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The Brief

The school needed a comprehensive AV upgrade that would:

• Support native Microsoft Teams Room functionality
• Provide BYOD capability for flexibility across multiple platforms
• Deliver exceptional audio and visual quality for both in-room and remote participants
• Match the aesthetic standards of this premium space
• Align with technology standards established in adjacent boardrooms
• Deliver simple, intuitive daily operation

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Design Philosophy

This project exemplifies our approach to premium boardroom integration: technology should enhance the space, not dominate it. Every decision was guided by three principles:

1. Form Meets Function - Equipment placement optimised for both performance and visual impact
2. Future-Proofing The solution architecture supports evolving collaboration requirements without requiring major infrastructure changes.
3. User-Centric Design - Complexity hidden, simplicity presented

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Technical Solution

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Audio Excellence

Audio quality can make or break a unified communications experience. Our implementation includes:

• Two Sennheiser round medium ceiling microphones positioned for comprehensive voice pickup around the boardroom table while maintaining the clean ceiling aesthetic. Microphone height was carefully coordinated onsite to balance acoustical performance with visual discretion
• Extron DSP for independent audio processing, ensuring clean signal routing,  superior audio quality, and simplified troubleshooting.
• JBL Soundbar - Mounted directly beneath the display for clear front-of-room reinforcement during both conferencing and presentation modes.

The microphone height was determined onsite, balancing acoustic performance with aesthetic discretion at approximately 3 meters above finished floor level.

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Unified Communications Platform

The Poly Microsoft Teams Room solution, procured through the school's HP channel, provides:

• One-touch Teams meeting join
• Guest join capability for external participants
• Consistency with adjacent boardroom installations
• Native Microsoft 365 integration

A Poly touch panel mounted on the table provides intuitive control for both MTR operations and room settings.

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BYOD Integration

Recognising that not all meetings use Teams, we integrated comprehensive BYOD capability. 

• Hardware mounted discreetly beneath the boardroom table, maintaining the clean lines of the space while ensuring easy access for users.
• All components verified and signed off by Extron for compatibility
• Seamless switching between MTR and BYOD modes via Poly touch panel
• Support for Zoom, Google Meet, and other platforms

Equipment Accommodation Strategy
To keep the room visually clean while ensuring serviceability, we implemented a dual approach:

• Primary electronics housed in the existing downstairs network rack
  
• Display-adjacent equipment on a slide-out tray behind the 98" display, allowing maintenance access without affecting the front-of-room appearance
  

This setup keeps critical equipment close to the display for optimal performance while maintaining the space’s premium aesthetics.

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Collaboration & Coordination

Success in projects of this nature depends on effective collaboration. We worked closely with the school's electrical team, who provided all power and data cabling. Their intimate knowledge of the building infrastructure proved invaluable, while The Big Picture Group coordinated termination and rack requirements.

Early communication regarding any table design changes was critical, as the integrated BYOD mounting solution required precise coordination.

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Control and Commissioning

Full control programming was developed to support:

• One-touch Teams meeting initiation
• Automatic BYOD switching
• Integrated room audio control
• Seamless display and soundbar operation

This consistency simplifies training, maintenance, and future expansions across campus. Indeed, the result is a system that technical and non-technical users alike can operate with confidence.

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Project Outcomes

The Mooloomburram Boardroom now delivers:

• Professional-grade video conferencing with exceptional audio clarity
• Flexible presentation capability supporting any device or platform
• Aesthetic integration that honours the premium nature of the space
• Reliable daily operation requiring minimal technical expertise
• Future-proof architecture ready for emerging collaboration tools

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Key Takeaways

This project demonstrates several important principles in modern AV integration:

1. Technical excellence need not compromise aesthetics when careful attention is paid to equipment placement and accommodation
2. Standardisation Compounds Value Consistent technology choices across spaces reduce complexity and cost over time.
3. Audio quality deserves equal attention to video in unified communications environments
4. Collaborative relationships with electrical and IT teams are essential for seamless project delivery

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The Mooloomburram Boardroom upgrade represents The Big Picture Group's commitment to delivering solutions that not only meet technical specifications but elevate the entire user experience.

Interested in transforming your boardroom or meeting spaces? Contact The Big Picture today.