Zizzi

Restaurant chain Zizzi has appointed PEL Music & Media – a leading in-store media solutions provider – as its music supplier.

Zizzi is a young but rapidly growing company – 100 restaurants in 10 years – with quality Italian based menus.  Following a rebranding exercise to position Zizzi as the sexy local Italian with a broader menu and new look restaurants, the company wanted to change its style of music to fit the stylish new image. Sister company Ask recommended its recently appointed music specialist, PEL Music & Media, as ideal candidates for the task.

With the rebranding exercise nearly finished it was imperative that a new play list was created quickly and PEL Music & Media rose to the challenge.  PEL’s studio programmers worked closely with Zizzi to define the style, tempo and volume required to create the right atmosphere.  The result is a mixture of sexy Latin and Jazz based music that isn’t overtly commercial and is now being enjoyed by customers and staff across all 100 Zizzi restaurants.  To keep the music fresh and exciting, it is reviewed quarterly and recommendations are made by PEL for new music.

Zizzi Marketing Manager James Mundy is pleased with the outcome:

“Music is really important for a vibrant atmosphere.  It adds to the look and feel – the ambience – of the place.  PEL was good on the music brief; they came back with really good suggestions and they were very easy to work with.”

PEL Music & Media has been creating in-store media solutions nationwide for more than 30 years, with its latest successful ventures being MusicStore and MediainStore.  MusicStore is a cost-effective Hard Disc unit loaded with an extensive library of tracks that are selected by PEL programmers to reflect a company’s image.  MediainStore takes in-store audio to the next level, providing retailers with a unique, tailor made ‘radio’ service to reinforce their brand.

For sales information please contact PEL Music & Media on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pelmusic.co.uk.

Download Zizzi PDF

Luton Town Hall

It might be a Grade II Listed building, but Luton Borough Council Town Hall is now benefiting from a modern state of the art Bosch Discussion System in the Council Chamber thanks to PEL Services Ltd.

The listing of this impressive 1936 neoclassical building led to PEL working closely with the Council’s approved contractors to ensure no part of the building’s fabric was damaged during the installation.  To achieve this, the fixed seating and floorboards in the Chamber were taken up to avoid drilling into anything whilst installing hidden cables – a substantial task that took two weeks to complete.

The results are impressive, with the Council now benefiting from a comprehensive Bosch Digital Congress Network (DCN) Next Generation system that allows council officials to communicate more effectively.

Matt Hussey, Democratic Services Officer at Luton Borough Council, explains the Council’s decision to install the Discussion System:

“We invested in the new system as the previous 15 year old PA System was well past its sell by date, and a modern, usable system was needed, and the system offered by PEL fitted the bill perfectly.  PEL and Bosch were chosen as they offered a comprehensive and user-friendly system at a very competitive price.  Also the system has the added benefit of a voting system, which can be utilised when required.”

The system installed at Luton Town Hall consists of three Chairman’s Discussion Units and 56 Delegate Discussion Units, each provided with a short or long stem microphone.  A pluggable Discussion Unit position has also been supplied to extend the system when necessary.  To enhance these facilities, PEL has also installed a wireless microphone system that includes a roving hand-held microphone.

In addition to the discussion facilities, the Bosch system also comes with vote counting facilities which PEL has interfaced with a large screen LCD Video Monitor and a Projection Screen to display the results.

Where possible, PEL took care to utilise existing equipment in the Council Chamber, including the loudspeakers that can now be used to broadcast speech from the Discussion Unit to the floor and public gallery when required.  The existing Induction Loop System for the hard of hearing has also been incorporated in the new Discussion System installation.

To ensure that all aspects of the audio systems work effectively, PEL installed a Feedback Suppressor to actively filter out unwanted room reverberations.

Luton Borough Council is pleased not only with its new system in the Chamber but also with the installer, as Matt states:

“Throughout the process PEL have been pro-active, with approachable and sympathetic staff (especially in light of the building being Grade II listed).  If there have been and problems/queries PEL have been more than happy to assist.”

For over 35 years PEL Systems has been a leading UK systems company that designs, supplies, installs and commissions sound, fire, security & communications systems.  In addition, PEL provides a range of service agreements, including routine maintenance and fully comprehensive cover, on third party equipment as well as PEL systems throughout the UK and Eire.

