AV Control has typically been in the hardware domain- black boxes with LED lights and a bank of serial connections. The user interface for these devices are also proprietary touch panels that require special design software to create interfaces. In the last 20 years this has been the standard approach to professional AV. Not much has changed in that time.
Meanwhile, web technology has exploded. New front-end and back-end technology has provided a platform that exceeds the possibilities of touch panels by the likes of AMX, Crestron and Extron. At the same time, the smart phone adoption rate has been rapid in all major markets. This means most of your customers have the ability to control the space around them with the mobile device in their pocket.
As ACAEngine is completely web-based there are no special requirements to access the user interface of an AV system. Simply browse to web address setup for the space you want to control. There is no need to buy, install or manage a special app- the built in browser is all your customers need.
How to access a web-based user interface in a BYOD solution
- Provide an access point that displays the URL of the system
- Alternatively use mobile technology such as NFC, QR and iBeacon to auto launch the URL from the access point (see example below)
- The user can save the web interface to their home-screen and launch it in full screen
- ACAEngine integrates with your corporate authentication system so you can manage who has access to the interface
QR Codes, NFC chips, iBeacon and URLs can be used to launch the control interface on your customer's mobile device, tablet or laptop.
Cost Benefit of BYOD interface. A 30 room AV project compared to AMX.
$150,000 saving when removing the need for an AMX Touch panel per room. There will be further savings when removing the master controller hardware and programming fee for each touch panel.
*This is an estimate based on the $5-6000 (AUD) cost of a 10" AMX MXT touch panel.
User interface running through the Chrome web browser in full screen