BUDGET: Between 5 crore INR and 10.99 crore INR (USD672,000 to USD1.35 million)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The client intended to install an AV & Control system in all its 30 Hybrid courts across the country to enable court hearings physically and virtually simultaneously. The tender was floated for inviting bids for supplying, installing, testing and commissioning AV Systems in 30 courts at 15 locations on a turn-key basis, with Delivery & completion in 60 days. The Bidders were responsible for supply, installation, testing, programming, maintenance & operations with onsite support & warranty for 3 years. Bidders were asked to deploy one technical manpower per court to operate the hybrid court system during the official times for the entire warranty period. The components of the installation must be of such design so as to satisfactorily function under all conditions of operation. The entire supply and installation work should conform to sound engineering practice. All equipment and materials used in work must be manufactured in factories of good repute with an excellent track record of quality manufacturing, performance and proper after-sales service.
WHAT DID THE CLIENT WANT TO ACHIEVE?
The client aimed to implement a state-of-the-art audio-visual system with automation in a hybrid courtroom, ensuring impeccable audio and video quality both near and far during Video conferences. This installation had to be completed without disrupting court activities or altering the existing infrastructure.
The placement of cameras, microphones and other AV equipment should be strategically planned to ensure that they do not obstruct the view of the Honorable Judges and lawyers. Clear sightlines must be maintained to facilitate real-time, face-to-face discussions.
Given the low ceiling height and reflective tiled floor, the system should be strategically implemented to mitigate the acoustic challenges and ensure optimal AV system performance.
For overall control of the AV system, all AV devices should be integrated with the central control processor and develop a custom graphical user interface (GUI) on the iPad using control system software for the below-mentioned functionalities
•Power Controls
•Volume Controls
•Source Switching
•Microphone Sensitivity
•PTZ Camera Controls
SCOPE OF WORK YOUR COMPANY WAS INVOLVED IN
1. Providing all necessary AV equipment required & Installation in the existing infrastructure without hampering court activities.
2. Conducting tests and adjustments to ensure the system works perfectly and meets all specified requirements.
3. Providing entire labour, supervision & all materials.
4. All incidental components necessary for the complete execution and satisfactory performance of the installation, along with layout charts, whether detailed in the tender document or not. Creating openings in the false ceiling, wooden panelling & floors.
5. Adjust existing openings to accommodate pipelines and cables.
6. Repair any damages caused during installation and restore affected areas to their original finish.
7. Deploy one technical man per court to operate the hybrid court system during the official three-year period.
8. The Hybrid Court System should be under warranty for the next 3 years from the date of commissioning and under AMC for an additional 2 years. The comprehensive warranty should, among other things, cover the cost of repairs or replacement of the equipment in the event of any defects in materials or workmanship.
WHAT KEY CHALLENGES WERE FACED?
1. Operational Courtrooms:
>Installing the AV system in 31 courtrooms PAN India without disrupting ongoing court activities.
>Work could only be carried out during night shifts, ensuring that no installation materials were visible the next morning during court proceedings.
2. Deployment of Teams:
>Deploying 15 teams comprising Project Managers, Engineers, Programmers, and Technicians to the 15 locations.
>Ensuring that experienced professionals worked day and night to honor the timelines given.
3. Logistics and Transportation:
>Ensuring timely delivery of materials.
>Coordinating our team at the site to receive material and start work without any delay.
>Managing logistics for remote courtrooms where even small connectors were difficult to arrange.
4. Existing Infrastructure:
>Dealing with old walls lacking acoustic treatment and highly reflective tile surfaces.
>Working with low ceiling heights
>Navigating the lack of routes for laying cables and no separate control rooms.
>Ensuring the installation did not alter the existing structure while achieving high Speech Transmission Index (STI) and uniform sound pressure levels.
HOW WERE THOSE CHALLENGES RESOLVED?
A great thanks to our team, who actively participated and played a major role in meeting the deadlines. Ensured synchronization between all verticals like design, logistics, execution, and operations. Direct involvement on a day-to-day basis with client and our team was crucial. Since work was carried out during night shifts and the daytime was reserved for planning and client approval, we made sure the team remained energized and motivated for timely completion.
Due to low ceiling Height, it was difficult to install 55” LED displays on wall with a clear vision to Honourable Judges and Lawyers, to overcome this problem LED Displays were mounted on portable Trolleys with height adjustment mechanism.
Separate Team of Experienced and skilled Logistic officers were formed who ensured the timely delivery a site.
Due to low ceiling height, reflective floor and no acoustic treatment on walls and ceiling there was lot of echo and reflections results in compromised sound quality. Speakers were connected in mix minus mode to avoid feedback from microphones and EQ, Filters were applied in DSP to achieve uniform sound coverage and high STI.
HOW HAS YOUR WORK HELPED THE CLIENT?
1. Crystal Clear Audio and 4K Video: Arguments are now clearly heard in both local and remote courtrooms, with professional displays providing 4K video feeds for judges and lawyers.
2. Recording and Live Streaming: The complete AV system feed can be recorded for future evidence and streamed live to enhance transparency as per Supreme Court guidelines.
3. Convenient Automation: The entire AV system can be controlled via an iPad, allowing easy switching of sources, volume control, and more without manually changing cables or accessing equipment racks.
4. Enhanced Evidence Presentation: A document camera allows paper evidence to be projected on local and remote displays.
5. Improved Local Sound Reinforcement: Professional microphones, speakers, and DSPs ensure clear audio within the courtroom, overcoming previous challenges with hearing arguments.
These advancements have significantly enhanced the quality and efficiency of court proceedings.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ABOUT THE PROJECT?
1. We demonstrated our capability to deliver a successful Proof of Concept within just 24 hours, which played a key role in qualifying us for the price bid and ultimately securing the project.
2. Improving audio and video quality, high STI, and uniform SPL across the courtrooms despite challenging conditions.
3. Installing the AV system without disrupting ongoing court activities or altering the existing infrastructure, ensuring that the courtrooms were fully operational every morning.
4. Coordinating 15 teams across 15 locations in PAN India, ensuring synchronized efforts across design, logistics, execution, and operations, and maintaining high levels of motivation and energy among the team.
5. Managing the complex logistics to ensure timely delivery and installation of materials, even in remote courtrooms
6. We exceeded client expectations by delivering a state-of-the-art AV system that improved the quality of court proceedings and added functionalities like recording and live streaming that were previously unavailable.
