The role of the technical administrator in today’s schools and businesses has expanded to include management and maintenance of A/V devices from multiple manufacturers, often spread out over great distances. IP Link® makes it easier to integrate A/V systems into existing IP networks, providing Web-based monitoring and control that unifies A/V equipment under a single graphical user interface.
The Extron IPL T S1, IPL T S2, IPL T S4, and IPL T S6 use Extron’s exclusive IP Link technology, a high performance intelligent network solution specifically engineered to meet the needs of professional A/V environments, from large universities and businesses, to small presentation environments.
Centralized Asset Management and Monitoring
Using IP Link hardware along with the GlobalViewer Web-based asset management application, a technical administrator can track the activity and status of all connected A/V devices. Multiple rooms of equipment can be viewed simultaneously, by location or device type. IP Link makes up-to-the-minute data available, such as serial numbers, maintenance history, usage data, current status, and installed firmware, all viewable from any computer on the network. With
IP Link’s e-mail functionality, accessed via the Global Viewer, devices can be configured to proactively manage themselves. For instance, a projector can be polled routinely to track lamp usage and total life time. When lamp usage reaches a predetermined number of hours, the IP Link interface can send an e-mail, reminding technicians to replace the lamp.
Automated Scheduling
IP Link interfaces include a real-time clock and calendar, allowing an administrator to program operating alerts, schedule routine equipment activity, or run maintenance checks on lamp hours, environmental conditions, connectivity, and other issues vital to operations. For instance, an administrator may want to configure projectors and other devices to power on or off at preset times. User-defined tasks are easy to configure and schedule with IP Link. Scheduling tasks and setting up e-mail reminders is simple and straightforward and doesn’t require high-level programming skills.
Help Desk
Remote Device monitoring, scheduling and control using Global Viewer Web-based asset management application
GlobalViewer is the Web-based asset management and control application supplied with every IP Link®-enabled product.
The Control Screen allows you to remotely control many functions, including volume, power, input source, and more.
Remote Technical Support
One of the biggest challenges facing technical administrators today is meeting the ever-growing demands for technical support with limited support staff. IP Link extends the support staff’s reach, giving technicians the power to troubleshoot and solve many typical problems remotely. With access to real-time A/V device status like power on or off and current input selection technicians can often restore system operation in minutes. The result is time saved and a reduced level of frustration for users of the technology.
System Security and Loss Prevention
IP Link interfaces are always on and routinely poll their connected devices for status information. If a serially controlled device like a projector or document camera is physically disconnected from the network, the IP Link interface monitoring its status will know immediately. In such an event, the IP Link interface can be configured to send an e-mail message notifying security personnel of the problem.
