- At Interpolis, one of the largest insurance companies in the Netherlands, employees rarely call in sick. No made-up excuses. No mental health days. That's because the staff of 5,000 strong enjoy not only where they work, but the unique environment in which the job gets done.
"Interpolis wanted to apply advanced technologies that would support the smart, overall design of the work space, offer extreme functionality, and be easy enough for anyone to operate. AMX has helped Interpolis to realize an environment that motivates employees and enhances production."
- Embracing the flexibility and freedom of AMX® control technology, Interpolis, located in Tilburg, Netherlands, has created a business space where each employee has practical autonomy. It's called a Virtual City, complete with integrated meeting areas, individual workspaces, silent areas, entertainment corners and more. No cubicles. No offices. No closed doors. Everything is open. More than 64,000 square-feet (6,000 square meters) for the flow of people, ideas and communication — all controlled and connected through AMX.
- "It reminds you of an actual city with smaller neighborhoods," said Willian van de Sande, Technical Designer, Installer and Consultant of MK2 Visuele Media of Breda, Netherlands, the AMX Dealer that handled this installation. "It's rather unique to Europe in that something like this has never been accomplished before. This project is well ahead of its time. I think this will start a future trend."
- Interpolis management, renowned for its forward-thinking philosophies, is using the power of the AMX NetLinx® Control System to institute a successful "work anywhere" business model that has yielded overwhelmingly positive results. Located on the first floor of a 19-story building, Interpolis' Virtual City is a real-life testament to how technology can make work simple, convenient, productive and even luxurious.
- "Interpolis wanted to apply advanced technologies that would support the smart, overall design of the work space, offer extreme functionality, and be easy enough for anyone to operate. AMX has helped Interpolis to realize an environment that motivates employees and enhances production."
- No desks. No land line phones. No desktop PCs. So, how does anything get done? Wireless is the answer. Laptop computers and mobile phones. Taking into consideration Interpolis' desire for its employees to remain versatile at all times, van de Sande thought to harness the networking power of NetLinx. Using the control system to manage a wireless local access network (LAN), every staff member equipped with a laptop and wireless phone has the ability to access computer files, search the Internet and communicate through email. By entering into the Internet browser the name of a specific area within the Virtual City workplace, an Interpolis employee is automatically logged into the NetLinx system. Visitors cannot access the network without prior authorization. This safeguard ensures the stability and security of the LAN.
- "That was my idea," van de Sande said. "I had seen a story about NetLinx using wireless LAN and we were able to sell Interpolis on it. Everything works perfectly."
- "Everything" is a combination of $2 million worth of audio/video equipment that brings together the 12 large meeting rooms and other specialty "office gardens" referred to as "cockpits," "zap corners," and "silent areas." A NetLinx system, with CardFrame and Master260 Card, is installed in each meeting room, where an AMX Touch Panel provides one-touch control of DVDs, VCRs, AV Tuners, projectors, projection screens and more. AMX Dynamic Menu Select (DMS) Keypads are also positioned at the entrance of each "office garden" for convenient control of lights, temperature, video components and audio equipment.
- "It's perhaps a costly investment, yet it pays for itself with fewer employees calling in sick or not working as hard as they should be," van de Sande said. "Interpolis is also able to attract top talent because people in the insurance business really want to work there."
- In other words, AMX technology and the Virtual City business model has a significant effect on the company's bottom line. Employees stay longer, become more efficient at their job, and less money is spent on high-turnover, new-hires and training.
- Facility managers at Interpolis can relax as well, or at least until NetLinx notifies them of necessary repairs and maintenance that demand immediate attention. MK2 programmed a special control system application that provides these managers a way to monitor all areas of the Virtual City, track data concerning equipment usage, and adjust macros or presets through secure Internet pages.
