UBM moved into a new 19-story headquarters in London to provide modern spaces for its staff to connect and communicate effectively. It conducted workplace analysis to design the building for optimal efficiency. UBM installed an AMX automation system to deliver flexibility while enabling the technological control needed for the building to intelligently allocate resources. The AMX system allows the building to achieve impressive levels of intelligence through complete integration and centralized control of spaces, resources and energy usage.

1. AMX – HELPING UBM MAKE
THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS

2. When UBM, the global events-led marketing
and communications services business, took
over nine floors of 240 Blackfriars Road, it
knew that it wanted to take the notion of
building intelligence to a whole new level. With
strategic planning and joined-up thinking, UBM
would deliver a building that would achieve
much greater efficiencies and more tangible
cost savings over its lifetime. A building with
enough built-in intelligence to enable it to
automatically respond not just to demand, but
crucially to need; allocating resources efficiently
and accordingly. A building so intelligent that
even its meeting rooms would be schedule-aware
and know their own diaries. This wouldn’t just
be about space utilisation, this would be space
optimisation, and UBM knew that in order to
deliver this flexible, responsive, inherently agile
way of thinking, it would need AMX technology
to stand firmly at its heart. Enter, AMX and a
technological solution that is helping UBM realise
its workplace ambitions with optimum intelligence
and efficiency.
Over the years, UBM has made a highly successful
business out of helping organisations make
connections, communicate their proposition
and do business effectively, by whatever means
work best; whether that be at live events,
through digital media or publications. The
move to 240 Blackfriars Road, an architecturally-
striking, 19-storey tower which commands 360°
views over the London skyline, was intended not
only to provide UBM with modern headquarters
befitting of its global status, but also to help it
realise its ambition to ‘bring it home’ through
the provision of high specification, flexible,
multi-functional spaces that would allow its own
staff to connect and communicate effectively
and would also provide the ideal venue for
UBM’s own corporate events.
Literally building on what it knew, UBM took a
highly intelligent approach to the realisation
and specification of its new building. Having
undertaken a workplace analysis and thorough
audit of how its previous facility was used, the
company already knew exactly what sort of
A U T O M AT E | C O N N E C T | C O N T R O L | M A N A G E

3. space it needed in order to function efficiently
and effectively.
“Through situational analysis, we knew that we
typically only ran at 50% occupancy, this enabled
us to confidently embrace hot-desking. We also
knew that the majority of meetings involved
less than four participants. Consequently our
old meeting rooms, which were designed for
8 plus, were significantly underused. We knew
that we wanted to do something very different
at 240 Blackfriars Road, incorporating a greater
number of smaller collaboration spaces. But we
also knew that in order to do this in a manageable
way, we would need complete integration and
centralised control, and we knew that AMX
provided the most capable and proven solutions
for centralised control available in the industry.”
Explains Tom Holden, Project Manager.
Providing the backbone to the entire automation
solution, the AMX system delivers all the
flexibility UBM wants, with all the technological
rigidity that it needs. And, this certainly is agile
working at its very best. A personalised UBM
‘passport’ enables each employee to navigate
this impressive building; unlocking a wealth
of functionality including automatic locker
provision, cashless vending and printing. A
swipe of the passport on entry enables the
room booking system to allocate the user a
desk for the day, and each desk is individually
powered up, on demand, using the same
card, so maximising the effective use of space,
equipment and energy. Seamless integration
between the room booking system and the AMX
Inspired Signage offers a way-finding solution
for visitors.
During the day, employees have a range of
meeting and collaboration spaces to choose
from including 4 person, 6-8 person and 10-12
person meeting rooms, as well as more informal
collaboration spaces, larger project rooms and a
boardroom. Allocation is made automatically by
the resource-based booking system, assigning
rooms according to the size and purpose of the
meeting for maximum operational efficiency
Complete integration through the AMX system and centralised NetLinx
control allows true building intelligence to be realised, with rooms becoming
technologically responsive and ‘schedule-aware’
A U T O M AT E | C O N N E C T | C O N T R O L | M A N A G E
Desk allocation is made automatically and efficiently
Stylish Modero S Series panels allow for local control
of AV and the in-room environment
Novara keypads provide a simple control solution
for the informal collaboration areas

