Cybozu, a Japanese-based information system service company, wanted an open workspace where their 300 plus employees would stay connected. The company wanted a network where workers had a place to share ideas with one another while also offering the flexibility to work from satellite offices or from their homes.

Cybozu embarked on an office renovation that encompassed President Yoshihisa Aono's vision of trying to create a better balance work and personal life. The company renovated their entire office and created open spaces without walls and cubes. They also began allowing workers the opportunity to work from home or open smaller, satellite offices in their hometowns. In order to make sure that their employees were connected, Cybozu interviewed dozens of companies to update their wireless network, but found that Cisco was the right choice for them.

"Cisco's solution provides excellence in interconnectivity," said Hirotaka Yamamoto, Executive Office Management Manager at Cybozu.

Using a variety of network products such as the Cisco Aironet 2700 Access Points, Cisco Catalyst 3850 and 2960-X Series Switches, Cisco was able to create a wireless infrastructure that met Cybozu's requirements. This infrastructure connected the entire system onto one network. The network included the telephone, videoconference and contact center -all of which were managed in the cloud.

With the new netowork employees' lives are a bit more in balance as they can work from home if they want or come into the office. While in the office, no longer are workers stuck at their desk for eight hours a day; business can be conducted anywhere they choose. Some employees congregate in the kitchen/juice bar while others work in conference and seminar rooms.

This interconnectivity has allowed the Japanese company to open smaller satellite offices in the hometowns of their employees.

"My return to my hometown led to the establishment of the Osaka office," said Uki Okada, Global Development Division Osaka Development Department Manager. "Deployment of Cisco [products] made it easy to connect."

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