Case StudY
Applied Systems, Brighton
Enhancing Privacy with Multi-Zone Sound Masking.
In 2016, Applied Systems UK implemented a multi-zone sound masking solution at its European headquarters in Brighton, England, to address the challenges of maintaining privacy and reducing distractions in an open-plan office. With a growing focus on employee wellbeing and productivity, sound masking was chosen as a key measure to create a more conducive work environment.
Applied Systems, founded in 1983, is a leader in insurance automation and data exchange, with over 1,300 staff worldwide, serving more than 14,000 clients in North America and Europe. Their recent relocation to a modern, open-plan office in Brighton highlighted the need for sound management to protect sensitive conversations and reduce distractions for employees.
Rita Swaffield, Office Manager at Applied Systems UK, noted, “Our new offices are larger and more open in design than our previous location. Applied Systems prides itself on customer service, which means we must ensure colleagues are able to conduct telephone calls and conversations in a confidential setting and carry out work free from distraction. Implementing sound masking measures was part of our overall commitment to privacy, confidentiality, and the well-being of our staff.”
Gary Eke, IT Support Analyst for Applied Systems UK, enlisted Briant Communications to design, supply, and install a multi-zone sound masking solution for the new office. Briant Communications collaborated with Sound Directions Ltd, a leading provider of sound solutions, to provide the system design.
The chosen solution was installed across multiple zones in the open-plan office, management offices, meeting rooms, and conference areas. Small, discreet sound masking emitters were positioned throughout the space, creating a uniform layer of sound that masks human speech, making the environment quieter and improving privacy.
Gary Eke explained, “The control element of the sound masking system integrates with our existing IT infrastructure, which allows us to manage the system via a PC on our internal network. We can easily adjust the sound levels in each zone, which is particularly useful when we hold company meetings and need to ensure the presenter is heard across the office.”
One unique aspect of the installation was the ability to adjust individual emitters. Gavin Cox from Briant Communications commented, “The flexibility of the system allows us to fine-tune the emitters in each zone. For instance, we adjusted one emitter to accommodate a staff member with a hearing aid.”
The introduction of sound masking had a transformative effect on the office environment. Lucy Sargent, Customer Experience Manager at Applied Systems UK, initially skeptical, shared her surprise at how well the system worked: “The sound masking has almost created an ‘invisible audio partition’ between our Customer Experience teams and Software Development teams, allowing both groups to work without being distracted by conversations. The environment feels calmer and more focused, and customer calls are less likely to be disrupted by background noise.”
The system’s benefits were immediate, including a reduction in general conversation levels, a quieter workspace for software development teams, and enhanced privacy for phone calls, meetings, and conference calls. The introduction of sound masking also contributed to improved wellbeing by creating a less distracting and more confidential atmosphere.
Hanieh Motamedian, Business Development Manager for Sound Directions UK, highlighted the wellbeing benefits: “As someone who occasionally experiences tinnitus, I’ve noticed an immediate improvement when working in environments equipped with sound masking. This system can have a significant impact on workplace well-being, something I’m passionate about exploring further.”
By implementing sound masking, Applied Systems UK has enhanced both productivity and privacy in its open-plan office, demonstrating the effectiveness of this technology in modern workplaces where maintaining a balance between collaboration and confidentiality is key.