Rider Levett Bucknall, London, England
Rider Levett Bucknall is a leading cost consultancy, project management and advisory services firm. With over 2000 staff in more than 80 offices across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Middle East and the Americas, the practice can trace its roots back to the 18th century. Rider Levett Bucknall brings together three companies who are committed to quality and sustainability and prides itself on its dedication to customer care and leading edge service provision.
The Rider Levett Bucknall Global Practice was launched in June 2007, in response to growing globalization and increasing client demands. As the companies came together, so did the people. RLB opened new offices in the UK, resulting in seven separate locations around Britain.
With colleagues and project teams now more widely dispersed, RLB needed a way to reduce travel between offices and increase productivity. Also, the firm has a strong commitment to minimizing adverse environmental impact in both their internal practices and in the advice they give clients. RLB needed a video communications product that would promote collaboration and seamless communication, while reducing travel and environmental impact. The product would need to be of superior HD quality with crisp, clear 1280x720p resolutions, flexible enough to deploy easily in multiple offices.
After a full evaluation of all current video communications systems on the market, Mark Evans, IT Manager for Rider Levett Bucknall, and his team decided that the LifeSize® Room™ product best met their needs.
Not only was LifeSize chosen for its superior HD quality, but also for the system’s ability to optimize bandwidth to receive the best possible quality at any speed. Because all LifeSize products are standards-based, they can be used with clients using other video systems. The built-in H.239 data-sharing capability was also a factor, as collaboration between project teams is crucial.
“A few years ago, it was a lot easier to put everyone in a conference room,” said Mark Evans, IT Manager at RLB. “Now with seven offices in the UK and gas prices and pollution on the rise, time and travel can really impact the way we work. LifeSize provided a simple to use, cost-effective solution that allows our teams to stay on track and collaborate face-to-face, anytime.”
LifeSize is now being used across the UK for project, management and team meetings everyday. The firm experienced a rapid ROI in travel savings almost immediately.
Shortly after implementing LifeSize HD video conferencing systems, RLB received their ISO 14001 accredidation, the internationally accepted standard that sets out how a company can put in place an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). By using video to communicate instead of traveling, the firm has saved nine tons of C02 in its first year of deployment.
“LifeSize has allowed us not only to reduce our carbon footprint, but also to increase productivity and client satisfaction,” Evans said. “We are simply working smarter all the way around, and that makes everyone happy.”
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