English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Plano, TX

The company held a grand opening on Oct. 30, 2024

Listen to this article 00:02:24

Diversified, a global technology solutions company, officially moved its new headquarters from New Jersey to Plano. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to fuel Diversified’s expansion in key markets and continue to serve the company's 70 Fortune 100 clients.

This new headquarters will house the company’s executive leadership team and offer a collaborative workspace for local staff and visiting associates, fostering innovation and client engagement.

“We are very excited about the opening of Diversified's new global headquarters at Granite Park in Plano,” said Plano Mayor John B. Muns in an official statement. “This location is in a growing hub of business and technology innovation. Diversified will surely have a tremendous impact on the industry and the City of Excellence. Welcome to Plano!”

Diversified’s new headquarters is equipped with advanced audiovisual and collaboration technology designed to enhance both visitor experience and internal productivity.

In the foyer, guests are welcomed by a large, direct-view LED wall that displays dynamic, curated content. The wall can be controlled through a touch panel or wireless interface. In the open area, a 1.2mm curved LED wall serves as a collaborative workspace and production backdrop. This space is equipped with high-bandwidth connectivity, ceiling-mounted speakers, and multiple audio zones for independent volume control. A ceiling-mounted camera with presenter tracking capabilities makes the area adaptable for various future production and collaboration needs.

The main conference room is optimized for collaboration, seating up to 10 and featuring dual displays with Microsoft Teams Room solutions and AI-powered cameras. The setup includes automatic presenter tracking, dual cameras and ceiling-mounted microphones for clear audio and video conferencing.

“This new headquarters is a working example of what we do best — integrating advanced technology into functional spaces,” said CEO Eric Hutto. “It’s designed to showcase how modern technology can adapt to the needs of any business, providing an interactive space for our clients to see the practical benefits of the solutions we deliver.”

Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.

Three rabid bats have been found in Plano in two months, not two as previously reported. A Plano resident found another bat that tested positive for the deadly disease less than 2 miles and a week apart from the first in September.

A bat found Sept. 11 in the 1700 block of Throwbridge Lane tested positive for rabies, according to a news release from the city, and another was found Oct. 24 on the wall near the entrance of Campisi’s restaurant at 8100 Dallas Parkway.

A Plano resident said a bat found in their family’s backyard on Sept. 18 also tested positive for rabies a week after the first but was not announced by the city. The family quarantined one of their dogs after finding the bat in case the pets were exposed.

Dr. Francesca Hoffpauir is a veterinarian at Custer Rd Animal Hospital who oversaw the dog’s quarantine. She said the pet was free of symptoms and returned home 10 days later.

D-FW Public Health Alerts

Get the latest public health updates.

Or with:

Google

Facebook

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

“Three [rabies] cases is definitely significant,” Hoffpauir said. “We vaccinate our dogs for rabies for a reason. It’s a very deadly disease, a devastating disease.”

Jamey Cantrell, Plano’s animal services director, said the bat found in the backyard was not announced because it wasn’t found in a public area. Announcements are made to spread awareness to people who might not know that they were exposed, he said, which was unlikely in this case since the bat was found in a backyard.

Related:Plano bat tests positive for rabies, second in 2 months

“If we know every person that could have come in contact with the animal or that we believe could have come in contact with it, then we don’t typically send out a press release,” Cantrell said.

The bat found Sept. 11 was also found at a residence, but near a sidewalk, Cantrell said, so unknown exposures were more likely.

The second bat was found around 2 miles from the first. There’s no way of knowing if the rabid bats came into contact with each other, Cantrell said, but it is “highly unlikely” the cases announced by the city in September and October are related. By the time animals are capable of transmitting rabies, they are nearing death, and they don’t live to spread the virus for very long, he said.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease in warm-blooded animals. Humans and animals can contract rabies through bites from infected animals.

The positive rabies cases in the three bats are the first recorded in Plano since 2022, Cantrell said. That doesn’t mean rabies hasn’t been present in the area.

“There’s positive rabies cases in Collin County and all over the state all the time,” Cantrell said. “That’s why people need to make sure that they just keep their rabies vaccines current on their pets, because that’s the first line of defense for their family.”

Texas and Plano require animals to receive the rabies vaccine and booster shots.

“The reason why we have such strict laws when it comes to rabies is because once you have symptoms of rabies, there’s not really anything they could do to treat you,” Cantrell said. “You pretty much are going to die. ... It’s as close to a 100% fatal disease as you can get.”

Cantrell advises calling animal services whenever a wild animal behaves strangely or erratically. If you see a bat, just assume it might have rabies, he said, especially if it is acting strange or is on the ground.

Related:Bat in North Texas tests positive for rabies. Here’s where

“Be very cautious of any unusual signs of wildlife. A bat should be trying to fly away from you,” Hoffpauir said. “[Be] careful about staying away from any wildlife and then contacting the proper personnel if you see something unusual.”

Bats often get into homes at night and can infect a person without them realizing, Cantrell said. Symptoms can be hard to identify, but if treated immediately, the disease can be prevented.

“That’s what’s really bad about the rabies virus,” Cantrell said. “Symptoms of rabies start off as something similar to a flu-like virus, and so people don’t even notice that’s what it is until it keeps getting worse.”

