Flexible and interactive: The sustainable AV solution for a green coworking hub in Scotland

The Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) is revolutionising what it means to conduct business sustainably with a community mindset. Located in the coastal city of Dundee, Scotland, MSIP supports green economic growth and innovation through collaboration by bringing sustainable businesses and community together on its state-of-the-art campus. The 32-hectare parc offers short- and long-term leases for manufacturers of all sizes, plus flexible workshop spaces for start-ups. A sustainable venture itself, the MSIP generates energy to power facilities at its campus with onsite wind turbines and solar panels.

MSIP offers additional resources, including accelerator programs, a skills academy, business support services, and a brand-new collaborative workspace—the Innovation Hub. Embodying the green ethos of MSIP, the Hub is open to tenants, the community, and MSIP staff. “The building itself is innovative and sustainable, and the purpose of it is to act as a focal point for innovation discussions, activities, and collaborations,” said Sarah Petrie, operations and innovation director. To facilitate those connections, Sarah and her team searched for a cutting-edge audio visual technology to outfit the Hub ahead of its grand opening. “MSIP is all about supporting sustainable innovation, and the AV solution we wanted to implement needed to reflect this,” said Sarah.

An interactive display that hits all the marks

The Innovation Hub is a large facility with spaces of different sizes and purposes, so the challenge for Sarah was finding a solution to work across all of them. Meeting and workshop rooms are used by groups of two to 16 people, while larger event spaces can hold up to 90 attendees. All spaces needed to support flexible information sharing, including presenting content, streaming events, and conducting collaborative meetings. And what was displayed needed to be visible to every attendee, no matter the size of the room. The AV solution also had to accommodate a range of devices, including Microsoft-, iOS-, and Android-based systems. To meet the Hub’s tall order of requirements, Sarah turned to AV solutions provider and Promethean partner, Mediascape, for help.

“I did a site visit to understand fully what they were expecting out of the AV equipment. That’s paramount to any installation,” said Richard Booth, Mediascape corporate account manager. “When we saw the size of the site and learned what they were wanting to do with the displays, we were able to advise.” He suggested a modular setup, including ActivPanel LX interactive displays and select devices for a simple, versatile, and user-empowering solution. Interactivity was not initially on Sarah’s list of requirements, but based on Richard’s recommendation, she was convinced it could benefit Hub clients. “I relied heavily on Richard and his team to recommend the most appropriate solutions,” said Sarah. “Interactivity was something that Richard persuaded me would work well, especially in the workshop spaces.” Sarah determined the ActivPanel LX hit all the marks for functionality, price, and simple user experience.

A modular configuration to accommodate every client’s needs

The Hub is outfitted with ActivPanel LX displays in each meeting space. The large event room has two panels on moveable stands connected to a big, wall-mounted screen that reflects what’s on the panels, making it easy to see presentations from anywhere. Six smaller meeting rooms and a breakout room each have a panel on a moveable stand, along with a connected Owl camera for video conferencing. ScreenBeam was also added to each panel for a device agnostic setup that allows clients to use any device they bring.

An additional, centrally located panel in the Hub’s main communal space informs clients what’s happening on any given day, including the calendar and meet-ups that are free for anyone to join. Set up on a mobile stand, the ActivPanel LX is connected to two larger, 98” displays that mirror content for more visibility. “When people come in, they can see it, and know if there are going to be any disruptions to their day,” said Amy McKenzie, marketing executive and tenant relationship manager. “And if people want to meet upstairs in the co-working space, they can see it on the screen.”

Whether in an MSIP-hosted community workshop, a private meeting, or the open community space, the panels are proving to be a success. “People are interacting with them. They’re getting used quite regularly,” said Amy. “It’s not just the MSIP team using them. It’s the wider community, which is great.”

Tech savvy or tech timid, ActivPanel LX is universally helpful

“We’ve got 17 tenants on our parc, and I would say all of them have used the meeting spaces or come to an event within the Hub at some point,” said Amy. In addition to mechanical engineers, CEOs, and tenant employees, other local businesses, including the Dundee Chamber of Commerce, hold events at the Hub—for businesses as well as students and community members. Providing a state- of-the-art, easy-to-use interactive AV solution in meeting rooms has made an impact when it comes to reservations at the Hub. “It’s a pull, definitely. In the meeting rooms, one of our key selling points is that we have this big screen that you can use and do all these different things on, and it’s included within the room charge,” said Amy.

Whether clients are tech savvy or more tech timid, they universally find the ActivPanel LX useful and easy to use. There are simple directions in each room outlining how to log in to the Wi-Fi and steps for using the panel. “It is pretty self-explanatory,” said Amy. “If people are struggling, they can come to us before their meeting starts and get help. But nobody has really needed our help. To be honest, I feel everybody’s been able to do it themselves.” Clients are embracing the flexibility to present however they choose— at the front of the room sliding through presentations directly on the panel, having an assistant clicking through a slideshow from a connected laptop, or moving around the room using the remote to control their presentation.

The Hub has become a magnetic space, not only to customers but to MSIP staff, too. The parc is huge—the size of 49 football pitches, and while staff are out and about frequently, it’s not always easy for them to meet up from opposite ends of the parc. “When we have team meetings, some people can’t come to the Hub to join,” explained Amy. “Using the panels, we can just beam them in from wherever they are.” Having cutting-edge tech appeals to MSIP staff, and they’re enjoying the opportunity to use it. “It’s been a good help for our teamworking dynamics,” said Amy. “It definitely does help with your day because you’ve got technology that actually works.”

Interactivity supports future-thinking, green-focused collaboration

The Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc is a shining example of how to blend sustainable innovation with community connection. By integrating flexible, user- friendly AV into the Innovation Hub, MSIP has made its meeting spaces dynamic and inviting, boosting creativity and productivity. The tech-forward approach at the Hub not only attracts a diversity of users, but it also reinforces MSIP’s commitment to fostering green innovation that will be a driving force of sustainable enterprise into the future in Scotland.

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