Modern office spaces must do more than just provide desks and meeting rooms. They must foster collaboration, ensure employee well-being, and support sustainability goals. As Westcon-Comstor prepares to move into its new Johannesburg offices, it has carefully selected a host of Meraki and Cisco technologies that will help it transform the spaces into an intelligent, connected, and human-centric workspace.
“At Westcon-Comstor, we believe technology is the foundation of a modern, dynamic workplace. This is, after all, the message we encourage our partners to take to their end-user customers,” says Louise Taute, managing director at Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa.
“As we designed our new offices in the Waterfall precinct in Midrand, we looked to our own partner ecosystem to deliver the best available solutions that drive productivity, sustainability, and employee well-being. By leading with technology, we’re creating a modern workspace and building an environment that reflects our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. We are also putting a stake in the ground by highlighting the viability and effectiveness of the very technology solutions we sell,” she adds.
Building a Healthier, More Sustainable Workplace
Air quality is critical to employee well-being, productivity, and sustainability. Poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues, reduced focus, and increased absenteeism. To ensure optimal conditions, Westcon-Comstor has installed Cisco Meraki MT14 Indoor Air Quality Sensors and the Meraki MT15 CO2 Sensors.
These sensors monitor temperature, humidity, air quality, and carbon dioxide levels, ensuring a consistently comfortable and safe working environment. Should air quality fall below optimal levels, the system can trigger automated adjustments to ventilation, ensuring that employees always breathe clean air. The real-time monitoring capabilities of these IoT-enabled sensors also support Westcon-Comstor’s broader sustainability efforts by optimising energy usage and reducing unnecessary HVAC system activity.
Seamless Security and Smarter Office Management
A modern office must balance accessibility with security and this is where the Meraki MV13 Indoor Mini Dome Cameras play a key role in the new offices. These high-definition cameras, equipped with 4K resolution and IR illumination, offer advanced security while enabling smart analytics. Through machine-learning-based object detection, these cameras monitor spaces while also providing insights into workspace utilisation, helping optimise layouts and improve operational efficiency.
With 20 cameras strategically installed across the office, Westcon-Comstor ensures a secure yet welcoming environment where employees feel protected without intrusive monitoring. Their sleek, modern aesthetic also blends seamlessly into the office design, maintaining the professional and open-plan feel of the workspace.
Redefining Collaboration with AI-Enhanced Conferencing
With hybrid work now the norm for employees who promote work flexibility, companies with offices spread across multiple geographies, and in the case of Westcon-Comstor with a partner base that transcends provinces and borders, high-quality, reliable video conferencing solutions are essential. To support better communications with its employees and partners, Westcon-Comstor has invested in Cisco’s latest collaboration technology, ensuring seamless connectivity and an immersive meeting experience.
At the core of this setup is the Cisco Room Kit EQX, an AI-powered video conferencing system that transforms medium-to-large meeting rooms into intelligent collaboration spaces. The system adapts to different room layouts and provides a premium, multi-screen video experience. Advanced AI-driven features like speaker tracking and noise suppression ensure crystal-clear communication, making remote and hybrid meetings as effective as in-person discussions.
To enhance the audio quality, the office is equipped with Cisco Ceiling Microphone Pro and Cisco Table Microphone Pro. These intelligent microphones use adaptive beamforming technology to pick up voices clearly while minimising background noise so that regardless of whether a participant is in the room or dialling in remotely, they are heard clearly. The end result is the creation of a connected and collaborative work environment where teams can engage effortlessly across different locations.
A Future-Ready Workspace
“We believe that what we have created is not just a modern workplace but a blueprint for the future of work. By integrating IoT-driven air quality monitoring, AI-powered security, and cutting-edge collaboration tools, we are setting a new standard for an office: a space designed around people, productivity, and sustainability,” says Taute.
As Westcon-Comstor continues its journey in delivering world-class solutions to its partners and customers, its own workspace stands as an example of how technology can create smarter, safer, and more efficient environments.