Rexel’s High-Tech Upgrade: A Meeting Room Makeover
“Rapid are a very good company to work with, they have come on board with Rexel and as a new Partner, they made us feel welcome as a customer, everything was clearly outlined with no surprise costs. The backup service after installation is outstanding. Nothing is an issue for them and they always come back within reasonable timescales of the work requested..” – James Orme, Rexel About Rexel Rexel is a global distributor of electrical products and services, specializing in providing electrical solutions to professionals in the construction, industrial, and residential sectors. They offer a wide range of electrical supplies, including lighting, automation, energy management systems, cables, and other electrical components. The company operates in over 20 countries and serves a broad customer base, from electricians and contractors to industrial and commercial clients. Identifying the challenges Like many large organisations with multiple meeting rooms, Rexel experienced typical problems such as inconsistent user experience across rooms, hardware compatibility issues, complex set ups and poor audio/video quality. Managing these systems on a day-to-day basis would also be a challenge for them due to having staff based at multiple sites. Moving into their new HQ in Aylesbury provided a good opportunity for them to re-assess their meeting room technology and improve their spaces based on feedback they had received from staff over the past 12-24 months post-covid. Delivering a solution Following multiple demonstrations using various systems, it became clear that the best solution out there was to create a Microsoft Teams Room. With its simplistic one-touch to join interface this provided a consistent and simple interface across all rooms so that regardless of room size or equipment, staff knew how to operate the system. More specifically, Yealink’s range of MVC Room Systems were chosen as they ticked all the boxes in terms of functionality whilst coming in at a more cost-effective price compared to other vendors. An important selling point was the Yealink WPP30 wireless sharing device which connects seamlessly to any device, either through USB-A or USB-C. Other brands that were considered required a 3rd party wireless sharing manufacturer to offer this functionality and this involved other drawbacks, as well as increasing costs. The main boardroom in particular needed superior audio quality, and as a result we suggested the Nureva HDL310 audio conferencing system. Using their patented Microphone Mist technology, the HDL310 creates thousands of virtual microphones that cover the entire room, ensuring that voices from any location are picked up clearly. This meant that as people move around the room, they would not see a drop off in audio quality that you would usually see if table microphones were used. The system also came Teams Room certified which was a key requirement, as well as providing additional noise reduction and echo cancellation features. Maintenance of these systems is paramount due to their importance of use, therefore we provided remote management of the AV technology along with onsite escalation if a hardware/software fault is found with no fix. Other key technology implemented included using Clevertouch interactive displays for their R&D/training area. Speak to us to see how we can help with your AV project!
EDLA: The new program for Android devices
Many interactive display manufacturers such as Clevertouch, SMART and Newline are now promoting that their devices are EDLA-certified. This is the latest integration between Google and leading technology companies, that offers a new way for devices to access familiar apps that Google offers, as well as providing advanced security measures. So what is EDLA? ‘EDLA’ stands for Enterprise Device License Agreement and is the newest Google program that offers additional security and safety features for Android devices. More and more interactive displays are now equipped with this feature, which provides an extra layer of protection and peace of mind for its users. It boasts a number of different features, including a faster computing performance, a variety of Google apps and APIs, suitable for both education and enterprise. Users can launch Google Search, Google Chrome, Google Drive and other Google based apps from one single display. This eliminates the need to use multiple devices for one task, allowing for a streamlined and efficient process. EDLA also offers a number of security options, so that data can be encrypted and kept safe from potential threats or hackers. This is imperative when it comes to protecting your display and gives peace of mind, knowing that your private information is going to be kept safe. In the event of a compromise, remote wiping and locking enables users to erase any personal data without needing to physically be near to the device. EDLA enables quick access to accounts and files, so that Google users will be able to retrieve their documents easily without needing to use an additional device. This also provides an efficient way to edit and modify files, helping boost productivity and collaboration within the workplace or classroom. This program also supports advanced tasks such as browsing the web, video streaming and using multiple apps simultaneously, ensuring that your day is never slowed down by lag or technical issues. Having an EDLA certified display, means that your device is kept up to date with the latest Google updates and features, so no more disrupted meetings or lessons, waiting for your software to update. Many of our interactive displays now feature EDLA software. If this sounds like something you are looking for in your classroom or workspace, then speak to us today!
