Neat devices helped MediaMarktSaturn move away from fragmented video systems to a consistent, easy-to-use setup that delivers better performance and a more seamless experience for both employees and IT teams at scale.

For MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group, part of CECONOMY, collaboration is not just an operational requirement, it is a core part of how the business functions day to day. As one of Europe’s largest consumer electronics retailers, MediaMarktSaturn operates an extensive network of stores and online platforms, offering everything from personal technology and home electronics to digital services and solutions. Behind that customer-facing presence is a highly distributed organisation, with almost 50,000 frontline employees working in stores and logistics, alongside a large base of almost 20,000 knowledge workers spread across ten headquarters and offices, and 1000 stores globally. Keeping all of those people connected—clearly, reliably, and without friction—is essential to how the business runs.

That expectation is shaped by the company’s hybrid working model, which operates at significant scale. On any given day, a large proportion of employees are working remotely, while others are based in offices, stores, or logistics environments. This creates a constant need for meetings that can start instantly and run without friction, regardless of location. A mindset of prioritizing reliability over complexity, became the guiding principle behind MediaMarktSaturn’s approach to collaboration technology.

People require a meeting that just works. Not hundreds of features. Simplicity and robustness are key.

Mustapha Nada, AI & Automation Lead Engineer, MediaMarktSaturn

Removing everyday friction

Before standardizing on Neat, MediaMarktSaturn relied on a range of video conferencing solutions that had evolved over time. While these systems were functional, they introduced a level of inconsistency and operational overhead that became increasingly difficult to manage at scale. Different rooms had different setups, which meant the meeting experience could vary significantly depending on where you were. For end users, that inconsistency translated into hesitation and inefficiency. For IT teams, it meant additional time spent maintaining, troubleshooting, and supporting multiple systems.

Our old solutions were not stable enough, and they were hard to manage. It felt painful at times.

Tobias Kissmer, Global Head of IT Workplace, MediaMarktSaturn

In an organization that values speed and autonomy, that kind of friction adds up quickly. The goal was not simply to upgrade the technology, but to remove the underlying complexity that was slowing people down.

A simpler approach that scales

What set Neat apart was not an overwhelming list of features, but a clear and deliberate approach to simplifying the meeting experience. Instead of layering additional functionality onto already complex systems, Neat focuses on reducing the number of moving parts, both physically in the room and operationally behind the scenes. That philosophy aligned closely with what MediaMarktSaturn was trying to achieve: a consistent, reliable setup that could be deployed widely without increasing the burden on users or IT teams.

The company implemented a range of Neat devices across its 200+ meeting spaces in just a few short weeks, including Neat Bar and Neat Bar Pro for video-enabled rooms, Neat Pad for intuitive meeting control and room scheduling, Neat Center to improve visibility and presence in larger environments, and Neat Board Pro for more interactive collaboration scenarios. While each device serves a different purpose, they are designed to work together as a cohesive system, delivering the same experience regardless of location or room type. That consistency is critical when operating across various spaces.

The simplicity of the setup also has a direct impact on reliability. Fewer components mean fewer things that can fail, and fewer cables reduce the likelihood of connection issues.

Less cables, less problems.

Matthias Zörner, Service Delivery Manager, MediaMarktSaturn

This principle extends beyond the physical environment into device management, where Neat Pulse provides centralized control, allowing IT teams to monitor, carry out software updates, and manage devices efficiently without adding unnecessary complexity.

Finally hearing every word

When MediaMarktSaturn began rolling out Neat devices, the impact was quickly noticeable in real meeting environments. Rather than requiring adjustment or workarounds, the system delivered a clear and consistent experience from the outset, particularly in areas that matter most to day-to-day collaboration.

It left this wow effect.

Mustapha Nada, AI & Automation Lead Engineer, MediaMarktSaturn

That reaction was driven by practical improvements rather than surface-level features. Audio clarity stood out immediately, making conversations easier to follow without repetition or strain, even in larger or more dynamic meeting spaces. Video quality also contributed to a more natural and engaging experience, helping participants feel more connected regardless of where they were joining from.

These early experiences set the tone for wider adoption across the organisation. By delivering a meeting experience that worked reliably and intuitively from the start, Neat made it easy for teams to engage with the technology and trust it as part of their everyday workflow.

Technology that stays out of the conversation

A consistent theme throughout MediaMarktSaturn’s experience is that the best collaboration tools are the ones that disappear into the background. When meetings run smoothly, participants do not think about the technology—they focus entirely on the conversation. Achieving that level of simplicity requires careful design, particularly in how systems respond in real time.

Features such as Neat Symmetry play an important role here by automatically framing participants and focusing on the active speaker. The responsiveness of this feature is key.

We love how the Neat solution focuses on the speaker in real time.

Mustapha Nada, AI & Automation Lead Engineer, MediaMarktSaturn

Without that immediacy, the experience can feel disjointed or unnatural, particularly for remote participants who rely heavily on visual cues.

