Capricorn Group streamlines with SAW Namibia
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Additionally, the Capricorn Group recently inaugurated new furnished offices located in Windhoek, aptly named Capricorn Corner. The unveiling of the site was officiated by Mr Koos Brandt, one of the key founders of Bank Windhoek, the flagship brand of the Capricorn Group.
The building, covering 3,258sq,m of space, will house Capricorn Group’s data centre, in-house training facility, as well as the various departments of Bank Windhoek. Stage Audio Works (SAW) Namibia were called upon to deliver a comprehensive system specification and design. They also oversaw the subsequent integration, commissioning, and support, bringing these elements together with a streamlined audio-visual solution.
SAW Namibia’s primary brief was to streamline and improve the Capricorn Group’s video and audio-conferencing experience across its nine meeting rooms. One key aspect of this was the inclusion of native Microsoft Teams conference systems in each of the rooms, to ensure high quality streaming with a familiar interface. The new building also included four classrooms, which required interactive displays to improve the group’s training capability.
Additionally, the project’s scope covered the provision of a multi-purpose venue which required the dynamic routing of audio and video sources to cater for various occasions. The overall goal of the installation was to improve both the flexibility and operability of the bank’s unified communications (UC), to promote better collaboration. It also had to satisfy the architects aesthetic vision of the building, seamlessly blending with the design where possible.
Capricorn Corner’s audio solution is principally comprised of Audac equipment, with the focal point of the installation being the multi-purpose conference venue, where SAW Namibia implemented 10 Audac ALTI4 pendant loudspeakers. Additionally, they installed seven Audac QuickFit ceiling loudspeakers throughout the venue itself, and a further 10 in the adjacent balcony, supported by two final surface mount loudspeakers. The system is powered by a CAP448 quad channel amplifier – another Audac product. For the smaller interactive classrooms, a soundbar was enough to fill the room.
Joppie Maritz, managing director of SAW Namibia comments, “We have achieved excellent results with Audac on similar projects in the past, and therefore Audac was our preferred choice of loudspeaker and amplification for this unique project. Audac’s seamless integration and operability ensures that installation times are kept to a minimum, and their proven reliability reduces the need for maintenance. These are huge benefits in such a prestigious, large-scale integration as this where peace of mind is essential.”
SAW Namibia equipped Capricorn Corner with numerous screens to fulfil a variety of applications depending on the location. The specification included several Samsung models, ranging from the 65” screens, present in every meeting room, complete with flexible mounting brackets, to the two 82” ultra HD screens installed in the multi-purpose venue. The three larger meeting rooms are also equipped with Apple TVs that boast 4K quality. The dimensions were carefully selected to fit the composition and size of each room
For control, a Crestron-based solution was chosen. “The Crestron Flex range was the perfect solution for this installation, encompassing the full Microsoft Teams Room UC experience in a neat package, complete with an integrated AEC-enabled speakerphone to provide crystal clear conferencing and collaboration,” says Maritz.
