In today’s world, it has never been more important to track web-based applications in command centers of all types to monitor networks, systems, security footage, news broadcasts…you name it. Web-based applications are some of the greatest tools to manage all of that incoming data for easy analysis and distribution across the common operating picture for your teams regardless of location.
Unfortunately, the escalating proliferation of web applications has overwhelmed the architectures of traditional video wall processors. In fact, we’re finding that unacceptable performance is one of the key reasons driving major video wall system upgrades and replacements. Organizations are no longer willing to wait minutes for video walls to refresh. At the same time, budgets cannot support racks of servers dedicated to serving URL-sourced content.
So, how can you increase the performance of web-based video sources in your command center? Here’s a checklist of the key features to look for to help you deal with the performance and budget issues of using web apps.
Scalable Web Application Streaming
You may not always need to see certain web apps across your wall at all times, but you need to be able to pull them up at a moment’s notice. Most command centers get around this by adding computer after computer, all of which are solely dedicated to running just one mission-critical app apiece. The right device should be able to stream multiple web-based video sources concurrently so you can dynamically set up and pull from a pool of web apps as needed.
Full Soft KVM
It’s not enough to simply pull up a web application across your video wall, you must also be able to interact with that app with your touch screen or mouse. With direct control, you can pull up the necessary app and focus on the most critical information to share with your network all on one device.
Asset Pinning
Similar to moving between websites, each time you recall a web app that you’ve previously had open but then closed, you’ll have to wait for it to load once more. The right expansion device can pin that needed application to continuously stream until you need to recall it once again so that you never have to wait for it to load when it’s most needed.
These are the types of features that went into our new CineAgent device. It’s made to work within the CineNet platform to enhance the level of control users have over all of the web-based apps they employ in their command centers. Through a single piece of expansion hardware, you can remove the need for several additional computers dedicated solely to keeping single web applications running around the clock. Full soft KVM support also gives you touch screen functionality with your apps on the same level as the workstation. This will help you to fully utilize web apps with CineNet, on the fly, anywhere in your network.
Web-based apps are only going to continue to grow in popularity, so make sure your team has the right solutions in place to make the most out of these tools without sacrificing operational efficiency or falling victim to the needs and costs of redundant hardware requirements. Contact us today to learn more!