Command Agility, Control Evolution
Control rooms have always been the dynamic nerve centers of organizations that adapt and reconfigure to support evolving needs, and the last few years have been no exception. While the control room’s core purpose, to effectively visualize data to improve situational awareness and support collaborative decision-making, remains paramount, catalysts such as the pandemic, massive digitalization, and the explosion in data to be analyzed have forced us to re-imagine faster and better solutions. The control rooms of the future are here.
Security Control Room Market in USD by 2028
71
The Security Control Room market exceeded USD$4.5 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at over 6% CAGR from 2022 to 2028, as reported by GMI. 1
Increase in AI & Machine Learning Adoption
85
Researchers 3 highlight 85% of responders citing they used/were looking to adopt AI-assisted analytic systems to enhance control room operations.
Savings from Optimizing Ergonomics at the Console
1000
Adopting a human-centered approach to control room console design can save thousands of work hours per year when aggregated to the whole system level. 2
Control Room LED Displays More Energy Efficient
75
Direct view & fine pitch LED displays meet the demanding requirements for command and dispatch center control rooms and are up to 75% more energy efficient than LCD panels. 4
Trends
Flexible Visualization is Key to Agile Data Management
With IoT in full swing, control room data flows are becoming more numerous and more complex. These massive amounts of data need to be organized and visually presented to drive effective decision-making in the shortest period of time.
In order for this increase in data complexity to not become overwhelming, powerful collaborative tools and a high degree of flexibility are required when it comes to visualization and data integration. 1
Advances in AI Overcoming Structural Obstacles
For quite some time, control room offerings from solution providers have been moving towards applications for AI and machine learning implementations. These are now on the verge of overcoming the structural hurdles that have held them back, especially in the fields of AI threat detection in surveillance control rooms. Soon, for any control room utilizing metadata platforms, decision-making will be made using visual classifications supported by AI-augmented analytics. 2
Improved Ergonomics can Streamline Cognitive Processes
Moving on from physical comfort, screen line-of-sight, lighting, and uncluttered workspaces, advanced ergonomics now embraces not only biophilia 3 but also how operators interface with the technology they are using to perform their tasks. Data management agility tools can help to provide user-focused environments that minimize the risk of human error and maximize performance and efficiency. 4
Cybersecurity Concerns Driving Security Infrastructure by Design
In critical control room environments, information security concerns should be at the forefront of planning. An increase in data sources, access points, and content management systems brings an increase in cybersecurity concerns.
Many of these threats can be mitigated in the server room, where data security management can be strengthened through mechanisms such as multi-level access control, encrypted transmission, and operational logging. 5
Challenges
An explosion of new data sources in tandem with networking advances has created many new possibilities and some unique challenges for control room solution providers. Here are some of the key challenges:- More Data requires More Screens, More Flexibility
More screens and larger video walls are required for effective data visualization, along with multiple display options such as split screens and zooms for flexible monitoring. - Informed Decision-making requires Intuitive Multi-system Access
Access to controls should be intuitive in order for operators to stay agile while monitoring multiple subsystems so that data can be processed quickly and resources can be rapidly deployed. - Decentralized Workflows require Collaboration Technologies
Prompt collaboration, data sharing, and troubleshooting tools between workstations and the video wall are needed for streamlined workflows that include field-based remote workers. - No Interruption of Service requires Reliable 24/7 Operation
Control rooms must be supported by reliable technology with back-up and redundancy mechanisms for equipment, power, and network that support ever-shifting workflow priorities.
More screens and larger video walls are required for effective data visualization, along with multiple display options such as split screens and zooms for flexible monitoring.
Access to controls should be intuitive in order for operators to stay agile while monitoring multiple subsystems so that data can be processed quickly and resources can be rapidly deployed.
Prompt collaboration, data sharing, and troubleshooting tools between workstations and the video wall are needed for streamlined workflows that include field-based remote workers.
Control rooms must be supported by reliable technology with back-up and redundancy mechanisms for equipment, power, and network that support ever-shifting workflow priorities.
ATEN Solutions
ATEN provides a wide range of control room solutions that are perfectly suited to mission-critical applications where secure KVM over IP agility, real-time monitoring, and ergonomic desktop operations are demanded, including command centers, emergency response centers, broadcasting NOCs, ATC towers, and production line monitoring.- KVM over IP Switch & KVM over IP Matrix Solutions for Monitoring
For situational awareness to monitor system status for abnormalities and to ensure that faults can be debugged immediately. - Video Matrix Switch, KVM over IP, & Control System Solutions for Reporting
To gather experts and competent authorities, provide information to persons in charge, and discuss optimal strategies. - KVM over IP Matrix & Cat. 5 Extender Solutions for Dispatch
To dispatch front-line support as quickly as possible after operators are notified of an incident in the field. - KVM over IP Switch & KVM over IP Matrix Solutions for Operations
To perform workflows that require high concentration and efficiency in order to ensure the smooth functioning of an overall process.
For situational awareness to monitor system status for abnormalities and to ensure that faults can be debugged immediately.
To gather experts and competent authorities, provide information to persons in charge, and discuss optimal strategies.
To dispatch front-line support as quickly as possible after operators are notified of an incident in the field.
To perform workflows that require high concentration and efficiency in order to ensure the smooth functioning of an overall process.
ATEN Solutions in Action
Contact Us
If you would like to know more about ATEN’s solutions, please complete the form below.