Datapath Ltd.

Dec. 7, 2022 - Continuing its global expansion, video processing specialists Datapath have recently formed a new entity – Datapath Japan GK – committed to providing a dedicated sales and support service to its APAC customers. Inavate APAC caught up with Michael Austin, APAC Director of Channel Management, at their new Tokyo offices and demonstration suite to learn more. 

Boasting a new APAC demonstration suite, 100 sqm offices in the heart of Tokyo and a new award-winning solution for multi-source video management, Datapath are well prepared for the ever-increasing demand for AVoIP in the region.  

Datapath have equipped their new offices in Japan's capital with its new Aetria solution, allowing customers to fully experience the 'no limit' possibilities of networked video – including visually lossless, zero latency transmissions over 10G – first hand.  

"Throughout the far east, there is still a tendency to rely on highly compressed 1G AVoIP-, H.264 encoding-, or even video matrix switcher-led solutions for source distribution", says Michael Austin, Datapath's Director of Channel Management for the region. "However, larger projects that require high quality and low latency for a large number of sources on numerous end points are now embracing the flexibility of AVoIP. Greatly increased visual quality has become possible by the availability and decreasing cost of higher-bandwidth network infrastructure."  

"Aetria is a solution that really needs to be experienced in person. Our remote demo capabilities are excellent for overviews and basic training but having a full solution here in our new Tokyo offices allows us to explore its full capabilities with our customers far deeper than ever before." 

Establishing Datapath Japan GK and its new offices are the result of some impressive growth in the Far East for the company, with Datapath at the forefront of video processing technology for projects that range from Airport digital signage to control rooms managing Tokyo's new skyscraper builds. 

"Business has been steady, even through the pandemic", reveals Michael, adding: "Our APAC sales in 2020 were actually one of our strongest years to date." 

With the shackles of the pandemic now removed, travel throughout the region is now barrier free, allowing for productive face-to-face business and hands-on demonstrations.  

Michael added: "Our sales and support team covers South East Asia as well as Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong. During COVID, it wasn't possible to freely travel to customers and we have relied heavily on virtual communication to demonstrate our latest products. The establishment of Datapath's new demonstration suite now allows our customers to enjoy a short vacation in Tokyo and experience Aetria's full potential and flexibility for themselves, along with its military-grade encrypted security." 

The tendency towards video matrix switchers, H.264 video transfer and dedicated 1G AVoIP solutions in the Far East is, in part, due to awareness, experience and trust. It is here that Datapath's new fully-equipped offices – comprising of three large video walls, plus multiple operator terminal solutions for the viewing and control of multiple remote sources – hopes to increase knowledge, allowing customers to fully understand a networked system's flexibility and benefits. The solution is, indeed, impressive, having scooped the Security Category Inavation Award at ISE, Barcelona. 

Tokyo is not the only place where APAC customers can experience Datapath's latest offering, as Michael adds: "A Singaporean partner has invested in an Aetria demo facility to showcase to end users and key SIs directly – a strong indicator that we have engineered a solution that is set to change perceptions of how multi-source video is managed." 

The introduction of a total Aetria solution from Datapath points to an encouraging future for Michael and his team, as previously the video wall processing component was a small, albeit vital, part of a far greater solution. "Up until now, our trusted processors, capture cards and graphics cards needed to be used with a variety of third-party technology. With Aetria, we have the ability to offer far more integration across a solution's devices, from the KVM components to video wall processing – all with source and feature access subject to Aetria's user rights management." He adds: "As with our conventional video wall processors and control software, Aetria offers an API which gives our customers the option to create custom control interfaces to communicate both with Aetria and third party systems where required." 

This also benefits lead time concerns, as integrators are not as reliant on multiple manufacturers'  components. Says Michael: "Datapath has done an excellent job of maintaining supply of products throughout the global supply chain crisis – far better than most from what I can tell."  

Michael concludes: "No AV manufacturer offers everything of course – display devices and audio switchers are not in our portfolio for example – but with supply lines improving across the industry, and with Datapath well stocked in its hardware offering, we can look forward to the future with optimism." 

To arrange a visit to Datapath's new Tokyo office, and experience their multi-award-winning products first-hand, Michael and his team can be reached at: sales-jp@datapath.co.uk