For sales information please contact PEL Services Ltd on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pel.co.uk.

Download Luton Town Hall PDF

Kelsey Park

PEL Music & Media has designed, supplied, installed and commissioned a Bose Professional sound system at Kelsey Park Sports College in Beckenham, Kent that provides superb sound quality, is easy to use and highly versatile.

The school, which only recently became a sports college, is open to boys from Years 7 to 13 with 940 students currently in attendance. To ensure they get the best from their students, Kelsey Park decided it was time to replace the existing, overly complex sound system in the main hall with one that combined quality, simplicity and flexibility.  The latter was important because the school wanted to be able to use the system across two areas: the hall being the priority, but with the option to use the system in the dining room partitioned off from the hall by a moveable wall.

Kelsey Park Sports College turned to world leading sound system manufacturer Bose for a solution, who recommended they work with Bose Pro-Partner PEL.  Bose and PEL worked closely on the project and, after giving the school a demonstration of the quality and ease of use of Bose Professional systems, PEL were awarded the contract.

PEL has now installed a comprehensive Bose sound system throughout the hall and dining area based on a Bose ControlSpace Digital Signal Processing platform. ControlSpace is ideal for this application as it provides the flexibility and ease of use the school requires, allowing different areas to have sound at different times, all at the touch of a button.

Two double stacked Bose Panaray MA12 loudspeakers have been fitted at the front of the hall with two Bose Panaray MB4 bass loudspeakers and a further four Bose FreeSpace Model 32SE loudspeakers under the mezzanine.  Two L1 portable line array systems extend the system to the dining room area.

For Kelsey Park Sports College, the result of all this professional state of the art technology is superb sound that can be put to good use by the school. Estates Manager Grahame Morton comments:

 ”The installation was first class, without fuss and fitted around the College requirements.  I was impressed by the level of detail in getting the system to perform exactly as we wanted it, the sophistication of the controls and the lengths that PEL went to ensure that we were happy with the end product.

“Overall, I feel we got good value for money in comparison to other less sophisticated systems we were offered for similar cost.”

The new Bose sound system installed by PEL is, in fact, so good that the school is now able to hire out the hall, generating extra revenue.

For sales information please contact PEL Music & Media on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pelmusic.co.uk.

Download Kelsey Park PDF

Since its appointment as a Bose Pro-Partner in 2007, PEL Services Ltd. – through its Music & Media Division – has proved itself to be a valuable and efficient associate, completing numerous Bose Professional installations around the UK for some very prestigious customers.

Installations successfully completed have included prominent retail outlets such as Marks & Spencer, Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nicholls, Harrods and Oakley stores, through to the Sheraton Skyline Hotel, as well as schools, showrooms, new style McDonalds restaurants and even a high end art gallery.

Ken Faulks, Managing Director of PEL Services, comments on his company’s work with Bose: “PEL made a strategic decision to apply to become a Bose Pro-Partner. We were already a leading UK systems company designing, supplying, installing, commissioning and maintaining public address, music and AV systems. We had the experience and reputation in place, which made us a suitable candidate for Bose.

“We have benefited from partnering with Bose, as the brand is world renowned for quality; it has opened doors for us. We like to think that Bose has equally profited from our expertise and customer service throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland, as well as our presence in key markets such as the education, leisure and retail sectors.”

As a Bose Pro-Partner, PEL is an authorised dealer for the entire Bose Professional Systems range which includes its leading edge speakers and electronics to meet the demanding requirements of professional applications. PEL Services has a full supply, design, commissioning and installation capability using the Bose range of professional audio solutions, supported by excellent product and technical information, marketing and demonstration resources.

For sales information, please contact PEL Services Ltd on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pel.co.uk

Oakley

PEL Music & Media is pleased to announce the completion of its fifth Bose Professional sound system installation for high street retailer Oakley.

Originally known for its innovative, market-leading optical technology for sport professionals, Oakley, Inc. has grown into a world-renowned sport and lifestyle brand featuring high performance sunglasses, prescription lenses and frames, goggles, apparel, footwear and accessories.  It has a chain of retail platforms across the world, including six Oakley Stores in the UK.

