USA / UK - Ray Malpocher, CEO of Telex Communications, has made the journey to Mitcham in south London for the official opening of Shuttlesound's new demo room. The new facilities provide 800sq.m. of space and is more than six metres high. Designed to host demonstrations of ElectroVoice and Dynacord line-array systems, a Midas Legend control desk and racks of Klark-Teknik outboard are permanently installed. All of the sound reinforcement products distributed by Shuttlesound are available for demo here, from the successful Dynacord Powermate and Midas Venice consoles to the sophisticated EV Precision Series of remote amplifiers and IRIS management software.
Paul Barretta, MD of Shuttlesound, describes the new demo hall as "a rare treat for specifiers and installers of sound systems, giving them a realistic opportunity to evaluate the performance of high-end sound reinforcement products for installation without expense or hassle. It is also a bonus for our dealers, who can audition the entire range of EVI products in this one room."
Barretta is also excited about the prospects afforded for training. "This facility is the ideal location for Telex Academies in the UK. It will offer all our dealers the chance to come down here with their PA specialists and receive full and proper training, which will give them more confidence when specifying and selling our products.
"I believe the demo room will be a tremendous asset in this respect - once we give our dealers a better understanding of technology and techniques, they will be better placed to pres
UK - Celestion International's recently launched FTR range will be shipping in August, say the company. The cast aluminium drivers feature innovations in magnet and chassis design as well as voice coil construction and material: these are significant technological advances that minimize distortion and thermal compression to further increase performance, power handling and sound quality, according to Celestion.
"Overcoming distortion and thermal compression are major challenges for anyone designing industry-leading, professional loudspeakers," says product development director Ian White. "By focusing on the key areas of magnet, chassis and voice coil, we've created a new kind of driver that represents an evolution in technology to achieve very high levels of performance."
Concentrated research and development at Celestion's new purpose-built facility in Ipswich has resulted in a new kind of driver, say Celestion. FTR's design focuses on thermal control, enabling heat to be conducted rapidly away from the voice coil assembly, minimizing the effect of thermal compression. It also improves upon the distortion performance of many LF drivers, through an innovative magnet structure, evolutionary voice coil construction and an optimized chassis design, say Celestion.
FTR can handle up to 1000W RMS, which requires a large voice coil, in turn demanding a substantial magnet. The cast aluminium chassis is robust enough to support a larger magnet and has been designed to dissipate more heat away from the voice coil, say Celestion.
Five of these driver
The Netherlands - Rijnweek 2004 held in Rhenen earlier this month is a big event on the Dutch national music calendar. A week-long multicultural festival in which disabled people play a central role, Rijnweek attracts a broad range of artists from rock groups to folk bands. Established nearly a decade ago, the festival attracts more people each year, with the recent 2004 event boasting attendance figures of over 120,000. Audio contractor for the festival was ST Sound based in Tiel who opted for a 48-channel Midas Heritage 1000 for FOH on the main stage running an ElectroVoice XLC rig with EV X-Subs. Klark Teknik DN9848 processors handled system control.
ST Sound is well known in the Dutch market for supplying festival equipment, and Rijnweek represents one of the larger festivals on their summer schedule. "I like this festival for a number of reasons," says ST's proprietor, Sander de Kruyff. "For a start, it's one of the few big, week-long festivals left in Holland, and one of the few that doesn't charge an entrance fee, yet it still manages to attract a top-class line-up. From an audio contractor's point of view, this means a huge variety of artists, all with different requirements, so it's imperative to provide a FOH console that is both flexible and easy to use. The Heritage 1000 is a great choice from that point of view, and even offers automation for those who require it. Plus, of course, there is always the 'Midas recognition' factor which goes a long way with most engineers, the majority of whom breathe a sigh of relief when they see the disti
USA - Kenny Chesney, US chart-topping country and crossover artist is using Audio-Technica microphones on tour, and is the latest high-profile touring artist to join the growing roster of Audio-Technica endorsees. "Kenny never endorses anything, so that tells you a lot about how we've all come to rely on A-T microphones on this tour," says Phillip Robinson, monitor mixer with Chesney and his band for the last four years. "These microphones are as road-worthy as we all are, and they prove it every night."
The band is using a wide array of A-T microphones, including the company's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System (AEW-5233) that Robinson says Chesney has found to be his vocal soul mate. "We have never, ever had a dropout with that microphone system, and the audio quality is pristine," he says. Other A-T microphones on the tour include an AEW-5111 wireless on the fiddle, six AT4040s on guitar amps, and six Artist Elite AE3300 microphones on background vocals.
