Author Archives: David Sholkovitz

Open-Office Plans without Sacrificing Privacy

A common staple of the modern office is the “open office” plan – no walls, no barriers, more faces. The idea is to create a less isolated environment, better suited for employees to collaborate on projects, as well as to simply provide a more positive work experience. However, a scientific study found some contradictory results. This study is the first of its kind; no other study has measured changes in actual interactions within open vs. closed office environments. In a company that completely transformed their closed office into a modern open office, the scientists measured the participant’s interactions in both types of office settings. These interactions were measured using a small, high-tech sensor device that detected speaking, face-to-face communication, body movement, posture, and spatial location. These sensors, along with IMing and emailing frequency, were all used to determine changes in participants’ interactions.

The study’s counter-intuitive findings speak for themselves: overall face-to-face interaction detected by the sensors decreased by a whopping 70%. While electronic interaction (IM and email) offset this a bit by increasing 20-50%, this hardly takes away from the fact that the open-office remodel was a step backwards from the goal it was trying to achieve. The reason? Every human, no matter their level of extroversion, requires privacy to achieve productivity. When the sensation of privacy gets removed, the employees subconsciously search for other means of privacy. Thus, they compensate by decreasing their person-to-person interactions. The lack of privacy that accompanies an open-office plan causes human interaction to morph from a pleasure to an obstacle.

It is crucial to note that this experiment in not the be-all- end-all of open office plans. Despite the flaws, there are several legitimate benefits to having an open office. Examples include the office layout’s malleability, and the lessening of social hierarchies. Every office setting has its pros and cons, and no environment is entirely good or bad. This piece does not aim to de-legitimize open office spaces. It simply aims to point out one specific flaw: the lack of privacy.

Open-office plans are appearing at an increasing rate, with 70% of US offices having low or zero barriers in 2017. Instead of fighting this trend, the most logical solution is to work around any flaws it may bring. This is where sound masking comes in. Any office environment riddled by distracting noise can easily be tamed with this phenomenon. Learn more about sound masking and find out how Cambridge Sound Management can contribute to your office environment. Enjoy the benefits of an open office without sacrificing your privacy.

Written by Matt Wolf

Is sound masking the next hot workplace technology?

Sound masking technology is becoming a popular solution for tenants and building consultants to reduce noise distractions and protect speech privacy without impacting office aesthetics.  In fact, we just announced last week a long list of leading companies who have deployed our DynasoundPro sound masking solutions including Delta Airlines, Georgia Pacific, Toyota, Liberty Mutual, Mercedes-Benz, and PWC.

Sound masking technology helps protect speech privacy, reduce noise distractions, and increase acoustical comfort in offices by making human speech less intelligible. The DynasoundPro product line includes networked technology for superior uniformity and in-ceiling, under floor, and anti-eavesdropping solutions, resulting in unequaled acoustical privacy and comfort for the modern facility.

What does the leading consultant say?

“As offices shift to open floor plan design, sound masking is becoming an increasingly important technology for consultants to specify,” says Michael Hosti, VP Technology for Telios, a leading building system consulting firm. “The team at Cambridge Sound Management has been extremely supportive in providing next generation sound masking solutions and technical design services to our clients.”

“Customers appreciate the granular level of sound masking control that our systems offer,” says Rob Claus, VP Worldwide Sales at Cambridge Sound Management. “The benefits are so impactful, that many of our large clients add our sound masking systems into their entire worldwide real estate portfolio.”

You can expect the open office trend will continue, and more and more companies will consider the acoustics of the space to help improve office comfort.   – David Sholkovitz

Facility Executives Vote Cambridge Sound Management # 1

Voted # 1 By Facility Managers

Wow!  We’re excited to share that today we were awarded the Facility Executive Reader’s Choice Award for workplace technology in 2018.   The coveted award is determined by thousands of facility management professionals, and is based on excellence in aesthetics, reliability, value, and customer service.

“The products offered by the winners of the 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards represent leading solutions for facility executives,” says Anne Cosgrove, Editor in Chief of Facility Executive. “These annual awards provide a view into which companies our readers find most beneficial in their work. This recognition is impressive considering the vast number of products and services that facility management professionals evaluate and implement on a regular basis.”

Noise distractions and a lack of speech privacy are major issues in today’s facility.  With the shift to open floor plan layouts and more minimalistic interior office designs, sound management is a hot topic.  We are honored that Facility Executive readers have voted Cambridge Sound Management a winner in their 2018 Reader’s Choice Awards.

You can check out all the winners and learn more about Facility Executive magazine here.

– David Sholkovitz, VP Marketing

qt patient privacy sound masking cambridge sound management

Cambridge Sound Management Strengthens Healthcare Offering with New Sound Masking Solution

The new Qt Patient Privacy System

The new Qt Patient Privacy System

The new Qt® Patient Privacy System uses direct-field sound masking technology to protect patient and staff speech privacy in medical office waiting areas, exam rooms, and pharmacies.

 WALTHAM, MA, January 29, 2016 – Cambridge Sound Management, the world’s largest provider of sound masking technology, announced today a new speech privacy solution for medical office waiting rooms, exam rooms, and pharmacies.

“Our healthcare customers and designers have been asking for a simplified speech protection system that could be easily deployed in open reception areas to protect sensitive conversations between patients and staff, “says Christopher Calisi, CEO of Cambridge Sound Management. “Helping medical staff and facility managers meet HIPAA privacy rules – while simultaneously improving the overall patient experience – was the core driver behind this exciting product.”

The Qt Patient Privacy System helps protect patient privacy by making conversations in healthcare environments less intelligible to unintended listeners. Often overlooked in healthcare design is the lack of speech privacy in reception areas where private conversations can be easily overheard. Furthermore, many patient exam rooms often don’t provide adequate speech privacy due to a lack of sound blocking building material. With an increased focus on patient quality of care and achieving HIPAA privacy regulations, the Qt Patient Privacy system is an affordable solution to solve an important problem.

The Qt Patient Privacy System is an all-in-one privacy solution consisting of a control module, two lighted privacy status signs, and a series of direct-field sound masking emitters. The control module is easily installed behind the reception desk or in the back office, and the lighted privacy signs inform patients and staff that their conversations are protected. The barely visible direct-field sound masking emitters can be installed in any ceiling type. The system is installed by Cambridge Sound Management’s extensive network of certified sound masking specialists.

The Qt Patient Privacy System is now available for pre-order and ships on February 25th 2016.

About Cambridge Sound Management

Cambridge Sound Management, Inc, the world’s largest provider of sound masking solutions, manufactures QtPro sound masking systems to help organizations across multiple industries protect speech privacy, reduce noise distractions, and increase workplace productivity. Powered by direct-field Quiet Technology, QtPro works by emitting a uniform, barely perceptible background sound at the frequencies of human speech. Cost effective and easy to install, QtPro is deployed in hundreds of millions of square feet of space throughout the world including commercial organizations, healthcare facilities, financial services, government agencies, and educational institutions.