Rapid assist BAM Nuttall & TRU West on their digital transformation journey
“We would highly recommend Rapid to others based on the positive feedback we have received from site teams and users on the Transpennine Route Upgrade project. The satisfaction and positive experiences of these stakeholders reflect the effectiveness and value of Rapid’s products and services in overcoming workplace challenges and improving collaboration, communication, and productivity. Their solutions have proven to be reliable, user-friendly, and instrumental in enhancing the overall work environment.” – Shervin Yousefzadeh, TRU West About BAM Nuttall BAM Nuttall is a UK-based civil engineering and construction company, part of the BAM Group, which is one of Europe’s largest construction services companies. The company specializes in infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, airports, tunnels, and marine works. BAM Nuttall is known for its focus on sustainable construction practices and innovation in engineering solutions. Identifying the challenges Before engaging with Rapid Technologies, BAM Nuttall faced some common challenges. These challenges included outdated technology, a lack of interactivity amongst staff, inefficient communication and collaboration, and limited flexibility/scalability. This was hindering productivity and collaboration in the workplace, which could potentially impact the companies’ ability in meeting project deadlines, keeping costs on track with budgets, and communication. They also faced challenges in visualising and organising ideas. Delivering a solution Rapid have worked with BAM Nuttall over a number of years to help them with their digitisation and innovation strategy. Clevertouch UX Pro’s were chosen as the display of choice across the organisation due to their versatility in allowing for collaboration, engagement, and video conferencing. Wireless sharing was effortless by utilising CleverCast hardware (dongles) and software. Nureva Span Walls offered a large digital canvas ideal for ideation, planning, and visualisation. They enabled teams to visualise complex concepts and streamline project management processes, facilitating efficient teamwork and enhancing decision-making. Paired with software’s like Miro and Nialli, these received extremely positive feedback across the organisation. In keeping with the Clevertouch eco-system, Clevertouch PICO media players and CM Pro series displays were used for digital signage internally and externally. Internally they were used for communication within the workplace and externally for contractors and visitors. Staff that are onsite can now be alerted very quickly with any safety risks that are apparent and also with general health and safety information. This is all controlled remotely by office staff, and the content being pushed out can be changed at any time. “The buying experience with Rapid is often described as professional, efficient, and customer-centric. Rapid aim to understand the unique challenges and goals of their customers and recommend suitable products and services accordingly. The buying process is often streamlined, and Rapid’s knowledgeable sales team ensures a smooth transition from initial consultation to product delivery and implementation.” Speak to us to see how we can help with your AV project!
The newest Clevertouch display: the UX Pro Edge
Introducing the new UX Pro Edge – the latest addition to the Clevertouch lineup of interactive displays for business. This display offers a new level of collaboration for your workspace. Interact with others in a way that’s more efficient and cooperative. The Clevertouch UX Pro Edge display, boasts a number of revolutionary features in order to elevate your experience in the office. The UX Pro Edge is available in multiple sizes, including 65”, 75” and 86”, each with a 4K resolution to ensure that your picture is always clear and vibrant. Featuring a built-in Sony camera, which has a 90-degree field of view with advanced voice and face tracking features, boosting your Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google meetings to the next level. In addition to this, sound is delivered clearly through an immersive audio design through front-mounted 2x 20W speakers and 2x 10W subwoofers. Complete with an Android 13 operating system, integrated NFC/RFID, and built-in quick launch digital buttons, this interactive display offers a stunning and easy way to collaborate with people both in your workspace and over video. Want to screen share? Not a problem! This display comes with a CleverShare USB-C dongle, which allows you to switch between your device and the display, making it easier than ever to share content from one device to another. You can easily swap between Android and PC mode, or simply turn off Android mode if it’s not needed, making the UX Pro Edge a flexible solution for your workspace, whether you’re a Windows or Android user. The Clevertouch UX Pro Edge, features many interactive options that allow you to level up teamwork in the office. The display is EDLA certified, so all of Google’s leading apps, including Google Drive, Sheets and Chrome can all be accessed directly from the screen. In addition to this, the UX Pro Edge gives you full access to all apps in the Google Play Store, unlocking a number of applications to integrate into your workplace. Not only this, but EDLA ensures that your device is guarded by advanced security, protecting against unauthorised access, cyber-attacks, data loss and much more, for peace of mind and stay focused on collaboration rather than potential security issues. This device also boasts a natural writing experience, making it feel almost like pen-to-paper. The UX Pro Edge comes with a passive pen, which requires no charging, so you to write without running out of battery mid-sentence. The precision eraser easily removes any mistakes or notes using the eraser, palm, or a finger. In addition to this, this device has palm rejection, ensuring that any unwanted touches or interactions do not affect the content on the board, by only picking up deliberate actions such as writing, erasing, or doodling rather than leaning on the board. The UX Pro Edge is also equipped with antibacterial glass, allowing it to be used by multiple users without needing to worry about the spread of germs between people. There is also the option to customise your home page, so you can personalise it as much as you wish. The Clevertouch UX Pro Edge also features a built-in award-winning digital signage platform, enabling you to present a variety of content to colleagues, visitors or other users. The new Clevertouch UX Pro Edge has it all, from customisation options, advanced security protocols and Google accessibility. If this sounds like something you would like to integrate into your workspace, then contact us!