Listening to users makes new office a collaboration heaven

Rather than relying on the input of just a few people, VisionPoint engaged a cross section of key staff to uncover, define and validate capabilities, applications and cultural attributes, and funneled the findings directly into the design.

A major facilities change creates the opportunity to rethink communication technology requirements and systems design. But there is also a risk of changing or eliminating critical functionality. A financial software and data center company wanted to avoid this possibility and involved VisionPoint at the beginning of the renovation work for their new headquarters.

Challenge

As part of moving to a new headquarters building, the organization wanted to ensure the new space had the necessary collaboration technology missing from their prior offices. At the same time, the company wanted to be sure that the new technology would not have a negative impact on the culture they had worked hard to develop.

Design

Rather than relying on the input of just a few people, VisionPoint engaged a cross section of key staff to uncover, define and validate capabilities, applications and cultural attributes, and funneled the findings directly into the design. Preliminary concepts were refined through collaboration with the company’s leadership and a user interface was developed specifically to support the company’s self-sufficient culture and to encourage greater use of the new system. By integrating with Microsoft Outlook and an occupancy sensor in the boardroom and other rooms, we created a set of “smart” rooms that included a robust scheduling and resource management system.

Through our collective efforts in the engineering of the control system, this company has seen an increase in the use of video conferencing, supporting their initiative to improve collaboration among employees and with clients.

Impact

Through our collective efforts in the engineering of the control system, this company has seen an increase in the use of video conferencing, supporting their initiative to improve collaboration among employees and with clients. It has also allowed them to demonstrate to clients and prospects that they practice their promise which is centered around collaboration. Importantly, the new integrated training facility has eliminated the financial burden of hosting events at off site facilities, such as hotels.