A-T microphones came to the Kenny Chesney tour via bandleader/drummer Sean Paddock, also a long-time Audio-Technica user. Paddock's kit on the tour uses the Artist Elite AE2500 on kick drum, a pair of AT4050s on overheads, four ATM25s on toms and two AE5100 microphones on the hi-hat. "I loved the way Sean's drums sounded using the A-T mics, and that's how they became the vast majority of what we use on this tour," Robinson says. "Ever since we switched to A-T, we've found that the company's support has been every bit as good as their microphones. They've a
Italy / Singapore - Italian Audio Manufacturer dB Technologies has appointed Sajeev Nair as director of sales for the Asian region. Sajeev, who will be based in Singapore brings a wealth of experience to the position. He first started work in the music & audio industry in 1985 as a freelance musician and moved on to work as a sales and marketing manager for a number of well-established pro-audio distributors, representing such brands as Electro Voice, JBL, Shure, Klark Teknik, Tascam, Canare, Mackie, etc. Subsequently he worked as a manager for manufacturers based in Singapore, including Sennheiser, Behringer, Numark and Alesis, overseeing their operations in the Asia Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa. Nair commented on his appointment: "With almost 20 years of experience the industry, I have had the opportunity to build up an extensive database of customers, not only from the Pro-Audio market, but also people from the Broadcast, AV, Video and IT markets. I am excited at being given the opportunity to be working with the team at dB Technologies. Since dB products are relatively new in the Asian market at the moment, I plan to use my marketing experience and knowledge to establish them as one of the key players in the market."
dB's Hans Radda added: "We are very pleased to have someone of Sajeev's experience on board. The dB brand is now established a major force in Europe and America and we are now ready to expand into the Asian Pacific market."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - Harman Pro UK has supplied Derby-based sales and installation specialists Pro Technical with a wide range of JBL speakers for various Aruba late-night bar installations around the country. One of the most recent is in Hanley, Stroke-On-Trent, which features a sound design utilizing three different types of JBL Control Contractor enclosure.
The Aruba roll-out for The Dukedom Group, now contains 32 venues around the UK, each one of them different and individually designed. The Stoke site is a single large room with a central bar, designed by Mason Wood Architects - who also do all the Revolution Vodka Bars. Each site's audio design and installation is also unique and specific to that venue. At Stoke, the client wanted both a variable loudness foreground music system, and a punchier DJ-led dancefloor area, operational five nights a week. Aruba Stoke is divided into three sound zones. The dancefloor/DJ zone (the loudest area) uses JBL Control 30 speakers. The bar area is designed to allow comfortable conversation, whilst also getting into the groove, and this features JBL Control 29AVs. The reception and chill-out area is the quietest zone, and here Anderson specified the compact JBL Control 25s.
Zoning is via an Allen & Heath iDR processor which also has a remote, switchable between sources, which includes settings for background music, TV or DJ. The challenge was minimizing the reverb in each area all of which feature plenty of hard surfaces and finishes. Pro Technical worked closely with Mason Wood on this aspect of the design to try and minimize reflections
UK - Pro audio distributor Autograph Sales has further expanded its team with the appointment of Louis Van Niekerk. South African born, Van Niekerk moved to the UK to further explore his passion of audio. He has previously worked as a freelance sound operator and has a sound engineering diploma. At Autograph he will serve in a technical support and logistics role, backing up the sales and service department and dealing with the company's wide range of audio products. Other personnel changes include the promotion of Susie Alterman to sales coordinator, after two years working with the company in a support role.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - PLASA Show: Sennheiser UK is exhibiting again at the PLASA show this year (12-15 September, Earls Court, London). The company will be introducing new products from Sennheiser, Rane, D.A.S., Lab.gruppen, Adamson, NetCIRA, APart, Anchor and Rycote. This year's stand will also be 'digitally networked' using NetCIRA, to show how the system works and allowing demonstrations of other products via the network system. The network will also link to other major stands within the PLASA show.
Sennheiser will show its brand new evolution 800 and 600 series, a new generation of wired mics that puts Sennheiser sound quality within reach of everyone's budget, say the company. The e800 and e600 series is a complete range with vocal and instrument mics for bands, soloists, and presenters and cater for a wide range of applications.
