Leading health firm standardises on Lightware Taurus UCX

AV integrator RoomReady has selected Lightware’s Taurus UCX to provide a simplified user experience with enhanced technology features across hundreds of meeting rooms nationwide for a major US insurance provider.

Established in 1929, the insurance provider serves more than 114 million people with medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioural health, long-term care and disability plans through affiliated companies and subsidiaries. It operates as 34 independent and locally operated companies, employing more than 1,200 professionals nationally.

Nationwide, more than 1.7 million doctors and hospitals contract with the company to offer a personalised approach to healthcare based on the needs of the communities where their members live and work. They work closely with hospitals and doctors to provide quality, affordable healthcare.

RoomReady’s marketing coordinator, Izzi Demara, says: “We integrated technology in a wide range of spaces for this client, including extra-large conference rooms, huddle spaces, training rooms and medium-sized conference rooms. We needed to create a standardised solution to simplify the user experience.”

RoomReady standardised Taurus UCX – a universal matrix switcher that enables users to share their content easily, switch hosts and control their meeting room intuitively. Taurus UCX offers USB-C connectivity for simplified audio, video, power and control signal handling via one cable. The USB-C ports on Taurus UCX devices are where the user plugs into the system. Users can transfer data, video and audio signals, while the Taurus UCX charges the connected device.

“Initially, we created pilot rooms that enabled the client to test out the functionality, before we installed the technology in 1,000 rooms nationally,” says Demara. “Paul Stuckey, the company’s director of engineering, led the project. He presented Lightware’s Taurus UCX in our test lab alongside different cameras, speakers, switchers and other technology. We outlined Lightware as the best solution for this application and, at that point, shared the solution with the client to allow them to test the integration in their environment for two months.

“The solution has been a great fit for the client. As a result, we’ve completed 300-plus rooms in more than 50 locations with a standardised solution that can be deployed in different spaces across the country, while providing the same user experience.

“We selected Taurus UCX because of the simplicity of installation and user experience. Taurus UCX streamlines USB-C to HDMI connectivity. It’s incredibly helpful for BYOM applications. Additionally, an important feature for the end user is Taurus UCX’s charging functionality. It charges the device during BYOM. Often, the client would have a computer die and prematurely end a meeting. With Lightware’s Taurus UCX, the client can charge their device simultaneously while presenting.”

Taurus UCX is designed to tackle challenges in a meeting room and collaboration environment. Featuring an open environment protocol, where every bit of data is openly available for higher-level management, control and monitoring systems, Taurus UCX allows seamless connectivity across various video conferencing applications, including Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams and Zoom. It simplifies switching between video conferencing sources, depending on the needs of a particular meeting.

“The client was originally a Cisco house, but recently switched to Microsoft Teams,” says Demara. “Lightware has been helpful throughout the switch because the technology integrates seamlessly with Teams. Additionally, the client has an advanced BYOM solution with Cisco Webex in its new New York facility. They can connect via Lightware to easily access Microsoft Teams. Lightware has simplified access and connectivity throughout the client’s meeting facilities. From the engineering side, it eliminates additional points of failure and unnecessary downtime for complex configuration.

Taurus UCX enables users to maximise their experience with boardroom or meeting room technology. It incorporates various devices, such as laptops, web cameras and USB peripherals including keyboards, mouses, laptops and displays. It can automate room assets such as lights and shades without the complexity of using another control platform. Taurus UCX can be controlled via button panels, web browsers or by connecting a source.

“As a company, we firmly believe that simplicity is better when it comes to meeting room technology,” says Demara. “Our installations should be quick and painless because we recognise that our customers have businesses to run. We’ve carefully selected our technology partners to ensure they work within a model that supports our core values.”