From educational facilities to businesses, from healthcare to hospitality, today's lectures, communications, sales, advertising and conferencing functions demand professionally designed audio visual presentation systems.
The current economic boom in the UAE, particularly in the hospitality, financial and construction sectors, has led to the growth of this industry.
According to Alexander Heuff, Exhibition Director of PALME, the Middle East's sound, light, music, audio-visual and systems integration exhibition, "The market is set to boom thanks to a strong demand for mega building projects in the region.
At last estimate the GCC region had $1.4 trillion (about Dh5.1 trillion) worth of construction projects in the pipeline. Our research into the value of the light and sound market in the Middle East shows that in 2007 the market was worth around $3 billion (Dh11.02 billion), with a projected rise to $5 billion (Dh18.37 billion) in the next five years.
AV Systems Integration is used in various industries such as IT, education, healthcare, retail and sales, sports, entertainment, hospitality and government and military to name only a few.
The industry comprises manufacturers, dealers, turnkey audio visual integration consultants, programmers, presentation professionals, system integrators and technology managers who take care of services and solutions such as audio and video conferencing, projections, audio visual integration (for conference rooms, boardrooms, training rooms, auditoriums and public places like malls), digital PA systems for hotels and larger venues, automation systems for homes and offices, interactive TV solutions for the hospitality industry and digital signage.
Anytime anywhere
According to Harold Fernandes, General Manager, Abcom Solutions, "The single biggest factor behind the booming AV market is the rising demand for networked AV products due to the integration of AV and IT technology.
With IT, telecom and AV industries converging, a world of integrated communications has opened up for consumers. You are now able to integrate laptops, handhelds and other AV equipment to deliver information and broadcast it anytime anywhere."
Whether it's work, home or leisure, technology is poised to seamlessly integrate and complement our aspirations for an enhanced lifestyle. According to Heuff, "The local market has seen a wide selection of products come into availability over the last few years.
For many large corporations here in the UAE, building tailored solutions is the key to customer support. For instance there is now a demand to have one control point for anything from lighting, video conference systems and projectors to audio systems, speakers, plasmas and CCTV."
IP convergence
Sanjay Tendulkar, Marketing Lead, Johnson Controls, Middle East, said that with the current trend in IP convergence we can also use the different systems like IP cameras, IP telephones, mobile/desk touch screen phones, remote controlled IP TV and digital signage all integrated on a single IP backbone.
Upcoming real estate projects in the UAE are also incorporating sophisticated AV technologies and applications. "Wireless or wired home automation is in great demand these days.
We are now seeing this expand into the hotel sector as well, such as in room control systems that allow the customer to order everything from room service to taxis, check out, cleaning, on demand TV, internet, run-the-bath all from a wireless portable handheld system.
Over the coming year the next step will be to offer these products to hotel guests as portable palm pilots during their stay. The other area to watch is the rapid growth of low cost high quality projector systems from JVC, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung as the LED and Plasma screen market slows up in sales revenue," said Heuff.
According to Dr. Aseem Gupta, Chief Visionary of Visionaire (that offers a complete service for technology programme management in the convergence domain of IT/AV solutions), "When dealing with the design and construction of a new communications facility, it is important to identify AV needs early in the process.
A myriad of building considerations should be addressed during the design process, including lighting, space design, acoustical requirements, cooling and electrical loads, furniture designs, wiring, networking and many others."
The technology trends that will have the greatest impact on the AV industry include integration of AV systems into customers' IT networks, increased use of conferencing and collaboration, growth of the use of digital signage, content aggregation, content management and acceptance of high definition technology.
Digital signs are a common feature at supermarket, malls, retail stores, airports and restaurants and their key advantage is that they visually engage the viewer and make the message more compelling.
According to industry experts there is a huge market for digital signage in the UAE. Also with IT, telecom and AV industries converging, a world of integrated communications is opening up for consumers.
In the home entertainment segment, consumers want more complex integration of their internet, computer and handhelds with cinema-quality audio and large integrated screens in their living rooms. According to Dr Gupta, "This is an exciting time in the lifecycle of the AV industry.
However, there are challenges as well and these are related to the convergence of AV with IT." The smart home feature is a new addition to PALME Middle East 2008, which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibitions Centre from April 27 to 29. Visitors can check out this feature in Hall 8.
According to Heuff, "The Digital Home was a concept that became a reality. This is a place where you control, programme and plan your entertainment, technology and time. Whether it's your TV, in-box or radio, you can receive everything and deliver anything, such as songs, photos, blogs, videos and podcasts.
Today's home or office pulses with intelligence - a networked environment that not only transfers bits and bytes, but provides critical security, enables much-needed mobility and enriches experiences with multi-media capabilities."
The exhibition will have 250 exhibitors from 35 countries, representing more than 800 brands and services.
"Our target market is the commercial and residential sectors, such as systems integrators, architects, AV consultants, MEP consultants, contractors, mechanical and electrical engineers, property developers, dealers, distributors, construction, government, IT networking companies, interior designers, shopping malls, bars restaurants, hotels and end users," he said.
At PALME 2008 visitors can also expect to see plenty of business AV applications on display. "We have a strong focus this year on out door digital signage, as well as more innovative products such as the Galtecs Abstract/AVR product range, set to revolutionise LED colour changing floor tiles," said Heuff.
