Zoom Carts by DCA at Starcity

The startup operates co-living spaces that have private suites with shared living spaces, such as kitchens and living rooms, for adults. Starcity recently expanded to the Los Angeles area and also recently purchased a site in San Jose for a new 750-unit building. Each property offers a unique style based on the neighborhood and amenities, such as dog walking and cooking classes.

Using Zoom Carts by DCA for flexibility and seamless video conferencing  

As the company expands into new areas and builds new projects, employees at the headquarters need to be able to seamlessly communicate with team members in other locations. Starcity decided to partner with David Carroll Associates (DCA) because they are a technology leader with extensive experience creating custom and flexible solutions for a client’s specific needs, such as the recent LinkedIn project. While other Zoom System Integrators might use lower-cost components, DCA uses only fully vetted premium components and pays attention to detail and engineering.

Starcity initially wanted to install two dedicated Zoom Rooms and a single cart. However, after considering the design and cost, they decided to use three Zoom Carts by DCA because of the flexibility and ability to move the cart throughout the office. Additionally, Zoom Carts can be used in less-than-optimal configurations and still produce the highest-quality conference possible.

Through a full needs analysis during meetings of both teams, Starcity provided input so DCA could design the optimal Zoom Cart for their spaces. Taking only three weeks from start to completion, the new Zoom Carts were deployed at headquarters. Starcity immediately began using the carts, and employees were able to focus on collaborating instead of spending time adjusting technology. Because of the high-quality equipment, Starcity employees had a reliable product with high-quality results.

Stuart Rosenthal, DCA’s Senior Account Manager noted: “We felt there was a better way to provide a robust professional deployment rather than just throwing commonplace parts together. Many people would pick an inexpensive cart, put a TV on top of it, use an inexpensive camera, probably use the speakers in the TV, which usually are not great, and go with that. A concept like that does not fit DCA’s philosophy and approach to what we deliver to our clients. So we started with a blank piece of paper and designed the cart we would want to use in our own offices.”

The result was a robust design based on a cart typically used in medical/industrial environments. It has a low center of gravity, does not rock back and forth, features a narrow leg spread to enable easier movement between rooms, and has a counter-balanced height adjustment so the screen height can be easily adjusted. Rather than use a TV for the screen, DCA selected a 55” LCD digital signage panel, which is thin, bright, runs cool, and is designed to operate 24/7.  DCA also selected a new combination microphone/camera/speaker bar that includes directional microphones and PTZ camera that can be remotely controlled via an iPad or its own remote.

Taking the carts to construction locations

As Starcity continues constructing new communities, the company identified a need for additional portable Zoom Carts that can function in and withstand being in a hostile construction environment. DCA has already started working on designs for a new, rugged, “job site ready” cart to meet Starcity’s requirements.

Based on the excellent experience Starcity had in working with DCA for the Zoom Carts project, DCA will be designing a full All Hands Meeting space in Starcity’s recently expanded headquarters.

By partnering with DCA, employees can focus on working together to create the future in co-living communities. Collaborating with other teams is now as easy as pushing a button.