EastLink: upgrading the control room for smarter, simpler operations

Challenge 

• The existing control room infrastructure was built around Barco rear-projection cubes, Barco OpSpace operator desk software and a Barco TransForm N networked visualization system, which all served the organization well for years but now no longer fully answered its needs 

• Operators had to manage multiple sources – including video streams, camera feeds, web applications, and desktop environments – across a fragmented setup that made efficient, ergonomic working difficult 

• The need to physically move between systems or work with disconnected tools increased cognitive load and slowed down response times in a fast-paced operational environment 

• The organization needed a future-ready platform that could consolidate desk and video wall management, while maintaining high availability and supporting 24/7 operations 

Solution 

• EastLink selected Barco CTRL as the central platform for its upgraded control room, deploying it to manage both operator desks and the video wall from a single, unified environment 

• With Barco CTRL, operators can now access all their sources – cameras, web apps, video streams, and desktop systems – through a single keyboard and mouse, eliminating the need to switch between separate tools or workstations 

• The platform's desk independence feature ensures that each operator automatically loads their personalized workspace configuration upon login, regardless of which physical desk they sit at – a key advantage in a shift-based operation 

• The intuitive user interface, designed with real-world control room workflows in mind, required minimal training and was quickly adopted by the team 

• For the video wall, EastLink installed a 5×3 Barco UniSee LCD display wall in a curved configuration, replacing the old rear projection cubes; Barco's NoGap™ technology delivers a near-seamless visual surface, with automatic tile alignment and continuous color and brightness calibration 

• A Barco-certified control room partner delivered the full turnkey installation, with Barco's service team providing commissioning guidance and ongoing support through an EssentialCare package 

Results 

• Operators now manage the full range of control room sources from a single, ergonomic workstation – removing the physical strain and inefficiency of the previous multi-system setup 

• Response times have improved, as all relevant information is accessible on one unified canvas without context-switching between platforms 

• The low-latency performance of Barco CTRL means the system responds as fast as a personal computer, with pixel-perfect content and no noticeable delays – critical in a live traffic management environment 

• Automatic failover via redundancy options ensures 24/7 uptime, giving operations management confidence in continuous availability 

• The open architecture of Barco CTRL, with API-based integration for third-party video management systems, positions EastLink for smooth future expansion 

• Feedback from operators and management has been positive, with the ease of use and unified workflow standing out as the most valued improvements 

• By staying within the Barco ecosystem and reusing compatible infrastructure where possible, EastLink protected its prior investment while gaining a significantly more capable and future-proof platform