Control rooms are essential to help organizations efficiently and effectively manage multiple information streams, and to make precise critical decisions. With an ever-growing quantity of sources of content and software to manage, as well as the need for collaboration in information integration today’s control rooms must to be able to provide an efficient system management and cost-effective while providing the best user experience.
It could be for monitoring, decision-making, reacting to, controlling, cooperating, or for communicating control room solutions are an important component of everyday operations, which allows for greater efficiency in work and superior decision-making. The power plant can gain control room services in a variety different ways: in their processes facilities; for surveillance or in their facility’s rooms of situation to control and command and traffic management and for monitoring distribution of broadcasts.
In utilities and process control centers, operators continuously monitor and control constant flows of manufacturing, industrial control process, infrastructure/equipment status, and the dynamic change on demand to guarantee production and distribution in the best possible way. The main challenges are providing a comprehensive, real-time view of the flow of processes and equipment status to improve situational awareness and better decision-making with an ergonomic and flexible system deployment that is efficient, yet manageable connectivity to the devices. Integration of information and visualization are particularly important in these situations, from detailed information on network distribution to topological overviews of the service area, in addition to backup and redundancy support to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Control Room Trends
Control room administrators are increasingly taking advantage of Internet Protocol (IP) networking technology. using “over IP” technology in control rooms to distribute audio, video and control data distribution and extension provides the flexibility and flexibility to scale to allow distributed or centralized control room operations. In the context of control room operations switching from direct-connected systems to ones which make use of IP networks has brought a variety of advantages. The main one is that controllers can modify the connectivity architecture as well as the dimensions of KVM (keyboard video, keyboard mouse) installation according to particular requirements. Systems can be designed to support huge distances, high-performance as well as varying levels of redundancy in the system and resilience.
The primary benefit of IP-based KVM for the room control is infinite scalability and flexibility. An IP-based KVM system also provides more extension options beyond traditional keyboard-monitor-mouse, including server sharing, video extension, and multicasting. In this way IP-based control units are a way that you can improve your IP management efficiency , thereby improving productivity and decreasing operating costs.
IP-based solutions that use TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)/IP to communicate permit control room personnel to view, access and troubleshoot control room assets from any computer that is connected to the network. This means that data from different sites or in the network could display on the control room’s video wall, which allows for rapid response to emergency situations that are mission-critical.
Information integration and visualization become more important. Sharing and monitoring the constantly growing quantity of data and video streams is crucial for control rooms. The highest quality video with the highest resolution allows for rapid analysis of changing situations and instantaneous decision-making.
Display solutions range beyond the desktop screen for users to larger-sized video walls to facilitate collaboration. Multiple displays on workstations can help users understand more data and make it easier to operate. The significance of visualisation and information integration to monitor and making decisions in a control room can have a significant impact on a system’s quality of video and capabilities for distribution of content. In scenarios where video walls must be operational 24/7, solutions must allow for high-performance processing that enables video signals to be converted and scaled to meet display requirements–single, dual, or multi-screen display formats–at resolutions up to 4K. With multiple sources of data and video connected to the system it is also capable of creating custom videos wall systems that can deliver high-quality images for every display in the control room , in any configuration.
Control room personnel play the most demanding task of managing and controlling complex systems, and the consequences of a mistake could be catastrophic. Ergonomics is therefore designed to limit the possibility of human error and increase effectiveness and performance. An ergonomic design results in better workflow and better device management. It’s called an intuitive control and access.
As well as extending the life of hardware and improving performance by placing machinery far from users in the most ideal environment, it’s important to take into consideration the operator’s needs. Control equipment and peripheral equipment must be placed at the optimal location and displays should be set to allow for comfortable and ease of use.
Furthermore, the control access should be easy to use in an environment that allows operators to be alert and under control, so that when problems do occur, the response can be quick and appropriate resources are immediately utilized. This is why operator control and workspace solutions that allow multiple desktop computer workflows are the best option.
Control Room Solution Benefits
In the process of evaluating changes to control rooms choosing the right control room technology, the vendor and integrator is essential. However, the following elements are also to be considered:
seamless integration of AV and IT. A convergence between audiovisual (AV) and information technology (IT) is already apparent in numerous controls room options. Seek out experts who use technology like IT/IP as a means connecting AV and server/device-room components, integrating data for collaborationand facilitation of rapid operations and critical commands. The products offered must offer unlimitless scalability, use space effectively, and incorporate an re-deployable structure. The solution should provide advanced multi-directional, single sign-on management for the entire system. It will be able to utilize current infrastructure as well as equipment or at the minimum having the tools to connect with other systems.
Ergonomic Approach. Control room solutions must be designed to integrate into user-friendly environments that reduce the chance of human error while maximizing effectiveness and performance. For instance Over IP solutions permit operators to be isolated from their devices, and secure, safe remotely accessible access becomes simple and computers and servers are kept clear of clutter and easily managed. Graphically-friendly user interfaces that are easy to navigate that allow for easy, simple configuration and operation is a must.
Visual Excellence. This isn’t referring to aesthetics-friendly products from the exterior (though it’s always pleasant) instead the capabilities of the component must be of the highest quality. When it comes to collaboration-focused deployments seek out solutions that provide high-quality images to multiple video walls, in addition to consoles on desks for critical operations. The integration of information and visual information in resolutions as high as 4K allows for better monitoring, collaboration with contacts, and the right response to situations with an ever-growing quantity of sources, authentication methods and software to manage.
Secure and Dependability. Solutions must provide security and reliability, as well as access to all systems across several security domains at all times. The ability to adjust the level of authority, secure log-ins and communications as well as encryption of virtual media data and critical rapid backup/failover support for systems and operations, both on-site or off-site, must be readily available.
Flexible deployment and management. Solutions must be easily controlled and maintained at any time, whether remotely or locally across the all IT systems. It is recommended to include features that allow for security-minded authentication, flexible access, and immediate response.
Find a partner who understands the growing complex requirements for controlling rooms and offers end-to-end design and manufacturing with the aim of enhancing security and the efficiency of the operators in the room control. Furthermore, by creating an efficient secure, safe controlled room essential systems will be available at any time and be able to manage emergency situations anywhere in the world.