Spectrum Brands adopts Crestron to connect its headquarters and foster collaboration

To update the technology of its meeting rooms has implemented the Crestron Flex solution and the XiO Cloud service, that coexist with an existing infrastructure based on Microsoft Teams.

Spectrum Brands Holdings is a global consumer products company offering a broad portfolio of brands focused on driving innovation and delivering exceptional customer service.

When you decided to upgrade your meeting room technology with intuitive, easy-to-use solutions to elevate the employee experience in the workplace, Nathan Hunter, Director of IT Collaboration, He and his team set out to find a robust and reliable collaboration platform that would unite their global offices and facilitate communication at scale.

With an existing infrastructure based on Microsoft Teams, The AV System Integrator Spinitar I was sure that Crestron Flex would be the most suitable solution to implement in all offices.

The added functionality of the XiO Cloud service would provide simplified remote management and make the deployment of future systems easier. Although the project began before the pandemic, Crestron Flex and Microsoft Teams have been instrumental in Spectrum Brands' transition to remote work and keeping their teams connected.

Spectrum Brands' conference rooms range from small huddle rooms to large combinable spaces. Crestron Flex has been able to meet their needs in all these spaces with tailor-made solutions that meet their different sound and video criteria.

For smaller huddle rooms, Crestron B-Series smart soundbars provide a built-in camera that puts all participants in optimal vision and sound quality.

“We've standardized B-Series systems across all of our huddle rooms and huddle spaces because of the audio experience they offer”, explains Hunter. “They provide crisp, clean sound that makes virtual participants appear to be in the same room”.

In the largest spaces, C-Series is paired with Saros recessed speakers and Crestron occupancy sensors. These meeting rooms can be used individually or combined to create a space suitable for even larger groups.

From your laptop at home or from the Crestron touchscreen in a meeting room, Flex and Microsoft Teams have provided a consistent user experience for every way Spectrum Brands employees choose to join a meeting.

Crestron has transformed and modernized its spaces by making them more device-specific, creating a simple and consistent look for employees, while meeting the demands of each space.

With Xio Cloud, Hunter and his team can provide remote assistance to get rooms up and running without the need to be on-site. This has been especially beneficial during COVID, as much of its staff works remotely.

“When an employee has to sit back and wait for an issue to be resolved, Wasted time and productivity”, explains Hunter. “XiO Cloud has helped eliminate such situations in all of our offices”.

With these solutions, the IT collaboration team can be more proactive in resolving technical issues and getting rooms back up and running before an employee enters the room.

To further promote safe and effective collaboration, Spectrum Brands has used AirMedia Wireless Presentation to make contactless wireless presentations that allow employees to use their own personal devices.

AirMedia has improved the look and feel of meeting rooms, reducing the number of cables and making it easier for employees to connect to the display. It's simplified the experience, creating a more engaging environment for multi-presenter meetings; and has provided smooth transitions, eliminating any disruptive swapping of passing the patch cord.

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