- 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."
