SatMagazine (SM)
Please tell our readers about your Company’s business focus, and history, within the various European market segments.
Colem has supplied monitor and control systems since 1997. Our initial focus in Europe was the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Scandinavian markets. From this it led to many projects, many worldwide. In particular, Colem worked with several major broadcasters and news agencies bringing new Network Management System (NMS) technologies to these demanding users. The next step for Colem was the specialization of the embedded NMS for pan European SNG and Flyaway operations. Our technologies now include the management of wireless camera systems in Belgium, Denmark, Italy and the U.K.
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What European SATCOM sectors do you believe offer the most potential for Company growth and why?
Martin Coleman + Roger Franklin
Video distributors (TV Networks, DTH, Cable Head-ends, Network Originators, and so on) continue to hold a lot of potential for Colem. Every year the number of video channels increases, and the number of distribution methods continue to increase as well. This is driven by the decreasing cost of adding additional channels and distribution methods while the consumer demand increases. The ability to create and distribute channels targeting niche markets is becoming more and more economically feasible. The economics requires video distributors to provide more services while maintaining existing staffing levels. This scenario demands automation systems to monitor and ensure reliable distribution of content. A prime example is the need for automatic uplink site diversity of Ka-band DTH video that can be interrupted by heavy rain, which Europe has experienced a lot this year.
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How is your Company coping with the euro fluctuations?
Martin Coleman + Roger Franklin
Being a U.K.-based company has required Colem to assume a bit more risk with regard to Euro fluctuations when dealing with companies in the Euro zone. When possible, quotes are issued in GB Pounds Sterling; otherwise, the number of days which a quote is valid has to be shortened. This also gives Colem a reason to encourage our customer to get projects completed as quickly as possible.
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How will the European markets impact global, as well as your Company’s business opportunities?
Much of the global growth in the satellite industry is in the regions of Africa, The Middle East and India. Europe is well positioned to serve those markets, so Colem targets the systems integrators and major service providers that are based in Europe. This growth has been good for both the European market of equipment and service providers as well as Colem.
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What obstacles do you see facing your Company in the European market? How do you plan on overcoming such challenges?
Martin Coleman + Roger Franklin
Apart from the fluctuations in the Euro, the biggest challenge is helping European systems integrators communicate the nuances of ad-driven video channels that are prevalent in the North American market. Once the nuances are understood, control systems, like the ones Colem provides, can increase the flexibility, efficiency, and reliability of those ad-driven video channels. To assist Colem, we are partnering with Crystal Solutions from the USA which is the dominate control system provider to the major North American TV networks. Crystal has developed very interesting applications germane to live sports and news broadcasters, as well as advertising revenue protection solutions that complement Colem’s strength in the SNG uplink and scheduling sector.
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What new technologies/products will your Company be working on and/or releasing over the next few months that will drive additional business in Europe?
Martin Coleman + Roger Franklin
Automated site diversity switching is a key technology that the Ka-band marketing is requiring; Colem and Crystal have proven solutions that are available for immediate delivery. Another key component is a new technology that links the control system with scheduling systems and will greatly increase efficiency while maintaining costs.
Colem intends to migrate that new technology to our Auto-Deploy systems, thereby ensuring that SNG (Satellite News Gathering) operations become more effective, simple to use, and interference free.
Finally, additional automated monitoring systems that include transport stream analysis and spectrum monitoring and recording are product offerings that help our customers become aware of potential problems and RF interference so they can minimize, or eliminate, down time.