Plano encourages anyone who thinks they or their pets may have come into contact with a rabid bat to call the city’s animal services at (972) 769-4360.

A billion dollar tech company ditched its New Jersey headquarters for a new corporate hub in Plano, Texas.

Diversified, an audiovisual and media company with clients like the National Football League (NFL) and Lululemon announced the opening of its new global headquarters in North Texas, according to a statement. The company, which reports an annual revenue of $1 billion, says the move will support the goals of securing a central location for clients and open access to new talent.

The new office in Granite Park will be located in the heart of Plano's growing business corridor. The location boasts prime access to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and the larger Dallas metro, giving Diversified a more central location for clients and partners, the company said.

“This new headquarters is a working example of what we do best—integrating advanced technology into functional spaces,” said Eric Hutto, CEO of Diversified. “It’s designed to showcase how modern technology can adapt to the needs of any business, providing an interactive space for our clients to see the practical benefits of the solutions we deliver.”

The company focuses on building "experiential environments," for major brands and retailers. It recently worked on a build-out of a sound system at Oracle Park and worked on the digital signage of Lululemon, according to a report by The Dallas Morning News.

The move is part of a larger trend of more and more tech companies opening offices in the North Texas area. Global tech company Simplilearn announced it was moving its headquarters from San Francisco to Plano earlier this month. Tech company iRely moved into the Dallas metroplex from Indiana earlier this summer.

More Business

Relief | Are Houston homes becoming affordable again?Complex | Houston company sweeps up 3-building officeMove | Houston's Texas Tower snags yet another law firmGlow-Up | Houston Zoo's front gate to get $4.1 million facelift

For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.

No contact with people or pets was reported

Listen to this article 00:02:15

On Oct. 24, 2024, a bat found near the entrance of Campisi’s restaurant at 8100 Dallas Pkwy in Plano tested positive for rabies. While no known contact with people or pets occurred, the bat was submitted for testing due to the high public traffic in the area.

“This positive test highlights the importance of keeping all vaccinations current — especially rabies — since there is no way to predict when a pet may come into contact with a wild animal,” Animal Services Director Jamey Cantrell said in an official statement.

In September a bat found on the 1700 block of Throwbridge Lane in Plano tested positive for rabies. Although there were no reported interactions with people or pets, the bat was sent for testing due to concerns about its condition.

The Plano Animal Shelter does not routinely test wild animals unless they have had contact with a person or pet. However, exceptions are made for five high-risk non-domestic animals, including bats, foxes, skunks, coyotes and raccoons.

Texas law requires that dogs and cats receive a rabies vaccination by the time they are 4 months old, and it must be given by a licensed veterinarian. For an animal to be considered protected against rabies in potential exposure cases, at least 30 days must pass after the initial vaccination, and the time since the last vaccination must not exceed the interval recommended by the manufacturer for booster shots. Local authorities may impose more frequent vaccination requirements.

Signs of rabies in pets or wildlife may include unusual behavior, such as a wild animal acting unusually "friendly" or a sudden onset of aggression in a pet. Other symptoms, like difficulty walking, eating or drinking, may also be present, though a definitive diagnosis can only be made through testing.

Residents who believe they or their pets may have come into contact with the bat at or near Campisi's are urged to contact Plano Animal Services at 972.769.4360 to report any interactions.

Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.

North Texas is getting another new corporate hub — and it’s one that’s helping clients around the world see and hear better with thoughtful designs and technology.

Diversified, which specializes in audiovisual and media services, has moved its global headquarters to Plano, according to a statement. The company, which touts $1 billion-plus in annual revenue, formerly housed its main office in New Jersey, a spokesperson said.

The new headquarters provides easy access to DFW International Airport and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, the company said. The “central location” helps Diversified attract top talent from the region while providing accessibility for clients and partners, including globally.

Diversified designs and builds what it calls “experiential environments” at spaces that include media organizations, retailers, sports venues and corporate sites. For example, earlier this year, it announced the build out of a sound system at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. It also worked on digital signage for Lululemon and Armani Exchange. Other clients include the National Football League and Microsoft.

Business Briefing

Become a business insider with the latest news.

Or with:

Google

Facebook

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Companies from around the world are shifting headquarters to the Dallas region, as, like Diversified, they seek a central location and access to talent. For example, Simplilearn, which provides training for digital skills, relocated its U.S. hub from San Francisco to Plano near the Dallas North Tollway and Texas Highway 121. Earlier this year, a tech companyrelocated from Indiana.

Diversified’s new site is designed to support growth in key markets and serve as a showcase for the technologies it designs and builds for clients. The company arrives at the new headquarters with 40-plus locations globally and about 2,600 associates, the website said.

“This new headquarters is a working example of what we do best — integrating advanced technology into functional spaces,” Eric Hutto, CEO of Diversified, said in the statement. “It’s designed to showcase how modern technology can adapt to the needs of any business, providing an interactive space for our clients to see the practical benefits of the solutions we deliver.”

Features include a foyer entrance with a large direct view LED wall that’s controlled via a touch panel or wireless interface. It can display dynamic content curated by Diversified’s creative teams. The main conference room is equipped with dual displays — and is optimized for collaboration with Microsoft Teams Room and AI-powered cameras.