In the ever-evolving landscape of system integration and control room solutions, the Barco CTRL (pronounced as Control) system stands out as a powerful and user-centric tool. In this article, we delve into an insightful discussion between Bertrand Jenner, consultant of NextGen Design and Brian Ikhsan, country manager, Indonesia, Global Vision Media (GVM), about the significance of Barco CTRL in the context of control room technology. Bertrand and Brian, both industry veterans with years of experience, share their perspectives on the challenges and benefits of modern control rooms, highlighting the unique features that sets Barco CTRL apart, especially since control rooms have become an integral part of various sectors, from cybersecurity, emergency response centres and even industrial plants.
Fundamentals and Challenges
Bertrand and Brian emphasize the fundamental aspects that underpin effective control room operations. Drawing from his SI experience, Brian highlights the importance of collaboration with end-users and consultants to address challenges and achieve desired objectives. He highlights that there might be challenges such as space constraints, ergonomic issues, ease of use of the technology, and seamless operations brought up during the discussion and that the main objective is to find the best outcome. Bertrand points out the crucial nature of a reliable system, given that control rooms operate 24/7 and downtime can lead to substantial financial losses, as highlighted in a Gartner report estimating potential hourly costs at USD300,000.
Barco CTRL as the Core Solution
At the heart of the conversation is the significance of Barco CTRL. Bertrand and Brian discuss how this system serves as a central hub, seamlessly integrating various components such as workstations, video walls, monitors, external sources, the network, cloud, and third-party solutions. Bertrand notes that most brands insist on using their hardware and features as is, forcing the operators to work around the system. He states that in the case of Barco, the approach is focused more on the workflow than on the usage. He reiterates that Barco CTRL offers modularity, unlike fixed matrix systems, enabling easy scalability and expansion.
User-Centric Approach
One of the standout features of Barco CTRL, as highlighted by Bertrand, is its user-centric approach. Rather than focusing solely on hardware and features, Barco CTRL prioritizes workflow and usability. This approach aligns with the needs of operators, offering an intuitive interface and minimizing the need for complex configurations and external control systems.
Enhancing User Experience
Brian and Bertrand also delve deeper into the user experience, emphasizing features that enhance ease of use and efficiency. Barco CTRL’s unified control capabilities enable operators to access features seamlessly, eliminating the need for external control panels. Brian highlights that with Barco CTRL, operators can open remote desktops directly and even have multiple sessions open on the same server in their layout without additional hardware. Bertrand adds that the ability to pull IP camera streams directly into the system without requiring additional rendering units further streamlines operations.
Efficiency and Security
Bertrand notes that Barco CTRL has a smart factor that emerges as a crucial advantage when it comes to legacy systems. He states that incorporating Barco CTRL into existing setups by adding a few components, can lead to a cost-efficient revamping process without discarding the entire system. From legacy it becomes a hybrid system. Brian raises the issue of security, to which Bertrand reassures that Barco CTRL ensures encrypted video transmission with the whole system based on Linux Debian and adheres to robust enterprise security standards.
Bertrand further points out that because Barco CTL is an IP-based system, it is also easy to administrate and monitor from a remote location. For example, a single IT team could support multiple oil rigs control rooms scattered around a region, or worldwide. Another implementation would be that the SI can remotely maintain and help users located in different control centres.
Conclusion
In this insightful discussion, Bertrand and Brian shed light on the dynamic landscape of control room solutions, with a particular focus on the advantages of Barco CTRL. From its modular design and user-centric approach to its enhanced security measures, Barco CTRL emerges as a versatile solution that addresses the evolving needs of modern control rooms. As technology continues to advance, Barco CTRL stands as a testament to innovation and efficiency in system integration and control room management.
To view the video of Bertrand and Brian exploring Barco CTRL click HERE.
