Kramer brings collaboration and digital signage to the new Facepunch offices

With the tools provided by Kramer se han facilitado la realización de conferencias en cualquier plataforma desde salas de reuniones y de juntas. They also have a large video wall and interactive screen in the reception area to display images and dynamic product advertisements..

For these installations, Facepunch Studios was looking for a flexible AV solution that included a fully automated meeting room, three audio zones and interactive display stands for the reception area. Besides, had to ensure network stability and robust wireless access from anywhere in the office. The answer was provided by AV technology from Kramer.

It is a Birmingham-based game developer (United Kingdom), what, initially, rose to fame with the release of Garry's Mod in 2006, followed by Rust and Chippy games. To date, has sold 38,6 millions of games and employs 50 people all over the world.

When Facepunch moved its offices to new premises in the Colmore Row area of ​​Birmingham. The company wanted to be able facilitate collaboration in BYOD conferences, with simple and reliable wireless presentation capabilities, in all office spaces.

While facilitating game development was key, as a company known for its powerful visuals, Facepunch wanted its new offices to offer a real wow effect. For this, I wanted to have huge media walls in the reception area, that will show large images of the game, in addition to a large interactive screen that would allow dynamic product advertisements.

The company had a clear vision of the equipment and audiovisual capabilities it wanted in the new offices, specifying a fully automated boardroom with wireless presentation and multi-platform video conferencing, interactive screens, zoned audio and high-end executive offices with BYOD conferencing capabilities. A key objective was to minimize wiring, so an IP-based solution was chosen.

IP based solution

The Kramer AV team was chosen by Vision On AV Systems, the project systems integrator, for its flexibility, reliability and support.

IP-based solution required a new AV network, segregated and highly stable to provide robust wireless access from across the office. Ubiquiti Enterprise Layer switches have been used 3 and the AV network has been planned to ensure minimal disruption and rapid commissioning.

For control purposes, The audiovisual system was divided into four spaces: Media Wall 1, Media Wall 2, board room, office audio and remote control stations.

The central communications room serves as the hub of the AV solution. Includes KC-BRAINware-5 for general control, coders, audio and video sources, and multi-zone audio amplifiers/mixers, with all devices connected via Ubiquiti Enterprise network switches with fiber links.

Individual rooms feature VIA wireless conferencing and collaboration platforms, interfaces, local decoders and amplifiers.

BYOD video conferencing implemented in most rooms, with the VIA Connec collaboration platform, fully automated, uses VIA Campus2 and a camera and speaker bar. Additional set-top boxes added to meeting rooms, the boardroom, the game development area, the bar and interactive spaces.

To create the wow factor for video walls 3×3 in the reception area, An encoder/decoder solution was chosen because of its great flexibility and because it allowed configuration, easy source and audio changes, and remote control of devices via RS-232.

One of the main challenges was preparing the system for testing before the main network was fully operational.. With a simple router and a single SL-240C, Vision On AV Systems was able to get the floor up and running space by space, before moving to KC-BRAINware once the network was fully operational, with external access to Kramer servers.

The new Kramer-based solution has been instrumental in improving collaboration at Facepunch Studios, facilitating the simple and seamless video conferencing that is essential for the success of an international team.

“It's very easy to set up a room for a BYOD meeting and host a fully organized meeting in the boardroom”, explica Leigh Holmes, Facepunch Studios operations manager. “And similarly, “Wireless presentations are simple and productive”.

This enables the level of communication needed to work on some of the most innovative gaming technologies out there., allowing creativity to flow and, at the same time, enhances meaningful interactions that foster productivity.

With full BYOD compatibility and excellent audiovisual quality, conferences are faster, easy and fluid, which helps employees interact, even with colleagues abroad. The intuitive interface and start, Automated restart and shutdown of the AV system in each room makes system use simple and safe.

Still images from Facepunch games are used as backgrounds in the user interfaces of each space and room, creating a high impact brand experience.

“The two media walls in the reception area really have the wow factor we were looking for”, afirma Leigh. “They are very easy to use and give visitors a lot to talk about.”.