In addition to improving video dynamics, devices like Neat Board Pro enable more interactive forms of collaboration, allowing teams to engage directly with content during meetings. This is particularly valuable in discussions that benefit from visual input, such as planning sessions or problem-solving workshops.

Seeing people in action, working together—that’s still the best way to collaborate. It brings people closer.

Matthias Zörner, Service Delivery Manager, MediaMarktSaturn

Less time spent on support

For IT teams, one of the most tangible benefits of the transition has been the reduction in time spent managing and resolving meeting room issues. Previously, supporting a diverse set of systems required ongoing effort, with troubleshooting forming a regular part of the workload. With a more standardized and simplified setup, that demand has decreased significantly.

The impact is measurable. Approximately five hours per week can now be redirected, away from troubleshooting and towards more strategic activities. That’s up to 260 hours a year spent being productive again. This shift not only improves efficiency but also allows IT teams to focus on initiatives that add greater value to the business.

The benefits also extend to scalability. As MediaMarktSaturn continues to expand its deployment, the consistency of the Neat ecosystem ensures that new rooms can be added without introducing additional complexity. The experience remains predictable, both for users and for those responsible for managing the infrastructure.

No news is good news

Reliability is often one of the least visible aspects of a successful system, but it is also one of the most important. When meetings work consistently, they fade into the background of daily operations. When they do not, the impact is immediate and noticeable.

For MediaMarktSaturn, improving stability was a central outcome of adopting Neat. Meetings now start as expected, rooms function consistently, and technical disruptions are significantly reduced.

When things are not working, you get feedback. When things work well, you do not.

Matthias Zörner, Service Delivery Manager, MediaMarktSaturn

That absence of negative feedback is, in many ways, the strongest indicator of success. It reflects a level of reliability that allows employees to trust the system and focus on their work without distraction.

Built with longevity in mind

Sustainability and long-term value were also important considerations, particularly in relation to the lifecycle of the hardware. In large organizations, frequent replacement of devices is not only costly but also environmentally impactful.

With Neat we have longevity. Devices are supported and updated on a timescale that outperforms the standard lifecycle of hardware.

Matthias Zörner, Service Delivery Manager, MediaMarktSaturn

Neat’s approach to ongoing software updates and platform support helps extend the usable life of its devices, reducing the need for replacement and supporting both financial and environmental objectives. At scale, these benefits become increasingly significant.

Whatever it takes to make it work

Beyond the technology itself, MediaMarktSaturn places strong emphasis on the quality of its partnerships. In a fast-moving environment, it is important to work with organizations that are responsive, pragmatic, and aligned with the company’s way of operating. That means being able to move quickly, solve problems without unnecessary complexity, and adapt to changing needs without friction.

There is clearly some kind of hiring approach that works. Everyone at Neat we make contact with has been knowledgeable, friendly, and collaborative.

Mustapha Nada, AI & Automation Lead Engineer, MediaMarktSaturn

That mindset shows up in practical ways. During a visit to Düsseldorf, Germany, the leadership team needed a device quickly for a session. Rather than delaying or overcomplicating things, a team of Neaters arranged for a Neat Board in a nearby showroom to be wheeled across the street! It’s a small moment, but it reflects a broader approach—focused on getting things done, removing blockers, and supporting the customer in a straightforward, hands-on way.

This consistency in how Neat engages with its customers has helped build trust and made it easier to address challenges quickly when they arise.

A foundation for the future of work

As MediaMarktSaturn continues to evolve, the role of collaboration technology will only become more important. The company is already exploring the use of AI-driven tools such as meeting transcription and summarization, building on the foundation established by its current setup.

Looking further ahead, the vision extends beyond simply improving meetings. For MediaMarktSaturn, collaboration is built on a strong sense of ownership, inclusivity, and shared purpose; where people take initiative, diverse perspectives are valued, and teams work together to shape outcomes, not just deliver tasks. Creating an environment where globally distributed teams can collaborate naturally is central to that ambition.

Head of Digital Workplace Communication & Collaboration, Parikshit Kulkarni, believes Neat has become an important enabler of that vision.

The biggest benefit we see with Neat devices is that we are able to live a fully hybrid workplace culture without any friction. This has really helped us stay flexible and help globally distributed teams to come together for powerful collaboration and simply getting things done.

Parikshit Kulkarni, Head of Digital Workplace Communication & Collaboration, MediaMarktSaturn

As MediaMarktSaturn looks five years ahead, Neat will continue to play a key role in supporting its ambition to become a truly connected global retailer. By making collaboration seamless, inclusive, and borderless, the technology helps empower people to work together as one team, regardless of where they are.

Despite these ongoing developments, the underlying requirement remains unchanged. The technology needs to be reliable, easy to use, and unobtrusive. It should support the way people work, rather than shaping it. Or, as Mustapha Nada put it:

It just needs to work.

Mustapha Nada, AI & Automation Lead Engineer, MediaMarktSaturn

That principle has guided MediaMarktSaturn’s approach so far, and it continues to define what effective collaboration looks like across the organization today.

Ready to see what frictionless collaboration looks like for your own organisation? Book a demo and experience Neat’s pioneering devices for yourself.