Jupiter Systems Demonstrates "Canvas," A Multipoint Collaborative Visualization Solution, at Modern Day Marine

Client-server application enables any source on the security center video wall — live video, data, application screens and more — to be shared with colleagues anywhere on the network

Product featured at Jupiter Booth Number 416 and HDT Global Booth Number 506

QUANTICO, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jupiter Systems, the industry leader in visualization and collaboration solutions for display walls and networked PCs and the number one worldwide supplier of display wall processors to the U.S. military, introduced the revolutionary new Canvas visualization and collaboration solution to the Combat Development Command and Marine Corps Systems Command at Modern Day Marine. These two groups are responsible for setting requirements, developing equipment and systems, and purchasing the equipment and systems that the Marine Corps will rely on in the years to come. Jupiter’s new award-winning Canvas system will be featured at Jupiter Systems Booth Number 416 and HDT Global Booth Number 506.

“The release of Canvas is a critically important game changer for the military”

A demonstration linking two tent shelters simulated communications and faster response time between a USMC Forward Operating Base (FOB) supporting tactical operations in the field and a distant Main Operating Base (MOB). Incorporating real-time video feeds and a full suite of tools for remote drawing, annotation, and whiteboarding, Jupiter’s Canvas visualization and collaboration system improves coordination and communication about rapidly changing conditions between the field and the central command center.

Canvas allows users in the MOB, FOB, and bases around the world to see, share, annotate and collaborate on video and desktop streams. Airtight security provides object-level security for all sources, eliminating inadvertent disclosure of restricted content.

Decades of Experience in Serving Military Operations

Jupiter is the number one worldwide supplier of display wall processors to the U.S. military. For more than twenty years, Jupiter has invested in mission critical products designed expressly for U.S. military applications where lives depend on situational awareness provided by the display wall controller. Jupiter’s high-performance display wall processors are ruggedized, battle tested and used in military operations around the world on land, sea and in the air. In addition to the U.S. Army, Jupiter’s products are also used by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Pentagon and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Applications include battlefield management, security, surveillance, operational coordination and other innovative solutions for all types of combat vehicles and operations centers.

Today’s military requires flexible tools that improve reaction time and provide a common operating picture to both field operations and the central command center. Canvas allows users to share video streams and captured desktop streams over a battlefield network. The Canvas client-server software is secure, easy to configure, and simple to administer. Canvas is the solution for any organization employing video streams in the conduct of its mission and a distributed team, such as defense, traffic management centers, public transportation agencies, electrical and water utilities, private and public security, law enforcement, emergency operations centers, telecom and data NOCs, petroleum producers and refiners, and manufacturing operations, among others.

“The release of Canvas is a critically important game changer for the military,” said Brady O. Bruce, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Alliances at Jupiter. “Jupiter display wall processors have been incredibly valuable to the military, assembling video and information from far-flung operations on a video wall in one location for review and response. With Canvas, users can now share that same information with remote users on video walls, PCs, and mobile devices virtually anywhere. They can view the same array of video, graphics, or other information no matter where they are.

“Making something this powerful and easy to use was at the center of our development work,” said Bruce. “The Canvas interface is designed to be universal. The GUI is identical on the display wall and the PC, its features equally useful in both environments. The point and click interface supports operation and annotation with a mouse or with a touch screen. A user who typically works with Canvas on a PC or mobile device will be able to use the system running on the largest control room display wall without retraining.”

A Breakthrough in Real Collaboration

Sharing a common operating picture across the enterprise is essential but insufficient by itself. Effective management of emerging situations depends on collaboration. Canvas brings a rich set of familiar tools for collaboration and allows them to be used in ways that no other system can. For the first time, managers at multiple locations can annotate directly on moving video. Where other products require users to capture a still image of a screen for annotation, Canvas enables its users to draw with a mouse, finger or stylus on the video itself. Areas of interest can be circled, labeled, called out, or annotated freehand. Rectangles and other shapes can be dragged from the toolbar on to any area in the video where they can be resized, colored, and titled. Text can be typed directly on the video. Whiteboards can be created for brainstorming.

With appropriate security permissions, users can employ Canvas Remote Desktop Mimic or Canvas Remote Cursor to visualize and control remote desktops and applications.

A Secure System

Canvas provides essential security unmatched in the industry. Employing a superior security design, Canvas provides object-level security for all sources, eliminating inadvertent disclosure of restricted content. For example, if a canvas of video sources is shared with a remote user, only those sources the remote user has permission to view are displayed. Source windows for which the user lacks appropriate permissions will be blank.

System access requires user authentication by the customer’s own Active Directory. Secure login is accomplished using the standard user name and password combination established by the customer’s IT department. Windows Single Sign-On (SSO) is supported.

User permissions, including access to specific sources, operations on canvases, and access to remote keyboard and mouse operation, are assigned and managed by the system administrator. The role-based security architecture makes management of large numbers of users and permissions easy and flexible, according privileges to cadres of users sharing a common role in the enterprise.

An Advanced User Interface

The design of the Canvas user interface is driven by the principles of good consumer product design. Just because it’s built for the enterprise doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be as satisfying as a well-designed browser or music player. Every aspect of the GUI — the icons, the menu structure, the ergonomics of the workflow scheme — are aimed to provide a great user experience.

The Canvas interface is also designed to be universal. The GUI is identical on the display wall and the PC, its features equally useful in both environments. A user who typically works with Canvas on a PC in his office will be able to use the system running on the largest control room display wall without retraining.

Deploying Canvas

Canvas is established as a client-server application. Customers choose the number of Canvas Clients desired for Windows devices and add the Canvas Server software to networked server hardware. Canvas Encoders can be added for any remote PCs that will serve as Canvas sources.

Pricing a Canvas system is straightforward and transparent. There are no complex pricing schemes with essential features offered as added cost “options.” Every Canvas system is fully featured.

About Jupiter Systems

Jupiter Systems is the leading worldwide supplier of visualization and collaboration solutions for display walls and networked PCs. Jupiter’s best-of-breed products are designed for continuous, 24/7 operation and are used in network operation centers, traffic management centers, electric power generation and distribution control rooms, emergency operations centers, surveillance and security centers, financial management operations, boardrooms, and fixed and mobile military operations control centers in thousands of installations around the world. For more information, please visit www.jupiter.com.

About HDT Global

Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, HDT Global is widely recognized as the world leader in the design and manufacture of many products in use by U.S. and allied military units, civilian governments, and commercial customers today. Whether it’s in the field of aerospace (space and recovery), robotics, parachutes, aerial delivery, CBRN protection, environmental control, or expeditionary shelter and power technologies, HDT Global has the expertise and capabilities to provide application-specific solutions to address the needs of modern missions.