Genesis introduces Control System to tap AV space

Stanley Glancy / Mumbai

Maheshkumar

The videoconferencing industry has witnessed a slow but steady growth over the years, thanks in good measure to the increasing demand for an alternative to travelling. But the increasing usage of sophisticated products was accompanied by an increase in the complexity of the equipment used for videoconferencing. Bangalore-based Genesis IT Innovations, previously a distributor of audio-visual products, saw the vast opportunities in this space and decided to offer customised solutions to its customers, comprising largely of corporates and training institutes.

The company has tied-up with Crestron to offer a centralised ‘Control System’, which enables users to effortlessly control various projectors, lights, switches and other presentation products typically used in boardrooms, conference halls and training rooms.

Said Maheshkumar, vice president, Genesis, “The increasing number of equipment, remotes and switches have made it difficult for users to function effectively. Also, in a scenario where there are multiple users, all of them may not be trained to use the facility to its full potential.”

Genesis has tied-up with more than 40 audio-visual product and solution providers, who are then integrated with the control system for controlling all the equipment in the facility through a simple touch panel. This enables even new users to effectively use the system to its full potential. Genesis writes the software program, which enables the linking of one system to another and to the control system.

According to Kumar, there has been a substantial growth in the audio-visual (AV) integration industry, mainly due to India's emergence as an offshore development centre. Another reason has been the increasing demand for remote training and management.

The solution from Genesis enables instructors to train students in India in real-time from another location. This method has enabled institutes to achieve tremendous cost savings. The company has rolled out the concept of virtual classrooms or collaboration centre, wherein an instructor can control the desktops of students from a remote location.

The company's strategy has been focused on listening to customer needs and designing a solution based on them. The team at Genesis, according to Kumar, takes special efforts to enable clients to maximise their investment. Support has been another key area.

The company also has a team in place to search for new technologies and look at methods of adapting them. Genesis already boasts of customers like IBM, Astra Zeneca, Indian Institute of Science, IIT Bombay, Ernst & Young, and Phoenix Global.

Kumar still envisages a few challenges before the market can really take off. The technology continues to remain a challenge, as they are still not in a position to match the client wish-lists and tight budgets. Also, IP infrastructure in the country is yet to reach its potential.

High customs duty, in addition to freight charges and insurance premiums have also played a key role in escalating costs by more than 50 percent for most companies. “Though we try to give them special rates the education segment is losing out because of this,” said Kumar.

Kumar believes that the control system will emerge as a necessity over the years. He estimates the market to be worth around Rs 100 crore and growing at a CAGR of 20-30 percent.

Genesis is especially bullish on the education segment, schools, government bodies, IT companies and the pharmaceutical sector. The company also sees a huge opportunity in the home user segment.