“Having the Surface units in our lobby helps to convey to visitors and clients that Cushman & Wakefield is forward-thinking and tech savvy.”

Celine Clark, Executive Managing Director of Corporate Communications, Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield wanted to provide visitors to its new world headquarters in New York City with an innovative way to learn about the firm’s services and history while highlighting and sharing information about the city itself. Cushman & Wakefield installed Microsoft Surface units in its lobby, establishing the firm as a technologically savvy leader while also communicating brand messaging and enabling a collaborative environment.

Business NeedsFounded as a property management company in 1917, Cushman & Wakefield is the world’s largest privately held real estate services firm. Cushman & Wakefield brokerage and services professionals work with clients through all stages of the com-mercial real estate process, representing sellers, buyers, landlords, and investors throughout the world. The company also provides strategic planning, analysis, and other advisory services.

In late 2009, Cushman & Wakefield was finalizing details of its new corporate offices in New York City. Executives wanted to install a feature in the lobby that would attract attention and enable the firm to connect with potential customers and clients.

“As a company, we have an amazing story. We thrived during the 1930s Depression; we were involved in the land assemblage that became the United Nations complex in Manhattan,” says Celine Clarke, Executive Managing Director of Corporate Communications at Cushman & Wakefield. “We wanted an engaging way to share 90 years of our history and vast experience.” Many Cushman & Wakefield clients are new to the New York area and are looking for information about the surrounding

metropolitan area. “We wanted to provide our clients with the information they needed to learn about our firm,” says Clarke. “And, we wanted to add that extra touch to help them to navigate the city.”

Management envisioned placing an innovative device in the lobby that would position the firm as a street savvy New York City-based global real estate services firm with leading technology tools, while offering potential customers and clients an opportunity to learn about the firm and virtually explore the New York City area.

SolutionCushman & Wakefield contacted Infusion, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, to realize this vision. Executives from Cushman & Wakefield attended a demonstration of the Microsoft Surface software and touch computing platform at the Infusion offices to see how the multi-touch, multi-user software and computing platform could revolutionize their real estate firm. Infusion’s unique combination of enterprise development, innovative design, and a commitment to emerging technologies was the ideal fit for the real estate firm’s needs.

Customer: Cushman & WakefieldWeb Site: www.cushwake.com Customer Size: 15,000 employeesCountry or Region: United StatesIndustry: Professional services—Real estatePartner: Infusion

Customer ProfileCommercial real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield operates 250 offices worldwide with more than 15,000 employees. The company’s world headquarters is located in New York, New York.

Software and Services Microsoft Surface

For more information about other Microsoft customer successes, please visit: www.microsoft.com/casestudies

Microsoft SurfaceCustomer Solution Case Study

Real Estate Firm Enables Collaborative Environment and Improves Brand Awareness

After the initial demonstration, Cushman & Wakefield requested the development of custom software applications for Microsoft Surface, and collaborated with Infusion on goals and potential application options. “Cushman & Wakefield wanted to do something new and innovative,” says Laura Neumann, Business Development Manager at Infusion. “They really wanted to make a splash.”

Using Windows Presentation Foundation, part of the Microsoft .NET Framework, Infusion developed two custom software applications and installed two Microsoft Surface units for Cushman & Wakefield. The first application, “About Cushman & Wakefield,” allows customers to learn about the firm’s services and history through an engaging multi-media experience. The horizontal table top displays timeline and service information so that customers can interact with digital content in new ways.

Executives at Cushman & Wakefield also wanted an application that would provide local information in a fun and engaging way to those unfamiliar with New York City. The second application, “Visitor’s Information,” enables users to view New York subway maps, bus routes, and major points of interest—all through the Microsoft Surface touch screen interface. The “Visitor’s Information” application interoperates with Microsoft Bing Maps, allowing users to access requested information through the Internet. Visitors can find listings, print information, or send it to their e-mail accounts for everything including cultural and entertainment venues such as restaurants, hotels, theatres, and museums. Based on the success of the two initial applications, Cushman & Wakefield is considering expanding the application offerings on the Microsoft Surface units to include a broker application. This could include listing photos and detailed sales information so that agents and customers can collaborate while browsing listings.

BenefitsCushman & Wakefield is using the Microsoft Surface multi-touch computer units to establish itself as a technologically savvy firm, create a collaborative environment, and increase brand awareness.

“We definitely see the units as a customer and visitor attraction,” says Clarke.

Technologically Savvy PerceptionIn today’s challenging real estate market, being perceived as technologically advanced is an important benefit when competing with other firms for new customers. “Having the Surface units in our lobby helps to convey to visitors and clients that Cushman & Wakefield is forward-thinking and tech savvy,” says Clarke.

Collaborative EnvironmentOften, employees use the units with potential customers, walking them through the history and information available. “Clients and visitors really seem to enjoy the interactive applications, especially the mapping,” says Clarke. “We pride ourselves on the relationships that our agents and brokers build with our customers. The Surface units are a great way to establish a collaborative environment from the start.”

Increased Brand Awareness“Visitors can use the units to review all of our services lines in one place, while they are in the reception area,” says Clarke. “We find that our customers are willing to spend more time interacting with the units than they would spend reading a brochure or watching a corporate video.” As a result, Cushman and Wakefield is able to communicate the company’s brand messages more effectively.

This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.

Document published April 2010