When/why did you have a problem with your lighting?

Employees at Integrated Marketing Concepts spend a lot of time in front of computer screens. They’re also on the phone with clients, reading notes and writing reports as they talk. A single, bright fluorescent office light level for these different tasks was not conducive to getting the job done efficiently. Some employees were working with the lights off to combat the glare on their computer screens, but then they didn’t have enough light for paper work.

How did you solve the problem?

A few months ago, I didn’t know that fluorescent lights could be dimmed. When I read that a PerSONNA system could dim or brighten individual fluorescent lights by handheld remote control, I thought it might be the answer. We installed six PerSONNAs on a test basis to see if they would solve the problem. Now the employees who have PerSONNAs can change their lighting instantly depending on their task, the time of day, or individual preference -- all at the touch of a button.

How do your employees like the PerSONNA system?

The employees who have PerSONNA are glad they happened to be in the right place at the "light" time. They’re convinced that PerSONNA has not only alleviated eye problems but also increased their overall productivity. One of the women who enters data and writes reports at her computer thought her eyes were irritated and burning because of her trifocals. But when she was able to dim her light with PerSONNA, her eye problems disappeared. Another girl’s eyes were always scratchy and dry. She wears contact lenses and was constantly using wetting solutions. She blamed it on the air, but now realizes it was the bright lights and glare. She told me her eyes are fine without drops now.

Are there additional benefits?

Integrated Marketing Concepts is a fast-paced office where every minute counts. When the physical surroundings hamper worker efficiency, we lose money. The PerSONNA test has been enlightening -- employees love being able to control their own lights and since the lights are usually at much lower levels with PerSONNA, our energy costs are lower, too.