When I was asked by my editor to cover the opening ceremony of WatchGuard Video in Allen, Texas, to be honest with you, I could imagine more exciting things to do on my night off of work. However, when I arrived at the event, and rounded the corner into the parking lot, I immediately noticed something… this company MUST be something special. I was intrigued. The large crowd that had gathered at the front of the building, waiting for the ribbon cutting ceremony to begin, included tons of Police Officers dressed in their best blues, to honor this company and show their respect. I was taken aback by the large crowd of people that wanted to show their support for WatchGuard and the grand opening of their new 140,000 square foot facility.
After Robert Vanman, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, we all filed inside of the facility to see exactly what sets this company apart from so many others. I grabbed a map at the front desk (thank goodness, this place is HUGE) and started my tour. I glanced inside of the brochure and noticed it listed some “interesting facts” about the facility. According to the brochure, WatchGuard has 18 foot (floor to floor) heights to make the building 43’6” high, nearly as tall as a 3-story building. There are 61 installed television monitors (all 4k resolution); the facility has 58 separate wireless access points to provide exceptional WiFi throughout the property, and WatchGuard is equipped with more cameras per square foot than Fort Knox. I said to myself, “Okay WatchGuard, you know how to make a fancy facility!”
I started down the hallway towards the service garage and immediately ran in to Robert Vanman, the boss himself. He shook my hand, and very genuinely expressed his happiness and excitement for the 300 some odd employees of his business, and the new facility. I looked at Robert and thought, “This is someone I would want to work for.”
The first room I looked at was the “Service Garage,” where the cameras equipped in patrol vehicles are serviced. On to the more interesting part for us Police Officers was the “Officer’s lounge” which was attached to the service garage. This lounge included large comfortable chairs, coffee and drinks, and the best part… NETFLIX! Maybe it is just me, but if I had to have my camera serviced, this is one place I wouldn’t mind hanging out to wait. After all, as a cop, it’s the small things that really matter to us, and WatchGuard did well with this amenity. While in the Officer’s lounge, I asked an employee what she thought about working for this company. She stated that WatchGuard is a “Genuine team” and “Like family.” This employee said she works at the location during the summers as an intern, and enjoyed it so much she has come back several summers in a row.
Next, I walked to the private “lactation room.” “Wow,” I said to myself, “this is what I would describe as a female friendly workplace.” Being a mom myself, I know how important this is for those moms that are still breastfeeding their young ones, but have to get back to work. This is such a positive thing for this company’s working mothers.
If you know me, you know one of my favorites aspects about this new facility is the gym. This gym not only includes all of the workout equipment you would need, but also, a soundproof racquetball court! Employees can exercise as loudly as they want without bothering the rest of their coworkers or customers. My other favorite part of this building is the employee lounge which contains pool tables, ping pong tables, televisions, games, and large comfortable chairs. This is a great place provided for employee breaks, and not only that, but building morale amongst the WatchGuard team.
Robert Vanman makes it clear, without apology, that his company is Christian based. With saying that, it is not surprising that this facility has a “Chapel Room” located inside. I spoke with an employee, who is a programmer, during my tour who said that employees are even provided three paid days off to go on mission trips. This employee said he has only been employed for one month, but said he came from another Christian based technology company in the area, and recognizes the difference between WatchGuard and his previous place of employment. This employee stated, “This place is so awesome.” and “The environment and culture is positive, and I do not feel stressed.” This employee was glowing while speaking about WatchGuard and the environment they have created.
One really cool aspect of WatchGuard is that they provide an excellent medical plan for its employees and their dependents. Get this… the WatchGuard facility is equipped with its OWN onsite doctor, and “Health and Wellness Center!” Employees, as well as their families, are able to utilize this employee perk whenever they need with little, to no wait time. The cost for visits to this onsite doctor requires NO co-pay or deductible, and labs provided onsite are FREE. Also, the “Support center” is available for questions 24/7. Medications can be prescribed during your doctor’s visit, just like a regular doctor’s visit. This is an amazing employee benefit that WatchGuard provides its employees.
For the last stop on my tour, I went upstairs to check out the “Engineer Lab.” This, my friends, is every nerd’s dream. This state of the art lab includes a “Temperature Room” that could span from 80 to 280 degrees Fahrenheit to test the stability of the body cameras. The Engineer Lab also houses a “3d print room” and a “light sensitivity test room.” Now, I’ll admit, I am no expert on engineering or body cameras, but WatchGuard seems to know what they are doing.
Overall, WatchGuard impressed me in many ways. If WatchGuard cares this much about maintaining the happiness and morale of its employees, I can only imagine the amount of effort that goes in to their product. WatchGuard has my vote.
Kayla Walker | Fitness Contributor
KP is a veteran police officer, mom, wife and fitness competitor. Having faced the challenges of being a small (5'-3") woman on the street and all the negativity that faced her as she entered the fitness competition realm, KP started an online community via Facebook (facebook.com/fitcops) and Twitter (@fitcops) and Instagram (@fitcops and @kpatfitcops) to support fitness oriented officers. That online community has grown and she's started a third career as a writer to help share the fitness message and to focus on challenges that face female police officers in today's world.
