BWB Consulting, Nottingham, United Kingdom
BWB provides multi-disciplinary engineering solutions to the property, development and construction industry. Based in Nottingham with offices in Birmingham, London, Leeds, and Manchester, the firm currently employs about 150 people across the UK.
Core competencies include civil and structural engineering, geotechnical and environmental consultancy, flood risk and drainage engineering, traffic and transportation and highway and infrastructure consultancy. The firm also offers a range of additional services including regeneration, surveying and project management.
With five geographically dispersed offices, BWB engineers and design teams spent a lot of time and money on the road. On a regular basis, managers would drive to meet with team members in the various locations, essentially repeating the same meeting with different people. As the economy continued to lack stability, the firm’s finance team pushed for more efficient ways to get business done.
Also, as an organization committed to social and environmental responsibility, BWB wanted a sound alternative to travel. BWB began to search for the right communications tool to facilitate more efficient communication and collaboration among different locations, supporting project efficiency above all.
It didn’t take long for Paul Collins, director of finance for BWB Consulting, and his team to realize that HD video from LifeSize delivers better quality at a fraction of the cost over the competition.
“We were absolutely blown away,” Collins said. “The LifeSize solution was by far the most economic solution available to us.”
Since deploying LifeSize HD video systems, BWB Consulting has seen a significant boost in communication and collaboration as well as improved working relationships.
“Before we started using video, inter-office working could be somewhat disjointed,” Collins said. “With multiple groups working on their own projects, it was difficult to come together and collaborate. Now, everyone can jump in a room, see their peers and discuss projects in real time. LifeSize brings a connectedness to our people and that improves the way we work.”
In terms of return on investment, Collins admitted it is somewhat subjective, but that he believes the payback will occur within one to two years.
“The key here is that video significantly reduces the physical distance we previously experienced. For our organization, this technology is irreplaceable.”
As for the future, Collins says that the team is evaluating desktop video solutions for the PC like LifeSize® Desktop™.
“We’re looking to create a nice, virtual working environment that promotes sustainability and collaboration. Video conferencing both in and out of the office is the answer and our workforce is excited about the potential this technology brings us.”
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