SMART BoardÂź Mini Interactive Podium: A Game-Changer for Presentations

A new era of presenting has arrived! We’re excited to announce the launch of the SMART BoardÂź Mini Interactive Podium – a powerful, compact tool designed to transform the way you engage with your audience. Whether you’re delivering a lecture, hosting a business meeting, or leading a hybrid workshop, this innovative podium is packed with features to help you present with confidence and clarity.  Designed for Modern Workspaces  The SMART BoardÂź Mini Interactive Podium is more than just a presentation tool – it’s a game-changer for educators, business leaders and hybrid teams. Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller spaces, while its all-in-one functionality means you won’t need a separate camera, microphone, or external speakers. Everything you need is built in, ready to support your presentations from start to finish.  Who Will Love the SMART BoardÂź Mini Interactive Podium?  – Educators: Deliver engaging lessons with real-time annotations and seamless hybrid learning capabilities.  – Business Leaders: Host professional video conferences and presentations with crystal-clear audio and video.  – Hybrid Teams: Collaborate easily with remote participants using powerful built-in conferencing tools.  Experience the Future of Presenting  The SMART BoardÂź Mini Interactive Podium is built to make your presentations more interactive, professional and impactful. Whether you’re in the classroom, the boardroom, or anywhere in between, this innovative tool helps you connect with your audience like never before.  👉 Want to see more? Read more on our dedicated webpage and explore the full product details and find out how the SMART BoardÂź Mini Interactive Podium can transform your presentations. 

The Future of Interactive Displays in Corporate Spaces 

The way businesses collaborate and communicate is evolving rapidly and interactive displays are at the heart of this transformation. From boardrooms to huddle rooms, these collaborative solutions are redefining engagement, boosting productivity and enhancing collaboration. In this blog we’ll discuss the future of interactive displays in corporate spaces
 The Rise of Interactive Technology in Offices  In a post-pandemic world, hybrid working and flexible collaboration have become the norm. Interactive displays provide a seamless way for teams, whether in the office or working remotely, to brainstorm, present and collaborate in real time.  Key Trends Shaping the Future  1. Touchscreen Innovation & Collaboration Modern interactive displays are moving beyond basic touchscreen functionality. With gesture recognition and AI-powered interfaces, businesses can create more intuitive and engaging user experiences.  2. Seamless Remote Collaboration  Platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet are integrating directly with interactive displays, which make remote meetings more dynamic and easily accessible. Allow your teams to annotate documents, share ideas and work together in ways that feel as natural as in-person collaboration.  3. 4K & Beyond – Visual Excellence As display resolutions continue to improve, ultra-clear visuals will enhance presentations and brainstorming sessions, so that every detail is seen, whether in a boardroom or a large conference space.  4. AI & Data Integration  Smart interactive displays are beginning to integrate with AI and data analytics, enabling companies to gain insights into meeting efficiency, engagement levels and workspace utilisation.  5. Sustainability & Energy Efficiency  As businesses prioritise sustainability, interactive display manufacturers are focusing on energy-efficient technology with lower power consumption and eco-friendly materials.  How We Can Help  At Rapid Technologies, we specialise in integrating the latest interactive display solutions tailored to your corporate needs. Whether you’re upgrading a meeting room, setting up a collaborative workspace, or enhancing hybrid working, we provide expert advice, seamless installation and ongoing support.  Explore our range of interactive displays and take your business collaboration to the next level. 

Eco-Friendly Audio-Visual Solutions: What You Need to Know  

rapid eco friendly solutions

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it’s a responsibility that we all share. Businesses and organisations are increasingly seeking eco-friendly solutions that reduce their environmental impact. This is no different in the audio-visual (AV) industry, where innovative technology can help reduce energy consumption, minimise waste and create greener working environments.  At Rapid Technologies, we’re proud to deliver AV solutions that not only meet your functional needs but also align with your sustainability goals. Here’s what you need to know about eco-friendly AV solutions and how they can make a difference.    Energy-Efficient Technology    Modern AV systems are designed with energy efficiency in mind. From LED displays that consume significantly less power than traditional screens to motion-activated systems that power down when not in use, there are plenty of ways in which you can lower energy usage through technology.    Even smaller innovations, such as smart power strips and eco-modes for projectors, contribute to a greener setup. These technologies don’t just benefit the planet, they can also save your business money in the long run.    Recyclable and Sustainable Materials    Many manufacturers are now using recyclable and sustainable materials to produce AV equipment. Components such as aluminium, glass and even some plastics can be repurposed, reducing landfill waste.    As an AV integrator, we can help you choose products made from environmentally friendly materials and ensure old equipment is responsibly recycled or reused where possible.   Remote Management and Cloud Solutions    Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t always require hardware changes. Cloud-based AV systems enable remote management, reducing the need for physical intervention and minimising travel-related emissions.    Additionally, wireless sharing and video conferencing solutions make it easier to cut down on paper use and unnecessary commuting, contributing to a greener, more efficient workplace.    Long-Term Sustainability with Maintenance and Upgrades    A key component of eco-friendly AV is focusing on longevity. Proper maintenance, timely upgrades and repair services can significantly extend the life of your AV systems, reducing waste and the demand for new equipment.    Why Choose Rapid Technologies as Your AV Integrator?    When it comes to implementing eco-friendly AV solutions, experience and expertise matter. At Rapid Technologies, we take pride in being your trusted partner for sustainable technology integration.    Tailored Advice: We work closely with you to design AV solutions that meet your environmental and operational goals.    Expert Knowledge: Our team stays up-to-date with the latest eco-friendly technologies and industry trends.    End-to-End Support: From selecting energy-efficient products to providing ongoing maintenance, we’re with you every step of the way.    If you’re ready to embrace eco-friendly AV solutions and reduce your carbon footprint, contact us today.  

