The newly installed system integrates a Bosch DCN Next Generation microphone, voice and voting system, with an HP PC-based thin client and server information and display system. In addition to modern conferencing and voting features, this facility also provides parliamentarians with on-floor informational (office-type applications), messaging and display functionality, interconnected with high-speed Cat 5 data and conferencing networks.
The system features 350 general workstations - one for each member of Parliament - arranged in a semicircle. Special stations for the President and Secretary General, as well as one on the rostrum, are located in front of the hall facing the members. In addition, there are two large Philips monitors centrally located.
Each general workstation is equipped with a 15" LCD monitor, which is enclosed in a metal panel, with a keyboard and trackball attached. A collapsible microphone is located at the top of the panel, and a voting and microphone-control keypad on the right. The monitor also displays voting results graphically and can be used for in-house streaming media broadcasts and for the workstation.
The stations for the President and Secretary General operate in a similar manner to the general workstations, except that they are touch-screen operated and are provided with additional control functions. The one at the rostrum is only equipped with a microphone and timer display, both of which are connected to the conferencing system.
Workstations are equipped with a so-called 'thin client': a small, unobtrusive 'black box' which connects the station monitor (and keyboard and trackball) via the data network to centrally based servers. These servers control workstations as well as process streaming media and informational and messaging functions. This thin-client-server approach means that all intelligence (software) is located centrally, offering considerable investment and operational savings, say Bosch.
The conference system is key to this facility and the microphone is its most critical component providing clarity, sensitivity and range, say the company, which is why they deployed newly developed technology, which optimally shields the microphones from mobile phone RF signal interference.
Although there will always be a need for standard, off-the-shelf solutions, Bosch also sees a parallel market for tailored solutions, such as this integrated conference, sound and display system. "This calls for the skills and expertise of a global system integrator, as well as internal and external resources required in delivering a purpose-built, 'one-stop-shop' solution," say Bosch.
(Lee Baldock)
