Challenge

New Open Office Space Caused Noise Distraction Issues

Wiser Solutions is a software company that provides a retail analytics platform that helps clients make more informed decisions regarding their products’ instore merchandising. When their Boston office recently moved to a converted warehouse space in the city’s downtown area, employees immediately noticed that speech distraction and speech privacy concerns were an issue in the new space. Employees work closely together in an open, collaborative environment, and impromptu huddles are not uncommon. Additionally, conference room space is at a premium and many conference rooms are positioned close to the open office areas. “When we signed this lease, we noticed immediately that the space was right for us but the sound was overwhelming for the people sitting in or around or near the different conference rooms,” says Chris Angell, VP Marketing for Wiser.

Angell and CFO Mathieu Gagne had heard sound masking, the process of adding a low level, unobtrusive background sound to an environment to cover up excess speech noise might help mitigate the office’s sound issues. Sound masking is similar to the sound of airflow, but specifically engineered to cover up human speech, making affected environments more comfortable, private, and free of excess noise distractions. Wiser called their local telecom services provider and asked them for a free consultation and a quote. Satisfied with the demo, Wiser moved forward with installing sound masking in the new space.

Solution

Wiser had their vendor install QtPro sound masking from Cambridge Sound Management, the world’s leading provider of sound masking solutions, throughout the open office, private office, and conference room space. Small, barely visible Qt® Emitters (loudspeakers) were mounted in the office’s open ceiling. The emitters were connected by cables to a Qt 300 control module residing in the server room. The system allowed for different masking volume levels across different zones, allowing Wiser to address noise distractions more aggressively in the open office areas. Automatic ramping was also programmed into the system, allowing the masking noise to be slightly louder at times when the office is at its busiest.

Result

A More Pleasant Work Environment

The new Wiser Office is now more functional, productive, and acoustically comfortable, and employees are pleased with the office’s transformation. “When we decided to implement sound masking…the office changed, and it changed in the sense that people could concentrate on their work,” says Gagne. “Other companies I’ve worked in, we’d consider sound masking because we had open environments and never quite pulled the trigger. Now having worked in this environment, I would recommend it to anybody – it really makes a difference!”

About Wiser Solutions

Wiser is the leading provider of actionable data for better decisions. Wiser collects and analyzes online and in-store data with unmatched speed, scale and accuracy. The Wiser platform then blends these insights with advanced workflow software to drive business value for brands and retailers. Using a unique combination of data science and human validation, Wiser offers integrated solutions for every aspect of retail, all in one place.

About Biamp
Biamp® is a leading provider of innovative, networked media systems that power the world’s most sophisticated audiovisual installations. The company is recognized worldwide for delivering high-quality products and backing each one with a commitment to exceptional customer service.

Recipient of the Frost & Sullivan 2018 Global Installed Audio Conferencing Enabling Technology Leadership Award, Biamp is dedicated to creating products that drive the evolution of communication through sight and sound. The award-winning Biamp product suite includes: Tesira® media system for digital audio and video networking, Devio® collaboration tool for modern workplaces, Audia® digital audio platform, Nexia® digital signal processors, Vocia® networked public address and voice evacuation system, Cambridge® sound masking solutions, and loudspeakers for installed sound applications from Community Loudspeakers® and Apart Audio®. Each has its own specific feature set that can be customized and integrated in a wide range of applications, including corporate boardrooms, conference centers, huddle rooms, open floor environments, performing arts venues, courtrooms, hospitals, transportation hubs, campuses, retail, hospitality, military and government, and multi-building facilities.

Founded in 1976, Biamp is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, USA, with additional offices around the globe. For more information on Biamp, please visit www.biamp.com.