Designed for demanding professional use, Sennheiser's e900 series now includes 11 models in the range, offering a choice for a wide range of vocal and instrument applications. Adding flexibility for users who want the sound of the e935 and e945 but who want to go wireless, the capsules for these mics can now be used with any evolution G2 handheld transmitter.
The recently-introduced evolution G2 wireless systems offer advanced features and facilities including up to 1440 tuneable frequencies, Pilot tone squelch and the use of double AA batteries or a rechargeable battery option. The range caters for every conceivable application, say the company.
Rane will be highlighting the new Serato Scratch LIVE, a software and hardware solutio
Germany - Long-serving EVI Audio general manager Hans-Peter Richter has retired, and is succeeded by Detlev L. Heiringhoff, a graduate in business administration. Richter joined the company as early as 1973, as general manager of the TV-equipment dispatch department. Two years later, he was appointed deputy general manager of Dynacord and Echolette. From 1981 onwards, he occupied the post of general manager of finance, materials administration and production, the post which Heiringhoff now fills.
Heiringhoff graduated in business administration from the University of Dortmund and has worked in logistics and finance. From 1994 to 1996, Heiringhoff served as administrative director of Peek & Cloppenburg KG of Düsseldorf, later taking manageemtn positions at Telecom AG in Frankfurt, Suzuki International Europe in Munich.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - PLASA Show: First launched in 2000, Homemix has become a popular entry level DJ brand. For 2004, Homemix has the addition of two innovative new products: Play DJ and the TT500M, together with a completely fresh image for the brand.
The Party Mixing Station, the new 'DJ generation CDJ-1', is a totally portable, ghetto blaster style twin CD mixing unit with integral cassette deck and radio. It features external amp output sockets, a microphone input socket and the option for recording demo tapes, this Party Mixing Station really is great value for money. The TT500M is an entry-level traditional turntable mixing system which comes complete with drive belt turntables, two-channel mixer and headphones. Available autumn 2004, this system is a professional looking yet affordable piece of DJ equipment.
Play DJ will be the first self-contained DJ mixing unit to retail at under £100. Available autumn/winter 2004, this innovative piece of kit contains an in built CD player together with a unique DJ sampler allowing seamless mixing for beginners.
(Lee Baldock)
Italy - Allen & Heath's iDR programmable DSP system has been installed in the newly-opened Ferrari Store in Rome, to manage sound distribution in the luxurious retail outlet. Launched in the wake of the success of Ferrari Stores in Maranello and Bologna, the Rome store is situated in the heart of the city and designed by leading architectural studio, Iosa Ghini. The three-storey building houses luxury merchandise on the ground floor, toys and children's goods in the basement, and on the first floor, books, scale models and much sought-after memorabilia from Ferrari Granturismo and Formula 1 cars.
The visitors can experience the thrill of driving thanks to a simulator equipped with a number of technological devices that reproduce the feel of Ferrari's most famed supercar - the Testarossa. The simulator is furnished with plasma screens, including a huge 5m x 1m screen, with a special LED system, the only one of its kind in Italy. Furthermore, an innovative audio-visual set-up called MBVA (MIDI-based video automation) - designed exclusively for Ferrari by Italian firm E-Corporation - surrounds visitors with visual and sound effects of the race track.
Allen & Heath's iDR-8 digital processor is at the heart of the system, managing and distributing sound to different zones on the three levels of the store. There are four main sources to manage - audio from the Ferrari Car (SFX), a radio tuner, audio from the Barco projector, and a CD player for background music. The sources are routed to six main zonesin the store, including two in the entrance/reception area, and one
UK - Production Services, the UK manufacturer of professional loudspeaker and amplifier products, has announced its relocation to a new factory in South Wales. Heavy investment in CNC machinery will ensure greater accuracy and production capability. The company reports it is now in full production of its LST and AMT speaker systems and SP Series amplifiers and processors, and will soon be introducing new products, and has "solid long-term financing and a continued determination to push technological barriers to the limit, providing our industry with superior sonic solutions."
The company's new website (address below), includes information on all the new products including its horn-loaded family of line array systems. The website is just the start of a major promotion campaign that will see its products exhibited at international trade shows, supported by ongoing trade magazine advertising, say the company.
The large-format LS1LA line array system is creating major interest worldwide and already has a growing order book, say the company. The LS4LA and LS7LA medium and compact format systems are catching up fast with orders increasing daily. The company's coaxial 'Wave Director' mid/high horns provide major advantages over competitors' products, they claim.
