Archive for February 18th, 2012

Henry van der Helm has joined Simulation Displays Ltd as Business Development Manager, heading up Paradigm AV Ltd’s new wholly owned subsidiary.

Henry van der Helm

Before joining Simulation Displays Ltd, Henry van der Helm worked in a similar sector for Pro Systems International for four and a half years, and prior to that was VP of sales for Panoram Technologies for eight years. He has also worked for AmPro, Unitek Displays and Greyhawk Europe.

Greg Jeffreys, MD of Paradigm commented: “Having been quietly making simulation displays and solutions for the likes of major simulation integrators such as Boeing, QinetiQ and General Dynamics UK over the last 15 years, a recent upsurge in demand led to the formation of Simulation Displays Ltd.

“Simulation Displays has quite a disruptive business model in that we offer clients the elements that they need, from simple display components to entire simulator sub-systems. This allows us to continue to work with specialist AV resellers as well as developing our relationships with the major simulation players.”

Van der Helm continues, “We are now fully enabled to work from driving basic systems up to equipping full immersive environments, creating field-of-view and simulation for a wide range of applications — from ATC towers, ship bridge and even crane simulators. Our aim is to shake up the market a bit and at the same time bring add extra value to Paradigm’s core customer base.”

In conclusion, he said, “I have known Greg and the Paradigm team for many years, having worked together on complex projects throughout Europe since the 1990s, and I’m just delighted to be leading this exciting new division.”

Paradigm AV has reported an overwhelmingly positive response to its product showcase at this month’s ISE 2012 in Amsterdam. In what was seen as a radical departure for the company, the show marked the launch of Paradigm’s new European distribution arrangement with Scalable Display Technologies and provided a first large-scale presence for its newly-formed subsidiary, Simulation Displays Ltd.

The stand highlight was unquestionably the Paradigm Display Wall, a unified display product range based around Scalable Display Technologies’ world-leading products for automatic alignment, blending, warping and colour calibration of projected images, while the eye-catching gesture-controlled Cube from GestureTek, provided an effective means of beckoning visitors into the environment.

Paradigm AV managing director, Greg Jeffreys, was delighted with the reaction from consultants and specifiers, who he said immediately grasped the concept of scalability of a large-screen mega-pixel interactive display that sits on a network.

“From the feedback we received from the Wall, with its soft-edge blend onto a flat wall, it became evident that this solution can be sold into the B2B markets as well as simulation,” he said. “With the advanced automatic alignment of multi-projector arrays onto curved and cylindrical screens the advantages to both markets became self-evident.”

He added, “Because the use of multiple projectors is ramping up exponentially, we see Scalable as an important strategic partner. Our own core skills of meeting difficult challenges with projected displays means that this solution, with its automatic calibration of soft-edge blending, will open new doors for us and enable us to realise ambitions we have had to offer a cost-effective way of using commercial off-the-shelf components to deliver advanced solutions.”

The product range is based around best practices and research-based knowledge on high-resolution, interactive displays which are scaled to, and configured for, each specific environment, while future options will include curved screens and transportable/deployable options.

Paradigm AV also introduced its wholly owned subsidiary, Simulation Displays Ltd, and new Business Development Manager, Henry van der Helm, who will head up this division. Simulation Displays will handle the marketing of Scalable’s products into the simulation and reality markets.

Finally, the company also displayed a new multi-touch interactive table from Displax, based on a Windows 7 plug-and-play compliant foil that Paradigm use to make interactive displays up to 100”. At the same time they confirmed UK representation of further global brands, including Da-Lite, Chief and Projecta.

Summarised Paradigm AV sales director, Mick Perrone, “As a result of taking this ambitious approach to delivering unique solutions we have brought back a large number of positive leads — making this potentially the most successful trade show we have ever exhibited at.”

Scalable Display Technologies on the Paradigm AV/Simulation Displays booth at ISE 2012

Paradigm AV used the recent ISE Show in Amsterdam to confirm several new UK distributorships, largely designed to improve their screens range. This includes the Da-Lite and Projecta product ranges, along with Chief mounts — all part of Milestone AV Technologies portfolio.

“This will not only enable us to extend into the low-cost end of the screens market, but along with dnp, enable us to provide a solution for every market application, whatever the budget,” said Paradigm AV sales director, Mick Perrone.

Perrone, who says the search to create a balanced portfolio of complementary products remains ongoing, says he is thrilled by these latest acquisitions. “We have long been known for operating in the specialist end of the market yet our customers are constantly telling us that were we able to offer more mainstream products then they would buy from us.”

He explains that with Paradigm’s sophisticated engineering and advanced CAD support the company can offer much greater client back-up. “It will mean we are able to build genuine partnerships that and assist them more closely in implementing complex installations.”

Perrone continued, “Having access to Milestone has given us three premium, globally-renowned brands. In addition to a comprehensive line of front- and rear-projection screens, the vast range of Chief mounts, projector lifts, rack systems and other accessories will lead us into new markets across the industrial, commercial and domestic spectrum.”

Chief mounts deployed to suspend a Sanyo ultra short throw projector over a Paradigm widescreen exhibition display