Control rooms, dispatch and monitoring centres
A control room – whether a dispatch centre, supervision centre or monitoring centre – needs a video wall that shows images from many sources at once and runs without interruption around the clock. PROAV designs video walls for companies in the energy, transport and industrial sectors around the way operators actually work: first we analyse the data sources and operating scenarios, then we select the displays – monitors or LED screens – the controller and the software. With a single click, the operator recalls a saved content layout, drags signals onto the screens and responds to alerts. In our projects we use controllers and software from Datapath, Dexon Systems, DigiBird and Ultimate Visual Solutions, as well as video wall displays designed for continuous operation. The team sees all the information it needs side by side, which shortens response times and reduces the risk of error.
A design based on how operators work. We analyse the data sources, the number of operators and the operating scenarios before we decide on the number of screens and the controller.
A system ready for expansion. We select the controller and software with spare inputs and licences, so that the wall can be extended with further screens and sources.
Commissioning and operational support. We configure content layouts, train operators and provide service for systems running 24/7.
A control room is not just screens, but a system made up of a video controller, software for managing layouts and sources, operator workstations and integration with the company's systems. The software lets you define layouts, rules and alerts for the data being displayed.
Solutions used:
Industries:
Corporate control rooms bring together sales, production, logistics or plant performance indicators on a single wall. They are used by management boards, operations directors, technicians and analysts.
In the office of Nomad Electric, a company that manages more than 170 photovoltaic farms, we designed a video wall for presenting operational indicators, controlled by software that allows data to be arranged freely on the screens. We explain what a data centre is made up of in our article Control room – the solutions that make up a data centre.
Control room software manages signal sources – computers, cameras, applications and websites – as well as saved content layouts. The system can display alerts when data deviates from set values.
This allows the operator to spot irregularities sooner and respond before a problem affects plant operation or customer service.
The operator manages the video wall from a computer, tablet or panel: dragging signals onto selected screens, recalling saved layouts and adapting the view to the current situation.
Solutions such as Datapath Aetria combine data presentation, signal management and layout management in a single interface, which simplifies the team’s day-to-day work.
We select the video wall controller to suit the number and type of sources – local and network-based – and the planned expansion. We choose displays for continuous operation, narrow bezels and colour uniformity across the entire wall.
In our projects we use solutions from Ultimate Visual Solutions, DigiBird, Datapath and Dexon Systems, matching them to security requirements and budget.
At the Smart Jet headquarters, the video wall shows a map with the positions of the aircraft fleet updated in real time and accepts images from several sources, with simple management of the content layout.
We took into account the visibility of the image from the whole open-plan area and the way the screen fits into the wall fit-out.
Industry, Energy and Transport. Dispatch centres and supervision centres for plants, transmission networks and fleets.
Uniformed services. Command centres and control posts that require round-the-clock operation.
Business / Corporate. Corporate operational data centres for management boards and operations departments.
Click a question to see the answer.
It is a room in which operators supervise the operation of plants, networks, fleets or an entire organisation – e.g. a dispatch centre, supervision centre, monitoring centre or command centre. At its heart is a video wall, driven by a controller and software, that shows images from many sources at once.
Displays that make up the video wall, a video controller, software for managing layouts and sources, operator workstations and integration with the company’s systems. For round-the-clock operation, power and controller redundancy and system health monitoring are added.
A wall made of monitors works well when operators sit close by and read a lot of fine detail. An LED screen provides a uniform, seamless image, which matters for maps and diagrams spread across the whole wall. The choice depends on operator viewing distance, content and budget – read more in our guide LED screens – how to choose?.
From a computer, tablet or panel: dragging signals onto selected screens, recalling saved layouts and adapting the view to the current situation. The software can also display alerts when data deviates from set values.
Yes. For dispatch centres and supervision centres we select displays designed for continuous operation and plan power and controller redundancy, system health monitoring and service.
Yes. We select the controller and software with spare inputs and licences, so that the wall can be extended with further screens and signal sources without replacing the entire system.
No. The initial quote and consultation with a PROAV engineer are free of charge. To prepare a quote we need a list of the sources to be displayed, the number of operators, the dimensions of the wall and whether the system is to run around the clock.
Which sources need to be displayed? The number and type of signals determine the controller.
How many operators and what workstations? We plan the visibility of the wall and the method of control.
Does the system run 24/7? Continuous operation requires suitable displays, redundancy and service.
What are the security requirements? We agree access to sources and network separation with IT.
Planning a control room or dispatch centre?
We design video walls for industry and energy as well as for businesses. We start by analysing the data sources and the operators’ working scenarios.