The coming months will see LST line array systems being installed in major venues around the world, while the company's distribution network will continue to be expanded. In addition to its horn-loaded line array systems, Production Services will also be introducing a cost-effective range of switch
USA - Symetrix, designers of the successful SymNet Audio Matrix line of audio processorshas introduced SymNet Express. Representing the next generation of SymNet hardware development, Express will be available in two versions - Express and Express Cobra. The Express series includes seven new audio processors that extend the utility of the SymNet technology into new applications, scenarios and price points. All models are now shipping.
Express (non-Cobra) is available in three models - 12x4, 4x12, and 8x8, targeted at stand-alone applications where a single DSP unit is sufficient to handle all of the processing between the source gear (all inputs are line- or microphone-selectable) and the amplifiers.
Express Cobra is available in four models - 12x4, 4x12, 8x8, and 4x4. Along with analog I/O, each includes an 8x8 CobraNet license, supporting Peak Audio's industry standard protocol for networked digital audio. Via CobraNet these units can interface with each other, SymNet Audio Matrix systems using Symetrix CobraLink hardware, or third party manufacturers supporting the protocol. Express Cobra models can function as basic components in a simple system, or cost-effective remote I/O units in more complex audio system scenarios.
"We're very excited about this new series of hardware," stated Dane Butcher, Symetrix president and founder. "It takes all the power and flexibility of SymNet and places it in a series of cost-effective, nimble devices that can go a lot of places we couldn't go before. Of course, we couldn't resist the temptation to add some
Germany - Behringer announced recently the immediate availability of the console-style Europower PMH5000 powered mixer. The all-new PMH5000 is an ultra-compact and light-weight powered mixer that incorporates patented Coolaudio Technology - an amplification technology that delivers enormous power and excellent sonic performance at nearly half the depth and weight of conventional powered mixers say the company. The mixer features 20 channels (12 mono + 4 stereo), plus stereo tape returns, two 24-bit/46 kHz effects processors with 99 Virtualizer presets each, two monitor paths and flexible I/O options.
Originally introduced as the Europower "PMX" Series, in a recent move to foster global consistency with other Behringer products and product range, Behringer re-introduce the Europower's brand designation. The change in name is merely an administrative one that does not impact the design, features or function
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
Greece - TV companies throughout the world are in the final stages of preparing for the 2004 Olympic Games, and production teams on both sides of the Atlantic will again rely on Sennheiser. The German TV companies ARD and ZDF are lining up with a total of 100 wireless channels: around 300 wireless Sennheiser microphones and receivers will be on hand to transmit the sporting events and to provide internal coordination and communication.
For Gunnar Darge, technical director, it is not only the reliable sound transmission of the Sennheiser systems that is vitally important but also the on-site service. "Dozens of TV stations will be reporting live from the Olympic Games and there will be huge amounts of radio communication taking place. It's therefore all the more reassuring to be able to rely on the support of Sennheiser." Sennheiser's RF specialist Klaus Willemsen will help with frequency coordination and system configuration, supported by the local Sennheiser partner Philippos Nakas S.A.
Willemsen's US-American colleague Uwe Sattler has a similar range of jobs to deal with. He will be supporting US broadcaster NBC Universal, who are currently expecting to use around 65 wireless channels from Sennheiser for their reports on the games. Bob Dixon, NBC project manager for Sound Design, says: "When we choose a product it must first offer unquestioned reliability and technical specifications. On the artistic side, we need the definition that will enable us to provide our audience with a clear and natural sound from our announce teams, and capture the s
UK - Drag Net 4.0, available for download from the Rane website (address below) offers new processing blocks and enhancements to Rane's popular RPM family of 100% drag-and-drop DSP products. This release introduces high quality Feedback Suppression, hardware password protection and support for the powerful new low-cost SR 4 Smart Remote. The SR 4 Smart Remote features a rotary encoder knob for level control and preset or sources selection, plus eight status LEDs.
Any RPM device using a previous version of Drag Net can be easily updated for free to version 4.0. New Drag Net 4.0 features a powerful new Feedback Suppression block featuring Rane's Troxelation algorithm; new 6 x n Auto-Mixer with increased DSP efficiency; hardware password protection, integrated Smart Remote configuration; SR 4 Smart Remote support, and user interface enhancements which simplify setup.