In line with its ethos of employing cutting edge technology, Oakley chose Bose as its sound system of choice and PEL for the installation work for its second UK Oakley Store – in Bluewater in 2007.  John Pollard, Oakley (UK) Ltd. Director and General Manager, took a hands on role in specifying the sound system for this prestigious store, as he explains:

 ”I took a far more proactive role in the sourcing of additional services and it was fitting that a technology driven company like Oakley should chose to install a system from the market leader in audio technology – BOSE. When I was looking for a company to install at Bluewater, I telephoned a few companies and it was the quality of the information provided and their customer service that set PEL ahead of the others.” 

 In fact, John is so impressed with PEL’s “excellent” service, that “I would recommend them to anyone” and decided to use the Bose / PEL combination in the next four store openings.

A leading Bose Pro-Partner, PEL Music & Media has installed a Bose FreeSpace 3 system in to each of the Oakley stores, the latest one being Liverpool.  This high-performance, Virtually Invisible loudspeaker system is engineered for reproducing voice and music in background and foreground applications.  The FreeSpace 3 system combines flush-mount, surface-mount and pendant-mount speakers to work with different store décors and layouts.  This aspect was also of importance to Oakley as John Pollard states:

“A key benefit for us is the excellent sound quality from minimalistic components.”

PEL Music & Media is a division of PEL Services Ltd., one of the UK’s most reliable and respected providers of equipment, installation, maintenance and servicing of quality commercial, music, sound, fire, security and communication systems, with over 30 years experience.

For sales information please contact PEL Music & Media on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pelmusic.co.uk.

Download Oakley PDF

Debenhams

Following a long line of successful installations for their prestigious department store client, PEL Services Ltd. is pleased to announce its involvement in three new Debenhams stores at Blackpool, Livingston near Edinburgh and Westfield in London.  PEL has designed, supplied and commissioned fire alarm, public address and disabled refuge call systems in the latter two and designed, supplied, installed and commissioned fire alarm, voice alarm, MATV, intruder alarm and disabled refuge call systems in Debenhams Blackpool.

The key to success for these systems was the ability to cope with the size of the stores and the project timescales, particularly when programmes ran in tandem.  Each of the new Debenhams stores trade from substantial space over a number of floors, thus demanding carefully selected equipment to achieve a reliable and effective result, easily installed over large areas.

PEL satisfies the fire detection and alarm requirements in the new Debenhams stores by designing, supplying and installing the latest open protocol systems. At Livingston the system also benefited from aspirating smoke detectors that sample the air from protected areas to give even earlier warning of a fire.

To enhance safety, PEL installed a Bosch Plena Voice Evacuation system with a variety of speakers in the Blackpool branch.  The other stores have a different layout and did not require the voice evacuation but have been fitted with public address systems that are used to broadcast music and Debenhams ‘In Store Radio’, also supplied to every Debenhams store by PEL’s Music & Media Division.

The Debenhams Blackpool store has also been fitted with a Europlex intruder alarm system and MATV (aerial distribution system).  The latter allows for TV and music to be played in different departments.

All three new Debenhams stores benefit from refuge call systems by PEL to comply with British Standards and the Disability Discrimination Act.  A specialised intercom, the refuge call system consists of a modular control panel installed at a control point in each store, connected by an independent link to remote hands free units in each stair well.  The system allows a disabled person to alert the central station to their predicament, enabling appropriate action to be taken.

The new systems provide Debenhams with effective round the clock protection as well as substantially contributing to their sales efforts.

For over 35 years PEL Services has been a leading UK systems company that designs, supplies, installs, commissions and maintains sound, fire, security & communications systems.  For sales information, please contact PEL Services Ltd on 020 8839 2100.

Download Debenhams PDF

Bosch Security Systems’ latest Praesideo technology has become the first Public Address and Voice Alarm System to attain the new EN54-16 accreditation – a qualification that brings PA/VA systems in line with the most stringent fire alarm standards in the world.

EN54-16 requires all new product to be independently tested – rather than being self-certified – by a recognised testing house. Praesideo has been fully certified by TÜV to both EN54-16 and ISO 7240-16 safety standards.