Driving Innovation: Alpha Auto Group’s Stunning New HQ in Mayfair, London

When AAG came to us for their new Mayfair office, they needed more than just a one-size-fits-all approach. With varying room layouts, tight deadlines and no onsite IT team, they had some big challenges to overcome.  About Alpha Auto Group (AAG) Alpha Auto Group (AAG), based in Toronto, are the largest Canada-based car dealership group in the world. On October 6, 2023, Alpha Auto Group completed acquisition of Lookers, PLC, a leading auto retailer in the UK and Ireland. Identifying the challenges The client faced several challenges in their new Mayfair headquarters. Their office included a variety of spaces, ranging from small huddle rooms to a large boardroom, each requiring a bespoke solution that integrated seamlessly with Microsoft Teams. Additionally, the project had to meet tight deadlines, involving close coordination with contractors and project managers to ensure everything was ready for the grand opening. Compounding these challenges was the absence of an onsite IT team, meaning the technology needed to be simple to manage remotely to minimise downtime and maintain operational efficiency. Delivering a solution To overcome the client’s challenges, we delivered a fully tailored, end-to-end solution that combined innovative meeting room technology with seamless integration and proactive support. We started by collaborating with their IT team to thoroughly review their specific requirements and analyse the architect’s plans, which provided crucial details such as room dimensions, cable pathways, and power and data outlet locations. Information surrounding room dimensions, acoustics, and lighting, helped us design the ideal setup for each space. Based on these insights, we implemented a customised mix of Poly solutions: Huddle Rooms: Outfitted with Poly X30 systems and TC8 control panels, delivering user-friendly, high-quality video conferencing tailored for smaller spaces. Boardroom: Equipped with the state-of-the-art Poly X70 system and TC10 control panel, ensuring an exceptional conferencing experience in a larger, more complex environment. Each solution was Microsoft Teams Room certified, ensuring flawless integration with Lookers’ existing platforms. To meet the tight project timeline, our team collaborated closely with project managers and onsite contractors, ensuring every milestone was hit without delays. The result was a fully functional, future-proof setup delivered on time for the grand opening. Understanding the client’s need for remote management, we onboarded all devices onto Poly Lens (device management portal) and the Microsoft Teams Room Pro Management portal, providing complete visibility and control over their systems from any location. For ongoing reliability, we included a maintenance package. This ensures swift issue resolution, minimal downtime, and uninterrupted performance, offering long-term peace of mind. With the new solutions in place, Lookers’ Mayfair office is equipped with technology that’s intuitive to use, reliable and perfectly suited to their needs. Looking for help with your own AV setup? Get in touch with us today – we’d love to help!

How to choose the right AV solution for your business?

