Common challenges highlighted at Reflex’s Training Forum

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

Thank you to our clients who took part in our training forum on 19th March. It was an opportunity to exchange views and give feedback on the challenges faced within their organisations when it comes to technical training.

The Forum was developed in light of the startling statistic that 70% of technology in organisations is underused because of lack of knowledge or confidence of the users. At Reflex we believe part of our role is to help educate users about getting the most from the solutions we provide.

Some common challenges emerged during the forum. Large and diversified user bases create a barrier to training, as does finding the time to pull staff away from their normal duties to attend. It was felt that nurturing ambassadors for the technology and identifying more clearly the need for training would help overcome some of the issues.

James Rutherford from the London College of Fashion (LCF) kindly presented to the group his successful approach. This included an audit of the AV equipment and furniture already in use to identify gaps. The audit lead to a drive for more cameras in teaching rooms. It also highlighted the need for a move towards the standardisation of kit. AV lunches have been introduced at LCF, where academics partner with learning staff and are introduced to the AV technology. The key aspect was the need to have commitment and drive from the top of the organisation.

Reflex has structured its training support services to help educate and work with organisations to overcome these common challenges facing AV training.

Click here to see Reflex comprehensive training support services and to download our training brochure. To discuss your training needs and get a quote please contact the Reflex Service Team on 0118 931 4611 or email: service@reflex.co.uk and arrange for a training specialist to help you.

Posted in AV News | Leave a comment

Reflex launches London Demonstration Suite

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

Reflex launches London Demonstration Suite18th April saw the opening of our new London Demonstration Suite at Harbour Island, Harbour Exchange Square, London E14 9GE.

With much of Reflex’s business being London based, we’ve developed this facility to support our City customers. It means we can show products that would otherwise be impossible to demonstrate due to their sheer size, for example video walls. Additionally, it gives customers a feel for how the technology looks in situ and how different elements integrate and work together as full solutions.

On show are technologies that include cloud based video communication systems, wireless audio conferencing, modular meeting solutions, high-end collaboration tools and video wall displays. Customers can also see solutions that have been developed for markets with particular relevance to London, such as trading desks and command and control systems.

The launch gave customers an opportunity to experience demonstrations of different technologies in a live environment and to talk about their specific requirements. The areas that attracted the most interest were digital signage and the video wall.

Thirty seven corporate customers attended the launch and we are planning a separate launch for Higher Education clients in June.

In the meantime, any organisation interested in a meeting or demonstration at the Reflex Demonstration Suite can request a visit online or contact us on 0118 931 3611 or email info@reflex.co.uk

Posted in AV News | Leave a comment

Reflex works with LINK Associates to deliver a state of the art training simulation suite

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

Reflex works with LINK Associates to deliver a state of the art training simulation suiteLINK Associates International delivers an unrivalled training and consultancy service throughout the world.

In 2012 they opened their new training facility, Ivory House, in St Katharine Docks. Ivory House provides a simulation suite delivering sophisticated and immersive learning experiences.

The brief was for a modern, state of the art training and exercising centre targeted at senior executives and managers.

The Solution

Reflex deployed their Meeting Room Specialist service – a service which helps to integrate technology into the design of corporate meeting spaces.

A central control room is equipped with Extron switching and Crestron control systems while in the reception, a 46-inch NEC display is used for welcome messages.

The three training rooms are equipped with an 87 inch SMARTBoard on a TeamMate Varihite stand, with an ultra short throw, widescreen projector. These can be moved on the stands to any location giving great flexibility of use. Four PTZ cameras allow proceedings to be recorded and reviewed. Each room is also equipped with Apple iPads for room control.

The arched ceilings of the listed building presented a challenge in manoeuvering the SMARTBoards into position, which was resolved with the use of the VariHite trolleys.

The Results

The finished project provides AV equipment that is modern and state of the art. The highly flexible configuration meets the needs of different training courses.

According to Stephen James, LINK’s Managing Director, “by working with Reflex, I believe we have established Ivory House as the leading crisis simulation suite in London and one which consistently impresses our clients with its capabilities.”

Click here to see our library of case studies.

Posted in AV News | Leave a comment

A more inspiring way to collaborate

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

A more inspiring way to collaborateBy introducing the SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync into your meeting rooms and learning spaces, you immediately simplify collaboration. Whether working face to face or remotely, users can seamlessly share real-time video, voice and data on familiar software.

SMART Room System comprises of one or more SMART interactive displays, an ultra wide-angle high definition camera, customised audio along with an extra-large room control console with an 11.6”display – all specifically designed for faultless integration. Microsoft Lync is the software that brings them all together.

