NetApp has a portfolio of leading data, application, and storage solutions that help organizations manage applications and data everywhere across hybrid environments. Bart Saunders, Multimedia Specialist for NetApp, turned to Sharp to ensure the new facility was built with leading, innovative displays in mind, and installed four direct view indoor 137” LED video walls in the new headquarters’ conference center. The team worked hand-inhand with Creation Networks, Inc., which was key to the success of this installation.
Background
NetApp has a portfolio of leading data, application, and storage solutions that help organizations manage applications and data everywhere across hybrid environments. They have over 30 years of innovation under their belts, helping them to be the proven leader in all-flash storage. As a technology innovator, it would only make sense for NetApp’s inhouse technology to be top-of-the line, especially as they prepared to relocate its global headquarters to new offices on Santana Row in San Jose, California. This move to state-of-the-art offices is part of the company’s ongoing transformation and future of work strategy, where NetApp and its employees will adopt a hybrid model of working to thrive in the new normal post-pandemic.
Bart Saunders, Multimedia Specialist for NetApp, turned to Sharp to ensure the new facility was built with leading, innovative displays in mind. With this vision, Bart worked with the Sharp team to install four direct view indoor 137” LED video walls in four separate conference rooms of the new headquarters’ conference center. Bart and the Sharp team worked hand-inhand with Creation Networks, Inc., which was key to the success of this installation. Creation Networks is a leading audio visual solutions integrator company headquartered in Concord, California. “It has been great to work with NetApp on their collaboration projects,” said Eric Benson, Director of Engineering for Creation Networks, Inc. “The NEC dvLED videowalls and display devices have been an integral part of the current room refresh.”
Updating Outdated Conferencing Tech
In previous office locations, the NetApp team had experienced unstable, noisy projectors, creating a need for ongoing maintenance requests. Even worse, these were distracting and a nuisance during company gatherings as the projectors were placed directly above conference tables and were impacting the microphones used during conference calls, webinars and other executive gatherings.
Bart and his team were tasked with ensuring the displays at NetApp’s new headquarters were stable and reliable, and allowed the team to hold meetings without technological disruptions. Bart needed to work with a partner who would be able to help them swap out the tech they had used in previous offices that were to be placed in major conference rooms. With this in mind, Bart immediately turned to Sharp to get the job done. Ultimately, NetApp selected Sharp due to the reliability and overall appearance of the products, which is, according to Bart, what sets Sharp apart from competitors.
After learning of the tech troubles NetApp had struggled with in the past, the Sharp team worked with Bart to have four NEC LED video walls installed across the new headquarter’s conference rooms, specifically the NEC LED-FE015I2-137.
“The final fit and finish of these LED walls were a great addition to our new headquarters, both aesthetically and operationally,” said Saunders. “The screens have a clean look and feel, even when the products aren’t on.”
An Immediate Conference Room Improvement
Bart and his team saw an immediate difference in the caliber of their newly installed conference center display technology. “The most notable improvement is that the image quality has greatly improved since we installed these NEC products,” said Saunders. “The image quality is nice and crisp and is sure to provide a better overall meeting experience for our executives and their guests.”
With these new video walls from NEC’s LED FE Series, the NetApp conference center was upgraded with modern display technology that delivered excellent imaging at a low cost. The video walls provide vibrant LED imaging built with NEC’s 1.58mm LED-FE015i2 module designed to deliver impressive content visualization. The 1.58mm pixel pitch is ideal for viewing from 3 to 8 feet away - perfect for NetApp’s conferencing needs. The modules provide better contrast, viewing angles, brightness uniformity and color uniformity than previous models and other providers on the market.
Bart and his team were also thrilled about the easy access that enabled quick maintenance to the modules when needed. “The way the tiles go on and off make maintenance easy and quickly accessible,” he said.
With these new LED video walls the NetApp team now has state-of-the-art technology to match their tech-forward vision for its new headquarters location. The team now has stunning displays to visualize crucial information, while also allowing them to carry out organizational meetings without disruption.
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.
