Vanderlande is the global leader for logistical and process automation solutions, with over 5000 employees and offices worldwide. The company has experienced a period of record growth and needed to expand its global headquarters in Veghel, The Netherlands, to accommodate its growing number of employees. It wanted to create a modern, state-of-the-art environment for employees that would also support Vanderlande’s growth ambitions and sustainability goals.
To realise this vision, Vanderlande enlisted the help of Dutch integrators JNV Digital Architects and smart building management platform DARWIN, who selected Crestron technology to help them achieve the high-tech, environmentally-friendly workplace of the future. The resulting installation was such a success it won ‘Best Corporate Application’ in the Crestron Integration Awards 2017.
The new HQ is designed to enhance employee satisfaction, deliver energy-efficiency and meet the ‘excellent rating’ requirements of BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). The vast building is divided across eight open-plan floors and able to accommodate more than 1,000 employees with 115 meeting rooms, an auditorium, boardroom and high-spec gym.
Every area has been incorporated into the automation project, supporting facilities managers to monitor the building’s overall use and energy-consumption with the DARWIN monitoring dashboard, while creating a sophisticated and convenient environment that can be controlled seamlessly by any user with the DARWIN App. The integration includes lighting, climate control, security and AV, as well as facilities for enhancing workplace productivity – such as simple room scheduling and intuitive wireless presentation technology.
To integrate the office’s meeting facilities, JNV Digital Architects installed a comprehensive Crestron DigitalMedia platform which unified all the displays, screens, microphones and loudspeakers into one system. This simplifies the technology network and allows users to manage all the AV sources via an easy-to-use, centralised control system. In the larger meeting spaces, such as the boardroom and auditorium, stylish Crestron TSW-750 touch screens, pre-programed with a simple and familiar user interface, make it easy for employees to control the various technologies and conduct seamless presentations or meetings.
To streamline the building’s room management services, Crestron TSS-752 7” touch screens provide a user-friendly room booking portal for each meeting room. Users can easily check the availability of a room or book in advance via the touch screens, alternatively they can log into the building management platform remotely, via the DARWIN app on their smart device. Once in the room, users can instantly control the systems in the room from their smartphone or tablet, via the app.
In addition to the AV aspect, the installation also included security management, inside and outside the building, all controlled by the applied DARWIN and Crestron technology. This integrated network includes interphone and access control points, licence plate recognition for staff and visitors, lockers and entry security barriers and gates for a high level of assurance.
Rene Vorstenbosch, director at JNV, concludes. “Besides meeting the high standard of BREEAM and adding more value to the sustainable future strategy of Vanderlande Industries, we have provided a solution that fully meets the requested standards for people, planet and profit. During the design phase, we paid careful attention to creating the highest possible levels of working comfort for all employees. The solution and integration offered enables them to increase efficiency, lower consumption and maximise comfort and user satisfaction. The flexibility of this powerful solution, supported by Crestron technology will allow it to grow with the business in the future.”
The Crestron supported DARWIN building management platform provides IT and facilities managers with a toolbox of information, including technology failure reports and support, floorplans and mapping, real time analytics, historical data and energy usage. This precise intelligence can help to develop the use of this smart building into the future, further improving its sustainability and boosting workplace prosperity.