Public Health Wales – Microsoft Hubs

Public Health Wales is a national public health agency in Wales and exists to protect and improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities for people in Wales.

Public Health Wales were seeking a solution to improve collaboration, communication and bridge physical distance with integrated video conferencing while speeding up access to information and utilising Skype for business through Office 365, purchased through the NWIS infrastructure, for their new build offices in Capital Quarter, Cardiff.

Public Health Wales, through the NPS framework, invited tenders for the supply and install of two 84” Microsoft Hubs and twelve 55” Microsoft Hubs.Comcen submitted a tender detailing pricing and a comprehensive scope of works.

Comcen were successfully awarded the tender in February 2017.

An all-in-one interactive panel with wide-angle high-definition cameras, infrared presence sensors and high-performance microphones, the Microsoft Surface Hub brings teams together seamlessly with interactive video conferencing creating a vital link to satellite offices, enabling staff to have meetings with other offices thought Wales. The Microsoft Hubs help modernize health IT via robust device-management, powerful analytics, and better coordination across the continuum of care.

The 84” Microsoft Hubs, where three people can comfortably interact with the screen simultaneously, were installed into a board room and a large meeting room while the 55” Microsoft Hubs, offering rich data visualisation and analysis with all the latest tools for collaboration, were installed in smaller meeting rooms and huddle spaces.

5” Extron wall mounted touch control pads were also installed with the 84” Microsoft Hubs to allow full control of remote screens, audio and external microphones.

Challenges were encountered delivering the larger 84” Microsoft Hubs to the first floor but careful planning, imaginative solutions and negotiation saw the Hubs delivered and installed safely in their intended locations.

Priority rooms were identified by Public Health Wales and installs were scheduled and completed before the end of the financial year. Comcen then bonded the remainder of the stock for Public Health Wales and installs are to be scheduled for install as and when rooms become available.