[SML] Android tablet OK for sound board app?

[Jon Ares]

Very wisely done. I concur with everything you wrote, and indeed we
keep our various networks (lighting, sound, video) separate from the
campus-wide networks.... in our case, our head of IT is capricious as
to when he pokes his gavel into the discussion....  (pardon the mixed
metaphors)  Most of the time, he understands and trusts "us."  *And
he's a nice guy - a guy I do like and respect, but sometimes he goes
on power trips.  Typically, it's because he wasn't part of the
conversation from the beginning, so he throws passive-aggressive
tantrums. :)

Our potential suitors, I mean vendors for the sound gear, wouldn't
bid/include iPad or the WAP, because they all said we'd be getting the
same price by buying off the shelf, or with a discount in the
educational system (and with government dollars).  And we also assumed
this wouldn't be a "problem," since we are NOT relying on
district-wide IT/network for this.  <sigh>

 - Jon

On Mon, Jan 30, 2023 at 9:00 AM Fritz Schwentker via Stagecraft
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>
> When we design and specify audio and lighting systems/networks with
> app-enabled consoles for schools or other institutional clients, it is
> common to include an access-point in the spec so the users can enable their
> own wireless connection without having to touch the campus network. Ideally
> we'll even have the integrator run suitable category cable with a suitable
> dedicated receptacle plate up on a catwalk location back to the main console
> or rack housing the audio (or lighting) network switch. If the actual
> purchase of the device (iPad for instance) is an issue on a campus, we'll
> add that to the spec as well.
>
> Keeping all these networks separate in most theatrical venues usually makes
> sense from an operational point of view. And, as long as one is not relying
> on an IT department or similar entity for the actual technical support,
> there seems to be little push-back. It's important to stress to those who do
> push back that, even though this looks like IT, these are distinct
> entertainment technology systems, and the need to be respected and managed
> by the professionals who are responsible for running the show....
>
> Fritz Schwentker
> fschwentker at wjhw.com
> Associate Principal
> WJHW, Inc.


-- 
Jon Ares
www.arescreative.com