The shift to IP has been visible in the pro audio world for many years. As more systems go onto the network, there are an increasing number of people who all have a vested interest in what the technology does. Fortunately, modern systems have the flexibility to meet the needs of multiple different types of users. But in order to meet those needs, first you need to think about who are the people that you are making the system for, and the requirements they have.
At Dynacord, for permanent installation projects we have broken this down into three core categories of professionals: end users, installers and IT administrators. These three stakeholder groups all hope for the same end result – a great sounding audio system for the space – but there are other elements that are vital to them in their day-to-day roles.
FIRST CONSIDERATION
The end user always has to be the first consideration, no matter what kind of product you are making. If you don’t think about how people will use your product and what needs it will meet, then you will not sell many of them!
When it comes to end users and IP-based audio systems, simplicity is the key element. End users don’t want it to be difficult to control the audio, they want to be able to walk the venue with a tablet in hand, check the system performance and make any adjustments via an app. However, they also want to be able to use that same tablet to do things like check their emails, listen to Spotify or even watch YouTube without the need to switch to different Wi-Fi networks. To meet their needs, your solution needs to sit on the same network as everything else.
When it comes to systems integrators, an IP-based sound system needs to be quick and easy to install, but also remove some of the hurdles that come from ongoing support. Installers know the old adage that nothing goes wrong on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, it’s always at ten to midnight on New Year’s Eve. To help mitigate call outs like this, installers want a solution that is robust and can be remotely monitored.
Using existing network infrastructure is a common requirement in many projects. An IP-based audio system can be designed so that although sharing the same physical network it doesn’t interfere with other aspects of the venue’s technology, such as video and lighting, or even the pay desk, meaning that if anything goes wrong, it only affects the audio. Equally, if anything from any of the other systems fails, then the audio will remain unaffected.
IP-based solutions also provide the advantage that installers can have direct access into the system remotely to check issues. That would mean the potential to fix many problems without being on site, or to know what the issue is and have the right kit in the van to fix it before you get to site, both leading to better support and happier clients.
RELATIVELY NEW
The first two stakeholders have been at the top of everyone’s minds as long as people have been installing professional sound systems. But the third group is relatively new and has notably different expectations. If existing network infrastructure needs to be used, there is normally an IT administrator involved. For an IT administrator, the focus will always be on the network itself, rather than the solutions running on it.
One of the key elements for IT administrators is for the network to be as structured as possible. They want to know what everything is and where it sits. Added to this, it needs to be as secure as it can be, with state-of-the-art network security.
As a real-world example of how this type of requirement can be supported, we created an application note to go alongside the SONICUE 1.4 Sound System Software release, highlighting to IT administrators how a typical IP-based system can meet network security requirements.
This document illustrates how control devices can be effectively segregated into their own dedicated VLANs. Additionally, it explains how to apply access control lists (ACLs) precisely to protect systems with internet connectivity. As VLANs and ACLs are only two of the many possible network security measures, our customers are provided with additional networking documents.
When engaging with a new stakeholder group, it’s crucial to ensure that understanding is bidirectional. There must be the knowledge of the IP requirements from the audio professionals, but equally IT administrators need to be educated on the specific needs of audio running over IP. This way, there can be a mutual understanding of the responsibilities for each part of a system as well as a collaboration to create the best overall solution.
IP FOCUSED
While knowing the key stakeholders’ requirements is important in product development for any manufacturer, there is a further element to consider. The role that IP now plays in the pro audio market means that everyone in the industry needs to have some level of understanding of it. This is something that we have been driving throughout the whole team from sales to application engineers.
This change in mindset has been to ensure that everyone is living and breathing IP to serve the customer in the best possible way. This requires a high level of internal education so that manufacturers will always be on hand to deal with IP-based questions from any type of stakeholder no matter how simple or complex. A high-level understanding of networking needs to be added to pre-existing audio knowledge to ensure that the whole project can be supported.
CHALLENGING PROJECTS
In addition to this, we have a smaller group of IP professionals (including myself) who are focused on supporting the most complex matters. This team is there for problem solving and system design for the largest and most challenging projects. We are on a constant development path to always remain at the cutting edge of the subject, and in turn, working with the rest of the company to help them increase their knowledge and to make sure they are up to date with the latest innovations.
These two layers create a solid core to demonstrate speciality in IP-based pro audio systems. The extensive training in the fundamentals of IP means that everyone can provide essential IP understanding and speak knowledgeably with a wide range of stakeholders. Of course, this smaller group of IP professionals will be on hand to help others if the conversation moves beyond their IP comfort zone.
Everyone understands that the pro audio market has changed, and IP networking is one of the key drivers. Thanks to a strong IP focus, stakeholders will never need to compromise on the audio solution they choose no matter what their priorities are. Everyone has great expectations for what the new system they have invested in will do. It is the job of each manufacturer to ensure that their needs are understood well enough to fulfil those expectations.
