The AV Project Lifecycle from a Control System Design Perspective
This control project timeline presents a best-case scenario for a well-organized AV installation. It proposes a systematic, logical workflow that integrators and project managers can reference during a project, or, ideally, prior to a project’s start.
Proposal
The proposal phase of the project encompasses the initial phases of the project, but involves the initial creation and definition of the scope of the project. The needs and expectations of the client must be determined and balanced against the client’s budget for the project.
Basic control-related questions need to be addressed with regard to the overall scope of the project:
- What are the customer’s expectations?
- How much control is required for the project - Control system or device remotes?
- What level of control is required to meet the customer’s expectations - Source selection or device controls, remote asset management?
- How does the customer want to interface with the system - keypads, touchpanels?
Where do those interfaces need to be located in relation to the environment - Table, wall, network? What are the client's expectations for training and software deliverables?
Specification
Care must be taken not only in the specification of the equipment for the control system, but in the selection of all of the equipment in the AV system with regard to control. Selection of consumer or “pro-sumer” equipment may look good for the budget, but may miss the customer’s expectations when it comes to system operation.
Remember this important rule: "System functionality is governed by the equipment you choose."
Each component needs to be evaluated at the time of specification to see how it can be controlled and if its functions are capable of being controlled remotely.
An example of a bad choice is a pro-sumer display with a DB-9 connector. The specifications may even say ‘RS-232 port’, but upon further investigation the RS-232 port is for service and firmware updating only - not control. The IR control is also lacking because the Input selection is menu driven and NOT control-friendly.
If this is not determined during the specification phase of the project valuable time and money can be lost. Selecting a commercial grade display would have been far more cost effective and would better meet the needs of the client.
At this point, the AV system can be inventoried and you can determine how many RS-232 ports, IR ports, Relays, Digital I/Os and IP connections are required by the system. The appropriate control processor and control peripherals can be selected and the control equipment specified.
IT Communication
Once the control system has been specified, it is time to evaluate the IT needs of the client and the control system. It is also time to bring the client's IT department into design process. The following are some of the questions that will need to be addressed:
- How many AV devices require an Ethernet connection? This is different from asking how many AV devices have an Ethernet port. Just because it has an Ethernet port, it may not necessarily need to be on the network. The IT staff will look more favorably on a lower number of port requirements.
- From where does the client need to access the AV system? Does the client want to do remote room monitoring and have the ability to remotely power the system?
This will allow the IT department to formulate a network integration game plan for the AV system, and determine how the AV system’s Ethernet network will interact with its corporate network.
The AV Integrator should coordinate with the IT department in the formulation of this game plan. They should work together to assign IP addresses and connect the AV hardware to the existing network.
IT may want to specify network components in the AV system, including Ethernet routers and possibly the network wiring itself. Installing network ring and cabling that conforms to CAT 5 standards on a CAT 6 certified network can de-rate your client’s network. Make sure you conform to their standards.
GUI Development
In many respects, the AV system’s GUI will make or break the success of the AV project.
During the proposal phase, you may choose to take sample touchpanel templates to the client to aid in the sale of the control system. Determine if the client wants to use an existing template or if they want a custom design to fit their needs and the branding of their company. The client may opt to have a template modified to include their logo and corporate colors.
Once GUI development has begun, map out the required functionality of the system and develop the GUI accordingly.
When it comes to GUI design, remember to ‘Keep it Simple’: Only include functionality required by the client’s goals; avoid the compulsion to include every function on a piece of equipment; reduce screen clutter and keep everything easy to read and understand; be consistent and make the user controls intuitive.
Early in the project, get the client’s approval in writing for the look and feel of the system. Provide screen captures, the colors and logos you intend to use, and the general flow of the GUI, prior to going too far into the GUI design.
Develop the bulk of the GUI, and provide the client with screen captures of the screens showing popup pages and full system functionality.
GET SIGN-OFF and APPROVAL in writing.
Configuration/Programming
Ideally, the time and effort placed on the front end of the project will pay dividends during the configuration and programming phase of the project. The AV system’s equipment is known to be controllable, and expectations have been firmly established during the GUI Design phase. IP addresses for any Ethernet-enabled devices should have been provided by the client’s IT department.
