The old control room at Fontys was an outdated space that no longer met the current occupational health and safety (ARBO) standards. Initially, security personnel used this room at the start of their shift to store personal belongings. Over the years, the number of tasks increased, and the space was repurposed as a supervision office, but its physical size remained unchanged. Operators worked in an environment with multiple small monitors and a videowall, facing inadequate ergonomic conditions. As the Eindhoven campus expanded and additional connections and responsibilities were introduced, it became clear that the control room needed modernization.
Safety and security at Fontys
Fontys is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands, offering a wide range of bachelor’s programs across various disciplines, spread over multiple locations. Sjack van Ekert, Project Manager for Real Estate Management and responsible for Safety & Security at Fontys, was tasked with ensuring that the control room met modern occupational health and safety guidelines. “Since the commissioning of the existing control room, a lot has changed,” Van Ekert explains. “We are now responsible for the security of 28 buildings, managing camera surveillance, access control, intercoms, parking management, and crisis communication. Furthermore, all intrusion and fire alarm systems across Fontys have been integrated, allowing for centralized monitoring and management from the control room.”
CREON’s approach: from analysis to solution
Fontys enlisted CREON’s expertise to help design new control room workstations. CREON recommended starting with an extensive consultancy process, during which their control room experts mapped out the goals and vision for the new control room.
Van Ekert: “Setting up a control room requires specialized know-how that we didn’t have in-house.” During this process, CREON conducted a task analysis and in-depth sessions, actively involving the operators in providing input. Their experiences and insights were incorporated into designing a workstation that functions optimally.
The advisory program quickly revealed that the existing space was too small to accommodate two operators. CREON therefore proposed relocating the control room to a larger space within the campus. This recommendation resulted in a completely new, custom-designed setup.
The solution: a modern, ergonomic control room
The new control room is equipped with two SPLIT workstations, each featuring two large monitors on a personal videowall. These workstations are designed to offer maximum flexibility and comfort. Thanks to adjustable height settings, operators can fully customize their desks to their personal preferences, ensuring an optimal working posture. The videowall’s height can also be adjusted directly from the SPLIT workstation.
The large overview screens provide a clear visual experience and reduce eye strain, while the modular design makes it easy to replace equipment. A custom-built storage unit between the workstations houses two tower PCs. “Fewer screens create more peace of mind,” says Van Ekert. Previously, operators worked with six smaller monitors, leading to visual clutter. The large monitors now offer a more structured and organized workspace. Although operators initially had to adjust to the new viewing angles, they quickly embraced the change.
Operators now benefit from optimal visibility of both their workstation screens and the individual videowalls behind them. Dennis Trip, Security Advisor at Fontys, highlights the importance of ergonomics: “The working posture of our operators has significantly improved thanks to the new 24/7 office chairs, sit-stand desks, and optimized viewing angles. This not only enhances their health but also their job satisfaction.” The improved climate control, lighting, and clutter-free environment contribute to a pleasant workspace.
Another advantage of the new control room is the flexibility of the workstations. Van Ekert: “The modular workstations can easily be relocated in the future if necessary.”
The result: pride and a future-ready control room
The operators are very pleased with the new control room. “Every day, we are happy with the step we have taken,” says Trip. The new work environment has led to more efficient operations and increased operator engagement. “They want to keep working in this location,” Trip adds.
Colleagues who have already visited the new control room are impressed. “Compared to many other universities, we are now ahead of the curve,” says Van Ekert proudly. Other institutions will soon be visiting the new control room during a special event.
Innovation and trust
Fontys chose CREON for their expertise and quality. “During our visit to CREON, we were given a behind-the-scenes look at their workshop. This gave us great confidence in their products,” says Trip. Operators appreciate the adjustability of both the SPLIT workstations and the videowall, making their workspaces fully customizable.
Additionally, the clear presentation of information contributes to a more efficient work environment. The acoustic panels attached to the SPLIT workstations reduce ambient noise, minimizing distractions and improving focus. This new, quieter environment reduces stress and enhances performance.
Thanks to the collaboration with CREON, Fontys now has a future-proof control room that enhances both security and employee satisfaction. Trip concludes: “When I compare what we have now to other universities, I feel incredibly proud of our new control room!”