AlphaNet Solutions , located in Cedar Knolls NJ, wanted to expand their Tech center and provide video conferencing capability. AlphaNet was showcasing a software product that would work seamlessly on different computer platforms (12 workstations and 5 servers) and operating systems. AlphaNet wanted to display the software running on each platform from one location (a 42 inch plasma screen). AlphaNet also wanted the capability to send the demonstration by video conference via the Internet and ISDN telephone connection.
The problem facing AlphaNet was finding an engineering firm capable of modifying the existing architecture, HVAC, and electrical systems, lighting, fire alarm, dealing with ADA, and provide the video conference & KVM switching system. Droit Technologies was consulting for Hanson Engineers, at the time, for computer services and was able to fulfill the video conference & KVM requirements. The solution was unique.
First what KVM system to use? There are many products on the market, but most have severe limitations for the distance between the master switch to the slave. The video signal is the limiting factor with ghosting and color slur. Many systems have KVM in multiples of 8. To get 17 computers and a master would require 3 KVM switches. It turned out the best solution was also the cheapest, the BlackBox ServSwitch system.
The BlackBox ServSwitch system fulfilled all of the stated requirements for KVM switching, but in addition since the system was designed for a classroom scenario, the master's (professor switch) video could be sent to all of the slaves (student switches). The 42" plasma is quite large, but from 30 feet away (the farthest station), it might be hard to see detail. So, having the video on all screens eliminated that problem for the in-house demonstration. A computer was required for the switching.
Second what video conferencing system to use? Once again there are many systems, but buried in the requirements were Internet and ISDN capability. There was also the need for compatibility, so a standard, ITU H.320 (H.321 & H.323). Not many systems do both, so the field of players is reduced. It came down to two systems, the Intel TeamStation or Polycom. These are pricey items. The Polycom was cheaper, but did not come specified with a computer and one was needed to run MS NetMeeting or other software. Intel sold off TeamStation to PictureTel. It seemed PictureTel had their own video conferencing system, and from their web page did not seem to be promoting TeamStaion. So, five years from now will there be support available for the TeamStation?
It turned out that another department at AlphaNet had an older version of TeamStation. TeamStation came with a computer and integrated software and hardware. ITU H.320 provides a small picture at 30 frames per second (384KB ISDN), live action - TV speed. An added capability of the Intel TeamStation was the ability to sacrifice the frames per second for a bigger picture. In demonstrating the software, the picture does not change at a rate requiring live action.
Well the KVM system needed a computer as well as the video conference. Why not combine them? That is where the uniqueness of the design comes from - sweet - a system.