CHALLENGE
Reducing Noise Distractions and Optimizing Staff and Student Productivity Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI) is the world’s leading professional advocate for the advancement of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry.
In 2019, BICSI leadership kicked-off an exciting and ambitious undertaking: the complete renovation of their World Headquarters and Learning Academy in Tampa, Florida.
“Project Refresh,” as the project became known, turned the BICSI facility into a state-of-the-art smart building.
The BICSI World Headquarters houses a variety of departments, and the nature of the work varies, from call center activities to intra-departmental collaboration.
The BICSI Learning Academy has four spacious classrooms, a large, contemporary student lounge area, café, media area and an open view of a modern equipment room.
“As part of the Project Refresh renovation, our staff areas were transitioned from a siloed configuration with large, high cubicles and walls to a more open and collaborative environment. This change brought with it higher noise levels and a greater potential for distraction. Further, with the Membership & Customer Care call center onsite, we needed a way to control sound levels to minimize disruption to neighboring departments,” said Christopher Muratore, Director of Information Technology.
SOLUTION
Cambridge QtPro® Sound Masking from Biamp BICSI installed small, barely visible Qt® Emitters (loudspeakers) in the drop ceiling throughout 33,000 square feet, covering open workspaces, the student break area, training classrooms and in one of the private staff offices. The emitters were connected by standard category cables to a Qt® 600 control module residing in the server room. The system enabled different masking volume levels across 13 different zones, allowing BICSI to proactively address noise distractions and enhance productivity.
RESULT
Prior to the installation of the Cambridge sound masking system, office staff could very clearly hear conversations between coworkers and telephone calls.
“After sound masking was deployed, office noise was significantly reduced and any sounds you can hear are unintelligible, retaining a level of privacy,” said Muratore.
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.
