A large German airport operations center faced a challenging work environment because the airport turns to Black Box for centralized monitoring, security camera surveillance and general airport security.
Background
A large German airport operations center faced a challenging work environment because the airport was expanding its terminal and adding gates to accommodate the growing number of flights. Technical support staff wanted to avoid heat and noise in the operations control room that was used for centralized monitoring, security camera surveillance and general airport security.
Challenge
In order to improve operators' efficiency, ensure a quiet work environment and make it easier for the IT staff to maintain and monitor servers, IT decided to backrack server infrastructure to a new central equipment room. A video wall also had to be connected to the servers in order for all operators to see visuals from different sources. To extend and switch multiple video and peripheral signal sources to different multi-screen operator desks, IT decided to use a matrix switching system. The system had to support 24/7 operations, central management of user access rights and both CATx and fiber cabling.
Solution
By using the DKM FX HD Video and Peripheral Matrix Switching system, IT was able to backrack a mix of CATx and fiber transmitters in the data center. They placed receivers in the central operations control room (copper) and in a backup control room (fiber) in another building. This fully digital DKM matrix solution offers switching,extension and distribution of HD video signals, USB, and audio signals over copper or fiber (up to 4K) and enables multiple users to easily access any computer system.
The system is designed for power redundancy and instantaneous switching of HD video signals. It's also connected to a backup control room, that in case of a security violation, users can switch over control within seconds. In the central equipment room, all individual systems are connected to a dedicated screen to ensure video is present at all times. Operators switch between active servers/applications by simply moving a mouse from one screen to another through Glide & Switch technology.
Outcomes
The DKM system is highly reliable and supports 24/7 operations. If the IT staff needs to expand the operations center, new desks can be easily connected to the existing infrastructure by simply adding new receivers to the matrix system. The operator workplace is now quieter, has less heat and is more secure. The DKM system provided improved functionality for operators as well as increased job satisfaction and productivity.