Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear Workshop, headquartered in St. Louis, faced increasing challenges as the number of video meeting invitations surged over the past few years. Employees expressed concern due to inconsistent connectivity and varying workflows depending on the video platform being used. Although Build-A-Bear Workshop had standardized on Microsoft Teams and Cisco video conferencing devices, challenges arose when external invitations came from platforms like Zoom or Google Meet, making connections impossible.

Secure Data Technologies recognized these challenges and recommended Synergy SKY CONNECT as the solution.

The first phase of implementation involved two conference rooms with Cisco Room Kits. According to Dave East, the results were impressive: "We achieved a 99% success rate in the first week." The final 1% was achieved when they customized the solution to include a Build-A-Bear Workshop branded waiting screen (see pic. 1), which appears during the brief moments between pressing the "Join" button and establishing the meeting connection.

Picture 1

Currently, Build-A-Bear Workshop conduct's approximately five hundred video meetings monthly, with nearly 90% involving external participants across Teams, Webex, Zoom, and Google Meet. With Synergy SKY CONNECT, all meetings, including internal ones without video participants, are seamlessly booked in Outlook as Teams meetings. This system also automatically books both the room and the Cisco video device, making it easy to share local presentations on the Cisco screen.

For larger company events, Synergy SKY also enables Cisco rooms to join Microsoft Town Hall meetings, enhancing the overall flexibility and integration of their video conferencing ecosystem.