RGB loses out as AMX goes it alone in the UK

Caroline Britt, RGB MD, responded to AMX's move by saying; 'As a value add technical distributor, we are constantly monitoring the market to look for new and advancing products. Because of the recession, people are looking very hard at what they need to spend their money on. We have seen the effects of this with sales of high value touch panel solutions that require expensive programming decrease significantly in the last 18 months. People are also questioning why they need a bespoke av solution, when there is a cost effective way to integrate av over IT.'

AV has contacted AMX for official confirmation of this move and has been told a response is due in the next 48 hours.  Customers who have bought AMX systems from RGB are asked to call the distributor on 01488 73366.

To counter the loss of AMX products RGB has created an IT/PC server based control system called ‘itron'. Stardraw Control and Global Cache products form the heart of ‘itron', which is aimed at those looking for increased efficiency and a cheaper way to integrate av over IT networks.

Gordon Innocent, chairman of RGB, continues, 'With the advent of Stardraw Control software, touch screen PCs and IT hardware costs falling so much, the market no longer needs to rely on traditional, bespoke touch panel control solutions, like AMX or Crestron. IT based control solutions, such as ‘itron' are not just a viable alternative, they represent value for money, by making use of an existing IT networks so therefore saving time and money on installations. PC hardware and touch screen PC costs are a fraction of the cost of a bespoke touch screen system and they can be used for many other things too. The drag and drop design software from Stardraw reduces the programming costs, and last but by no means least, should your touch screen PC fail for some reason, the end user doesn't have the inconvenience of the room being non functional, you can simply log in and use another PC.'