The Importance of Standards & Room Design with Microsoft Teams Rooms with Greg Jeffreys
Jan 17, 2024
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Greg Jeffreys, an expert in room design and Microsoft Teams technology-enabled spaces, emphasizes the importance of standards and proper room design. The podcast discusses real-world challenges, audio quality, and the ROI of investing in technology-enabled spaces.
Thinking critically about room design and using standards is essential for Microsoft Teams rooms.
Collaboration between AV, IT, and space design is crucial to overcome real-world challenges in room design.
Deep dives
The importance of room design and standards in Microsoft Teams rooms
During the podcast episode, Greg Jeffries emphasizes the importance of considering room design and standards when implementing Microsoft Teams rooms. He highlights the need to take a holistic approach and not just focus on the technology aspect. Greg discusses how the industry did a remarkable job during the pandemic by quickly transforming spaces into hybrid workspaces but suggests that the lack of thought in room layout and design is now becoming evident. He raises concerns that some rooms, despite being well-equipped on paper, may reveal shortcomings due to inadequate room design. Greg, as an advocate for standards, urges people to pay attention to room design and use standards critically to ensure optimal results.
Challenges and structural issues in room design
Greg points out some real-world challenges and structural issues in room design. He explains that organizations often suffer from heavy silos between facilities management, building management, AV, and IT management. This lack of cohesion leads to problems like overdriving lighting and poor awareness of audio and video components. However, he sees the AV and IT industries as already having combined, highlighting the need for collaboration between AV, IT, and space design. Greg emphasizes the importance of breaking down the components of room design and using a marginal gains approach to improve audio, display, lighting, and other elements. He stresses the need for critical thinking, especially regarding audio, which is often neglected and undervalued.
The financial benefits of technology-enabled spaces and the need to consider business objectives
The podcast discusses the financial benefits of technology-enabled spaces and the importance of considering business objectives. Greg asserts that buildings now need to be technology-enabled and that AV needs to be part of the early design conversations. He highlights the opportunity for AV professionals to work with architects and technologists to create efficient and user-friendly spaces. Greg points out that buildings designed with the user experience in mind have higher chances of securing leases and attracting tenants in the new hybrid working era. He emphasizes the financial argument for considering room design and standards, as it can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. Finally, he encourages periodic reviews and an iterative approach to keep improving the space and meeting business objectives.