Custom hardware and modular software for the Súdwest-Fryslân council chamber

When an aging system caused friction in a Dutch council chamber, the integrator turned to custom hardware and modular software to simplify the democratic process.

The challenge of technical friction

In the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân, in the city of Sneek, the council chamber was suffering from a technology problem. It wasn’t a lack of features, it was a lack of reliability. The existing setup required council members to insert physical access cards into their desks to activate microphones and voting functions. This created a constant hurdle: cards were often inserted incorrectly, the system was slow to respond, and technical staff had to manually check every seat before a meeting could even begin. The technology had become something the council had to think about, rather than a tool that worked silently in the background.

A multi-purpose space

When the time came to update the chamber, the goal was clear: reliability, simplicity, and a calm user experience. The task of modernising the space under the maintenance of integrator PRO AV. They faced a physical challenge: the old units were built into the custom council tables. Removing them would leave holes that needed to be covered. The chamber is also used for presentations and weddings. The technology needed to be as discreet as possible.

Custom hardware meets modular software

When looking for new microphone units, the team found that conventional brands offered too many features that the municipality wouldn’t use. This led them to MVI AudioVisual’s modular software, which allowed the municipality to choose only the features they needed without paying for unnecessary complexity. To solve the aesthetic requirements, PRO AV commissioned a local metalworker to build custom enclosures that would fit the existing table cutouts perfectly. Inside these custom units, they integrated a 7-inch ProDVX touch panel and an Audio-Technica flush-mount microphone, all connected and controlled by MVI AudioVisual DelegateUI software. The ProDVX touch panels were chosen for their reliable performance, compact design, and ease of integration into a fully customised council solution. The result is a clean, flush-mount unit where everything, from the removable gooseneck microphone to the voting interface, is contained in one sleek package.

A shift in atmosphere

Since the installation, the atmosphere in the chamber has shifted noticeably. Meetings are calmer because the “tech anxiety” has vanished. Preparation that once required a team can now be handled by one person. The user interface was intentionally designed for simplicity. Voting is straightforward: green for in favor, red for against. There are no complex menus, meaning new council members can use the system immediately without extensive training. One of the most significant practical upgrades is the flexibility of the seating. Using the MVI software, staff can simply drag and drop names to different seats on a digital floor plan. The system updates instantly, eliminating the need for complicated access cards used in the past.

Future-proofed by design

The project was designed with a different philosophy than traditional conference setups. Instead of installing a massive, fixed system with hundreds of unused features, PRO AV started with a minimal setup and added only what was required. The move to an IP-based system was also a major leap forward. By running cameras, screens, and audio over the network rather than using traditional SDI video connections, the complexity of the installation was slashed. This makes the system easier to maintain and simple to expand if the municipality decides to add remote participation or hybrid meeting tools in the future. By combining custom metalwork with modular software, Súdwest-Fryslân has proven that high-end technical requirements don’t have to result in a cluttered room. The technology now serves the conversation, not the other way around.

Kit list

Audio-Technica flush-mount microphones (ATUC-50IU and ES925)
Custom-built metal enclosures
MVI AudioVisual DelegateUI and camera control software
ProDVX 7-inch touch panels (ProDVX APPC-7XPLN)
IP-based networking infrastructure
Avonic PTZ cameras