Fusion: How Control Room Design Impacts an Evolving Energy Industry

On today’s MarketScale Pro AV podcast, we are joined by Electrosonic Pre-Sales and Design Engineer Doug Walker and Project Manager Bob Mann for a conversation on extended control room design. Control rooms are integral to companies that make mission-critical decisions daily.

As Walker points out, the term “control room” does not mean the same thing to everyone, so the first thing that the technicians and engineers at Electrosonic do is begin by defining what that actually is and means to each individual client.

For some, it could be a room with dials and valve switches and very physical devices, and for others, it could be a flight control room or be very software driven.

“In the oil and gas industry, they’ve seen the control room attached to what it’s actually controlling, which can often be on a rig, or in a very hostile location, so with improved connectivity and better control rooms, it doesn’t have to be out in that hostile location anymore,” Walker says.

Walker goes on to point out that now only essential personnel must be on the operated asset, on an oil rig for example, but people can operate the same resources remotely, which allows for better communication, and a lot of safety improvements.

Technology has evolved, and as it has, people’s attitude and expectations have changed. That now means that we need to be able to access that information from anywhere.

“In the oil and gas field, it’s more of what we call a controlled environment that the client’s looking to create,” Mann says.

That allows teams to “monitor, implement, and replace faulty equipment” efficiently.

“The most important tool that we’re providing is the ability to communicate immediately and seamlessly with any offshore asset,” Mann adds.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Pro AV Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @ProAVMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Engineering
Scaling Experiential Learning in the Curriculum: How Iron Range Engineering Transformed Engineering Education
June 1, 2026

Engineering has transformed nearly every part of modern life, from the phones in our pockets to the systems powering global industry. But the way engineers are educated has often moved far more slowly than the profession itself. Employers are asking for graduates who can navigate ambiguity, communicate across teams, and contribute meaningfully from the…

Read More
vascular surgeon
When Geography Meets Purpose: How One Move Reshaped a Vascular Surgeon’s Career
May 28, 2026

Medicine isn’t what it used to be—not for the people practicing it. Independent physicians are becoming the exception, not the norm, as more doctors move into hospital systems, corporate groups, and academic networks. At the same time, the pipeline of specialists isn’t keeping pace with growing patient needs, particularly in complex fields like vascular…

Read More
safer HVAC chemicals
From Second Chances to Stronger Teams: Bradley Henderson on Structure, Culture, and Trades-Based Redemption
May 26, 2026

The trades have always demanded grit, but grit alone doesn’t build a strong workforce. People need structure, clear expectations, and a sense that their work is taking them somewhere. That’s especially true in HVAC and mechanical services, where employers are trying to hire, retain, and develop talent in a labor market that feels tighter and…

Read More
courage
Creative Confidence and Moral Courage: The Leadership Traits Business Schools Should Be Betting On
May 25, 2026

What students need from higher education is becoming harder to pin down than it once was. As higher education faces mounting pressure—from student disengagement to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence—institutions are being forced to rethink not just what students learn, but who they become. New research and industry signals suggest that technical knowledge…

Read More