CASE STUDY – Interactive Whiteboard & Audio Visual – United Voice

The Initial Problem/Need

United Voice (formerly LHMU) are a long standing union representing hospitality, property services, health & aged care, manufacturing, mining and childcare industries. Based in Mile End Adelaide, they have a training room which is used for internal and external training needs, presentations and special members meetings. The room consististed of a basic set of whiteboards, and a pull down screen. Projectors where often utilised, but needed to be set up and packed-down on each and every occasion. Because of this cabling was always temporary and thus run across the floor between laptops, projectors, and power points creating several trip hazards.

United Voice wanted to update their training facilities with more modern equipment in order to remove hazards and unsightly cabling, whilst also providing a modern and functional system which could provide projection facilities, standard whiteboard, TV and DVD playback. Of course audio requirements were also a forgone conclusion.

One other major factor was the flexibility of the room wanted to be maximised without compromising the audio visual systems. This was due to the operable (removable) wall that allowed the Training Room to be divided up into smaller areas. It was imperitive that the audio visual system provided the required visual and sonic capabilities regardless of the wall positioning and ultimate size of the space in use.

United Voice sought advice and quotations of several specialist AV contractors including A-COM Solutions Pty Ltd. After a demonstration of A-COM Solutions’ Interactive Audio Visual System which is installed within their Glynde showroom, they were ‘sold’. The proposed system was designed around their needs, and offered all of the necessary connectivity and functionality they were looking for in one neat package. No longer did they need separate TV’s, monitors, and projectors to store, manage and maintain, one system can do it all.

The Solution(s)

The solution provided was based on two key items – a Vivitek D795WT DLP 16:10 Projector, a Qomo 105″ Interactive Whiteboard with porcelain erasable surface. Other equipment provided included a High Definition set top box, DVD player, Yamaha AV amplifier, speakers and a 19″ equipment cabinet.

Their audio visual system is now capable of catering for every conceivable type of presentation both with and without electronic media. The feature list is comprehensive and includes;

• standard whiteboard using erasable markers
• standard PowerPoint Presentations
• interactive whiteboard – annnotation, store, distribute etc.
• network and internet access
• DVD playback
• Free-to-air TV
• FOXTEL
• full 2.1 high definition audio for all sources

How The Solution Was Implemented

Technicians coordinated access to the training facility when it was free of meetings and training sessions. The installation commenced with peripheral items such as a TV antenna, FOXTEL cabling, audio visual cabling, speakers and a wall mounted 19″ equipment cabinet. From there the other elements such as projector and interactive whiteboard were added to ultimately produce a complete working system.

A training session was provided free-of-charge to the necessary ICT and administration staff who are responsible for the delivery of training and other meeting and business presentations. The session was comprehensive and included operation of the entire system, with a particular focus on the interactive whiteboard and Flow!Works software.

Customers’ Feedback

“Staff have been amazed with what can be done using a Qomo Interactive Whiteboard”. Kosta Koutsikas – Systems Administrator.

The United Voice management team provided the following additional feedback regarding the staff of A-COM Solutions…

- Technicians were always available and easy to access to answer our questions regarding the equipment and installation

- Training was well-planned and executed and presenter took the time to provide demonstrations

- Suggested ideas that were not already though of, which were then implimented

- Technicians always conducted themselves in a professional manner