We installed a robust wireless network with failover points and redundant hardware for an iPad lab project where the school is undertaking a pilot programme to teach via iPad and use digital content rather than traditional books.

More recently we have expanded a long-standing client’s VPN network with additional Cisco 800 Series routers, adding several new branch offices overseas. In another VPN project we recommended Sonicwall as a VPN solution and won the bid to install a Head Office and branch network VPN. It’s good to know that some businesses are expanding.

As always we continue to provide a very high level of customer service and technical excellence to our client base in IT maintenance and audiovisual sectors.

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We also provided AV distribution and conversion hardware to allow the digital signage content to be delivered from the storage systems over both RF (coaxial) distribution cables and over a Cat5 data network.

15 screens have been installed so far in various locations and buildings around the campus – see gallery below.

Cork’s 5 star Hayfield Manor Hotel has retained Mercato as its core technology supplier since 2003.

This role includes supply and maintenance of IT hardware, Internet & email including mobile devices, audio visual systems in bedrooms and conference rooms, and CCTV security security systems.

We recently completed a major audio visual upgrade to all conference & meeting rooms and 90 bedrooms.

The conference centre has been upgraded with an AMX room automation system which utilises 6″ touch-screen displays in each meeting room to control lighting levels, projection screens and audio visual equipment. The audio and video sources can be switched and adjusted via the customised touch-screen panels which dock in the wall for charging or can be moved around the room as handheld wireless units.

Large projection screens and high resolution projectors were installed. One meeting room was equipped with a 60″ plasma TV screen which is positioned behind a one-way mirror, thus hiding the display screen when it is not being used, and allowing it to be viewed when it is turned on.

In the bedrooms we supplied Philips Professional Display systems which are customised for public & Hotel use, integrated with the Hotel’s TV distribution system, as well as DVD and Hifi equipment to the bigger Suites.

In addition, Mercato manages all the Hotel’s IT functions including full wired and wireless Broadband access throughout the bedrooms, conference rooms and public areas of the Hotel.

We supply and maintain the CCTV security system at Hayfield Manor with over 20 indoor and outdoor cameras and a number of recording systems.

Previously we had installed a SMARTboard Unifi45 system with fully integrated SMART wall-mounted projector and 68″ screen with built-in audio and connectivity for multiple AV sources.

Just completed is the addition of a Polycom HDX 7000 series high-definition video conferencing unit enabling the HMRC to collaborate with academic and commercial partners in Ireland and beyond.

The unit with remote control camera is mounted on a movable stand with a NEC 42″ commercial display screen and dedicated microphone and speakers.

The Polycom HDX7000 allows for simultaneous transmission and reception of both data and video, meaning that any participant in a videoconference can send their camera stream as well as a data presentation or live PC screen to the remote party.

One of the first uses of the equipment was for a Masters presentation involving a research student at the Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l’État in Brest and the HMRC staff in Cork.

As illustrated in the picture gallery below, it is possible to graft new skin on to substantial areas, or even an entire SMARTboard to replace a damaged surface layer.

In this case a nearby filing cabinet had been tipped over and its corner caught the SMARTboard as it fell.

from the SMART website: “The resilient hard-coated, polyester front sheet is secured over a robust aluminum composite backboard. The surface is tear proof”

… unfortunately the board in this case was not tear-proof enough to withstand the corner of a falling filing cabinet…

from Wikipedia: “The earlier Smart Board 600-series interactive whiteboards use resistive technology. A flexible plastic front sheet and hard backboard are coated with a thin resistive film. The resistive sides of each are separated by an air gap of two-thousandths of an inch, or about the width of two human hairs. Pressure applied to the surface of the front sheet closes the gap and is registered as a contact point… This technology can process contact from a finger, pen tool or any device – such as a pointer.”

As long as you ensure that the tiny gap between front sheet and backboard is not compromised by your repair, and the damage is mainly to the front sheet and not the backboard, there is a very good chance you can restore the board to pretty much full working order.

Our approach was to cover the entire board with a new skin, overlapping all edges and taped to the back of the board, rather than attempt to glue a patch over the torn area.

Its debatable which result may have looked better. We covered up the grey plastic bezel around the board, which makes it look a little odd.

The first and most important step is to examine the area of the tear to the front sheet and remove any jagged edges which may bend inwards and make contact with the backboard. Any such contact will be interpreted by the board as a touch interaction so you need to ensure complete separation of the layers.

Trim away the edge of the cut until you are left with a clean and mostly straight line which does not make contact with the backboard. If necessary, use some electrical insulation tape or similar to cover the torn material and make a clean and straight edge which will not bend inwards.

At this point you will likely have the option to glue a patch onto the front sheet which is large enough to cover the cut, or to cover the entire board with a new skin. We choose the latter option in this instance as we have not experimented with gluing and we had an old roller projection screen to hand.

The new skin was cut to overlap the board and bezel edges and the board placed on the floor facing downwards on top of the new skin. We used strong tape to affix the new sheet around the edges of the board and made the new sheet taut enough not to sag but allowing enough movement to press inwards and create a connection between the front sheet and backboard.

This worked equally as well in the torn area as in the areas where the original front sheet was left intact (under the new DIY front sheet).

Mercato has been installing Interactive Whiteboards since 2006. We mainly concentrate on the market leading brands – SMARTboard and Promethean.

SMARTboard is the best-selling IWB (Interactive Whiteboard) in Ireland. This is due to its quality, reliability and support, including professional installation and free training by dedicated full-time trainers.

Many schools love Promethean boards for their specialised child-friendly software and features such as height adjustment.

We are happy to advise you on the best board for your requirements and budget.

We also supply a new product – interactive projectors – which turn any wall or standard whiteboard into an interactive surface.