We design and install workplace automation and office systems including high definition audio and video, interactive screen technology, device connectivity, multipurpose video conferencing, unified AV system control and room booking systems.
Are you looking for ways to improve your business? Our workplace automation services team consults with you to identify the systems that best assist your business performance.
We understand that every business has different ways of working so we carefully combine technology, acoustic and interior design elements to create spaces that support all your business needs and encourage collaboration, free-thinking and productivity.
Consultation begins with identifying the parameters your smart workspace, such as the number of meeting rooms required, the need for privacy, audio and video quality, the level of staff technology competency and the level of connectivity and interactivity required.
Our customised solutions can be mocked-up in a pilot space allowing acceptance level testing to be carried out, and design modification if required before final deployment.
Our professional installation and project management experts work closely with your architect, interior designer and base build contractors to bring the dream to life.
Full training is provided for your staff so the maximum benefits of your new workplace automation system can be enjoyed immediately.
Automation Associates Commercial’s reputation is built on delivering custom solutions on time, within budget. With offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, we have happy clients all over New Zealand. Please email us here sales@aa.net.nz, or phone us on 0800 440 941 to talk to one of our friendly experts today.
HD Audio and Video
Our guiding principle is ‘Hear and be heard, see and be seen’. This is achieved using commercial grade High Definition and Ultra High Definition screens and HD audio products with supporting acoustic treatment. If meeting attendees, whether in a video conference, video collaboration or presentation session, can properly hear and see the content and/or remote participants, the technology can deliver on its promise of 100% productive meeting time.
Interactive Screen Technology
Spatial design and initiatives surrounding the creation of a highly productive working environment have seen organisations both local and abroad adopt digital interactivity as part of their ‘ways of working’ presentation capabilities. This technology is found in many commercial-grade screens and provides a facility to engage with the technology and the media content. It also provides a means to create and encourage collaborative, brainstorming and free-thinking sessions supported by the meeting environment. Each of these interactive screens are carefully matched with the space and its intended activity to ensure that the meeting/presentation is as productive as possible.
Device Connectivity
Collaboration and productive discussion are only as good as the content provided. We have perfected a combination of equipment that not only allows for a hard-wired connectivity but also a wireless connection capability in the simplest possible way. We understand that not all organisations issue team members with a laptop which is why we encourage our clients to explore the option for a platform that will support most mobile devices via our high bandwidth wireless infrastructure.
We leverage the convenience and power of current mobile technologies to provide an effortless user experience to sharing content which encourages a more relaxed, creative environment ultimately fueling productivity.
Multipurpose Video Conferencing
One of the primary communication facilities for many organisations is the video conferencing system. These spaces offer users the capability of both HD quality video and audio when communicating with external as well as internal groups.
The quality of the HD video and audio system also allows team members to have sensitive and detailed discussions without the expense and downtime of travelling. Being a multipurpose space, the technology solution also provides an interactive capability where users can share content as part of the VC session, annotate over shared content or have the option of a digital whiteboard as part of the session.
Unified AV System Control
The success of any AV project depends on how well the technology is adopted by team members and how much productive time they get out of an average 60 minute meeting. During our workshops with project and team members we often discover that they are losing anything up to 15min trying to set up the AV systems in the room and perhaps another 10min in conversation with IT support, this leaves only 35min of productive meeting time. Take into account the 5min over-run of the previous meeting and latecomers, we are down to around 30 minutes of productive time.
The unified system control facility for the rooms is primarily aimed at providing a platform for the user with a consistent mode of operation when setting up the presentation in preparation for the meeting. This consistency does not only extend to the way the user interfaces with the room technology but also provides a consistency in the automation of the shut-down procedure when a session ends. This ensures that the user setting up the next meeting executes the system setup in the same manner every time. This eliminates confusion and decreases wasted time on non-essential processes prior to the meeting start. The result, more productive meetings.
Room Booking System
A common theme uncovered in our workshops was the lack of suitable meeting spaces at some point through the work week. Most organisations have limited real estate for meeting rooms which leads to a shortfall for meeting participants at some times while the meeting rooms sit idle at other times.
Lack of suitable space causes frustration with some teams who will often either find alternative meeting spaces that are unfit for purpose and compound the issue by engaging alternative VC and presentation technologies e.g. Teams/Zoom, mobile phones etc. We also found that these teams often scrap scheduled meetings or exclude regional VC participants because of a lack of available purpose build spaces and/or technology.
The good news is these difficulties are overcome simply by deploying a room booking system.
The room booking system provides a means of securing the space as well as matching requirements to the AV technology in the room. It also interfaces with Outlook eliminating the need for additional systems outside of the current work-flow, minimising training and maximising adoption. This system will secure a booking, monitor time spent in the room and alert occupants when a session is due to end. This mitigates over-runs and maximises use of the companies resources.
Activity Based Working
What is Activity Based Working?
Activity based working (ABW) is based on the premise that no employee ‘owns’ or has an assigned workstation. The ABW workspace provides employees with a variety of predetermined activity areas that allow them to conduct specific tasks including learning, focusing, collaborating and socialising. The key benefits are improved productivity and reduced space costs.
What technology do I need for ABW?
- A unified communication (UC) platform like Microsoft Teams or Zoom that allows flexibility and accommodates a mobile or non-territorial team environment.
- A control system in the meeting areas to make using these spaces efficient and as seamless as possible, especially one that takes the hassle out of facilitating and managing meetings with online participants
- ABW environments are all about collaboration and a display system that allows you to not only integrate with the UC platform, but also enables team members to be creative and share their ideas via a large format interactive screen is an absolute must.
- Managing the AV enabled real estate should also be high on your priority list. A simple to use room booking system which integrates with Outlook from the user friendly digital touch panel mounted outside the meeting room.
“The adoption of Activity Based Working principles in our new building reduced space requirements from 12 sqm to 8 sqm per person resulting in significant space and property savings. ABW requires simple, consistent and reliable technology to successfully support this new style of work. Automation Associates designed an exceptional system that exceeded expectations and they delivered this on time and on budget.”
Mike Saint, Fonterra.
Interior Designers
If you are involved in the interior design of a workspace and are looking for a company to supply technology into the project in a way that is complimentary to the overall design and aesthetics of your job then please contact us. Automation Associates has a 20 years experience working with Interior Designers and understand the process involved in delivering a simple reliable system that is discrete and enhances functionality and visual appeal.
Engineering Consultants
Do you have a project that requires an AV Technology, Digital Signage, Wayfinding, Room Booking…
Project Managers
Technology projects often require input from many different vendors for example screen suppliers, software vendors, control system manufacturers. Automation Associates cover these requirements in house and give you one point of contact for design, installation and project management of technology portion of the project making your day that much easier. Contact us for more information on what we can do for you.