Besides software training, SMART products provide value added service opportunities in room control systems integration. To start with, the interactive touch of SMART Board's three types of interactive whiteboards is only possible with an external light source, a video projector, a plasma or TFT display. Additionally, these can also run as videoconference screens. This in turn will require video and data integration functions. The more the collaboration needs the more complex a room installation can be.

Challenging room requirements

The room provided in the picture above (in) was designed to be an executive briefing room with full presentation and videoconferencing capabilities. It was designed to support document collaboration, interactive presentation and multipoint videoconferencing. As a result and besides the SMART Board, it was equipped with a dual high-resolution LCD rear-screen projection, matrix switching of both RGB and video with audio follow and AMX touch-panel controls. The AMX touch panel and control systems are used to easily manage the entire audio/visual system as well as the artificial lighting. The touch panel also serves as a preview monitor for videoconferencing and presentations.

SMART Board benefits

In this example, the use of SMART Board interactive whiteboards in-wall mounted coupled with a built in videoconference camera, allows the users to simply touch the screen as part of the wall, and simply engage in computer supported videoconference. This really extends the concept of human-computer interaction, which was previously tied to a machine to the natural parts of a room, like an interactive in-wall screen.

The practical outcome of SMART products' room integration to create dynamic interactive wall screens closely resembles an approach known as Roomware®. According to Norbert Streitz, the GMD researcher behind this concept, "Roomware" thrives to make the world around us as the interface to information transforming traditional human-computer interaction into human-human communication and cooperation.

Inspiring installations' ultimate goal is to design rooms which are fully technologically equipped but are minimally invasive to people so they can be maximising their attention to human-human communication and collaboration. Making SMART products "room aware" is really the ultimate challenge for the system integrator.

The vast majority of AV resellers are currently adapting their business strategies to compensate for lowering margins in LCD multimedia products, as these enter their post-maturity stage. Room control and systems integration are an attractive business development path, yet not exempt of perils. Project design capabilities and project management skills are difficult to develop. Most companies rely on their own providers' specifications and training for presenting their projects but the lack of industry standards can make their live miserable as one manufacturers product or accessories does not normally talks to other manufacturers complementary product.

SMART Technologies has a different approach. We want you to succeed in the system integration business, by profiting from SMART products whilst minimising your hassles and learning costs.

The SystemOn module allows projectors to be controlled directly from the SMART Board pen tray.

With Conference Pilot software SMART offers value for money solutions to ease up the burden of integrating SMART Board with videoconference high resolution equipment.

Room control modules for the SMART Board rear projection boards allows them to be easily part of the room controller

And if you prefer to have any user of an interactive SMART Board to be able to control all the other room functions besides video-projector and video conference, such as lighting, windows screening or any other serial communication controlled function, you can use the SMART Board as an interface for Calypso control systems™ which are fully interoperable with SMART Technologies products. Contact our office in Madrid and Lisbon for more information (this service is provided in Switzerland by Novia AG).