The concept of impactful government AV solutions is powerful and compelling. However, government market isn’t generally thought of as the path of least resistance for integration firm success.
There’s the extremely long purchase decision-making time.
There’s the tendency to go with the least expensive bid regardless of extenuating circumstances.
The list goes on. Still, there are integration firms that overcome these obstacles to do great work in the government market.
We’ve highlighted three impressive projects submitted for Commercial Integrator’s 2017 Integration Awards, all of which won over their government customers.
Enabling Education
In Colombia, the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, known as Colciencias, has a clear objective: Promoting the development of knowledge generation while strengthening the capacities of research and development.
Colombia’s Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation embraces digital signage for education.
So the Colombian government set out to find the latest in digital signage technology to promote scientific development, technology and innovation.
It enlisted the help of Mitcom, a company specializing in design and implementation of digital signage solutions for corporate customers.
Mitcom’s solution includes Vivitek’s NovoDS, a robust digital signage solution that makes it easy to showcase the projects for the Ministry of Colciencias.
With the NovoDS from Vivitek, users can select up to 36 signage templates and one customizable template.
The NovoDS allows users to generate signage content with text, photos, audio, video and online material, without programming skills.
As a result Colubmia’s Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation is able to convey resources more effectively and advance its educational goals.
Click for more pics of this Mitcom project
Fostering Communication, Transparency
Water quality planning is a complicated process that everyone has a stake in. Knowing that its municipal client required archive-quality production and a linked digital conference system, Digital Display Solutions (DDS) provided the San Antonio Water System with an intuitive and reliable way for board members and the public to participate in a critical element of the city’s future.
DDS replaced outdated analog AV systems in the fourth floor board room, an adjacent executive conference room, and a cafeteria on the first floor. Since board meeting content is legally required to be sent to those other rooms for overflow participation, the systems now operate in independent and/or combined modes.
San Antonio Water System helps board members communicate with public.
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The AV systems are interconnected via a Crestron DM 16×16 Matrix Switcher, so content can originate in, and distribute to and from, any room. Eagerness to participate in such technical decision-making necessitates the use of simple, intuitive technology that works for everyone, which is why DDS installed a MediaVision Voting/Conferencing System with built-in microphones and speakers.
Each board member also received a new 22-inch HD monitor. A Crestron control system with two touchscreens included for integrated control of the boardroom equipment ensures efficient setup, redirecting the focus from a formerly clunky startup period back to the important matters at hand.
Water-themed backgrounds were installed on the screens, making them user-friendly and thematically attractive.
Even though this was a formal bid, each bidding integrator was required to design their own custom solution based on a Scope of Services designated in the bid specifications, on top of a listed budget. This challenged DDS to select best-in-class equipment while yielding to strict budgeting procedures.
Ultimately, the San Antonio Water System received two critical updates: a comprehensive display/recording system and a streamlined digital voting interface.
While DDS performed its job with the utmost regard for the city’s investment, the real return comes in the form of smooth policy-making uninterrupted by system failures.
Click for more pics of this Digital Display Solutions project
Making Government Navigation Easier
It started with the Department of Commerce searching for new signage solutions for its Washington, D.C. facility. With 12 floors, 8,000 rooms, and ongoing renovations, guests and employees often had trouble navigating the vastness of the structure.
Department of Commerce’s wayfinding solution leverages Peerless-AV, 22MILES and Elo.
While the Department of Commerce had static signage in place, ongoing renovations and room changes made the information regularly out of date and unusable.
The Department of Commerce sought to upgrade its wayfinding with a digital solution.
As a government agency, there was a strong need for a cost-effective solution that could be seamlessly updated without any disruptions in service.
The Department of Commerce also required a solution that would be ADA compliant and meet the requirements set forth in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which “requires the federal government to ensure that the electronic and information technology that it develops, procures, maintains, or uses is accessible to persons with disabilities,” according to ADA.gov.
The solution was developed via collaboration between Peerless-AV, 22MILES, Elo, and others.
Together the companies created interactive wayfinding kiosks to the delight of the Department of Commerce. The solution incorporates directional audio speakers, Elo’s touchscreen technology, 22MILES’ software, and Peerless-AV’s kiosk enclosure.
The solution allows the agency to make changes and updates at any time, with no additional cost.