You will need to have all of the project documentation at this point. Typically, you will need one-line diagrams for the audio, video, control, and networking components of the system. Depending on the size and the scope of the project, these diagrams may be individual drawings or the drawings may be combined.
Test the components of the system throughout the configuration/programming process. AVOID trying to configure the entire system and test it all on-site. Develop a dry lab testing process to simulate the system prior to taking it to the client. The use of a control processor for testing purposes will pay dividends in the eyes of your installers and your client, when your systems just work out of the box.
AVOID trying to do it all when you get to the job site. Wiring and testing the system in a controlled environment will do wonders to reduce your stress levels, increase the reliability of your systems and improve customer satisfaction.
Installation
Coordination between sales persons, engineers, control system developers, and installers must occur throughout the lifecycle of an AV project. Successful projects require a team approach to meeting the expectations of the customer, but the talent that is performing the installation must be the benefactors of great planning. Depending upon the complexities and the demands of a project, AV installers may need the configuration and GUI files prior to taking the AV equipment on-site.
As AV systems become more complex, installers interact more and more with IT. The installation crews will need to be trained on how to set up and address the AV equipment and the control system hardware.
The installation crews need to coordinate the needs of the control system components with the customer’s IT department to obtain IP addresses for network enabled devices. Installation crews should also be familiar with basic network diagnostics to check network connectivity and to verify addressing prior to the installation of the control system.
The control system should overlay a fully functional AV system. If you are unable to send a signal from Point A to Point B without the control system in place, then you won’t be able to send the signal down the same path with the control system operating.
Commissioning
The commissioning phase of the project varies from project to project. Ideally, there is an internal commissioning, where the AV installers and the control system designers coordinate to debug and test the functionality of the AV system.
The key to successful commissioning is teamwork and coordination with the installation crew. Both hardware and software experts should work hand-inhand to identify and solve system issues.
The job should be approached in a simple and logical fashion to test all aspects of the AV system. Deviations from the construction drawings should be noted and recorded for the record issue drawings. Files should be commented and renamed for proper revision control. Bugs and system changes should be documented and remedied prior to presenting the system to the client.
You should decide well in advance who will provide training to the client. Oftentimes the salesperson or the project manager may have the best relationship with the client and will be responsible for the training. Significant questions by the trainer may indicate a flaw in the user interface design that was not identified in the GUI approval phase, and may require last minute adjustments to the GUI.
If a consultant designed the AV System, the system will need to go through another walk-through and testing phase with the consultant prior to the presentation of the system to the client.
Sign Off
The ultimate goal of the project is to present the system to the client for final training and sign-off. Screen captures of the final GUI should be provided for the development of a system manual, and system drawings will need to be updated for ‘As-Built’ drawings. Final versions of the software should be delivered to the client along with the system documentation in accordance with the original contract agreement.
Sign-off should be documented in writing to avoid future misunderstandings, and a procedure should be put in place for the reporting of any bugs and for the warranty of the hardware and software of the AV system.
How Extron supports you every step of the way
Proposal, Specification, IT Communication: AV Consultants and Engineers call for help on system design and product details to use in defining the scope of projects. Extron Engineers help customers choose the right products and provide system design drawings for their applications. Also, Extron Engineers help IT departments develop a game plan for how the AV devices in the Ethernet network will interact with the corporate network.
GUI Development, Configuration/Programming: In addition to the Extron GUI Resources Web page, GUI reference guides, and TouchLink themes, Extron also offers a GUI Modification and Customization Service, which helps customers develop interfaces that balance function, style, and ease-of-use. For configuration help, Extron Engineers are standing by, and can even remotely access your computer to work directly with you on projects.
Installation, Commissioning, Sign off: Installers call from the job site for help with AV system installation, and Extron Engineers review the system needs and provide guidance for optimal performance of the AV and Control System. Extron also provides commissioning services for some software products, which includes system evaluation and diagnostics, installation, setup and configuration, testing and system documentation. Remember, Extron’s Satisfaction Guarantee states that we will work diligently to resolve any issue you have with your purchase until you are completely satisfied.