When LinkedIn set out to upgrade meeting spaces across nine APAC cities, the goal was clear: employees needed to walk into rooms in Bangalore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo and find the same familiar Microsoft Teams Rooms experience, supported by reliable BYOD functionality. Working with PTS Consulting Singapore, Lightware’s Taurus UCX switchers provided the standardized switching and connectivity layer for the rollout.
PTS Consulting Singapore was appointed as AV Consultant and Technology Project Manager for the APAC-wide unified communications upgrade, covering end-to-end consultancy and project governance from site audits and stakeholder requirements to AV design, procurement support, implementation oversight, commissioning review and final handover. Local AV integrators completed the physical installation in each market.
To balance the need for consistency with local conditions, rooms were classified into standard and specialty types, creating a predictable user experience while still allowing each location to account for room size, infrastructure readiness and functional requirements.
In the standard rooms, a UCX-2x1-HC40 Universal Switcher sits beneath the meeting table as the user-facing connection point. Each unit provides HDMI 2.0 and USB-C connectivity, supported by Lightware CAB-USBC-T200C USB-C cables, giving users a clear and repeatable way to connect their own device for local presentation or BYOD workflows.
Supporting 4K at 60Hz 4:4:4 video, USB 3.1 Gen1 data speeds up to 5Gbps and USB-C charging up to 100W, the UCX enables video, audio, USB data, control and power to be managed through a compact switching device. With secure Ethernet control and noiseless operation, it is well suited to meeting room environments where reliability, simplicity and ease of use are essential. The Lenovo ThinkSmart Core and IP Controller kit forms the main control layer for the native Microsoft Teams Rooms experience, while the UCX handles local switching and device integration. It connects user laptops with the wider room ecosystem, including the ThinkSmart Core, Logitech Rally Bar or Rally Bar Mini, room displays and associated peripherals.
To maintain uniformity across the rollout, PTS Consulting coordinated with local integrators and regional manufacturer representatives, including Lightware, to validate model references, manage product availability and reduce procurement risk across different markets. While each office required adaptation to local site conditions, the underlying room architecture remained consistent by typology. This helped ensure that the UCX could be installed and configured in a predictable way.
The benefits also extend to support and management. With standardized room designs, consistent interfaces and common equipment standards, regional IT and support teams can diagnose issues more easily, manage rooms more efficiently and maintain operational reliability across multiple locations.
By providing a reliable switching and BYOD connectivity layer, Lightware supported the creation of intuitive meeting spaces across APAC. The UCX became a key part of a scalable room design that could be repeated across cities, adapted to local requirements and easily understood by users, providing a strong foundation for hybrid collaboration.
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.
