Simple, easy-to-use and easy-to-understand end-user control is an ultimate goal of AV installations – a system’s capabilities simply are irrelevant if the client can’t figure out how to operate it.

To that end, the free iOS KD app from Key Digital has been upgraded to provide concise control of Key Digital’s AV over IP encoder/decoder, switcher, matrix, multiview and videowall devices, as well control of display brands through IR and IP PJLink.

Key Digital vice president of sales DeWayne Rains says that the KD app has become so powerful that 90% of jobs can now be done with zero programming.

KD App was introduced as a single-function application to give end users portable and self-contained control of select Key Digital devices. As capabilities have been added to the app, it has grown into a broadly featured control solution that includes end-user-defined presets, input/output switching, video preview, intuitive finger-drag video wall control, friendly device names, display control, CEC and local input selection – with source control now added to round out the feature set.

Once KD App is downloaded from the Apple App Store and the iPhone or iPad linked into the shared network, the app auto-populates with all connected Key Digital devices. From a given device’s pre-built KD App GUI, inputs and outputs can be selected, video walls mapped, presets created or recalled and additional device specific features managed. User-defined presets allow system-wide configuration for customers’ recurring needs, from a watch party in a sports bar setting to a staff meeting in a board room.

In addition to the KD App, the Key Digital Management Software Pro (KDMS Pro) configuration and control PC software is also available for free download and demo at keydigital.com. Integrators use KDMS Pro to name inputs and perform additional configuration tasks that are reflected to the KD App. As a no-programming-required control platform, KDMS also provides pre-built user GUI panels and offers extended control capabilities such as the recently added support of the PJLink projector control protocol.

The functionality of the free KD App across a host of Key Digital devices can be explored using the app’s built-in demo mode (which also serves as an effective sales tool for integrators).

The company’s vice president of product education and experience, Jonathon Ferry, says: “We leveraged our experience and knowledge to focus not just on the integrator but to focus on the integrator’s customer’s experience.”

“That’s the key;” adds DeWayne, “it’s our job to make our integrators look good and their job to make their customers look good. Key Digital’s free software tools play a huge role in keeping smiles on faces all around.”