New SR 4 features include a rotary encoder handling level control, plus source/preset selection; eight indicators displaying selected source/preset; customizable text area and dynamic grouping of Smart Remotes for room combining or master/local control scenarios.
(Lee Baldock)
UK - Rane Corporation and Serato Audio Research have launched the Official Scratch LIVE DJ Forum, where DJs can download the new Scratch LIVE software version 1.1. The companies say this is a free, public forum offering valuable multi-way communications between DJs and the developers and support personnel at both Serato and Rane. Serato is hosting the Official Forum since most topics involve the software's current and future features. The new Scratch LIVE software version 1.1 offers over 50 new features and fixes and can be downloaded from the Official Forum. Topics on the Forum include News, Downloads, Help, Feature Suggestions, Tips and Tricks, Known Issues and the catch-all General Discussion.
(Lee Baldock)
Switzerland - Swiss distributor and system integrator Decibel has installed an EtherSound network in the Convention Center Montreux (CCM), main venue of the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival. Using Digigram's ES8in, ES8out, and ES220 EtherSound devices and the CCM's existing Ethernet infrastructure, the system has completely eliminated noise problems in the audio transmission between the two main convention/concert halls and the public address system of this twice enlarged building on the Lake Geneva shore. The network has already proven its flexibility by reducing the system reconfiguration time for the needs of this year's Montreux Jazz Festival by about 90% without any additional investment.
Pierre-Yves Nussbaum, the CCM's head audio-visual technician, commented: "We were looking for a digital audio distribution solution because the big distances in the building and many neighbouring analog audio cables caused big noise problems, especially in the transmission between the Stravinsky Auditorium and the Miles Davis Hall. We chose EtherSound because of its audio quality and its low latency, which makes it suitable even for live sound applications in our venue. The fact that we are able to combine products of different EtherSound licensed manufacturers was important, too, in order to keep the system as scalable as possible."
During the last overhaul of the CCM's Ethernet infrastructure in 2001, Nussbaum had already anticipated the bandwidth requirements of a digital audio distribution system, so that almost no additional cables were pulled when the Eth
France - Software provider Stardraw.com and Digigram, a world leader in innovative digital audio network solutions recently announced the formation of a strategic partnership around EtherSound, Digigram's patent-pending technology for audio distribution over standard Ethernet.
The EtherSound protocol provides fully deterministic, real-time transmission of synchronized audio channels over standard Ethernet. Up to 64 channels of 24-bit digital audio at 48 kHz, plus bi-directional status and control data, may be transported among more than 60,000 connected devices. Its ultra low latency of only 125 microseconds makes it suitable even for demanding applications such as live sound or broadcast. The technology has already been licensed to a number of different manufacturers across the globe, all of which are developing EtherSound products for their market.
But what of control? Would it be possible to develop a control system that would be compatible with all EtherSound products, regardless of the manufacturer? A number of meetings with Stardraw.com confirmed that this would indeed be both possible and extremely desirable, and so the partnership was formed. The new software tool, "Stardraw Control", is to be shown for the first time at the PLASA trade show in London.
A key aspect of Stardraw Control is that it offers a unified control framework for the different devices by different vendors that can make up a heterogeneous network; installers can look forward to seamless integration of diverse products using a single control interface. According to Digigram'
UK - Manchester based rental-company Audile took on the challenge of the Dance tent at this year's Glastonbury 2004. With a capacity of 8,000 the tent (more like a hanger) attracted some of Glastonbury's favorite artists including the Scissor Sisters, Kosheen and Sister Sledge.
Audile's MD, Rob Ashworth stated: "We'd heard great things about the Aztec from other users, and wanted to try it for ourselves in a testing situation. We found the sound quality and functionality to be impeccable - the combination of Aztec, Funktion-One Resolution-5 speakers and XTA drive really is exceptional. More importantly, though, we were able to gauge the reaction of a stream of engineers to the board - we had some concerns about its rider friendliness, but I'm pleased to say that these were laid to rest by our guest's reactions. I think we'll be seeing Aztec taking its place on riders alongside the more obvious choices!"
On the monitor system, SRD Group supplied 10 ways of Audient's ASP231 graphic equalizers. Chosen for their impeccable sound quality and accuracy; they allowed house monitor engineers Ben Giles and Rob Hielig to maximize the output of the Turbo TFM450 monitors. Giles stated: "Most people take graphic EQ's for granted. When you get to use the ASP231, you realize that there is a lot more to it. Audient really thought about the design of this, it sounds great and having illuminated frequency markings allows me to get to the right fader quicker than any other graphic."
