Omnix announces 'Smart Home' at PALME 2005

"We are delighted to be the Official Partner of Install at PALME 2005, the only show of its kind in the region, and a unique opportunity for us to really show our exciting "smart home" product range at work" said Jasper Whitaker, Omnix's Head of Sales and Marketing, at this morning's PALME press conference.

Recent years have seen smart home technology move from an occasional solution in up market properties to a common value added facility provided by developers in everyday property developments. Nowhere is this phenomenon more obvious than in the UAE and in particular, Dubai. With a background in IT and Audio Visual systems, together with strong relationships with manufacturers, Omnix has the technical expertise to deliver first class systems (that are relevant and well supported in the region) to this emerging market.

"Our biggest consideration when planning our stand for this year's PALME exhibition was how best to bring our product range to life for visitors' said Whitaker. "Rather than the traditional stand showing isolated products and equipment, we have developed an exciting special feature; the Omnix Smart Home, in which we will demonstrate products in a real working environment, just as one would see it in a home."

Three typical rooms will showcase different aspects of available and relevant technology. In addition to the familiar offering of Home Theatre systems, Omnix will be showing the latest in projection systems, touchscreen control systems, multimedia PC's with software designed for the home, hard disc based audio and video storage and Windows Media XP, audio and video distributed over a CAT 8 infrastructure, multi-room audio systems, LED colour changing and video conferencing.

"Our strength lies in our ability to integrate different technologies and best practices to deliver comprehensive integrated solutions - over the years, we have built our business with the long term in mind, making sure that we have a solid, satisfied and growing customer base, while maintaining leading edge technology solutions and efficient reliable service" said Whitaker.

Omnix's main market activities are focused in the hospitality industry, large scale theatres & auditoria, meeting rooms, conference & exhibition environments and stadiums. There is also massive new market potential in the residential market, particularly as there is a strong crossover of technology from the commercial to residential market, and the requirement for the same skill sets and expertise.

The opening up of the property market to expatriates and the incredible amount of development throughout the GCC region means that developers are looking for ways to differentiate their properties - they are increasingly choosing to achieve this through the inclusion of technology and infrastructure which is now, due to development in recent years, much more cost effective.

The relative affluence and technological savvy of their audience means a whole new generation of homeowners are looking for innovative integration of the PC into their home, leading to increasing installation of LAN's in the home. "At Omnix, we have the diverse range of skills needed to put together systems, and the capability to handle singular projects or whole developments. Over the last 15 years we have assembled a team of experts in all disciplines of audio visual systems, and are today recognised as the leading regional company in the field, with a proven track record of completing major audio visual projects on time and within budget." added Whitaker.

"Uniquely, our services embrace every aspect of a project from conception to design and installation, implementation to commissioning and training. Our Professional Audio Visual Solutions encompass audio, specialist lighting, video and projection technology, stage machinery and rigging and conferencing equipment. This breadth of specialist service has seen us involved in the regions' most important projects, with clients including Jumeirah International Hotel Group, Dubai International Convention Centre, UAE University, Microsoft, The Kingdom Centre, Riyadh - KSA, Khalifa Stadium - Qatar, Emaar and Nakheel properties projects to mention just a few".

As the lines between Audio Visual and IT systems come closer together to provide a totally integrated solution, Pro AV has the ability to work with other Omnix Media Network group divisions to tackle these challenges and provide a turnkey solution to the local market which is totally supported by in-house expertise.

Omnix is also well known for providing technical solutions to the Hospitality industry. With a thorough knowledge of the way hotels operate and the international standards which guest expect, Omnix formed partnerships with manufacturers to provide solutions in the specialist fields of Guest Room Control Systems, Interactive Television, Distributed Television Systems, Integrated Access Control & CCTV and Guest Room Door Locking systems. In addition to these systems, they provide turnkey solutions incorporating sound, light and projection for banqueting, conferencing and meeting facilities, food and beverage outlets, nightclubs and portable equipment requirements.

"We have many years of experience and the emphasis is on providing proven system solutions that are professionally installed and maintained which provide tangible commercial and technical benefits to our clients" concluded Whitaker.