The Power of a Great Control System

The beauty of the right control solution is that any room — in any given situation — can create the perfect environment in an instant. Do I need to share content? Do I need the lights and shades to dim for a video presentation? Can the room be pre-set to the perfect temperature ahead of time? The answer to all those questions is, “Yes — and more.” Imagine a space that’s attuned to every need in such a manner that the end user only needs to press a single button, a literal one-touch solution that creates the perfect experience, almost as if by magic.

While the elder Feldstein certainly predicted that this could happen at some time in the future, we’ve now reached the point where it’s all quite possible. The only limitation to what can be achieved is the imagination of the specifier. If a client can think of it, a dealer can execute it with the tools, systems, devices, and support that Crestron can provide.

Crestron enables you to create an integrated experience in the room, where the solution controls all the devices and systems in that space. Imagine the moment someone enters a room: The occupancy sensor detects someone, and the system then turns on the display and sets the temperature and light levels. All that’s left is for the meeting organizer to push a “START” button on a screen and the room dials into the meeting they’ve scheduled. All of these functions are a given for Crestron programs, but because they run standard programming languages such as C# and Python, the system is capable of much more. Imagine ordering food and drinks or requesting a temporary Wi-Fi® password for your guests — all from that same touch screen. It’s all part of the Crestron mantra: “We make simple things easy, and hard things possible.”

Crestron Control App for Zoom Rooms Software

As you’re likely aware, Zoom® software saw incredible growth during the pandemic, with remote work becoming the norm. The new status quo — “hybrid permanence” — meant that the need for reliable videoconferencing platforms was here to stay, and Zoom software became one of the most popular.

The downside? Users deploying Zoom software in their connected meeting spaces quickly realized they had two screens to concern themselves with.

Crestron has the answer: A software control application that allows existing Zoom Rooms® video conferencing systems to use Crestron Control to expand its capabilities natively. Everything from lighting, shades, AV solutions, and peripherals to the Zoom Rooms software platform itself can all be controlled by a single user interface.

The result is an intuitive experience that controls every function of a meeting space along with the Zoom Rooms conferencing platform with the touch of a single button. The interface is designed so that even the most “techno-phobic” user can learn how to operate the solution in mere moments. And on top of all that, the interface simply looks great.

The integration possibilities with this solution mean that Crestron Control can now be added to a growing number of new or existing Zoom Rooms software-enabled spaces, regardless of the brand. You can quickly create user interfaces using Crestron HTML 5 (CH5), Crestron Construct™ software, and the .AV Framework™ platform (coming soon). And once you’ve created an interface that can work in multiple spaces, it’s a snap to mass deploy and repeat that design anywhere and everywhere across an enterprise. That means Crestron Control solutions allow you to scale up Zoom Rooms software as an organization grows, from a few rooms to every connected space.

Of course, Crestron Control App for Zoom Rooms software works seamlessly with any Crestron Flex for Zoom Rooms software system — as well as Zoom Rooms systems from any other vendor. Crestron Control for Zoom Rooms software integrates seamlessly with the entire Crestron ecosystem, including Crestron touch screens, content distribution solutions with DigitalMedia™ technology, conferencing and presentation systems with Crestron Flex and AirMedia® wireless presentation and conferencing systems, Crestron lighting, audio amps and processors, speakers, and more. An enterprise can further add new or existing spaces with a Crestron 3-Series® or 4-Series® control systems processor solution, as they’re ready to support Zoom Rooms software installations.

If an organization needs to add other applications in the future, no problem, and it doesn’t matter if a specifier prefers hardware- or software-based control options. The functionality, level of control, and user experience all remain consistent. The Crestron security standard is at work here, as authentication with Crestron Control utilizes enterprise-grade security communications between your Zoom Rooms appliance and the Crestron Control processor.

The Crestron Virtual Control Server

The Crestron Virtual Control Server streamlines and automates communication between all the devices and platforms in any room, anywhere in your business or organization. It’s capable of single-touch control that offers cross-compatibility with all configurations and vendors that’s easy to scale up as an enterprise grows. And because it’s a Crestron solution, it works seamlessly within an existing Crestron ecosystem and supports the security standards you’ve come to expect with every Crestron solution. 

Using what we learned developing Crestron Virtual Control — VC-4, we’ve taken that knowledge and created our most powerful control system yet, creating a customizable UI that’s repeatable across more rooms than ever before. It’s a flexible, turnkey control and automation software-based solution preloaded onto an industry-leading Dell® server that’s ready to go “out of the box.” 

This solution is extremely IT-friendly: It uses existing infrastructure and demands less IT knowledge to deploy than some other solutions. Additionally, hardware such as processors tend to be in-room, but a Virtual Control server allows you to distribute management monitoring across multiple rooms from a central location. It’s scalable, too: One can create repeatable configurations for every type of room in an organization — from the largest training hall to the smallest huddle space — store the settings and then deploy that setup with a single touch.

Ultimately, it’s one more tool that gives you yet another choice for your control needs.

The Crestron Virtual Control Server is able to:

• Accelerate deployment and simplify managing spaces at scale (up to 500 rooms and 2,000 devices) 
• Unify and control an expanding number of devices intelligently and efficiently 
• Unlock limitless possibilities for maximizing room functionality 
• Streamline IT management, freeing up the IT team’s valuable time — or even be installed in situations where there isn’t any IT staff at all
• Create a simplified user experience 
• Support enterprise-grade security standards to ensure your media and data are always safe 
• Future-proof your enterprise: Need another room? It’s easy to expand

There are other products and solutions that can round out the experience: For example, simple-to-use, in-room control at the user’s fingertips. Settings can be triggered by a touch screen or keypad, and the commands can be tailored to fit the room’s function, whether it’s mainly used for presentations or meetings. There are automation settings that are incredibly easy to add to the mix: Sensors can “wake up” the room when it’s entered, adjust lighting and shading to provide the right environment for content-sharing or videoconferencing, and put the room back in sleep mode when it’s vacant. One can even automate climate to keep everyone comfortable.

Also, consider the Crestron XiO® Cloud Technology Operations Management Platform. With the platform, you can monitor and manage every device that’s part of a system, handle life cycles and licenses, and even spot issues before they turn into full-fledged problems. From firmware updates to room usage reports, you’ll have a remote look at your entire operation.

The Crestron Virtual Control Server is the next step in the evolution of control — it’s secure, it’s intuitive, and it’s built for a frictionless experience for even the least tech-savvy members of any staff.