The benefits include:

  • Immediate start up – the display turns on when you walk into the room. To start your meeting, simply press one button
  • The extra wide angle of the camera displays the whole room, and adapts to any lighting condition. It really feels like you are face to face with remote colleagues
  • The system makes it easy to capture and email meeting notes to all participants as soon as the session has ended
  • Echo-cancelling microphone and speakers provide crystal-clear audio giving whole room coverage and no loss of sound quality
  • Switch easily between presenters, change from data to video, move between presentation and whiteboard contents with the administrative console

To see SMART Room System in action, just click here.

For further information including pricing and demonstrations please contact the Reflex Technical Team on 0118 931 3611 or email info@reflex.co.uk

Posted in AV News, Product Updates | Leave a comment

Biggest and best ISE yet

Posted on March 4, 2013 by admin

Biggest and best ISE yetIntegrated Systems Europe (ISE) is a show that benefits Reflex in many ways. Roland, our MD, found it invaluable for networking with international partners. Our project managers were there to keep ahead of the changing demands within their project work. And the technical team focused on the technologies that we need to keep up-to-date with so that we can educate our customers. We took along thirteen customers too, who found it very useful for their strategic plans.

Below is a quick round up of the best of ISE 2013 from an integrator’s viewpoint.

Our first vote goes to the Crestron HD-XSP, a surround sound decoder that is no-frills – some may say basic. We liked its simplicity – it only has the functions that are needed for a professional install. It means the customer is not paying for functionality they don’t need.

The Samsung NL22B LED LCD transparent display shows information on a transparent glass surface. We liked the touch screen function and the built- in personal computer. It would be a superb choice in retail environments for product displays.

On the Epson stand the EB1410WI caught our eye. Interactive projectors have been around for a while but we liked the control module on the wall to select the functions and source. Great product for lecture theatres and training situations.

Ensemble Designs were showing the Brighteye Mitto Scan Converter. It’s elegant solution for auditoriums, its ideal where multiple presenters bring their own devices, and delivers high quality output through simple controls.

Also on our list, the Viper all-in-one capture, stream and VOD appliance. It’s a neat one box solution, perfect for rich media capture and streaming during live events or training sessions, very cool, small and beautifully designed package. We liked the striking design, the simple operation and the abundance of features although at £12,000 it might be beyond some budgets.

These products represent some of the components that allow integrators like Reflex to deliver great solutions for clients.

Contact the Reflex Technical Team for any demonstrations or pricing on any of the above best of ISE 2013 products.

Posted in AV News, General | Leave a comment

Hot in the City!

Posted on March 4, 2013 by admin

Hot in the City!Our hottest news is the opening of our brand new London Demonstration Suite at Harbour Island, 30 Harbour Exchange Square, London E14 9GE.

This facility will allows us to host events and communicate with our London customers – either in person, over the telephone or via video conferencing.

Our MD, Roland Dreesden, explains “the facility means we can demonstrate technologies in their natural environment. It gives us the ability to show products that are just too big or complex to easily bring to a customer’s premises, for example video walls, digital signage and video conferencing.”

Customers can also experience Reflex’s EasyMeeting solution, large format displays, control products and visualisers.

The city of London is a key market for Reflex and this superb facility allows us to be in the heart of the capital’s customer base.

To arrange a meeting or demonstration, Gordon Rylance, our Corporate Business Development Manager located at Canary Wharf, can be contacted on 0207 952 5612 or email: gordonr@reflex.co.uk

Posted in AV News, General | Leave a comment

70% of technology is not fully used due to lack of understanding

Posted on March 4, 2013 by admin

70% of technology is not fully used due to lack of understandingThat’s a lot of financial investment that is sitting in a cupboard or gathering dust.

Effective training helps your organisation make full use of the technology that has been invested in, thereby maximising the return on investment to your organisation.

However, we’ve probably all been on one of THOSE training courses. One delivered by a technical person with fantastic knowledge but whose tech-speak and jargon leaves us more confused than ever.

Technology does not need to baffle and when Reflex delivers training, we ensure it doesn’t.

Our qualified and accredited trainers are experts in technology and training techniques. We will design and deliver bespoke training programmes that meet your specific requirements.

Levels of experience, skill and the role in the business of the delegates are always taken into account when building the programmes.

After a Reflex training course everyone leaves our sessions with the knowledge and confidence to use their products and truly understand how they will enhance the working day.

What Reflex can offer you

Our training programme takes a tiered approach according to individual needs and knowledge.

Delivery can be via:-

  • Strategic advice
  • Face to face in-person training
  • Assisted online training

Subject matter can range from an overall familiarisation of a simple room or complex installation through to detailed specific product training.

To discuss your training needs and get a quote please contact the Reflex Customer Support Team on 0118 931 4611 or email: info@reflex.co.uk and arrange for a training specialist to help you.

Click here for more information and to download your free AV Training brochure.

Posted in AV News, General | Leave a comment

Meetings made easy!

Posted on March 4, 2013 by admin

Meetings made easy!Sometimes modern meetings seem like hard work. Finding a room, accessing the technology needed, gathering the participants together.

