Challenge

Reducing Open Office Environment Distractions for a Commercial Lender

Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA) provides management services to more than 185 surgery departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and surgical hospitals across the country. When SCA’s operational headquarters in greater Birmingham moved into a modern new office space, it was vital that the office be productive, comfortable for employees, and provide adequate speech privacy.

Like many modern offices, SCA’s new location had a mix of open office, private office, and conference room space. The new office was spread across two floors of a newly constructed building. The open nature of the new office allowed in natural light and facilitated employee collaboration, but also created the potential for increased noise distractions and decreased speech privacy. SCA’s IT Finance Manager Kevin Page had heard sound masking, the process of adding an unobtrusive background noise to an environment to cover up excess speech, might be a viable solution to the problem. Page asked SCA’s local systems integrator, Integrated Media Systems (IMS), to provide more information on sound masking and a quote. IMS demonstrated that QtPro™ sound masking from Cambridge Sound Management would provide an effective and low-impact solution for SCA’s needs.

Solution

IMS installed QtPro sound masking from Cambridge Sound Management throughout SCA’s office space. Small, barely visible emitters (speakers) were placed in the drop ceiling throughout both floors. The emitters were connected by cables to intuitive control modules residing in the server room. A zone was added that allowed the emitters in the main lobby and bathrooms to play background music. Automatic ramping was programmed into the system, allowing for the masking noise to be slightly louder at times when the office is at its busiest.

Result

A More Pleasant Work Environment

When employees returned to the office after the sound masking was installed they were pleasantly surprised to hear the masking noise and a noticeable decrease in distractions. After a few days, the masking sound itself wasn’t noticed by the employees, but the benefits of reduced distractions continue to pay dividends for employee concentration, productivity, and well-being. The barely noticeable emitters ensured that SCA’s modern office design wasn’t compromised. “Since QtPro has been installed we’ve noticed a reduction in typical office noise distractions,” says Page. “Employees love the comfortable work environment but don’t even notice the sound masking sound. It’s a perfect addition to our new, modern office space.”

About Surgical Care Affiliates
Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA) owns and/or provides management services to over 185 ambulatory surgery centers, surgical hospitals, and hospital surgery departments, in partnership with approximately 2,000 physicians and in affiliation with more than 45 health systems. SCA’s clinical systems, service line growth strategies, benchmarking processes, and efficiency programs create measurable advantage for surgical facilities – clinically, operationally, and financially.

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.

About Integrated Media Systems
Integrated Media Systems (IMS) is a design installation and service company that provides a wide range of custom electronic systems to homes and businesses in the southeast US. Their systems are meant to work seamlessly within a given structure and the client’s boundaries, providing a “custom fit” solution. IMS project managers have on average more than 15 years Surgical Care of integration experience.