Introduction
Solera Audatex, part of the global Solera Holdings group, required a comprehensive AV solution for its new UK headquarters in Bracknell. The project involved outfitting four separate buildings with meeting environments ranging from intimate two-person huddle rooms to a 200-capacity town hall auditorium. The goal was to create a unified, Microsoft Teams-based hybrid working environment that offered a consistent and reliable user experience across all rooms and locations.
Problem
Solera Audatex needed to address several key challenges:
- Delivering a consistent hybrid meeting experience across more than 40 diverse meeting spaces.
- Supporting seamless collaboration between teams spread across multiple buildings and countries.
- Ensuring audio and video systems provided clear coverage even during dynamic, large-group sessions.
- Minimising support overhead by simplifying user onboarding and maintenance.
- Achieving a scalable infrastructure ready to evolve alongside business needs.
Solution
A Microsoft Teams Rooms-certified solution was specified and deployed throughout the estate, emphasising standardisation and scalability:
Deployment Highlights
Over 40 meeting spaces equipped, including:
- Two-person huddle rooms for informal collaboration
- Standard meeting rooms of various sizes
- A large auditorium with 200 seating for town halls and hybrid events
Standardised Microsoft-certified hardware ensured seamless Teams integration and reduced failure points.
- Audio and video systems optimised for broad pickup zones and clear visibility, allowing participants to move freely during meetings.
- Consistent interface design flattened learning curves and simplified user experience.
- Unobtrusive control interfaces and clean cable management reduced IT intervention.
- Post-installation adoption training and ongoing support protocols secured sustained system performance.
Key Considerations
- Room standardisation was prioritised to reduce support overhead and streamline user onboarding
- Hardware selection focused on Microsoft-certified devices, simplifying Teams integration and reducing points of failure
- Audio and video pickup zones were optimised for open movement, helping to support hybrid meetings that included live facilitation and audience engagement
- Control interfaces and cable management were designed to be unobtrusive, with clear signal flow and minimal intervention required from IT staff
Adoption training was provided post-installation, with support protocols set in place to maintain performance over time.
Results
- The project delivered measurable consistency across all meeting spaces.
- Increased user adoption of hybrid collaboration tools.
- Enabled quick, reliable meetings across buildings and international teams.
- Integrated content sharing, document editing, and video conferencing through Microsoft Teams.
- Completed within a 46-week timeline, including planning, commissioning, and training.
- All rooms are live and regularly used, with infrastructure ready for future scalability.
Key Takeaway
By prioritising room standardisation, Microsoft-certified hardware, and user-friendly design, the project transformed Solera Audatex’s meeting environments into a cohesive, reliable hybrid workspace. This empowered teams across multiple buildings and locations to collaborate effortlessly, supporting the company’s growth and hybrid working goals.