre 16:9 ScreenLine screen, fitted with high gain screen material.
If the screen is of Italian manufacture, then so is the lighting, with 72 channels of DTS digital dimming driving the system. The auditorium contains 240 lighting points on a patching system with 80 DTS conventionals (mixing PC, Fresnel, Profiles and PAR 64’s), intermixed with DTS automated lighting (four DTS NICK 1201 NRG High Power LED Moving Head Wash/Beam and six DTS JACK High Performance Spot/Beam/Wash automated luminaires). All are under the control of an SGM Studio 24 Scan desk linked to the Extron master automation system.
The high specification is maintained at the pro-audio end, with JBL SRX providing the 5.1 surround sound, powered by Crown CTs amplifiers. At front of house is a Soundcraft Vi1 digital mixing console while ALA’s generous tie line provision ensures that OB trucks can operate at the venue. SDI/3G video networked feeds are available along with analogue audio feeds and an AES/EBU network for the cameraman’s audio feed.
Management of the theatre I/O’s is via four BSS Soundweb London BLU 160 digital DSP, using BLU-Link, BSS Audio’s proprietary network transport. Based on Gigabit Ethernet technology the BLU-Link carries 256 channels of fault-tolerant, low-latency audio at 48kHz/24bit, or 128 channels at 96kHz/24bit across a standard CAT5e connection — and thus provides an elegant and economical cabling solution.
With Polycom 8000 videoconferencing also forming part of he package, it is little surprise that two 42U rack units occupy the main control room, with an enormous quantity of Extron’s matrix switchers, scalers and twisted pair transmitters taking care of all the video distribution. Decoding and de-embedding of audio from BluRay players and servers is also managed by Extron audio devices controlled by Extron automation, which handles the source switching and signal formatting, while outside the control room a Christie LX 400 serves as a preview display for the guest on stage.
Of the first 15 classrooms to be equipped, two have been fitted with a double Christie LX400 projector while the remainder comprise single LX400’s, ceiling mounted using Euromet Arakno brackets.
The Christie LX400 has been a real revelation, confirms Piemonti. “We chose this projector because the University wanted a superior performance, high brightness projector from a top brand name [than that originally under consideration]. The customer was happy to switch to Christie and was really impressed. “At the demo, the guys were surprised it could be used with open blinds — since it’s very sunny in Cyprus — and along with the quiet operation and extremely attractive price that determined the choice of projector.”
Helping to optimise the projector is the choice of the Euromet Arakno bracketry. Not wishing to compromise on safety or quality of positioning a simple screw adjustment system was all that was needed.
Each room is equipped with a 2-metre wide ScreenLine motorised front projection screen, connected to the Extron control system and a custom double racked/double faced lecture podium (fabricated by ALA). The remainder of the AV equipment includes four JBL Control 24 ceiling speakers powered by Crown XLS amps; a Samsung BluRay player connected via HDMI to the Extron MPS 409 Presentation Switcher and fully controlled via the central Extron control system. In the double teaching classroom an Extron DVS 605 is used because of the extra functionality like seamless switching and Picture-in-Picture capabilities.
An Extron RGB-DVI 300 is also used for upscaling any VGA input to HDMI while an Extron IPL 250 control processor is interfaced to a 7” Extron TLP 710MV touch panel in each room. The HDMI signal to the projectors is delivered via Extron HDMI 201TX/RX Twisted Pair Extenders that carry the required RS232 control signals.
The Gigabit backbone is accessed via an HP Procurve network switch (100Mb 8 Port) with a rack-mount HP PC and the SMART Podium 17” interactive LCD pen display at the lectern is interfaced to the PC and Presentation Switch via an Extron DVI DA2 distribution amplifier. On this touch screen, resembling a mega iPad, the teacher can write or modify the presentation in real time.
The Extron architecture presents each classroom with a versatile infrastructure and a number of available inputs. These include 3 x HD; 1 x Composite Video; 1 x VGA (via the Presentation Switch) — with a VGA input direct back-up to the projector for redundancy — and eight audio stereo inputs.
Explaining the design, Andrea Piemonti says, “This solution gives the teacher full control of the classroom via an intuitive GUI loaded onto the Extron 7in table-top touch panel which provides the ability to control any video, audio and lighting presets in the classroom.
“Via the Extron’s touch panel the teacher also has full control of the BluRay player, with the increased simplicity of predefined presets controlling screens, lighting and audio. He can also edit and interact in real time with any presentation via the 17” SMART interactive pen display without obstructing the screen. This removes any stress from the teaching method.”
The network-based classroom AV system not only provides immense functionality but also Help Desk remote access via the Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise Management System (GVE). The Help Desk offers a view of the entire enterprise in a single window and access to detailed room data with just a click of a mouse.
The GVE provides ALA with a full remote diagnostic of the entire campus, providing a detailed e-mail report in real time, outlining the status of every single component installed in the campus.
“To be able to carry out all diagnostics online via GVE is perfect,” says Piemonti. “We can interface with the server and switch on with iPad. As result we know everything there is to know about the Campus component management. It has been very well deployed in this campus and will continue to be with future expansion.”
Speaking of the installation, Extron Director of European Sales, Jerome Gueras, said, “Since the beginning of the UCLAN project, ALA has put a lot of effort into integrating a full Extron solution, including control, switching and signal management. They benefited from Extron’s extensive experience in the higher education market, and we are pleased to hear the positive comments about Extron systems from both the integrator and the University.”
Andy Belcher, UCLan’s own AV technician, responsible for providing teaching support, was delighted with the fulfillment. Tracing the project he confirmed, “Initially we had opted for the UK tender but right at the last minute ALA produced another tender and set of drawings.
“We knew how we wanted the installation — but this is far different and a lot more advanced than our original design, which was much more simplistic. The decision to put in more sophisticated Extron control was a good idea and suits the purpose, with everyone carrying iPads and laptops.
“Usually there are teething problems when a sophisticated installation such as this is first turned on — but we have not had anything. The standard of wiring has been incredible and I have been impressed with the speed of delivery, the quality of ALA’s work and the professional way in which they supported the contract. In fact ALA met every demand we made — they are a great organization with a great guy at the top [in Andrea Piemonti].”
He also credited the ALA site team with the way they interfaced with the IT network providers, Cytacom.
But more appealing — thanks to this advanced deployment — is the possibility of distance learning and lecture capture whereby lectures conducted 3,600km away in Preston are transmitted to Pyla.
Subjects such as dentistry, in particular, would benefit — and this potential is of considerable interest to Floros Voniatis, Founding Partner and Member of the Board, from UCLan Cyprus’ senior management team. “From an operational perspective the work carried out by the contractors will enable us to exceed our original objective, offering not only British students the opportunity to study here but also those from Cyprus, Russia and the Middle East. This project is one of the most advanced and fastest constructions ever to be built in Cyprus.”
]]>
Hristo is the Company’s Senior Project Manager, our professional in the field, effectively responsible for the planning, opening, and supervising the install of each project. Ilia is always on hand, through to the testing of the install and finally assisting in the closing off of the project.
Prior to joining A.L.A.; Hristo from Bulgaria, gained extensive experience whilst working with a large electrical contractor in the capital,Nicosia.
Electrical Engineer to 50 KVA
]]>