Command-and-control rooms don’t get downtime. Whether the work is emergency response, command operations or process control, the displays on the wall run 24/7 and every operator decision depends on what they show. What separates a display that holds up under continuous, high-stakes use from one that doesn’t?
We put those questions to Robert Detwiler, senior director of product management at Planar, who covers display selection, LED vs. LCD, serviceability and the compliance rules that shape government projects.
Read the complete Q&A below:
Commercial Integrator: When you look at what separates a control room display from one that truly holds up under mission-critical demands, what requirements rise to the top? And when a team is weighing LED against LCD videowall technology, how should they think through that decision?
Robert Detwiler: While all displays need to be reliable and hold up under the demands of the installation environment, a mission-critical display must operate flawlessly under intense scrutiny and continuous use. The demand on displays used in 24/7 mission-critical control rooms where monitoring, emergency response, command operations or process control should be the most reliable and high-performing technology available.
While there are many factors that go into choosing between LED and LCD videowalls, the best choice comes down to the need(s), size, and budget requirements of the control room in question. LCD videowalls feature bezels between panels that can cut across critical camera feeds, maps, or data lines. LED videowalls, like the Planar® DirectLight® Slim Series, fit together completely gap-free to form one continuous large-format display. This is especially valuable when used as a large display, meant for viewing in a large, multi-person control room situation.
That said, we work with control rooms of all shapes, sizes and budgets. And traditional LCD videowalls offer a lower initial purchase price for the more budget-sensitive operations.
Commercial Integrator: Control rooms run around the clock, so uptime isn’t negotiable. How does Planar approach reliability and serviceability to keep these environments performing 24/7, even when something needs attention mid-shift?
Detwiler: Control rooms should use the most reliable and high-performing technology, since they are managing mission-critical environments where monitoring, emergency response, command operations or process control are critical.
Maintaining uptime and functionality in the environment are of the highest priority for control rooms. We recommend displays and videowalls with easy serviceability, designed to allow all installation, maintenance, and component replacement to be performed from the front of the display. Displays engineered with front-access servicing also means that individual panels or modules can be swapped out quickly without tearing down the entire videowall structure.
In addition, it’s important to partner with a supplier who not only offers experience but access to help whenever needed. With local technical consulting, installation and post-installation, and 24×7 technical support, Planar is committed to the success of a control room project — from design and installation to ongoing operation.
Commercial Integrator: What unique visualization and display requirements do U.S. government agencies have for control room environments, and how do those differ from standard commercial deployments?
Detwiler: Planar has worked with government control rooms and commercial control rooms for many years and there are many differences. While both are mission-critical environments where monitoring, emergency response, command operations or process control depend on the most reliable and high-performing technology, the technology used in government agencies adheres to compliance regulations and laws that most commercial deployments do not. For example, U.S. government control rooms require Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance. TAA compliance ensures that all hardware used complies with the (TAA), meaning components are manufactured or substantially transformed in the U.S. or designated allied countries.
While commercial control rooms might opt for TAA compliance, perhaps in preparation for potentially working with a government agency, it isn’t a requirement for most commercial control installations.
Commercial Integrator: What does TAA compliance mean for control room display projects, and how does Planar support integrators and end users navigating those requirements?
Detwiler: Display technology TAA compliance in a control room deployment means that the displays, monitors, and videowalls are manufactured or substantially transformed in the United States or a TAA-designated country, making them legal for U.S. federal and public-sector procurement.
Planar’s commitment to providing TAA compliant products to integrators and end users extends beyond its product portfolio to its manufacturing strategy. Planar operates a state-of-the-art production facility in Prešov, Slovakia, a TAA-designated country, where many Planar TAA-compliant display solutions are manufactured.
Additional TAA-compliant products are produced by manufacturing partners in TAA-designated countries. Together, these manufacturing resources support a trusted supply chain and Planar’s long-term commitment to providing a broad portfolio of TAA-compliant display solutions.
Planar has a long history of providing TAA-compliant display solutions, with more than 25 years of experience supporting the requirements of U.S. government and other applications with stringent procurement standards. Planar offers a broad portfolio of TAA-compliant LED and LCD display solutions, spanning fine-pitch LED videowalls, all-in-one LED displays, LCD videowalls and large format LCD displays, with a wide range of technologies, sizes and configurations to meet diverse visualization needs.
Commercial Integrator: Why does local pre- and post-sales expertise matter when deploying and maintaining mission-critical control room display solutions?
Detwiler: Maintaining uptime of mission-critical control room display solutions is the highest priority, and pre- and post- sales and support plays a critical part in the success of control room installation uptime. To ensure display technologies are properly integrated with a control room’s system and will continue to perform optimally into the future, it’s important to partner with a supplier who not only offers experience but access to help whenever needed.
Planar’s commitment to the success of control room projects includes local technical consulting, installation and post-installation 24×7 technical support. Control room installations are an ongoing operation that extends well beyond design and installation.
