Leading Software Vendor SAS Opts for Alcorn McBride Products Throughout Its Headquarters

SAS, the leader in business analytics software and services and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market, is a long-time user of Alcorn McBride equipment at its Cary, North Carolina headquarters.

"We've been using Alcorn McBride products for five years -- we wouldn't have 18 DVM-8400 HD players and other Alcorn gear if we didn't like it," says Woody Weaver, senior manager of engineering and operations at the SAS world headquarters campus in Cary NC. "Alcorn products represent good value for money, and Alcorn's support has always been terrific."

Two Alcorn McBride DVM-7400 standard-definition players and six DVM-8400 high-definition players are deployed for user events and shows in the production facility in the SAS studios and on road shows. "Although all of our production is now HD we still have a need for SD playback at times and the 7400 players fill that bill nicely.

The 18 DVM-8400 HD players are "workhorse" units deployed in two auditoriums, the main lobby and displays throughout the new executive briefing center, according to Weaver. "In each of our two newest auditoriums we have a 10' x 30' main screen and two flanking screens. Alcorn players are routed to them as needed."

Ten HD players are dedicated to five Christie MicroTile walls. "We have an extensive HD routing system so we can show a mix of content on any of the walls," says Weaver. "We also use other sources for content, including Cisco players and cable television feeds."

The largest MicroTile wall, a 4' x 28' display located in the main lobby of the conference center, is fed by an Alcorn McBride Digital Binloop HD system. "We only need one player for the 28' wall and it looks very good," Weaver reports.

The Binloops also feed a 4' x 7' MicroTile wall that acts as welcome station for customers in the lobby; a 2' x 6' MicroTile wall in the lobby, which displays info on the Platinum LEED certification earned by the new conference center/office tower; a 3' x 16' MicroTile wall located outside the dining area for displaying news and information from corporate communications; and a 3x10-foot MicroTile wall in the executive offices' lobby.

"The Alcorn products have been great," Weaver says. "Our engineering and production staff really likes the ease of use and reliability of the Alcorn players.. The products are used in critical areas, such as live production and the new executive briefing center, so we really demonstrate our faith in them every day."