UK sales manager, Nick Pemberton noted: "Glastonbury was a resounding suc
UK / USA - Audio Network and SoundStorm have announced the launch of an enhanced on-line service to grant producers of film, television programmes and other audio-visual productions instant licenses to use their award-winning music and sound. The transatlantic partnership allows professional users as well as home users instant access to the same high quality sound resources used by many of the world's largest production companies and broadcasters from just £2 ($3) per sound.
The team has spent the last two years categorizing and digitizing over 50,000 SoundStorm sound effects from the vaults of the seven-times Oscar-nominated Hollywood sound design team. At the same time, 100 leading composers have written and recorded over 6,000 new music tracks for the Audio Network music library covering almost every conceivable style and genre. Sounds and music from Hippo to Hip-Hop can now be freely auditioned on the website and full quality files purchased and downloaded.
Twenty years' of recording authentic sound for films at SoundStorm Inc has resulted in an exceptional sound resource, used to create the sound for films including Tomb Raider, Batman & Robin, The Fast and the Furious, xXx, Star Trek Nemesis and Clint Eastwood's movies, to name but a few.
Audio Network and SoundStorm (UK) managing director, Robert Hurst, says: "Having many of the world's leading composers and sound designers as shareholders in our company allows us to offer great music and sound direct to our customers for global use at very competitive prices. Audio Network proves that low cost d
UK - Event Sound & Light was formed in July 2003 from a merger of two companies, Concept Sound Services and Galiath Entertainment. In selecting a new sound system for its hire operations, the company turned to KV2 Audio, for its flexibility and audio quality. Paul Galley of Event S&L explains: "We had to take into account the wide variety of shows and corporate events that we do."
Galley's friend Gareth Jones of Villa Audio suggested that they hear a new sound system that had just been presented to him. "To say that he was excited would be a vast understatement," said Galley. "Anyway, when we got there we were not disappointed. We immediately took into account its size, efficiency and versatility. To obtain such an acutely high definition of sound with such impact, authority and power was a really enjoyable experience." Added to this, the system allows them to use various combinations of modules depending on the job specifications. "This means we can bring to the market excellent sound quality with the versatility to handle most venues, both inside and outdoors," Galley commented.
When they came to put it all to work, their first major project was an outdoor event, the D-Day celebrations at Hylands House, organized by Chelmsford Borough Council, and featuring the Squadronairs Big Band. Galley says: "Our brief was to provide a PA system for an outdoor audience of up to 2,000 people, depending on the weather. The main thing for the show was the vocals, they had to be heard everywhere." The company needed to create
Australia / Singapore - ARX Systems has appointed Robert Yeo as its new Singapore-based regional sales director. A well-known industry veteran, Yeo has been involved with all sectors of the region's pro audio industry for many years. ARX managing director Colin Park comments: "Over the years ARX has developed a major presence in the South East Asian pro audio community as a product solution provider, and with Robert joining the ARX team, this can only be enhanced further."
"Robert's brief is to develop new partners and markets amongst the installers, contractors, production companies and broadcasters in Singapore, Malaysia and the surrounding region for our existing product ranges and of course the exciting new products ARX is releasing through into 2005."
Robert Yeo can be contacted at the e-mail address below.
(Lee Baldock)
France - Digigram, the innovative developer of digital audio network solutions, has achieved ISO 9001: 2000 certification delivered by BVQI, France, underlining the company's commitment to customer satisfaction. The certification, for Digigram's headquarters in Montbonnot, France, recognizes that the definition, design, production, and distribution of Digigram's products, as well as after-sales service, technical support, and customer training conform to the requirements of the ISO 9001: 2000 standard.
This standard specifies the necessary components of a quality management system, and the audit process ensures that organizations have the necessary systems in place to continuously improve the level of quality offered by the organization. A growing number of business and government organizations conduct business only with companies that attain this certification.
Digigram managing director, Philippe Delacroix, comments: "The certification is a strategic achievement for Digigram. Not only because more and more of our customers ask for such certification, but especially because of the overall dynamic behind it. The entire company has worked very hard to analyze and refine our processes, always with the question in mind 'How can we better satisfy our customers?' It's this general attitude, which will guarantee that the quality of our products and services will continue to improve, even now that we are certified."
Digigram says it has optimized its organization by defining all relevant management processes and establishing control mechanisms to quickly id