Business News COLUMN Keeping your AV equipment germ free


Touch screens, remotes and anything with a hard switch…in these troubling times, keeping AV equipment clean and as free from germs as possible has never been so vital. Philips Professional Display Solutions offers its advice for helping mitigate the threat of germs.


On average we pick up our mobile phones 58 times, and touch them as many as 2,617 times, every single day. For most of us, making a call, reading an email, sending a message or posting a Tweet, is something we do without thinking twice. But did you know, the av- erage mobile phone carries up to 9,000 times more germs than the average toilet seat? There’s more. If you use a computer or laptop, your keyboard could be up to 20,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat. Pretty disgusting! Similar statistics are prevalent when it comes to other ev- eryday items you encounter, especially when it comes to touchscreens used in QSRs for ordering food and beverages, transportation hubs for ticketing, and point of sale displays.


Breeding Ground


The AV industry is, therefore, a poten- tial


breeding ground for COVID-19,


with equipment. From professional TVs whether used in commercial settings or in the more than 15.5 million hotel rooms globally, through interactive displays in schools and businesses, LEDs, digital signage in retail and other settings, monitors and touch screens, through to remote controls – the list is endless – all require some form of hu- man contact, be it directly (physical), or indirectly, being controlled via laptops, tablets or PCs. Before Coronavirus was even brought to our attention as a risk, the hygiene of interactive displays has been a big concern for many. In fact, a Kiosk Mar- ketplace report last year found that more than 70% of us were already worried about using public touchscreens. The online survey highlighted respondents that 80% of bacterial infections come from what people touch, then asked them to indicate which of a range of self-service situations concerned them most. ATMs caused the most concern among respondents, with 72% citing bank ATMs as posing the greatest risk. Hospital check-in screens were sec- ond at 70%, followed by 58% for both QSR touch screens and supermarket self-service kiosks. Airport and hotel check-in kiosks both scored 40%.


COVID-19 and AV


Bring into focus concerns now about health and safety over Coronavirus and the importance of keeping electronic items clean, helping to reduce the risk from potentially harmful germs and bacteria, has never been more import- ant.


The World Health Organisation states that COVID-19 can be spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets can, if not caught, land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Little is yet known about the amount of time COVID-19 can remain contagious on hard surfaces, but studies have suggest- ed that other coronaviruses, like SARS and MERS, can stay alive for up to three hours in the air and as much as two or three days on metal, glass and plastic surfaces.


Reducing the risk of infection has always been a factor in the health sector, which is why the Philips bedside TVs include hydrophobic glass, antimicrobial casing and no raised buttons, but when it comes to hygiene, other products, including interactive displays such as the Philips T-Line range, need extra vigilance.


Taking action


AV In light of the current climate, Philips Professional Display


Solutions offers


some basic suggestions on how to help keep your AV equipment clean, reducing the potential risk of COVID-19 and any other germs. Some will seem obvious, some are already common practice, while some may provide food for thought. The best way of killing the spread of coronavirus is through simple but ef- fective actions, ensuring you wash your hands thoroughly (for at least 20 sec- onds) and catching any droplets from coughs or sneezes. The reality is, such practices are not guaranteed, nor full proof. So, what else can you do? Wipe it off, wipe it out


For businesses offering the use of touchscreens to customers at their premises, regular cleaning is essential. Likewise, for those using touchscreens as a part of their business – installers and resellers included – there are a number of methods and products that can help: Antibacterial wipes


The most practical method of safely cleaning an electric item is using an- tibacterial product. There are many to choose from – albeit in very high demand. For displays (all types), the most effec-


tive and accessible way of fighting back against unwanted germs is through us- ing a simple screen wipe. When search- ing, it’s important that you choose a brand that is designed specifically to eliminate germs (key words: alcohol, an- tibacterial), as opposed to simply water based (baby wet wipes) making your dis- play look clean and shiny.


If you think a surface may be infected, or even simply for good practice, clean it and then clean your hands. Foam


While antibacterial wipes are perfect for cleansing flat surfaces, they’re not always sufficient for equipment with multiple small parts, inaccessible ar- eas, or even high sensitivity to moisture. As stated before, a computer key- board, if left untreated, is a festival of dirt and grime both above and below. A quick cough into the hand, an unex- pected sneeze, bits of food and, in com- mercial situations, multiple users can quickly escalate the problem. It’s recommended by many microbi- ologists that we should all wipe down ours desks and keyboards at least once a week, while some go even further, suggesting at least once per day. With the current climate, we’d recommend the latter – as a minimum.


For examples such as these, the use of an antibacterial non-abrasive foam will do the trick. Beware, most are not suitable for screen cleaning.


Stylus


In addition to regular screen wipes, for those who regularly use an interactive touch display (including tablets), own- ing and using a personal stylus will help cut direct interaction, further reducing the risk. Gloves You could also, should you wish, go a step further and adopt a strict practice of wearing touch screen utility gloves, again practically eliminating any direct skin contact. Of course, it’s vital these gloves are regularly cleaned and re- moved before making any contact with your own body parts, i.e. scratching an eye, touching your mouth or when visit- ing the bathroom. Deliveries


Of course, many people are also concerned about the deliveries they receive and the potential for these to carry infection. In the AV industry, we receive a lot of deliveries from overseas. However, the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is marked by WHO as low and the risk of catching the virus that caus- es COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature remains low. However, a quick clean can help fur- ther reduce the risks and provide peace of mind on arrival and subsequent use.


