Conferencing Archives - My TechDecisions https://mytechdecisions.com/tag/conferencing/ The end user’s first and last stop for making technology decisions Wed, 17 May 2023 17:54:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://mytechdecisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-TD-icon1-1-32x32.png Conferencing Archives - My TechDecisions https://mytechdecisions.com/tag/conferencing/ 32 32 Airtame Launches Share to Call Feature https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/airtame-share-to-call-feature-screen-sharing/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/airtame-share-to-call-feature-screen-sharing/#respond Wed, 17 May 2023 17:54:30 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=48448 Airtame, the creator of the hardware-enabled SaaS collaboration platform for businesses and schools, is launching its new Share to Call feature designed to allow any person in the meeting room to instantly share their screen into a Zoom or Teams call without the hassle of joining the call from their personal device (in which they […]

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Airtame, the creator of the hardware-enabled SaaS collaboration platform for businesses and schools, is launching its new Share to Call feature designed to allow any person in the meeting room to instantly share their screen into a Zoom or Teams call without the hassle of joining the call from their personal device (in which they have to mute their microphone and speaker, turn off their camera, and then start sharing).

“Having to join a call with your own device just to share your screen – even though you’re in the room in which a meeting is already taking place – is a major pain point that the industry has adopted and has yet to change in a way that is truly easy and intuitive for the end-user,” says Susanne Lund, Airtame CEO.

“With Airtame Share to Call, any meeting participant within the room can share content instantly rather than having to go through the unnecessary process of logging in to screen share. This new feature makes hybrid meetings truly equitable because it makes it just as easy for in-person meeting participants to share their screens as it is for remote participants.”

In addition to making screen sharing faster and easier during hybrid meetings, Share to Call eliminates audio feedback when users forget to mute before joining a call to share. It also saves battery power since the user’s computer doesn’t have to use its resources to run a conference call, the company says.

In addition, Share to Call saves bandwidth on the local network – as in-person participants no longer have to load all call contents on their devices.

How Airtame Share to Call Feature Works

According to Airtame, users can now share their screen as a room host that started the call, as a local participant in the same room and as a remote participant. The process is easy: one meeting participant starts the call as a ‘room host’ using Airtame Hub.

Then, a second user in the meeting room can launch the Airtame application, select the room/device and click “share screen.” An intuitive pin code appears on the screen to verify that the user is in the room and permitted to share. The sharing user can select whether they’d like to share their entire screen, or a specific window (which ensures no notifications or unwanted content is shared into the call).

Once shared, the user’s screen is visible both locally in the meeting room and for remote participants using Microsoft Teams or Zoom. For local participants, it is possible to screen share through the Airtame desktop app – with Miracast, AirPlay and Google Cast compatibility coming in the near future, according to Airtame.

Availability

Share to Call is now available on the Airtame Hybrid offering, so long as device firmware is updated to version 5.2, and the Airtame app is updated to version 4.6.3. The Airtame Hybrid offering consists of both hardware and software. Airtame Rooms – the software component running on Airtame Hub – integrates with multiple services, enabling flexibility and ease. Airtame Hub – the hardware component – enables the premiere Airtame experience for screen sharing, digital signage, and seamless hybrid conferencing.

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ClearOne Launches COLLABORATE Versa Conferencing Bundles https://mytechdecisions.com/audio/clearone-launches-collaborate-versa-conferencing-bundles/ https://mytechdecisions.com/audio/clearone-launches-collaborate-versa-conferencing-bundles/#respond Thu, 04 May 2023 21:40:11 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=48267 ClearOne, the Salt Lake, Utah-based, company enabling conferencing, collaboration and network streaming solutions, has launched eight new COLLABORATE Versa packaged hardware systems. The packaged hardware systems provide optimized audio and video performance for conference rooms and personal office spaces. According to ClearOne CEO Derek Graham, the updated lineup of bundled solutions empowers businesses of all […]

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ClearOne, the Salt Lake, Utah-based, company enabling conferencing, collaboration and network streaming solutions, has launched eight new COLLABORATE Versa packaged hardware systems. The packaged hardware systems provide optimized audio and video performance for conference rooms and personal office spaces. According to ClearOne CEO Derek Graham, the updated lineup of bundled solutions empowers businesses of all sizes and means to leverage powerful conferencing capabilities that include automatic voice tracking, face tracking and echo cancellation.

