The Microsoft Surface Hub helps partners and developers to … · 2018. 12. 5. · Surface Hub truly integrated all the functions they needed. The fact that OnlineDIRECT is a Microsoft

Tel: +44 (0)1628 419519Web: www.carillion.com

For more information about Carillion or for a FREE consultation please contact: Central Estate, Denmark Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 7BN, UK

Tel: +44 (0)1628 419519 Fax: +44 (0)1628 778772 Email: [email protected] Web: www.carillion.com

Y O U R E X P E R T P A R T N E R

OnlineDIRECT is an energy aggregator that works with partners to resell capacity. OnlineDIRECT’s EnergyEngine® is the world’s most sophisticated point of sale, contract sourcing, management and compliance tool, which is free to energy brokers and consultants within the OnlineDIRECT network.

Chris Lewis, OnlineDIRECT IT Manager, describes a collaborative event he had never seen before.

“Our team was video conferencing using the Surface Hub. A problem was raised and I saw several people approach the Hub whiteboard and make notes, moving back and forth to update and amend the issue until the problem was solved. I watched as a problem was turned into a solution in real-time, in about ten minutes.”

OnlineDIRECT made a decision to use Hubs to improve its business

The catalyst for change was the decision OnlineDIRECT took to move from their units in Moulton, Northamptonshire, which they had filled to capacity, into new premises in Northampton.

The new office required a full refurb and refit. The move presented the opportunity to look at the company’s communications infrastructure.

The Surface Hub provided the ideal way to overcome the issues surrounding what Chris Lewis describes as their previous “home brew” solutions.

“It was on our wish list to improve the way we do business, and to some extent to lift staff morale with better tools,” says Chris Lewis.

Before and after the Surface Hub

In the past OnlineDIRECT had used a cobbled mix of webcams, projectors and screens, using Webex and Team Viewer on desktops and laptops for conferencing and recording.

The Microsoft Surface Hub helps partners and developers to communicate and collaborate

Case Study: OnlineDIRECT

“It was on our wish list to improve the way we do business”.

Chris Lewis, OnlineDIRECT IT Manager





Chris Lewis says that they looked at their options and drew the conclusion that only the Surface Hub truly integrated all the functions they needed. The fact that OnlineDIRECT is a Microsoft house tied in well and made the decision even easier.

OnlineDIRECT bought a 55” and an 84” Surface Hub. The IT Department use them all the time, and more people have started to use them, as the Hub requires no training and people can quickly familiarise themselves and become adept users.

Prior to having the Hub, it had been difficult to get meetings arranged and started as there was always a need to prep hardware and software to account for different types of equipment. Now it is simply a matter of sending invites and beginning a meeting right away.

“I see the UK and US having a better meeting experience, much smoother than in the past”.


The Surface Hub lives up to expectations

Chris Lewis describes how the Surface Hub has played an important part in communications between OnlineDIRECT and its US partners.

“I see the UK and US having a better meeting experience, much smoother than in the past, with clear communication between offices and people dialled in from the road and remotely, all of whom can join the meeting and participate easily.”

The content of OnlineDIRECT’s meetings with its US partner is relatively complex. Discussions revolve around software development to accommodate differences in the US energy market, which has only recently been de-regulated.

The Surface Hub is used for Steering Group meetings. Chris Lewis says, “Before, we didn’t see the US office. The Hub has enabled us to understand their requirements better; it has really helped communications.

“The Surface Hub enables participants to share documents, add notes, and save and share the session content at the end of the meeting. No one needs to make individual notes and there is ‘one version of the truth’.”

Chris Lewis suggests that historically it was very difficult to achieve similar results. The previous ‘home brew’ solution involved a camera at one end of a room and white board at the other, with much zooming in and out.





“Seeing the way Carillion worked gave me a lot of confidence”.


He also describes how the Surface Hub is gradually bringing them closer to their developers, who are based in India. They are able to share and talk more, which is all part of the company’s aim to interact and help people feel more connected.

Sourcing a technology partner

OnlineDIRECT were introduced to Carillion Communications through one of Carillion’s partners, Storm Technologies, a leading provider of IT infrastructure, software and services to the corporate and public sectors.

As well as proposing a comprehensive service, the Storm and Carillion solution also priced the Surface Hub at £2,000 less than other potential suppliers.

Chris Lewis particularly appreciated the clarity of the Storm proposal, which listed hardware, installation and warranty options in a clear, concise breakdown compared with proposals from other AV companies.

Carillion made me feel very confident

Chris Lewis says that he would highly recommend Carillion for their Surface Hub installation.

“Seeing the way Carillion worked gave me a lot of confidence. They were professional, courteous and had personality … they were not robots!

“Martin Higham was the Account Manager and Sean Langley supervised the installation. They know what they’re doing.

“Sean was fantastic. There was never a suggestion that anything would go wrong, but I knew that if it did, Sean would get it fixed.

“They even cleaned up afterwards. Carillion paid attention to the major things and the fine detail too. It was a fantastic experience.”

At the end of the project Storm Technologies conducted their usual QA round-up and asked for feedback. Chris Lewis reported that he couldn’t have been happier with the service he received.

The Carillion Difference

Dee Reed, Carillion MD, says, “We partner with experts who have the same high standards in customer service and technology implementation as Carillion. I am delighted when a customer such as OnlineDIRECT recognises our combined quality.”

Carillion Communications Ltd | Central Estate | Denmark Street | Maidenhead | Berkshire | SL6 7BN | UK

Tel: +44 (0)1628 419519 | Fax: +44 (0)1628 778772 | Web: www.carillion.com

Registered in England and Wales: No 2817840

Integrated AV

Boardroom & Meeting Room Design

Video Conferencing

Consultancy & Design

Digital Signage

Meeting Room Management

Live Events & AV Hire

Maintenance & Engineering

Customer Care


The Microsoft Surface Hub

You can walk up to your communication system and join a meeting with a single tap on the screen, and you can share content effortlessly, so your time is spent connecting to people rather than to technology. Send meeting notes and content easily, which means everyone has an accurate and workable record of what took place in the meeting and all the action points.

• Scheduled or spontaneous meetings and invitees Schedule meetings in advance with Skype for Business or invite remote attendees on the spur of the moment when you want to bring them into the discussion.

• One-touch meeting start Start meetings right on time with a simple tap of the screen. End your session with an option to save and send meeting content to the members of group for review or later use.

• Easy to share content from any device You can share content easily from laptops, tablets, phones and all popular devices and media. With inkback™ and touchback™, your changes will appear on any compatible personal device.

• Engaging for everyone involved in meetings Everyone can see content and contribute equally no matter where they are. Clear sound and high-quality video ensure a great user and meeting experience.

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The Microsoft Surface Hub helps partners and developers to … · 2018. 12. 5. · Surface Hub truly integrated all the functions they needed. The fact that OnlineDIRECT is a Microsoft