In the context of mission critical control rooms, “command-and-control” refers to the integrated framework of systems, technologies, processes, and personnel used to monitor, manage, and respond to real-time data and operational events within high-stakes environments. These environments, such as emergency operations centers, utility control rooms, transportation management hubs, and military command centers, demand uninterrupted performance, high reliability, and rapid decision-making. Command and control operations rely heavily on audiovisual (AV) technologies to provide situational awareness, enabling operators and leadership to visualize live data feeds, coordinate across teams, and issue directives efficiently and accurately.
AV systems play a pivotal role by delivering live-feed display walls, collaboration platforms, and dynamic content distribution that supports both strategic oversight and tactical response. Command and control in these settings is not just about centralized monitoring; it’s about empowering distributed decision-makers through shared visibility, seamless communication, and system resilience. Technologies such as redundant signal distribution, ergonomic operator consoles, intuitive control interfaces, and integration with IT and OT systems ensure that information is delivered where and when it’s needed, with zero tolerance for downtime or failure. Ultimately, command and control in mission critical control rooms is the foundation for coordinated action, continuous operations, and informed leadership in environments where seconds and precision matter.
At InfoComm 2025, over 800 proAV exhibitors showcased the latest innovations driving mission critical control rooms, especially in command-and-control environments where uptime, precision, and operator coordination are paramount. Key players focused on the integration of AV-over-IP, ultra-low-latency video transport, and centralized orchestration platforms, which are all vital for modern 24/7 operations centers.
Barco placed a spotlight on its critical management center’s capabilities under its command-and-control vision. The centerpiece of their showcase was Barco CTRL, the company’s flagship KVM-over-IP and visualization platform. Barco CTRL was honored at InfoComm 2025 with industry awards, including the CI BEST Award 2025 for Best Video Distribution System and the “Best of Show” AV Technology Award. Barco CTRL enables operators in control rooms to seamlessly route, display, and interact with unlimited sources across multiple screens and endpoints, all while meeting enterprise-grade cybersecurity requirements through encryption, authentication, and audit logging.
VuWall demonstrated IPbased video walls in demos, showing how high-resolution content can be dynamically routed to operator stations and wall displays for shared situational awareness.
Planar emphasized its leadership in visualization for command-and-control environments by unveiling an expanded LED video wall portfolio tailored to mission-critical control rooms. The spotlight was on the Planar DirectLight Essential Series, the company’s first Chip-on-Board (COB) LED display line. Awarded “Best of Show” by Sound & Video Contractor, this 27-inch modular system offers 0.7 to 1.5 mm pixel pitches, dense 30,000:1 contrast, and a 3,840 Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for crisp, low-latency visuals in control environments. With its compatibility with Planar’s WallDirector video controller, it makes it well suited for real-time situational monitoring.
Complementing the Essential series, Planar also introduced the DirectLight Slim Series, a micro-LED line designed for curved or space-constrained command rooms with ultra-thin form factors and tight pixel pitches for immersive visual presentations. The DirectLight Pro Series, featuring micro-LED technology, debuted with high-brightness (2,000 nits) and low-power options, enhancing versatility across visibility conditions.
There were also many “award winning” exhibitors that highlighted control room importance. Christie Secure Series III received top honors as “Best Technology for Command & Control Environments”, signaling strong demand for secure, central AV systems. Crestron DMNVX 384, among others, showcased high-performing AV-over-IP distribution platforms ideal for live, low latency command applications. Control Room furniture/equipment providers such as Winsted, Evans, Legrand and others demonstrated the importance of selecting the correct equipment, ergonomics.
Systems integrators like Constant Technologies highlighted the importance of convergence of all equipment and technologies in the command-an-control market, reflecting how component vendors, control platforms, and integrators together shape comprehensive command-and-control solutions.
There was also the presence of education and awareness for command-and-control, in the presence of the Command + Control Alliance (C2A). The Command + Control Alliance (C2A) is a U.S.-based nonprofit trade organization, officially founded in 2024 and dedicated exclusively to the control room and command-and-control sector. Its mission is to raise awareness and provide education for professionals, manufacturers, integrators, consultants, engineers, and end users who design, implement, and support critical control room environments. Over its first 18 months, C2A has hosted eight industry meetups, drawing around 50 attendees per event from more than 30 companies, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the sector. At InfoComm 2025, C2A organized a targeted meet-up. It was a casual yet focused networking session for command-and-control professionals. This gathering brought together integrators, end users, and technology partners to discuss emerging trends, common challenges, and future needs in high-reliability operations environments.
Ultimately, InfoComm 2025 confirmed that all types/styles of control rooms rely on a tightly woven ecosystem: real-time video distribution, resilient orchestration, secure interfaces, and operator-centric.
