Command Room Technological Essentials

Command Room Technological Essentials

In today’s dynamic landscape, control rooms, whether designated as Cybersecurity Operations Centres (SOC), Network Operations Centres (NOC), or Real-Time Crime Centres (RTCC), heavily rely on state-of-the-art technologies to extract actionable insights from vast data reservoirs.

Command rooms encounter many challenges, including real-time demands of information along with some critical aspects of security, including reliability. Every operational centre requires tailored technological solutions that align with its unique requirements while seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure.

Solutions like Haivision Command 360 play an essential role in:

  • Optimising the capabilities of command centres across diverse industries
  • Fostering efficient collaboration
  • Faster decision-making, and
  • Heightened situational awareness

Let’s dive deeper into the distinct technological landscapes of command centres:

Cybersecurity Operation Center (SOC):

Cybersecurity Operation Centres serve the paramount function of continuously monitoring and analysing an organisation’s security posture. These centres are indispensable for safeguarding digital assets against cyber threats, catering to entities of diverse sizes across industries like IT, cybersecurity, and finance. Key technologies in these environments include:

  • Communication Systems for real-time coordination
  • Intrusion Detection Systems to avoid unauthorised access
  • Incident Management Software for responding, and logging to security incidents promptly
  • Video Wall Displays to monitor simultaneously multiple data points into dashboards
24/7 Control Rooms - CETS

Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC):

Predominantly used to enhance community and officer safety through real-time crime monitoring and response coordination. Key technologies include: 

  • Real-time data feeds to enable immediate analysis and action
  • (Geographic Information Systems) mapping tools for visualising and managing geographical information
  • Emergency dispatch software for effective emergency response coordination, communication, and ultimately the dispatch of resources
  • Video wall displays that allow simultaneous monitoring of various feeds
Public Safety_Control Room-Haivision

Network Operations Centres (NOC):

Network Operation Rooms focus on monitoring and managing network systems and telecommunications, which are crucial to ensure the stability of an organisation’s network infrastructure. Key technologies include:

  • Network monitoring tools to keep track of network health and performance in real-time
  • Server management
  • Firewall and security appliances to protect the network from cyber threats
  • Data visualisation dashboards to effectively visualise network status and analytics

Solutions for all Command Centres

Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM)

Users can access and display critical, high-resolution data from several remote computers on a network, using a single keyboard and mouse interface from their workstations.

Cine Link Encoders

Users can access and display critical, high-resolution data from several remote computers on a network, using a single keyboard and mouse interface from their workstations.

Alpha FX Processor

The Alpha FX processors give your team the power, control, and flexibility needed with a range of sizes and capabilities designed for any mission-critical application.

Command 360

Easily visualise content on a video wall display, set user permissions and access, dynamically change sources, and establish a common operating picture to collaborate with colleagues.

What lies ahead for control rooms?

According to the Christie Digital Technology team, there’s a shift from a workstation with seven, eight or even nine monitors to one or two larger monitors with a single keyboard and mouse. By sending computers to server rooms, there’s better situational awareness for operators.

Not only that, but security in control rooms is one of the main concerns, particularly at all levels of government. TAA-compliant products play a big role here as they don’t emit radio frequency to processors based on field-programmable gate arrays.

LCD Displays: 55” to 98”

Christie Secure Series II

Non-RF LCD panels designed for secure-facility applications typically found in government, corporate and military environments.

LCD Video Walls

Ultra Series

Designed for control rooms as well as artistic and architectural displays for all sizes.

Micro Tiles LED Video Wall

LED Video Wall 

90-degree corners both inside and out and concave and convex curves for limitless design freedom.

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Building a Mission Critical Control Room

Building a Mission Critical Control Room

Building a mission-critical video control room involves setting up a centralised space where video, audio and other informational data from multiple sources can be streamed, monitored and processed. Similar rooms are commonly used in television broadcasting, live entertainment, security monitoring and other applications.

Building a Mission Critical Control Room

Such mission-critical work environments were first spotted in the early 20th century in factories when mass production required the creation of specific control rooms that allowed central monitoring. In World War II, similar rooms played an essential role in battle planning, and later, in the 1960s, they came into the public eye with the mission control centre for the first space mission and the lunar landing.

