Sony Joins PSNI Global Alliance and Kramer's Notable Week in Pro AV Industry News
In a significant development for the AV industry, Kramer has announced its acquisition of ZeeVee, a move that strengthens Kramer's leadership in AV over IP (AVoIP) solutions and expands its technology portfolio.
The consolidation, according to industry experts, is set to accelerate the adoption of scalable, flexible AV network infrastructures that enable highly integrated, interactive, and user-friendly environments across education, corporate, and live event sectors.
With the integration of ZeeVee’s advanced AVoIP and video distribution technology into its offerings, Kramer improves system scalability, source routing flexibility, and networked AV capabilities at a larger scale and higher performance. For instance, John Abbott College in Quebec has benefited from this technology, transforming classrooms into connected, collaborative spaces where any source can be routed to any display across campus.
The acquisition also empowers Kramer to meet rising performance and engagement demands across AV sectors, including esports, higher education, corporate collaboration, and live entertainment. These sectors increasingly require ultra-low latency, high-quality streaming, and interactive capabilities, which the combined expertise of Kramer and ZeeVee is well positioned to deliver.
Moreover, Kramer’s expansion into cloud-based AV control platforms and integrations that simplify system management—such as Kramer Control and integration with smart sensors and network backbone infrastructures like Cisco Meraki—are further empowered by ZeeVee’s IP video transmission solutions to create smarter, more responsive AV ecosystems.
Meanwhile, in the realm of distribution, there have been several notable developments. Ascentae, a U.K. distributor specializing in workplace technology solutions, has a new distribution agreement with PTZOptics. This partnership will provide Ascentae's customer base with access to the complete range of PTZOptics' solutions, tailored to meet the evolving needs of corporate and education customers.
PTZOptics strategically partners with another Ascentae-distributed brand, Nureva, in a move that strengthens Nureva's market presence across the United States, under the oversight of Pino Barile, who oversees the Western regional sales team.
Nureva has also appointed MadisonAV as a distributor in Australia, expanding its reach in the Asia-Pacific region.
Draper, a leading manufacturer of projection screens and AV solutions, has added Image Marketing West, Vision2 Marketing West, and UC Technology Partners as independent Pro AV manufacturer representatives in various regions across the United States.
In terms of partnerships, Sony Electronics has joined PSNI Global Alliance as a preferred vendor partner, enhancing the technology solutions offered to customers of PSNI Global Alliance and its Certified Solution Providers (CSPs), providing them with unparalleled access to Sony's state-of-the-art professional display solutions.
AtlasIED has partnered with Australia-based National Audio Systems (NAS), while Sony Electronics, with offices in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, was appointed as AUDIX's MI distribution partner in the Middle East and Africa.
Key Digital Systems has appointed Excellence Marketing as its manufacturer's rep for western Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Excellence Marketing, founded by Ken Simons in 1988, represents a roster of brands including Shure, Absen, Allen & Heath, and others.
Riedel Communications has appointed Pino Barile as regional sales director, west, while Advanced Systems Group has appointed Kate Sims as VP of strategic accounts. Joe Marchitto works in partnership with Sims to build upon the established foundation of enterprise clientele in the Los Angeles area.
Cassava Technologies, a provider of services such as Data Centers, Cloud, Cyber Security, Fiber Connectivity, and Renewable Energy to large multinational and local companies, has announced that its AI activities will operate as a separate business unit, Cassava AI. The organization has already trained and deployed more than 200 people of its 5000-strong staff to empower customers to adopt and use Generative AI services from an array of vendors. Cassava has forged strategic partnerships with companies such as Microsoft, Google, AWS, Anthropic, Oracle, Atlas AI, Cerebras, and Palo Alto Networks.
Lastly, Barry Sonnenfeld will serve as the Keynote speaker at CEDIA Expo 2024, an exciting development for the AV industry's premier event.
These developments underscore the dynamic and evolving nature of the AV industry, with companies constantly seeking to expand their market presence, enhance their technology offerings, and forge strategic partnerships to meet the ever-changing needs of their customers.
- Kramer's acquisition of ZeeVee not only boosts its leadership in AV over IP (AVoIP) solutions, but also empowers the company to meet rising performance and engagement demands across various sectors, including sports, education, and business, which require ultra-low latency, high-quality streaming, and interactive capabilities.
- In the realm of distribution, Ascentae has entered into a new agreement with PTZOptics, providing its customer base with access to a complete range of PTZOptics' solutions that are tailored to meet the evolving needs of corporate and education customers.
- In terms of partnerships, Key Digital Systems has appointed Excellence Marketing as its manufacturer's rep for western Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, a move that enhances Key Digital Systems' market presence and strengthens its roster of brands, including Allen & Heath and Absen.
