Press Release

WUPPERTAL September 13, 2019

Riedel Redefines Media Infrastructures at Swiss Re

Swiss Re, the world's second-largest reinsurance company, has implemented a decentralized MediorNet infrastructure for signal transport, routing, and processing as part of its extensive "Campus Mythenquai” renovation project. In addition, an Artist intercom system seamlessly integrates into this infrastructure to ensure reliable communications within the entire complex that includes the original headquarters, the Swiss Re Next building, the clubhouse, the Mythenschloss auditorium, and the Swiss Re Academy that is 6km removed from the main campus.

With Riedel's MediorNet real-time media network, the previously separate IT and AV networks are combined onto a single, redundant fiber optic backbone. This significantly increases the performance and reliability of the entire infrastructure. Several auditoriums, meeting rooms, a studio, and a control room are included in the new infrastructure. An Artist-32 Node and ten 2300-Series SmartPanels ensure crystal-clear communication in all rooms. Almost a dozen MediorNet Compact Frames with decentralized, redundant signal routing facilitate all routing, signal transport, processing, and communication. This means that all signals can be switched effortlessly to and from any conceivable point on the extensive campus.

"I knew the benefits of MediorNet from my time in the broadcast industry, so it was an easy decision," said Markus Ruedisuehli, Senior AV Engineer at Swiss Re Management Ltd. "The flexibility and expandability of the system, the decentralized approach, and integrated processing features such as embedding/de-embedding, frame store, frame sync, and sample rate conversion were enough to convince us that MediorNet was the ideal solution. For us, it is the perfect technological Swiss Army Knife. The fact that almost all of our external partners already use Riedel systems and the amazing support from Riedel Communications Switzerland AG were decisive factors for us".

The advantages of Riedel’s decentralized approach, which enables easy expansion using additional rented MediorNet nodes when needed, became clear at the 2018 Formula E race in Zurich. Here, the entire MediorNet infrastructure was expanded using just one fiber optic connection and a complete media center with 300 workstations was quickly set up in an auditorium that was otherwise used for concerts, receptions, and networking events.

"Thanks to its modularity and scalability, MediorNet offers enormous freedom in setting up intelligent media architectures. The setup at the prestigious Swiss Re-Campus not only forms the perfect basis for an eventual migration towards IP-based network solutions, but is also a solid investment for the future," said Erwin Engel, Sales Manager, Riedel Communications Switzerland AG. "With this integration, Swiss Re has underscored its leadership in adopting new technologies as well. They will soon add the award-winning Bolero wireless intercom system for the new Remote Location Center for Global Dialogue in Rüschlikon, Switzerland".