Nowadays, these signals and information are displayed on large screens, often portrayed as advanced futuristic rooms in science fiction and action movies. But the truth is that these control rooms can be as complex and agile as the situation requires. One solution (in this case, one design) doesn’t necessarily fit all.

Fundamentally, a control room designed to specifically cater for education purposes in a university won’t share the same design and structure as an emergency response centre implemented by Law Enforcement agencies or similar.

To help prepare for the right solution to suit your needs, here are a few pointers to consider when building a control room:

Define requirements

What is the purpose of the room? Broadcasting, surveillance, live events? Assess the available space and plan the layout based on the number of operators and the type of equipment needed, such as video switchers, monitors, servers, storage, etc.

Layout 

Besides the layout design of the operators’ consoles that ensure an efficient working environment, ergonomic factors such as lighting and monitor positioning are fundamental in avoiding operator fatigue.

Equipment

  • Video Switcher with the capability of handling multiple sources. 
  • High-quality monitors for monitoring and previewing video feeds. 
  • Audio equipment for managing audio signals.
  • Control panels for video switchers and other devices to provide a tactile interface for operators.

Infrastructure

Ensure the room has sufficient power and connectivity for all equipment. Consider redundant power systems for critical components while planning and implementing a cable management system to keep it organised and accessible.

Public Safety_Control Room-Haivision

Integration and testing 

Integrate all equipment and test functionality. Make sure video signals are routed correctly to achieve seamless communication between devices.

Automation

To improve efficiency, implement automation systems to streamline repetitive tasks. A centralised control system will help manage multiple devices from a single interface.

Integration and testing 

Integrate all equipment and test functionality. Make sure video signals are routed correctly to achieve seamless communication between devices.

Automation

To improve efficiency, implement automation systems to streamline repetitive tasks. A centralised control system will help manage multiple devices from a single interface.

Multi-site and breakout room visibility

Easily share and collaborate on informational data, and display it on video walls in control rooms or remote sites.

Security

Decide who has access to your interface and avoid data breaches and unauthorised access by implementing data security. 

Maintenance and upgrades

Developing a maintenance plan to monitor and update equipment regularly will keep your video control room working at its best. 

Compliance

Ensure your video control room complies with relevant regulations and standards, especially when it involves sensitive or regulated content.

Documentation

Any system, whether a bespoke solution or off the shelf should exist alongside appropriate documentation. Such documentation which can often include instructions and FAQs is essential to the smooth operation of any technical solution.

In Conclusion:

Ultimately, a control room aims to maximise workflows by centralising all information. What else would you add? Let us know on our LinkedIn channel.


Contact our expert team

Our technology experts love solving problems. In fact, we often brag that it’s what gets us out of bed in the morning.

Email or call our customer service team to open up endless possibilities for your next project.

+61 7 3013 6222
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Command 360:  A New Paradigm for Visual Collaboration Systems

24/7 Control Rooms & Command 360:  A New Paradigm for Visual Collaboration Systems

Command 360 software is a visual collaboration platform released in 2022 by Haivision. It was developed to increase situational awareness by centralising video, data, communication and visualisation sources into a fully secure multi-site video wall solution or control room ecosystems.

Command 360: Visual collaboration platform for mission-critical decisions.
Visual collaboration platform for mission-critical decisions.

This technology enables enterprise, defence and public safety teams to respond rapidly, better and securely to crucial matters such as cybersecurity breaches, defence missions and public emergencies. 

The Command 360 platform will stream any visual information or communication source across any size network. The structure combines video processors and the Command 360 software that can be run on single-site and multi-site operation centres / control rooms to remote and portable systems. 

Security

Your data, communications and overall operations are secure. Haivision built the platform to meet defence-grade and enterprise zero-trust model standards. And, although the interface is advanced, Haivision has made sure it’s intuitive to give users peace of mind.

Centralised Management and No Customised Programming Required

Command 360 centralised management allows controlling the entire system from one place, overcoming the challenges of traditional video walls. It provides a fast response and real-time visualisation, even in remote scenarios.

