Farnborough, England – December 18, 2013 – AVI-SPL, the world’s leading video communications provider, is pleased to announce it’s become a fully-certified Crestron RL™ partner in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Crestron RL is based on Microsoft® Lync® 2013®, a popular and powerful server-based collaboration application that many companies already use on a daily basis. Lync enables video, voice, interactive content sharing, presence, and chat from a personal device, such as a tablet or laptop. Crestron brings Lync from the desktop to the meeting room. In addition, Crestron RL™ links to all systems in the room and gives users control of the entire room from the same touch screen. Crestron RL also communicates with Crestron Fusion™ software that collects and reports valuable usage data about all connected systems. This feature can then be used to intelligently manage the room and provide remote help desk support from any web-enabled device.

As the leading provider of video communications solutions, AVI-SPL continues to invest in its global capabilities. AVI-SPL has a dedicated team of experts within its Unified Communications (UC) practice with a focus on the design, implementation and support of Microsoft Lync UC solutions. To achieve a complete UC environment, AVI-SPLcan integrate Lync with an organization’s BYOD strategy and video collaboration initiative. AVI-SPL’s team provides network assessments, architectural design, hardware and software installation and training to ensure a successful deployment. Post-installation support is provided by AVI-SPL’s managed services team with active monitoring of devices and infrastructure, and automated conference call production.

“Organizations want an easy way to collaborate whether you’re seated at a desktop or in a conference room,” said James Shanks, managing director of EMEA, AVI-SPL. “Crestron’s RL Lync solution allows you to communicate by video and share content while adding Crestron control for lighting, shades, thermostats, digital media, AV distribution, and much more. We’re pleased to offer this comprehensive solution to our customers in the EMEA.”

“We are delighted that AVI-SPL is fully certified to sell and install Crestron RL,” said Robin van Meeuwen, vice president, Crestron International. “AVI-SPL is a significant Crestron partner and we’re excited about the continuous growth of this relationship.”

“AVI-SPL has been investing in Microsoft Lync capabilities to meet the increasing demand from our customers who had already deployed Lync for instant messaging, presence and  content sharing, but are looking to implement the full Microsoft UC solution by adding Lync voice and video,” said Rob Whatley, vice president AVI-SPL’s UC practice. “We are also helping customers just starting to plan their UC deployment by providing full design and pilot services.”

AVI-SPL is also Crestron RL certified in the United States and Canada.