by Julián Arcila
The rooms were adapted in 2000 with the different systems arranged independently, but a year later the directors of the institution decided that the integration between both applications was better for their operation and met the operating parameters originally proposed for the project.
Análisis de Sistemas was the firm in charge of integrating the solutions in a very ingenious, almost homemade way, as explained by Ariel Fabius and Tabaré Pérez, representatives of the firm in question.
The automation of the two training rooms of the financial institution was possible thanks to the installation of an AMX Axcent 3 system, connected to ViewPoint control terminals with RF link; only one processor was used as there were enough connection ports for handling all the equipment.
Special features of the site
According to Fabius and Pérez, this project had to manage a multipurpose room with capacity for about 60 people; the space then has multiple interfaces located on the ground, for the connection of up to eight computers. These in turn send the signals to a matrix switcher that allows any of them to be directed to the projector in the living room (rear projection system) with additional outputs to send to the videoconference room.
This room has a 42" plasma screen, Sony brand videoconferencing equipment and multiple local and remote signal inputs that allow the projection of all types of images.
In the rack are installed DVD and video playback equipment, as well as a professional audio amplifier of the Sony Scan Converter type, which is used as input for videoconferencing; a video and audio switcher was also installed for incoming signals to the projector.
The maximum simultaneous capacity of the two rooms is 120 people and the average occupancy is between 40 and 50 attendees per session.
Full control, business priority
For the bank's authorities, control was a priority. That is why they chose to centralize the entire air conditioning system and the AV system under the same platform. Integrators turned to AMX equipment, thanks to the familiarity they have with them.
Thanks to the above, the integrators managed to modify the old system of the salons, which was made up only of conventional air conditioners of the split type operated with infrared remote controls.
As Fabuis and Pérez explained, the solution to be able to integrate air conditioning and audiovisual systems was developed in a "homemade" way, because at that time there was no technology for it.
For the system, the collaboration of the local representative of the air conditioner brand (Tadiran) was achieved, a fact that facilitated access to the thermostatic control circuits. "By this means it was possible for us to develop a system of interface controls where the most important elements were a series of A/D converters to receive the information and a relay system that allowed us to make the necessary openings or closings of contacts," they explained. {mospagebreak}
They added that the heart of the interface is a PICK processor (computing environment that allows several users to share the same computer and a database of great features; its applications can be developed more easily and quickly than with any operating system or database) that, being programmable and having its own serial doors, it greatly simplified the development of the interface between the AMX and the air conditioning control system.
Thus, from the same console that manages the projector, switchers and audio, the air conditioning system can also be controlled.
The installation satisfied the bank's managers who had initially preferred to leave the air conditioning and audiovisual applications separately. The integrators, for their part, overcame difficulties such as the lack of technical information, a factor that thanks to the collaboration of the brand representative was resolved.
Although the set-up of the interface was a tedious process, in the end it paid off and the ABN AMRO has been using the system to this day.
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