CUSTOMER CASE STUDY: UPGRADING MEETING ROOMS TO MICROSOFT TEAMS ROOMS

Old Mutual

BACKGROUND

Old Mutual, a leading financial services provider, recognised the need to modernise their meeting room infrastructure at multiple offices across the country. They partnered with Omega Digital to embark on a transformative journey to enhance collaboration across their offices. The existing traditional SIP video conferencing systems were becoming outdated and lacked seamless integration with their collaboration tools. To enhance communication and productivity, they decided to upgrade their meeting rooms to Microsoft Teams Rooms.

OVERVIEW

The upgrade covered multiple locations within Old Mutual:

1. Sandton Office:

Located in the heart of Johannesburg, the Sandton office is a hub for meetings, presentations, and client interactions.
The goal was to transform the existing meeting rooms into smart, connected spaces that facilitate efficient teamwork and collaboration.

2. Cape Town Offices:

The upgrade aimed to standardise the meeting room experience across Cape Town offices, ensuring consistent quality and ease of use.

3. Regional PFA and MFC Branches:

Old Mutual’s regional branches play a crucial role in serving clients and managing financial portfolios.
Upgrading meeting rooms in these branches was essential to streamline communication and enhance client interactions.

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE SOLUTION

The Microsoft Teams Rooms upgrade involved the following components:

1. Hardware Refresh:

Replacing outdated video conferencing equipment with modern devices optimised for Teams Rooms.
Installing high-quality cameras, microphones, and speakers to ensure clear audio and video during meetings.

2. Software Integration:

Configuring Microsoft Teams Rooms software on dedicated devices in each meeting room.
Integrating Teams with other workspace management tools for seamless collaboration and scheduling.

3. Room Automation:

Implementing room automation features, such as occupancy sensors, to start and end meetings automatically.
Simplifying user interactions by touch-based controls.

4. User Training:

Conducting training sessions for employees to familiarise them with the new Teams Rooms setup.
Providing guidelines on using features like presentation sharing, whiteboarding, and recording.

RESULTS

The impact of these technology upgrades was well received by all:

Enhanced User Experience: Easy-to-use collaboration tools, including one-touch-to-join features, resonated with the client’s team. Meetings became more seamless, fostering engagement and productivity.
Reduced Business Continuity Risk: The new equipment, now under warranty with SLA support, significantly lowered the risk of disruptions. Old Mutual IT can now confidently rely on its upgraded meeting spaces.
Flexibility in Hybrid Meetings: Leveraging Microsoft Teams for video capabilities allowed for seamless hybrid meetings. Whether in-person or remote, teams collaborated effectively and everyone is seen and heard.
Satisfied Users: Old Mutual’s commitment to simplicity and adaptability led to increased user satisfaction. Employees appreciated the streamlined operations and the improved video collaboration experience in the meeting rooms.

CONCLUSION

The successful upgrade to Microsoft Teams Rooms has modernised Old Mutual’s meeting rooms, making them more efficient and connected. Employees now have enhanced tools to collaborate effectively, whether they’re in Sandton, Cape Town, or regional branches. Old Mutual’s commitment to innovation ensures that their teams can work smarter and achieve better outcomes.