The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has partnered with systems integrator Cinos to upgrade its AV technology in an initiative which has fostered collaboration, promoted meeting equity and supported the UKHSA’s hybrid working strategy.
Since the pandemic, the UKHSA has successfully implemented a hybrid working strategy, adopting Microsoft Teams as its default communication platform. Through partnering with Cinos, the UKHSA’s key objective was to integrate Microsoft Teams into the meeting spaces of its now former headquarters at Nobel House, Westminster. Spanning five floors, this workspace featured various sized meeting rooms and open desk areas. In addition to the Teams integration, there was also a requirement for an office-wide digital signage and IPTV solution.
Following site surveys and discussions with the UKHSA team, Cinos tailored a range of AV solutions to meet the operational requirements of each meeting space. By standardising on Poly-based Microsoft Teams Rooms systems, Cinos have ensured an optimised and consistent user experience for both in-room participants and those joining remotely. The technology across these spaces included:
- Huddle Rooms: Equipped with 43-in Samsung displays, Poly Studio P15 video bars, and GC8 touch panels.
- Medium Meeting Rooms: Fitted with 65-in - 75-in Samsung displays, Poly Studio premium USB video bars, and GC8 touch panels.
- Larger Rooms and Boardrooms: Featuring dual 75-in – 85-in Samsung displays, Poly E70 Speaker Tracking Cameras, GC8 touch panels, and Poly Trio C60 conference phones with NoiseBlockAI technology.
Alongside upgrading the meeting spaces, an on-premise Appspace digital signage solution was installed, with IPTV channels provided by an Exterity TV Gateway. This setup enabled the UKHSA to deliver HD content to 34 screens throughout Nobel House.
From start to finish the project took three months to complete. The UKHSA team also received support from an onsite Cinos engineer for the first three months following the deployment, to assist with user adoption and provide training in a live environment.
After 18 months of using the upgraded technology, the UKHSA relocated to 10 South Colonnade in Canary Wharf. Cinos decommissioned the systems at Nobel House and outfitted the new office to the same high standards, ensuring continuity and meeting equity.
The new office is comprised of various collaboration and meeting spaces, including a multifunctional divisible boardroom that can be configured as three large meeting rooms, one large and one smaller room, or opened up for events and training sessions. The boardroom is equipped with the same Poly Teams products used at Nobel House, alongside a Q-Sys system for audio processing and AV over IP signal transport. Additionally, it features IP PTZ cameras, Sennheiser ceiling microphones, and a 4x2 videowall controlled by a Cyviz system. To enhance user engagement and collaboration, three 75-in Avocor interactive 4K displays were also added to the space.
Cinos reinstalled the UKHSA’s existing Samsung displays, Poly Studio Conferencing Bars and Poly GC8 touch panels across the 13 remaining medium meeting rooms to provide the consistency and familiarity staff had become accustomed to. For flexible collaboration and breakout sessions, the office includes one and two-person meeting pods equipped with Poly Studio R30 conferencing bars and laptop connections for easy device integration.
Furthermore, the Appspace digital signage and IPTV network was introduced throughout 10 South Colonnade to stream information, announcements, and wayfinding for staff and visitors.
George McNamara, people delivery unit director, Ways of Working Programme, commented: “The team at Cinos took on board our requirements and created a solution that provides a seamless user experience across our estate and supports our hybrid working strategy. Knowledgeable, responsive and strategic in their approach, Cinos has gone the extra mile throughout to deliver value and cultivate a successful partnership.”
Steve Franklin, Executive Director at Cinos added: “We are proud to have partnered with the UKHSA to enhance their AV infrastructure, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration in line with its hybrid working strategy. Our goal was to create an intuitive and consistent user experience across all meeting spaces and by standardising on Poly-based Microsoft Teams solutions we have achieved exactly that. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the UKHSA as we repurpose and upgrade AV equipment across its regional sites to deliver a unified user experience nationwide.”