Introduction
As part of a strategic expansion, The Entertainer, the UK’s largest independent toy retailer, relocated its head office to a new site in Amersham. The new headquarters was designed to be a central hub for internal operations, connecting over 170 retail locations and external partners. The company’s board set an AV brief focused on unifying communication technology across diverse workspaces while preserving the playful brand identity.
Problem
The project faced several challenges:
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Supporting a wide range of room types, including boardrooms, huddle spaces, reception, mock store, and canteen.
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Ensuring a consistent AV experience across 21 meeting environments of varying sizes and layouts.
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Delivering the project during the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced workforce availability issues, shifting requirements, and extended timelines.
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Facilitating a smooth transition between remote work and returning to the office
Solution
A standardised Microsoft Teams Rooms-certified AV ecosystem was deployed, centered on Logitech Room Solutions to deliver consistency and ease of use across all spaces.
Key Components in Each Room:
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Logitech all-in-one video conferencing bundles, featuring intelligent cameras, integrated soundbars, compute modules, and table microphones.
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Teams Room Scheduler panels outside each room to simplify bookings and display availability.
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Samsung commercial displays sized from 43" to 75" tailored to each room for optimal visibility.
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Crestron AirMedia devices enabling wireless content sharing and screen mirroring without cables or adapters.
This consistent setup allowed employees to quickly start meetings in any room with minimal technical barriers, regardless of device or space.
Implementation Notes
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Despite pandemic-related challenges, extended timelines allowed design refinements to accommodate evolving work styles.
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The AV system supported both remote and in-office workflows, facilitating a smooth return to the workplace.
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Familiarity with Microsoft Teams, gained during remote work, simplified adoption of in-room systems.
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Training was delivered online and in-person, empowering the internal IT team to support ongoing user adoption.
Results
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A consistent, intuitive user experience across all 21 AV environments.
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Increased adoption and usage of in-room conferencing systems.
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A smoother transition back to office-based work post-pandemic.
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Noticeable reduction in printed materials, driven by increased digital collaboration.
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The AV infrastructure supported both The Entertainer’s growth plans and its vibrant internal culture.
Key Takeaway
By delivering a unified, flexible AV platform built around familiar tools, the project helped The Entertainer maintain productivity and collaboration during a challenging period of change. The standardised technology, combined with clear interfaces and user training, ensured a seamless and engaging experience for staff across diverse environments.
Client Testimonial
"As a result of the pandemic, our requirements kept adjusting, but Steve and the team were open to our needs and offered their knowledge to help us to navigate to the result we required.
Two pieces of kit we initially thought we'd not require have turned out to be the most used. The room booking system has become essential to our business, and the team are incredibly respectful of its usage. Secondly, staff love the Crestron Airmedia; it's saved a lot of time for our teams who often share big files.
As staff returned to the office, the call-outs for technical support have reduced significantly, and we've seen an uptake in teams using the video conferencing system. Staff are provided with precisely what they need and have the same high-quality experience whether working at their desk or in a meeting room.
The level of service from the team was phenomenal."
- Paul Mitchell, Head of Infrastructure and Applications at The Entertainer