The Edge Center for Innovation: Pegasystems Inc.’s Executive Briefing Center
In the fast-paced and cutting-edge world of software development, there are few names as synonymous with success as Pegasystems Inc. It only makes sense then, that Pega would turn to AVH Technology Partners when it came to designing the compelling and immersive new Executive Briefing Center (EBC), dubbed The Edge Center for Innovation, in their New England global corporate headquarters. The creative envelope was to be pushed and reimagined with the post-pandemic end-user in mind, and AVH’s 19-year expertise drove the full process from concept to completion.
Bradford Whipple, Pegasystems Inc.’s Manager of Global AV Infrastructure, had sound reasoning for making this call.
“AVH has a different approach than any other AV consultant in the industry. By removing the “sales” component from the equation they create a true partnership with their customers, building the necessary trust, void of any profit bias that exists with other integrator/consultants. What remains is a synergistic relationship between vendor and client focused on making the best technology decisions together.”
The design for the The Edge Center for Innovation is as unique and uncompromising as the client - pushing the boundaries of modern AV technology for a space of this class.
Heading up the demanding project was AVH Technology Partners founder and chief consultant Steve Grace. Steve explains,
“Pega is very creative and wanted to push the envelope in everything – Featuring a large LED video screen, spatial audio, and theatrical lighting, The Edge Center for Innovation can synchronize video content with acoustic and lighting effects. This is a space with capabilities seldom found in corporate environments.”
The bright kaleidoscope of color that greets guests and team members in the lobby area is intelligent – playfully melding with the space in ways that reflect the occupants of the vicinity and frames outlines of passers-by as they enter The Edge Center for Innvation. Using three-dimensional spatial cameras, an AI mimics these silhouettes, bringing a dazzling panoramic Transparent-LED video wall to life with spirited shapes and vivid colors.
Inside, functional spaces are open and inviting, breathable and uncluttered. Attendees are greeted by the energetic palettes of the space, which spark the imagination and disguise the level of technological sophistication going on behind the scenes. A quick peek under the fantastic exterior shows the depth of the design work.
The heart of The Edge Center for Innvation is the centerpiece that every visitor is immediately drawn to: An enormous and immersive Planar LED video wall, twelve-feet wide and seven-feet tall (12’ x 7’) with a razor-sharp pixel pitch (spacing of color-emitting pixels) of only .9mm. The display capabilities are jaw-dropping. The space boasts a multitude of features – Dante audio, 12G SDI, full modularity, and true full-color 4K HDR – thanks to a cutting-edge processor from Analog Way’s Aquilon C line. Highly unique in the space is the bleeding-edge Unreal Engine integration, offering future-proof possibilities in Virtual-Reality, Augmented Reality, and Metaverse collaboration. Best of all, controlling the room is highly intuitive for any user, thanks to a bespoke AVH-designed control system based on Crestron’s coveted flagship hardware.
Despite ongoing industry woes with supply chain strains, chip shortages, and labor supply constraints, AVH delivered results for Pegasystems Inc. beyond their expectations. “The client has told us how happy they are with The Edge Center for Innvation and with how beautiful the LED video screen looks with its windows, transitions, and navigation”, AVH Technology Partner’s project manager for Pega, Ed Hondzinski shares.
“They’re very proud of the space.”
It's quite easy to see why, even at first glance.
Dan Ryan, Pegasystems Inc.’s VP of Real Estate and Facilities comments on the process of realizing The Edge Center for Innvation alongside AVH Technology Partners:
“At Pega, we talk about having a seat at the table and acting as if you belong there. The team from AVH Technology Partners not only acted as if they belonged there, but people on the team thought they were my employees. I cannot say enough about the work ethic and attention to detail the team from AVH brought to the project and improved everything we did every day they were working with us. We think we have solved the challenge of in-person and remote meeting attendees and it was with their help and guidance. AVH Technology Partners have truly helped us design and implement the office of the future.”
Whipple, Pega’s Global AV head, agrees wholeheartedly.
“I have been in the AV industry for over 25 years, and can confidently say this team is the very best at what they do.”
AVH is proud to have been a key part of The Edge Center for Innovation, and looks forward to many more exciting projects with Pegasystems Inc. and other industry-leading firms in the near future.