yealink meeting room

In today’s visually-driven world, choosing the right audio-visual technology is essential for any business that are looking to engage with customers, streamline internal communication and stay competitive. With so many options on the market, from video conferencing systems to digital signage, finding the right setup can feel overwhelming. We’ve produced this guide on what we think the most important considerations are, to help you choose the perfect AV solution for your business: Define Your Business Needs and Goals Before jumping into the specific products, we’d say that a good starting point would be to identify the core purpose of your AV requirements. What do you actually need
 what for
 how are you going to use them
? What’s the main goal? Are you looking to enhance customer engagement, improve communication amongst remote teams, or create a more interactive meeting experience? Where will the tech be used? Your needs will depend on whether the setup will be in a conference room, a training room, a reception area, a retail environment etc. Who will use it? Is the technology for employees, customers, or both. Each will have their own needs and different expectations. Budget and Scalability: Plan for Now and the Future Budget is an important factor, but it’s just as important to consider scalability. You might only need a basic setup today, but your business needs could evolve quickly and so will your needs for technology. Investing in scalable technology allows you to expand without a complete system overhaul. Initial Costs vs. Long-Term Value: You know what they say
 buy cheap, buy twice. Investing in high-quality, durable equipment, may come with a higher price tag but it works out better in the long run. High-quality technology requires minimal maintenance, whereas cheaper options may need frequent replacements, which of course means more costs added. Future-Proofing Your Setup: Look for systems that can be upgraded as new features or compatible products are released, so you have a system that is flexible and that can grow. Prioritise Ease of Use and Accessibility Investing in a high-tech AV setup that everyone struggles to use, almost defeats the object. You want a system that’s intuitive and user-friendly, so your team can utilise it without extensive training. Here are some tips: Look for Automation Features: Automated setups that adjust sound, lighting and visuals based on usage patterns can simplify the setup process. Remote and Mobile Control: Systems that offer mobile or remote control options are a great addition to the workplace, as they allow users to make adjustments on the go. Training and Support Options: We offer training sessions and customer support & maintenance options, so you can ensure your team is always comfortable using the technology. Compatibility and Integration with Existing Systems Compatibility is key for a seamless experience. Your AV setup needs to work well with the software, hardware and platforms that your business already uses. Here are some things to keep in mind: Software Integration: If your businesses relies on video conferencing, it’s crucial that your AV solution integrates with tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. Cross-Device Compatibility: Choose AV solutions that function well across different devices, including laptops, tablets and smartphones. Get Expert Advice and Demonstrations If you’re unsure on where to start, speak to us and we’ll guide you through the process, step by step. We can help you to assess your unique needs and provide product demonstrations, so you feel fully confident before you buy. Choosing the right AV solution is a strategic decision that can elevate your business’s operations, customer experiences and team engagement. We can help you define your needs and prioritise quality & usability for a solution that truly delivers.

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!

Why are Motorised Blinds Important for Modern Meeting Rooms

lighting office application

One of the often-overlooked elements in designing meeting rooms, conference rooms and town hall spaces, is the use of motorised blinds. While it might seem like a minor detail, motorised blinds can significantly enhance the functionality and aesthetics of a meeting space. Without the suitable lighting fearures in place, meetings could look like this… We think your organisation should consider investing in motorised blinds and here is why: Improved Convenience and Efficiency: With the touch of a button, you can adjust the blinds to the perfect level, whether you need to block out glaring sunlight during a presentation or let in natural light during a brainstorming session. This ease of control saves time and minimises disruptions, allowing meetings to proceed smoothly and efficiently. Improved Comfort and Focus: Natural light is known to boost mood and energy levels, but too much can cause glare on screens and discomfort. Motorised blinds allow precise control over the amount of natural light entering the room, helping to maintain a comfortable environment that keeps attendees focused and engaged. Professional Aesthetics: A well-designed meeting room creates a positive impression on clients and stakeholders. Motorised blinds contribute to a sleek, modern aesthetic, giving your meeting room a polished and professional look. They can be integrated seamlessly with your dĂ©cor by using a variety of colours/fabrics, adding to the overall ambiance without the need for unsightly cords or manual adjustments. Integration with Smart Technology: In the age of smart offices, motorised office blinds can be integrated into your existing smart system. This means you can program them to adjust automatically based on the time of day or the position of the sun, further enhancing energy efficiency and convenience. Integration with voice-controlled assistants or centralised control systems allows for even more streamlined operation. Energy Efficiency: Managing sunlight effectively can also lead to energy savings. By reducing the need for artificial lighting and managing heat gain or loss through windows, motorised blinds contribute to a more energy-efficient building. This not only helps reduce utility bills but also supports sustainability goals, making your organisation greener and more environmentally responsible. Enhanced Privacy and Security: Meeting rooms often host sensitive discussions and presentations. Motorised blinds offer an added layer of privacy, ensuring that prying eyes cannot see in from the outside. They can be programmed to close automatically after hours, enhancing security and protecting your workspace from potential breaches. Acoustics: There is an acoustic rating to blinds, meaning that they can help improve the acoustic quality within a space by reducing echo and reverberation. Incorporating motorised blinds into your meeting room is a smart investment that pays dividends in comfort, efficiency and professional appeal. As organisations continue to prioritise creating optimal work environments, motorised blinds are an important consideration in the design of contemporary meeting rooms and shouldn’t be overlooked. If you are interested in integrating motorised blinds into your space, please get in touch!