“Praesideo has set the benchmark for the evacuation market for its quality and reliability from the time it was introduced,” says Paul Wong, Managing Director of Bosch Security Systems, “and this new accreditation demonstrates our continued commitment to invest our time, money and technical resources into developing world-leading products that support our customers in critical environments.”

Any systems specified or installed after April 2011 will need to be EN54-16 compliant, with certification to the new standard taking between six and 12 months to attain, at an investment level of between €50 – €100K.

The functionality of the core Praesideo technology meant that most of the requirements demanded by the new standards were already covered. New software (Version 3.3) was developed, however, to extend the functionality still further.

“With Praesideo being software based and programmable we have a distinct advantage,” Paul continues. “It means that customers using legacy systems will have an upgrade path, thus maximising their total cost of ownership.”

An example of the extended functionality includes new zone-status indicators that show a fault status when any failure of equipment or cabling prevents a specific zone from being addressed. Other functionality extensions relate to voice alarms, outputs to fire alarm devices and managed evacuation. Furthermore the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the system has been upgraded to EN50130-4 levels for alarm systems and, with that upgrade, both hardware and software fully comply with the obligatory and optional requirements of EN54 and ISO 7240.

Certification of compliancy to EN54-16 and ISO 7240-16 has been granted by TÜV, the independent German quality and safety organisation. TÜV previously tested Praesideo to EN60849 and IEC60849 standards.

EN 54-16 and ISO 7240-16 describe the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for voice-related components in fire alarm and detection systems. The European and international standards derived from these requirements promise to play a significant role in voice evacuation markets both in Europe and internationally. The standards are aimed specifically at ensuring that voice alarm control and indicating equipment provides the best possible communication for users, installers, the public and fire brigades, as well as providing uncompromised system availability and system supervision.

EN54-16, in particular, will play a significant role in the market for voice evacuation as the member states of the European Union will in the future be obliged to replace their local standards by the EN54-16 standard.

ends

For further press information please contact: Sean Feast or Iona McIntyre – AGA Public Relations – 020 7330 8888 or email sfeast@aga.co.uk

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 280,000 associates generated sales of 45.1 billion euros in fiscal 2008. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros, or eight percent of its sales revenue, for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

Bedford Athletics Stadium

PEL Services Ltd, one of the UK’s foremost providers of sound and communication systems, was selected to upgrade the Public Address system to compliment the recent refurbishment of Bedford Athletics Stadium.

Also know as Newnham Athletics, Bedford Athletics Stadium boasts a range of facilities including an international standard eight lane floodlit track, athletics fields, a weights room and two rugby pitches, one of which is floodlit. In addition, a variety of activities are also on offer such as football, athletics and a range of general fitness sessions.

The existing Public Address arrangements had grown over a number of years and this had resulted in several disparate systems, which were now no longer fit for purpose. PEL’s task was to assess and utilise the existing equipment as far as possible, working with the stadium’s management to propose and deliver a sophisticated Public Address solution to fulfil their needs now and into the future.

PEL’s solution was to provide a state-of-the-art central control rack that offers digital signal processing and flexible programming to drive new amplification units serving six existing loudspeaker zones. This arrangement allows for local control of input sources to serve a local areas or zones, but still allows the Public Address operator to group any combination of zones to broadcast site-wide when necessary. Control of the public address system is from six-zone microphone paging consoles situated at reception and within the commentary box, where further provision is made for two commentators hand-held microphones. Utilising existing antenna, provision is also made for radio microphones for commentary and interviews out on the track or field. Provision for music is made, primarily for the lounge bar area, from CD or MP3 located within the rack with localised controls for music selection and volume.

Being kind enough to write to PEL’s Managing Director, Brian Cottrell the Stadium Manager stated:

“I am pleased to have this opportunity of writing this brief note to you to acknowledge the professional manner in which your company carried out the recent upgrade to our Public Address system. In particular, I would like to say a big thank you to Peter Saunders whose conduct from start to finish has been exemplary. Throughout the project he kept in regular contact to ensure everything ran smoothly and was always available to deal with any queries. Thank you for a satisfactory outcome and please convey my thanks to him and his other colleagues.”

