Public Library, Civic Centre, Dunedin, NZ
The DCC had originally been equipped with a high quality (expensive) IBM protocol synchronised clock system throughout the entire Civic and Library complex. This system remains modern current technology and is possibly the most widely used multi-clock insitutional time system in the world today. Technology has improved the equipments but it remains essentially the same system as when first designed by IBM.
Through successive adminstrations the clock system was allowed to fall into disrepair and the system clocks were gradually replaced with cheaper battery clocks as they failed (typically after 25 years trouble-free service).
However, battery clocks are a false economy in any commercial environment as the costs of maintaining them, whilst superficially hidden, ultimately far outways the running costs of maintaining a professional synchronised system.
In mid 2011 we were asked to re-activate the public display system in the Library. There are a range of manufacturers who can supply retrofit clocks for this popular system. Each brand has it merits and a knowledge of the system is required to make the best selection. In this case we recommended clocks by Sapling of the USA. These are microprocessor controlled and fully self-adjusting and compatible with the original system.