4. A U T O M AT E | C O N N E C T | C O N T R O L | M A N A G E

5. and productivity; ensuring that employees get
the room they need, appropriately equipped for
the required function.
Complete integration through the AMX system
via 18 centrally located NetLinx NX controllers
allows true building intelligence to be realised,
with the rooms becoming ‘schedule-aware’;
automatically powering up in preparation for a
meeting to start, with lighting and temperature
set to predetermined levels and AV technology
on and ready to go.
Stylish Modero S Series touch panels in the larger
meeting rooms allow for local control of AV
devices and the in-room environment via Enova
DVX all-in-one presentation switchers, whilst
the smaller rooms are completely automated
for efficiency and ease of use. AMX HydraPort
flush mounted units provide an unobtrusive
connectivity solution and allow UBM to realise
a ‘bring your own VC’ policy in the smaller
meeting rooms; with screens, webcam, speakers
and connectivity in-situ, users can conduct
virtual meetings easily via their desktop Lync
or Skype, making an incredibly cost efficient
collaboration solution. The larger meeting
rooms are equipped with VC systems and AKG
microphones. Once a meeting ends, occupancy
sensors make the AMX system aware and the
room will be automatically powered down and
revert back to an available resource for maximum
space and energy efficiency. Discreet Novara
keypads in the informal meeting spaces afford
fingertip control of AV devices including the
interactive whiteboard and even the in-house
Xboxes. This innovative mix of meeting room
spaces is replicated across the other floors of
the building, with user interfaces standardised
throughout, ensuring that the 600-strong mobile
workforce enjoy a well-understood, consistent
experience, no matter where they are.
Elsewhere, the high-specification gym benefits
from a full HARMAN sound system, complete
with AMX switching and control. A sun-tracking
automated blind system, working in conjunction
This innovative system has been designed to ensure that employees get the room
they need, apropriately equipped for the required function
A U T O M AT E | C O N N E C T | C O N T R O L | M A N A G E
Complete integration through the AMX system allows
true builiding intelligence to be realised
Room availability can be quickly established via exterior,
glass-mounted Modero control panels
Flush-mounted Hydraport units provide a stylish connectivity solution

6. with cloud detection, ensures optimum comfort
and increases solar gain throughout the
building. Located at the top of the tower, UBM’s
impressively multi-functional client-facing floor
boasts stunning views and perfectly lends itself
to conferences, town halls and evening events.
The technological provision is equally as
impressive with a 96” screen hidden in the
stage and a grand piano that plays itself, routed
to the speakers via an AMX control panel. A
restaurant, professional kitchen and cinema
room also feature, as do Forum 1 and 2, a totally
demountable series of spaces which can be
configured into a large presentation facility or
two smaller rooms, or just as easily be opened
up altogether; making the area as capable of
hosting an informal pre-event sunset drinks
reception, as it is a formal conference.
Sitting at the heart of the solution, AMX’s
Resource Management Suite (RMS) provides
IT-like remote management capabilities for
UBM’s AV assets and building systems; making
it possible to centralise the management of AV
equipment and other building functions. Real-
time monitoring and problem notifications
allow proactive maintenance, whilst detailed
reporting gives Tom and his team an unrivalled
understanding of equipment, resource and
energy usage, right down to device level, for
optimum operating efficiency.
All in all, this well-considered, highly specified
landmark new headquarters takes the concept
of smart building to impressive new levels;
showcasing how true building intelligence can
be realised through complete, AMX-centric
integration.
A U T O M AT E | C O N N E C T | C O N T R O L | M A N A G E

7. A U T O M AT E | C O N N E C T | C O N T R O L | M A N A G E

8. +44 (0)207 652 9450 | www.amx.com/eu
We knew we needed complete integration and centralised control, and
we knew that AMX provided the most capable and proven solutions for
centralised control available in the industry.
HIGHLIGHT
The move to 240 Blackfriars Road, an architecturally-
striking, 19-storey tower which commands 360° views
over the London skyline, was intended not only to
provide UBM with modern headquarters befitting
of its global status, but also to help it realise its
ambition to provide a range of high specification,
agile, multi-functional spaces that would allow
its staff to connect and communicate effectively.
Providing the backbone to the entire automation
solution, the AMX system delivers all the flexibility
UBM wants, with all the technological rigidity
that it needs; showcasing the impressive levels of
building intelligence that can be realised through
complete automation and AMX-centric integration.
OVERVIEW
When UBM took over nine floors of 240 Blackfriars
Road, it knew that it wanted to take the notion of
building intelligence to a whole new level. With
strategic planning and joined-up thinking, UBM would
deliver a building that would achieve much greater
efficiencies and more tangible cost savings over its
lifetime. A building with enough built-in intelligence
to enable it to automatically respond not just to
demand, but crucially to need; allocating resources
efficiently and accordingly. This wouldn’t just be about
space utilisation, this would be space optimisation,
and UBM knew that in order to deliver this flexible,
responsive, inherently agile way of thinking, it would
need AMX technology to stand firmly at its heart.
LOCATION
London, UK