Peerless-AV sign with Kern & Stelly


Peerless-AV has signed a distribution agreement with Kern & Stelly Medi- entechnik GmbH covering


Germany


and Austria. The AV distributor from Hamburg will offer dealers and inte- grators Peerless-AV’s DvLED mounting solutions for popular brands, such as Samsung and Absen, as well as the Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays and Outdoor Kiosk solutions. Kern & Stelly is one of the largest AV distributors in the German speaking area and a member of the Midwich Group. The company offers specialist trade partners in Germany and Austria a wide range of AV solutions – from projectors and professional flat screens to signal management equipment and accessories. Through the distribution agreement with Peerless-AV, Kern & Stelly is expanding its portfolio to in- clude dvLED mounting solutions, out- door displays and kiosks.


"With strong partners like Kern &


Stelly, we want to increase our market share in Germany," explains Melinda Von Horvath, Vice President of Sales and Marketing – EMEA, Peerless-AV: " “Kern & Stelly’s dynamic and spe- cialist approach to distribution in the DACH region perfectly aligns with our growth strategy. They have an impres- sive solution-oriented product portfolio and a strong technical sales team in the office and in the field. We are very pleased about the new partnership which will allow us to significantly expand our presence in German and Austrian territories.”


Netgear partner with Midwich


Netgear has announced that it has ap- pointed Midwich as a distribution partner in the UK and Ireland. The agreement extends Netgear’s reach into the UK Pro AV market for its award-winning range of M4300 and M4500 network switches, which are engineered for AV over IP sys- tems. “We’re excited to be partnering with Mid- wich and working with their experienced teams to expand Netgear’s penetration into the UK & Ireland Pro AV market,” said Oliver Randall - Regional Director, Netgear UK. “As a founding member of the SDVoE Alliance, Netgear is driving the tech- nology transition to AV over IP solutions. Netgear’s M4300 managed switches are the ideal products for modern AV over IP deployments, while our new M4500 100G option expands our capabilities by pro- viding the highest quality video to stadi- um-level displays.” As a specialist AV distributor to the trade market, Midwich has long-standing rela- tionships with some of the world’s leading brands. ThSe new distribution partnership with Netgear covers the UK and Ireland and is live now.


Remote interpretation conferences in the wake of the Coronavirus


One of the UK’s leading firms for tech- nology-based conference and event solutions, buk Solutions, predicts that more and more businesses will turn to remote conferencing to continue trad- ing as Coronavirus grips the world. Simon Sainsbury, Managing Director of the Cambridge-based firm, which has been working in the conferencing sector for over 30 years, says inter- net-based remote conferencing has come of age and will be the future, with the current situation being the catalyst for massive global change. “Today, technology is so far ad- vanced and broadband connections are so fast that it’s easy for interna- tional


businesses to bring foreign


speakers together across the world,” he said. His comments come as the US bans international travel to and from the UK and EU, and Italy, France and Spain are in lock down with other countries set to follow.


“These are unusual times, so if inter- national conferences can’t go ahead in the usual way, we can still make them happen by supplying remote or local interpreters for up to 32 differ-


Simon Sainsbury, Managing Di- rector of buk Solutions


RWS Entertainment Group launches in London


RWS Entertainment Group award-win- ning production company that creates custom entertainment, live events and branded experiences has announced the opening of its new European head- quarters in Monument, London. Found- ed by CEO Ryan Stana in 2003, the New York City based RWS Entertainment Group produces immersive experienc- es and live shows across all platforms within the hospitality, leisure and at- tractions, municipality, theatrical, and corporate sectors.


RWS plans to bring a new level of ex- perience to the EMEA market, expand- ing upon its impressive portfolio of clients which include Holland America Line, Azamara, Virgin Voyages, Ibero- star, Hard Rock Resorts International, Europa-Park and Resort, Hershey’s


Chocolate World, Nickelodeon, Guin- ness World Records, Madame Tussauds, Mattel, Westfield and O, The Oprah Magazine to name a few.


Future operations include expanding theatrical production into the West End as well as bringing its theatrical, com- mercial and film casting arm, Binder Casting across the pond. In addition, plans are in place for opening and op- erating a studio and rehearsal space which will mirror its 5200 square me- ters location in NYC.


“The launch of our European head- quarters in the UK’s creative capital is significant for us and is symbolic of our growing commitment to serving the EMEA market with a new level of custom experiences”, adds Ryan Stana, RWS Entertainment Group’s CEO.


New Product


IP Control Box Now in stock for next day delivery


see website for UK distributors


* Optional extra for Sapphire screens and any screens with four core wiring


* 3 year warranty. * Easy to install.


* Easy connection via RJ45 to computer network.


* Simple commands to operate


www.sapphireav.com* Low price point


ent languages into remote meetings or conferences for an unlimited number of delegates.


“Participants can log in with a browser or a smartphone with multiple languages that delegates can choose from.”


He says no one needs to travel and those delegates or keynote speakers who are in self-isolation can still take part: “All people need is a good internet connection, a browser, microphone and headphones and the meeting or confer- ence can go ahead,” he says.


ViewBoard Interactive Touch Displays


CONTACT US TODAY


4K Resolution & 20-Point Touch Available in 55” 65” 75” 86”


Eye-care Technology sales-uk@viewsoniceurope.com | viewsonic.com | +44 (0) 207 382 8250


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