PEL believes such a letter reasserts their policy of appointing one from a team of skilled Systems Engineers to work closely with the customer and to be responsible for the project from initial design proposals through to system handover.

For further information please contact PEL Services Ltd on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pel.co.uk.

Download Bedford Athletics Stadium PDF

Marks & Spencer Westfield

The latest of many projects undertaken in recent years for Marks & Spencer, PEL Services Ltd has designed, supplied, installed and commissioned a multi zone music and public address system at the prestigious retailer’s new anchor store at Westfield London – reputedly the largest in-town retail development in Europe.

The new music and PA system serves the 103,000 square feet of floor space at the store, every inch of which features exciting contemporary internal architecture and premium finishes.  To compliment the design and do justice to the impressive space, PEL chose a Bose Professional System featuring over 300 Bose Model 16 ceiling speakers to play music throughout the store and broadcast messages when required.  As a multi zone system, different music and messages can be played in different areas, making it extremely versatile.

In addition to the sound system, PEL also supplied and installed a refuge call system at the new Marks & Spencer store.  A specialised intercom designed for building compliance with British Standards and the Disability Discrimination Act, the refuge call system consists of a modular control panel connected by an independent link to remote hands free units in each public stair well.  The system allows a disabled person to alert the central station to their predicament, enabling appropriate action to be taken.

PEL Services has been providing Marks & Spencer with professional audio systems for a number of years and has completed installations for the retailer across the UK, including its flagship Pantheon store in Oxford Street, London.  The combination of competitive pricing and 35 years experience in sound and communications systems has proved a winning blend for the company, which is a leading Bose Pro-Partner for the UK and Eire.

For sales information, please contact PEL Services Ltd on 020 8839 2100.

Download M&S Westfield PDF

McDonalds

PEL Music & Media has been awarded the contract to design, install and commission new sound systems into McDonald’s’ biggest UK franchisee’s restaurants.

Franchisee Pru Naik has 24 McDonald’s restaurants, mainly around West London and Berkshire.  What sets Pru apart is his desire for customers to have a “differential experience”.  His McDonald’s feature stylish dark bamboo and cream colour schemes, flowers on the tables, free wi-fi in every restaurant and now a superb new sound system.

Brand & Communications Manager Rico Pieri investigated the sound options and found Bose to be both quick to respond and helpful.  Bose put Rico in touch with one of its leading Bose Pro-Partners, PEL Music & Media, for the system design and installation.

PEL was asked to design and install a system initially for McDonald’s London Victoria restaurant which was the first to be kitted out as part of the high spec refurb.  The existing sound system hadn’t been changed since 1999, but the restaurant had been refurbished and the layout changed, which affected the overall sound quality.

PEL designed the system using a Bose 4400 Business Music System with digital processing and ambient noise sensing.  The latter was particularly important for a restaurant like Victoria as large customer groups often arrive in one go raising the ambient level to the detriment of the music.  With ambient noise sensing the sound level adjusts automatically, leaving staff free to continue to serve customers rather than continually breaking off to adjust the music volume level.

PEL installed the entire sound system over two nights, enabling the restaurant to operate as normal in the day.

In addition to the equipment installation, PEL also secured the contract to provide the music, creating and regularly updating the play list.  This is supplied on CD at regular intervals and loaded onto the hard drive in the restaurant, although McDonald’s is looking to switch to Broadband for simpler delivery, as recommended by PEL.  The playlist has been cleverly designed by PEL to change throughout the day, starting with mellow, quieter music in the mornings.

McDonald’s are very pleased with the sound system which manages to combine the two key aspects they were looking for – great sound and ease of use – as Pru explains:

“it now feels like one zone of sound rather than pockets.  The ambient noise sensing is also a great feature as it doesn’t require attention from my staff which means they can focus 100% on the customer.”

PEL Music & Media is a division of PEL Services Ltd., one of the UK’s most reliable and respected providers of equipment, installation, maintenance and servicing of quality commercial, music, sound, fire, security and communication systems, with over 30 years experience.

For sales information please contact PEL Music & Media on 020 8839 2100 or go to www.pelmusic.co.uk.

Download McDonalds PDF