Barco : Road to InfoComm - Episode 1

The control room operator experience comes home
Whether distributing electricity, managing traffic, maintaining security or monitoring telecoms, the control room is always at the heart of the operation, keeping every situation under control 24/7. Traditionally, collaborative decision-making in control rooms has been built around a giant video wall presenting a common operational picture, typically consisting of a single wall with one video processor. But with the increasing complexity of digital infrastructures, today's control rooms require systems capable of managing a multitude of disparate sources which, in turn, are also shared with operator workstations, executive boardrooms and remote locations.

The Big 5 - Key factors in control room visualization
The most important factors in any control room visualization solution are image quality, security, reliability, durability and low total cost of ownership. Because control rooms are 24/7 environments, technologies must also be secure and redundant on several levels, built on the latest hardware and software platforms and hot-swappable and remote deployment. Automatic failover, automatic calibration, and virtualization-ready software are also essential.

The question is 'how do we bring this level of optimization from the main overview visualization platform to the individual operator workstation level to enhance collaboration?'
The case for a macro and micro view of critical infrastructures
There is a paradigm shift underway in which there is increasing focus on enhancing the operator experience. This requires looking at the ways operators and managers engage with data to enhance situational awareness, and ultimately improve collaboration and decision-making.

As mentioned previously, one involves using an overview display wall featuring a common operational picture for viewing by all decision-makers in the control room. The other provides the operator with the ability to not just view, but also interact, with all information sources on a unifying operator workspace on their desktops. This workflow-centric model empowers operators with all the tools and technologies they need to securely manage any number of operational systems in order to do their jobs in the most effective and efficient way.

Putting control room operators in the center of the action
When designing a user-centric operator workspace, an organization should carefully evaluate and consider each aspect of the user's needs. Fortunately, IT and AV technologies are merging to enable this new concept, shifting emphasis from the main video wall to the operator desktop to provide users with enhanced situational awareness and greater autonomy.

However, creating a fully optimized operator workspace is not without its challenges. An operator needs direct access to all information, coming from many sources, often from uniquely secured network layers. For security reasons, these networks often cannot be interconnected, so every legacy source needs a separate computer in most cases. This requires the operator to physically switch between workstations, each with its own keyboard/mouse, or use a cumbersome KVM switch to enforce mapping one source to one monitor.

The best way to solve this situation is to integrate all sources into one unified workspace, irrespective of the number of monitors required, which the operator can control from one single keyboard and mouse. OpSpace, Barco's operator workspace solution, accomplishes this with ease.
Barco OpSpace - One view, total control
Barco OpSpace is the first operator workspace solution tailored to the operator, offering a single pixel space to integrate information from many sources and networks. An integral part of the industry eco-system, OpSpace's puts the operator in the center of the information - with all data within easy reach - in total control of his view to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Any application, remote desktop and video stream can be launched on the operator's workspace and re-sized or moved, offering a comprehensive overview and seamless control.

With OpSpace's integrated visualization space, the operator can monitor multiple sources per display and combine different sources in one layout for easy interaction. This improves collaboration workflow, which leads to better decision-making. And, because operators can freely and securely interact with any of the systems, without moving from their seat, they can work in the most ergonomic and intuitive way.

So, what's the best approach to control room visualization? Like most things, it's a marriage of the two concepts - provide operational situational awareness for all stakeholders using the overview display wall, while empowering operators with the secured tools and software flexibility to bring all of the intelligence right to their desktop.

Visit us in Booth #3601 to experience Barco's revolutionary OpSpace and more solutions that enable bright outcomes across the globe!