• Stephen Roberts, Global IT and Change Director at Equiom Group


• 05.09.2017 01:00 pm
undisclosed , Stephen has over 30 years’ experience working in IT, software development, change and the integration of businesses through M&A's, primarily within financial services. His experience includes integrating many mergers and acquisitions across the globe, and providing a wide-range of high quality and cost effective IT services to companies and their clients worldwide.

Making communication as efficient as possible and facilitating collaboration is challenging enough in a stable work environment. Add in mobile and home workers to the mix, plus a steady stream of acquisitions and global expansion, and the challenge can quickly become overwhelming. 

The Equiom Group recently faced this challenge. As the professional services provider continues to grow rapidly, expanding into new jurisdictions and opening new offices, it became increasingly important to facilitate productive and instantaneous collaboration. On top of the technical challenges of making sure everyone was connected in the best and most secure way possible, the company needed to consider how to maintain a consistent company culture in an enterprise comprised of employees from the four corners of the world.

To meet this challenge, Equiom deployed a dynamic and secure cloud-based video conferencing and collaboration solution from Lifesize that could scale as quickly as the business grew. Stephen Roberts, Equiom Group’s Global IT and Change Director commented, “the solution is a critical part of the integration process of new offices and personnel and is the first system we put in place when we acquire a new company. On top of being easy to install and use, it really is the most effective way to get our 600 employees working together and feeling like they are part of the same team. That’s an essential part of our company culture and key to our success in serving our clients as well.”

The company has completed several acquisitions since 2014 that have significantly expanded its footprint. Today, Equiom has offices and employees throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Future expansion plans are in the pipeline and the company expects its employee base to more than double in the next several years.

With experience in a previous position with Lifesize video conferencing solutions, Stephen was pleased to see Equiom had two Lifesize Icon HD camera and phone systems paired with the Lifesize cloud-based conferencing application when he joined the business. 

Roberts continues: “As we grow globally, there are challenges from an operations, interaction and technical standpoint. Video conferencing has reached a point where it is not only viable, but a preferred way to collaborate because of its effectiveness in helping people communicate more efficiently and because it can be deployed so quickly and easily. Our selected video conferencing solution allows new employees to integrate more.”

“On top of being easy to install and use, it really is the most effective way to get our employees working together and feeling like they are part of the same team.” 

Adding new users has been straightforward with the cloud-based system, and the intuitive interface features a user-friendly model, resulting in ‘zero resistance’ to adopting it, according to Roberts. Equiom uses room-based video conferencing solutions in conference rooms and meeting points throughout its global operations, and employees use web and mobile applications to access all the features of the system as well. This is especially important for the mobile element of Equiom’s employee base, which uses video conferencing solutions on their mobile phones, tablets and laptops as frequently, if not more, than in the company’s meeting rooms.

That ease of use extends to how Equiom interacts with customers and other third parties outside the organisation. Employees regularly set up meetings via video with their clients and enjoy the benefits of in-person communication.

Familiar with the diverse market of collaboration and communications tools for voice, video, web, instant messaging, etc., Roberts knew Lifesize offered a total solution that was also an excellent platform for integrating other productivity tools already in use. From a technical viewpoint, the solution is easy to use, reliable and secure.

Roberts also commented on the customer service – highlighting the importance of professional support when looking at video conferencing vendors. From the channel partner that delivers the solution, to the online Lifesize community and resources, Roberts feels that the support provided is exceptional. “It’s a very mature product, which is important, and the company really demonstrates that it listens and understands our needs. We’ve seen that in new features that have been added, for example, and that makes us feel good about our decision to go with a supplier who provides a consistent and supportive service.” Due to its dispersed nature, Equiom’s board of directors meets regularly via video conferencing. And the company’s global CEO enjoys meetings in person with employees and clients, but recognises the cost – time wise and economically – of frequent travel. She has wholeheartedly adopted video conferencing as a way to maintain consistent communications and personal relationships with the people important to Equiom’s business. Roberts adds that the ability to record and archive meetings is also a significant business advantage, as it amplifies and expands the communications that the firm’s executives can do.

Being able to utilise a single, unified and easily scalable solution dedicated to global collaboration has enabled The Equiom Group’s teams to connect global offices and personnel for more efficient and effective collaboration worldwide.