The Command 360 Platform combines the power of Command 360 software and your choice of Alpha FX or Stryke video processors – ranging in size and capabilities to fit specific requirements. The platform’s open architecture enables seamless integration with all the components needed for a complete system – from encoders and decoders to video wall displays and portable systems. This software allows you to control third-party devices like audio and VTC systems, eliminating the need for external equipment and custom programming.

Streaming

Streaming content from any signal format, IP or virtual environment can be done from almost any device, including workstations, laptops, tablets, cameras, media players and cable boxes.

Command 360
Command 360 allows you to display it on any wall, remote or portable system. Graphic by Haivision.

The number of video walls supported by the system is flexible. The Alpha FX Processor holds up a certain amount of pixels. Additionally, depending on your size requirements, a single processor can output from 16 to 80 independent 1080p streams or between 4 to 20 4K streams. You decide how to split them among your displays. 

Part of the flexibility involves using existing monitors or projectors if your infrastructure requires it. Although the native output is UHD 60, additional accessories can reduce it.

Remote control

Haivision Command 360 also allows your IT department to remotely control the system since it’s a browser-based interface. You can manage permissions, giving users access to content only specific to their role. This feature of visualisation is essential, especially in sensitive environments.

You can read here more about FAQs related to Havision Command 360 platform.

Contact us for a customised solution related to your needs.

Haivision Mission Critical Video Systems (MCVS): What makes it different?

Haivision Mission Critical Video Systems (MCVS): What makes it different?

Haivision Mission Critical Video Systems is a service designed to address challenges in global tactical operation centres, control rooms, and public safety operations centres. Although it sounds like a complicated and advanced technology, it’s been created to be an intuitive platform to visualise and dynamically respond to changing scenarios.

The Haivision Command 360 platform enables fast response to real-time decisions by centralising all video, data, communication and visualisations sources into an all-in-one secure video wall solution. The connected cloud and intelligent technologies make it easier for organisations to enhance collaboration, engage audiences and support decision-making.  

To work with this software, a video wall is a must-have to display all your data. The wall can be a combination of HD or 4K panels arranged in a grid to create a single canvas. They can range in size, depending on the installation needs.

Is this a technology suitable for my industry?

As it has been proved, Haivision Command 360 systems can be applied in all industries, including public safety, broadcasting, sports and education.

Image by Somchai Kongkamsri

Defence

Either sea, air or land, Haivision’s Mission Critical Video Systems is built to perform in the most reliable way possible.

Read Haivision’s case study here.

Image by Haivision

Public safety

Public safety and well-being are top priorities for all government entities. Haivision Mission Critical Video Systems support keeping communities safe by increasing situational awareness. From displaying incoming data from IP cameras, to reporting systems and analytical tracking tools on a high-resolution video wall, Haivision MCVS assists operators to visualise and respond to emergencies in real-time. 

Read Haivision’s case study here.

Image by Pixabay

Sports

Teams and coaches can utilise Haivision MCVS to visualise and plan their draft. In addition, the system can analyse collected footage throughout the year, allowing a deep study of each detail to make crucial decisions.

Read Haivision’s case study here.

Image by Pixabay.

Healthcare

The health industry benefits from Haivision MCVS by increasing situational awareness of hospitals’ resources and supplies. From creating dashboards that control physical security for a single healthcare facility or an entire network to streamlining vital healthcare functions. Regardless of technical experience, staff members can easily use the program thanks to its design.

Find more information here.

Image by Pixabay.

Broadcast

Haivision ensures high-quality and low-latency videos for an improved workflow. This translates into reducing video transport costs thanks to the intelligent encoding system, whilst maintaining maximum sound and image quality. Remote production, bi-directional interviews, and remote monitoring are possible thanks to streaming solutions and SRT protocols.

Watch Haivision’s case study here.

Image by Pixabay.

Education

Haivision helps to create an immersive centre to approach the learning experience differently. The interactive video walls can positively impact students’ research; and at the same time, reinforce subjects through digital tools.

Read Haivision’s case study here.    

Haivision MCVS operations center ecosystem by Haivision.

Learn more about our partnership here.


Contact our expert team

Our technology experts love solving problems-in fact we often brag that it’s what gets us out of bed in the morning.

Email or call our customer service team to open up endless possibilities for your next project.

+61 7 3013 6222
info@cets.com.au
Name(Required)