The National Lottery Fund (TNL) introduce ‘green’ ROOMZ booking system throughout multiple office locations

The National Lottery banner

“Good Equipment, does exactly what is says on the tin. The room booking panels have helped us utilise them as calendar devices for room use.” – Keith Mardling – TNL About The National Lottery The National Lottery, a cornerstone of the UK’s gaming and entertainment industry, has been enriching lives and funding vital projects since its inception in 1994. Operated by Camelot Group, The National Lottery offers a wide range of games, including Lotto, EuroMillions, and Set For Life, creating winners every week and supporting good causes across the nation. With a commitment to innovation and community impact, The National Lottery continues to be a driving force for positive change, funding thousands of projects in the arts, sports, heritage, and community sectors. Identifying the challenges The National Lottery came to us for help with streamlining their meeting room management processes and to enhance their operational efficiency. They also had to consider how these devices might be deployed across their estate due to difficult cabling routes and limited available resource. Sustainability and eco-friendliness remained core to TNL’s values so any product with these benefits would be an instant success. Delivering a solution After fact-finding calls and demonstrations with TNL, Rapid decided that ROOMZ would be the perfect solution for what they were looking for. These sleek, intuitive devices are designed to simplify the process of booking and managing meeting spaces. Deployment was made very easy as no cabling was required and all devices were connected through Wi-Fi, not POE. Typical battery usage for Roomz displays are 4-5 years, and have the capability to be solar-powered. Paired with the ROOMZ occupancy sensor, rooms can be automatically be released if no one shows up (ghost meetings), while creating valuable data based on the effective use of their workplace. ROOMZ desk booking is another product set that could be easily deployed further down the line to help with office space management and ‘hot-desking’. Find out more about our ROOMZ!

K Line Europe improve the video conferencing experience in their London & Southampton offices

“After engaging with Rapid Technologies, Kit guided us through the different solutions available and arranged for a face-to-face demonstration by the manufacturer. The order process was smoothly handled, and the installation team worked tirelessly to complete the setup in our office. Since then, we have received positive feedback from the office and remote users, and had a trouble free environment which fully integrates with our MS TEAM. We are very satisfied with the service level we received and have already placed a second order to expand the use of the equipment recommended by Rapid Tech. It’s nice to come across a professional company that has the clients best interests at their core.” – Martin Jarvis, EMEA Information Systems Group – K Line Europe About K Line Europe K Line Europe, a European subsidiary of global Japanese shipping and logistics company, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, are a prominent player in the global shipping and logistics industry. K Line Europe have established itself as a leader in maritime transportation, providing a wide range of services including container shipping, bulk shipping and specialised cargo handling. Identifying the challenges K Line Europe approached Rapid as they had multiple meeting rooms with video conferencing equipment that was no longer fit for purpose. They had a variety of conferencing equipment across different rooms, leading to inconsistent user experience and error. Their existing solutions did not effectively support K Line’s hybrid work model and there was difficulty for IT in managing and maintaining conferencing equipment. Delivering a solution K Line Europe had standardised on Microsoft Teams as an organisation and after arranging face-to-face demonstrations with our partner Yealink, it was agreed that the best option was for them to deploy Microsoft Teams Rooms. This would fully integrate with their existing Microsoft ecosystem and the suite of Yealink’s Teams Room certified products aligned exactly with what K Line were looking for, whilst coming in cheaper than competing brands in the space. The Yealink Device Management Platform (free of charge for 2 years) ensured that IT can update firmware remotely and manage the estate without needing to be present in the office. As a result of staff positive feedback Rapid have also just recently fitted out video conferencing at K Line’s Southampton Office as well. Find out more about our Yealink Conferencing solutions!

Benefits of integrating the Barco ClickShare CX-50 2nd generation into your workplace

ClickShare in meeting room

Introducing the new Barco ClickShare CX-50 2nd Generation, an easy way to wirelessly connect your devices when you enter a room, making the process of sharing your screen simpler than ever. This device allows for a way to integrate flexible wireless conferencing into your space, whether that be in an office, meeting room, or a board room. By introducing a wireless solution into your workspace, the need for plugging and unplugging your devices is gone and is replaced by an efficient way to keep up to date with all of your work.  The Barco ClickShare CX-50 2nd Generation also allows users to annotate, use its blackboard feature, and touchback for a more collaborative experience. It can also be used either as a standalone BYOM (Bring Your Own Meeting) device or can be integrated into existing Teams or Zoom Rooms. This means users can select either the fixed room setup or BYOM- mode when starting a meeting from their own laptop.  By utilising this device, hybrid meetings can be joined with just the click of a button. Alternatively, you can use the Clickshare App to seamlessly access meetings without the hassle. Thanks to its ability to use a dual screen setup, seamlessly view both people and content side by side on two displays.  With dual screen support, users can benefit from high-end AV setups and large displays in board meetings. During video meetings, one of the screens is dedicated to the remote participants, where they remain visible at all time. Talking heads are now equally important as content on screen. Both are shown side by side on two displays in the meeting room, making the experience for both in-room and remote participants more equitable than previously.  This device is fully carbon-neutral for those who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint. As well as this, the Barco Clickshare is 100% secure, cloud-managed, and encrypted, so you need not worry about the safety of important content or documents.   If this sounds like the perfect solution for your workspace, then please get in touch!Â