Reflex EasyMeeting solves all these issues. Designed as a response to modern working environments, EasyMeeting works when meeting space has to be multi-purpose and technology must support the organisation. It offers a quick and easy meeting hub to share ideas, present and make important decisions – all in just a few square feet.

A self-contained collaborative environment that is modular, mobile and totally flexible, it brings back the ability to have quick and easy meetings.

A typical solution includes:

  • A single flat display screen with integrated loud speaker. Options include dual flat screens ideal for video based collaboration or interactive displays.
  • Desktop colours from a range of standard colours. Option allows for bespoke branding.
  • 4″ colour touchscreen control panel
  • Input panel with up to 4 network points and AV connection for VGA, HDMI, Video, DVI and display port
  • Lockable racking built into unit
  • Outrigger and cable tray supporting desktop
  • Cable management and power inlet

EasyMeeting can be customised to individual requirements, for example videoconferencing, visualisers, wireless data sharing technology and/or audio systems can all be integrated.

You can see Reflex EasyMeeting in action at our brand new London Demonstration Suite at Harbour Island, 30 Harbour Exchange Square, London E14 9GE.

To arrange a meeting or demonstration, Gordon Rylance, our Corporate Business Development Manager located at Canary Wharf, can be contacted on 0207 952 5612 or email: gordonr@reflex.co.uk 

Posted in AV News, General | Leave a comment

Meetings made easy!

Posted on February 7, 2013 by admin

Meetings made easySometimes modern meetings seem like hard work. Finding a room, accessing the technology needed, gathering the participants together. It all seemed so much easier when you could spontaneously chat with a few colleagues.

Reflex EasyMeeting solves all these issues. Designed as a response to modern working environments, Reflex EasyMeeting works when meeting space has to be multi-purpose and technology must support the organisation. It offers a quick and easy meeting hub to share ideas, present and make important decisions – all in just a few square feet.

A self-contained collaborative environment that is modular, mobile and totally flexible, it brings back the ability to have quick and easy meetings.

A typical solution includes:

  • A single flat display screen with integrated loud speakers. Options include dual flat screens ideal for video based collaboration or interactive displays
  • Desktop colours from the standard colour palette. Option allows for bespoke branding
  • 4” colour touchscreen control panel
  • Input panel with up to 4 network points and AV connection for VGA, HDMI, Video, DVI and display port
  • Lockable racking built into unit
  • Outrigger and cable tray supporting desktop
  • Cable management and power inlet

Reflex EasyMeeting can be customised to individual requirements, for example videoconferencing, visualisers, wireless data sharing technology or audio systems can all be integrated.

Reflex EasyMeeting is a good long-term investment, as equipment can easily be upgraded as new technologies emerge. It works brilliantly in dedicated rooms but is also ideal to use in a small space in the office.

You’ll be able to see Reflex EasyMeeting in action at our London Demonstration Suite from end of February this year. To arrange a meeting or demonstration, please contact our Business Development Manager, Gordon Rylance located at Canary Wharf on 07850 503 939 or email: gordonr@reflex.co.uk

Posted in Product Updates, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Reflex Technology Day is a winner with visitors

Posted on December 7, 2012 by admin

Well over 200 audio visual professionals from corporate, public and higher education sectors came together on 28th November at The Emirates Stadium for this year’s Technology Day, TD12.

The atmosphere was vibrant as visitors browsed dozens of manufacturer hosted stands – allowing them to see the best in interactive, collaborative, display, signage, audio, video communications, AV housing and furniture, 3D technology, automation, and all the electronics in-between.

They were also able to find out about AV hire, training, guidance and managed services, with project managers at hand to give one-to-one advice. As always, it gave users a rare opportunity to speak directly to the manufacturers of the products and attend the seminars designed especially for the day.

“Collaboration” was the hot topic of the day, with visitors keen to explore the way the workplace is changing and the furniture and technology available to support those changes. Highlights included stunning videowalls and large screen displays and the Reflex EasyMeeting solution.

We would like to congratulate those who won a tour of the stadium and met Charlie George, and have pleasure in announcing the winners of the prize draw:-

  • A signed football shirt – won by Genevieve Glover from Maudsley Learning
  • 2 home game football tickets – won by James Brett from Skanska
  • Professional wireless headphones – won by Raj Singh from Radisson Blu
  • Rally racing day at Silverstone – won by Martin James from Young & Rubical Group

Click here to download the presentations from the seminars carried out at the Reflex Technology Day.

Reflex welcomes your feedback, good and bad on all our events we hold including the Reflex Technology Day. Please take a couple of minutes to take our events survey to ensure Reflex continues with our commitment to understanding the needs of our customers and providing the very best events suited to you and your organisation.

Posted in AV in Education, AV News, General, Press Releases | Leave a comment