Ultra Active Technology Limited (UAT) has been quickly making it's presence known in the Asia region, and as a result, is proud to announce that UAT has been recognized for it's excellence and achievements for the past year in Hong Kong with the High-Flyers Outstanding Enterprise 2007 - Innovative Technology Award
Hong Kong's only English business monthly, Hong Kong Business, annually recognizes companies for their valuable contributions and achievements in their respective fields with their High-Flyers Outstanding Enterprise Award. Through the efforts and dedication of the UAT team as well as their unparalleled service offerings, 2007 was a breakout year and was ultimately crowned with the award.
Provides top-of-the-line audiovisual and video conference solutions for the modern office
UAT established in 1997 in Hong Kong by Tony Cheung and PK Yu, is Hong Kong's leading specialist in the integration of audio-visual systems and videoconferencing. It has partnered with the world's top vendors, including Polycom Inc., the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications, to offer award-winning systems and technologies.
Its audio conferencing solutions range from a simple desktop device to sophisticated installed voice systems providing superior voice clarity, and scalable display solutions include video walls, multiscreens, and a 30-foot-wide projection screen.
Clockwise from top: Polycom RealPresence™ Experience in High Definition; Audiovisual Conference Room; PresencePro™ Classic conferencing suite;
But much more than recommending equipment, UAT has changed its business model from concentrating on the videoconferencing equipment to creating the entire videoconferencing environmental design including hardware, lighting, interior design and corporate image conference rooms. Its goal is to provide a comprehensive solution to its customers – from audio visual interior design and project management, to installation, training and support services for projects at all levels of complexity. The company has undertaken numerous multinational projects.
Danny Ng, the company's senior sales manager, said a total audio-visual solution for multinational, multiple-location enterprises means making the equipment virtually invisible.
"Our aim is to help companies control the entire environment, including the lighting, furniture, room decor, control panels, colours, logo placements and other factors to ensure that the video conferencing technology is invisible to the participants," said Ng. "They must feel that they are in the same room. The focus should be on the work at hand, not the hardware."
Ng adds: "We can help display and uphold the corporate image both to staff and to outside partners and participants, and arrange video and audio feeds to other meeting rooms so more people can participate."
He said that CEOs and senior executives have realised the value of meeting employees, partners, customers, suppliers and investors "virtually" rather than simply depend upon email or telephone contact. These meetings cut down on misunderstandings caused by poor language skills and help ensure the corporate message is received and understood and that the business objectives are carried out satisfactorily.
UAT specialists can provide consultation on where to place the screens, speakers, tables and chairs and ensure seamless integration of the various locations. They can train users how to manipulate all conferencing equipment with a unified central control, to set effective agendas, to utilise meeting time correctly and, in general, how to maximise the effectiveness of a videoconference.
According to Ng, the cameras, speakers, microphones, lights and other hardware are hidden so that the emphasis is on the eye contact with the camera. With the large, high-definition screens, people can see each other’s body language as well as hear what they have to say without any delay, so that they are fully engaged in the meeting.
"Companies can also set up videoconferencing facilities in smaller rooms to accommodate training sessions and job interviews as well as internal staff conferences," Ng adds. "IP networks and virtual private networks have helped bring the costs of videoconferencing down."
Being connected to the big markets, such as Europe, the US, Canada and Australia, as well as manufacturing and logistics sites in the developing nations of Asia, videoconferencing is now affordable because the sites share the same connectivity. In some places, executives can afford to have small videoconferencing units in their homes in order to stay in touch across various time zones.
"Good audio visual equipment is essential now for good collaboration through communication to increase overall productivity," Ng said. "It allows for expansion in a very organic way."
Some enterprises need multipoint large-screen setups in the board room, while smaller, more intimate facilities can consist of two screens side by side to accommodate four people in each of two locations, or multiple screens for larger, multilocation meetings. UAT can design and configure videoconferencing rooms that accommodate two to four people in two rooms to dozens of people in multiple locations, all with the same look and feel.
UAT provides superior technical support and customer services from certified engineers, solution consultants and audiovisual designers. The company offers dedicated hotline support engineers, and 24-hour telephone support on special arrangement.
Ng said that China is a big growth area and that UAT's rapid expansion means that the company may need to hire more employees and move to a bigger office in 2008.
