Transforming a small traditional conference room into a collaborative huddle space
CUSTOMER
Collaboration Solutions, Inc. (CSi) is leading the collaboration revolution by seamlessly offering a complete spectrum of collaboration solutions: design of collaborative workspaces and furnishings, audiovisual (AV) services and conferencing solutions, Microsoft Skype for Business and Microsoft Office365 platform adoption, custom collaboration software solutions, and products that span the complete range of digital experiences. CSi is a multiple Microsoft Gold Certified Partner in Communications, Collaboration and Content, Application Lifecycle Management, and Cloud Productivity.
CHALLENGE
Transforming traditional office space into highly collaborative environments is a challenge many organizations are addressing. Collaboration Solutions Inc, a key AVTEQ solutions provider, partnered with AVTEQ to transform a client’s small, under utilized conference room into a mixed-use collaborative huddle space.
The client had a conference room that was shared between the finance and marketing departments. The room had a small round conference table with seating for four people. On one wall was a 40” Dell display mounted about six feet high with multiple cables running from the display to the table. During work sessions, presenters had to carefully walk over the cables, and people sitting at the table had to re-adjust their chairs to see the display.
Both departments complained the room was not conducive for productive meetings. Teams tended to not pay attention to the presenter while using their own devices, and they felt uncomfortable with the presenter talking down to them. The table had a small surface space, making it cluttered while people tried to work and use their mobile devices.
In addition, the current technology made videoconferencing with customers and remote teams cumbersome due to lack of connectivity or dropped calls. Someone in the meeting normally just used his or her laptop to connect with a remote location.
SOLUTION
To provide a highly collaborative environment for the client, it was important to understand how each department would use the room. Based on these discussions, Collaboration Solutions and AVTEQ worked together to provide an overall solution to transform the traditional conference room into a collaborative huddle space.
The first step was to recommend the technology solution that would best meet the client’s needs. Considering the size of the room and the diverse uses by each department, it was recommended to replace the existing display with a 55” Microsoft Surface Hub.
The Surface Hub provided an all-in-one solution for enhanced collaboration and videoconferencing while eliminating all the cables of the current system. To better accommodate the department teams, the display was mounted on AVTEQ’s height adjustable mount. Now with a touch of a finger, the presenter could move the display up or down with ease.
The next step was to consider the ergonomics of the furniture design solution:
AVTEQ’s custom huddle table was the perfect solution. The teardrop table’s shape was designed to provide clear line of site of the display for everyone sitting. In addition, the bar height table, which could easily seat four to six people, brought the team eye level with the presenter. The bar height, along with the foot rail, provided marketing’s creative teams to stand or sit, as well as enabling more impromptu gatherings.
As a finishing touch, Highmark InTouch height adjustable chairs were added.
RESULTS
The newly designed huddle space is now two functional collaborative rooms in one. Both the finance and marketing teams have noticed improved teamwork and communication across departments. In addition, the Microsoft Surface Hub has provided tools for teams to be more innovative and productive.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
