Technology can be seen as daunting, fast moving and complex, however it is increasingly driving many aspects of corporate life and becoming an essential tool in communicating effectively in the workplace.

It's therefore important that the technology in your organisation is understood and used to its full advantage in order to get a maximum return on your investment.

You often find that technical products are trained by technical people. Reflex has joined forces with Nvest, a company specialising in taking technical products and training end users in an easy to understand way without jargon, and tailored to your needs. They specifically offer training on Interactive Whiteboards and Digital Signage.

Nvest provides you with the training support needed to ensure all users have an excellent level of product knowledge to enable them to understand the application of the product, and the confidence to use to its full potential. All trainers have a proven track record in the technical arena, with each trainer working closely with a number of products and solutions. Their invaluable experience comes from a proven ability to deliver an in-depth exploration of the product and to test all aspects of the training solution before commencing the training.

We can offer a special 20% discount on all Nvest training courses when booked through Reflex in June. Nvest will be exhibiting at th Reflex Technology Day held at Twickenham Stadium on 22nd June 2010, to find out more please visit www.reflex.co.uk/events.

Reflex works with COI

Reflex is looking forward to working on more projects with the Central Office of Information (COI) following the announcement at the end of last year that they had won accreditation under a Live Events framework agreement issued by the COI.

The relationship with COI started in 2008 when on the previous Live Events framework, Reflex undertook a project to revamp the department's Campaign Focus Area.

The installation of a new security desk at COI's offices led to the removal of the existing Campaign Focus area. Used as a vehicle to raise awareness of COI's integrated campaigns, encourage new and repeat business and highlight the COI's leading role in the communications industry, the organisation felt it essential to re-establish this vital area, whilst taking the opportunity to make it more effective.

A key requirement was the ability to instantly and frequently update displayed information, with the flexibility to show a whole range of material. COI also wanted to give people the opportunity to interact with COI led online material.

Reflex installed a display wall consisting of four plasma screens and new touch screen kiosks points to give the required interaction.

The COI framework provides a range of live event activities including all aspects of exhibitions, conferences, outreach campaigns and technical services. Under the agreement Reflex will be eligible to bid for future contracts for COI.

Reflex MD Roland Dreesden said "This is an important win for Reflex. It will allow us to compete for government and public sector work without the requirement of a lengthy procurement process for every contract."

Log fault calls from anywhere, at any time

Our specialist service management software suite - Tesseract - now has a customer login capability. With just a few keystrokes, you can swiftly log fault calls from anywhere at any time of day. Because Tesseract is web-based all you need is access to a computer, Internet Explorer, a log-in and password and you are ready to go.

There are a number of benefits:

• No need to wait for Reflex opening hours to log calls
• Instant, timed record of all calls you log
• Check the status of all fault calls at anytime
• Run standard reports as required to show information such as number or nature of faults and escalation monitor
• Use Crystal Reports to write bespoke reports

To find out more about Tesseract, please call the Reflex Service team on: 0118 931 4611.

Project Management: unnecessary cost or vital investment?

When the site has been surveyed, the equipment specified and the installation booked, the job is just beginning as far as we are concerned.

Roland Dreesden, MD of Reflex, believes it is at this stage that the most crucial element has to be put into place - the project management. Roland is so passionate about getting this aspect of the job right that he employs a special Projects Team within Reflex. It's an area that he has invested in and strengthened dramatically over the last few years.

The existing team of four Project Mangers has recently being strengthened with the addition of Clive Meredith. With 16 years in the audio visual market including many as a Project Manager with other AV resellers, Clive brings a wealth of experience in the corporate and public sectors which he is looking forward to using to help Reflex's clients.

Project Managers have a remit to act as the liaison point between the company, the client and any 3rd parties for the duration of the project. They are responsible for making sure what the sales team sell is delivered, on time, on budget and to the agreed specification. Their responsibilities are far ranging, from the pre-works stage, right through to training. Along the way they co-ordinate all the work including external trades people.

The starting point is the Project Programme, a plan prepared by the Project Manager and agreed with the client which is the blueprint that everyone involved in the installation follows. This includes a full Risk Assessment with supporting Health and Safety documentation as well as site specific information for the Reflex engineers and other internal departments.

One example where our project management really paid dividends for the client was a high profile installation for City University London. Managing complex requirements across 85 learning areas with state of the art audio visual resources that were reliable, standardised and well supported could have been a logistical nightmare. But through careful project management, the installation was delivered within a tight 3 month timescale. In fact, project management was the key to the success of this demanding installation.

Technology moves so fast these days, and whilst literature and websites are useful, we've found one of the best ways to keep up to date is to see demonstrations of new products launched onto the market.

If you can guarantee an attendance of 20 or more audio visual decision makers and provide a suitable room Reflex will run a mini technology event at your premises. We'll bring along all the latest products and solutions and any specific products you would like to see, so that your team can get hands on experience. We'll invite manufacturers to attend so that you can ask any questions directly to the companies producing the products, and make all the arrangements. We'll even provide you with marketing materials to help you promote and advertise the event internally.

If you would like to have a chat about how this might work in your organisation then please email kristys@reflex.co.uk or contact Kristy Shepherd on: 0118 9754 690.

Reflex's annual Technology Day (Reflex TD'10) always proves popular with visitors from the corporate world and this year we are expecting record numbers of visitors to our largest ever exhibition.

Reflex TD'10 will take place on 22nd June 2010 at the prestigious Twickenham Stadium. The event will not only showcase brand new audio visual products, but include a series of inspirational seminars, live demonstrations, and technical advice direct from manufacturers. You'll also have the chance to take part in our exclusive audio shoot out seminar, directly comparing the performance of top brands.

With over 30 manufacturers confirmed as participating, visitors can expect to find out about the very latest in emerging technologies. Examples of the innovative developments on show include the latest in touch screen technology, display technology which is completely modular, reconfigurable and self calibrating, and environmentally friendly, mercury free projection technology. TD'10 is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the exciting developments that manufacturers will be showcasing at Infocomm this year, so any delegate who can't make it to Las Vegas needn't miss out.

Four interactive seminars cover a range of issues:

Seminar 1: Program sound for flagship lecture theatres, auditoriums and large spaces

Seminar 2: What can you expect from the future of digital communications?

Seminar 3: The challenges with HDMI/HDCP exposed

Seminar 4: The interactive edge to touch and collaborative technology

In keeping with the rugby theme, 30 visitors will win a tour of the stadium on the day of the exhibition, with other prizes including two tickets to an International rugby game and mino HD Flip Video Camcorder. The event is free but booking is essential.

To register, please visit www.reflex.co.uk/events or contact Kristy Shepherd on 0118 975 4960.