“The new lineup of COLLABORATE Versa solutions offers an ideal package for every small-to-medium sized conferencing space or personal office, giving business owners and IT staff mission-specific options that ensure maximum value, utility and performance in any room,” Graham says. “Whether a company is upgrading technology in existing spaces, opening a new location or undergoing construction and design changes, these packaged solutions can help them quickly and efficiently deploy industry-leading audio and video quality combined with powerful special features that make hosting meetings easier than ever.”

ClearOne’s COLLABORATE Versa Conferencing Bundles

ClearOne’s COLLABORATE Versa Room CT 160, uses the USB audio-enabled Beamforming Ceiling Tile (BMA CT) microphone to bring professional conferencing audio to medium and large-sized meeting rooms. The microphone array has an integrated two-channel amplifier that provides 20W of audio power and makes it easy to connect the two included in-ceiling speakers, say the company.

The BMA CT delivers automatic echo cancellation, noise cancellation and adaptive microphone steering, while the UNITE 160 4K camera offers AI-controlled video auto-framing and smart face tracking with 12x optical zoom. The automatic tracking features keep the speaker or meeting host in the frame, and the powerful zoom creates greater flexibility for camera placement.

COLLABORATE Versa Room CT

For spaces where camera zoom is less important and a wider angle is desired, buyers can deploy the COLLABORATE Versa Room CT, which offers the same audio using the BMA CT but swaps in a UNITE 60 4K camera to capture a wider 120-degree field of view with 3x digital zoom. All automated functions are included as well.

COLLABORATE Versa 20 Bundles for Smaller Rooms

For smaller rooms or personal offices, the COLLABORATE Versa 20 combines a 1080p UNITE 20 Pro Webcam with a CHAT 50 portable personal speakerphone to create an ultra-simple option that can be used on-the-go. The 100-degree wide-angle camera can be secured onto any display or monitor using the included dampening clip. For rooms requiring simplicity and BYOD flexibility, the COLLABORATE Versa 20 Plus solution adds a Versa USB Hub that provides single USB connections for simple, ergonomic connection of peripheral devices to room PC or laptops.

ClearOne’s COLLABORATE Versa 160 Conferencing Bundle for Small to Medium Sized Rooms

The COLLABORATE Versa 160 solution gives small-to-medium rooms plug-and-play connectivity with high quality audio and HD video that enhance the BYOD meeting room experience. This solution combines the aforementioned UNITE 160 4K PTZ camera with a Versa USB Hub and the robust CHAT 150 speakerphone that is equally at home in a small conference room as in a personal or home office. To ensure every unique space has an optimized solution, the COLLABORATE Versa 60 also offers the CHAT 150 and Versa Hub but swaps out the UNITE 160 4K PTZ camera for the wide-angle UNITE 60 4K.

COLLABORATE Versa Pro 160 improves the BYOD experience in mid-sized conference rooms by adding professional quality audio and video. Comprising ClearOne’s Ceiling Microphone Array, CONVERGE Huddle DSP mixer and UNITE 160 4K PTZ camera, this solution improves BYOD experiences for flexible use rooms with AI processing that can track an individual or frame an entire group for perfect framing and focus.

Spaces requiring a wider camera angle can be outfitted with the COLLABORATE Versa Pro 60, which offers the same audio quality paired with the wider field of view captured by the UNITE 60 4K camera.

ClearOne’s solutions are designed to support all leading collaboration platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, GoToMeeting, Zoom and Webex.

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on May 4, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

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Airtame Adds Integration with Zoom, Microsoft & Google Calendar to Hybrid Conferencing Platform https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/airtame-integration-zoom-microsoft-google-calenda-hybrid-conferencing/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/airtame-integration-zoom-microsoft-google-calenda-hybrid-conferencing/#respond Tue, 07 Mar 2023 22:29:53 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=47356 Airtame, the Copenhagen, Denmark-based hardware-enabled SaaS platform provider announced three new feature upgrades to Airtame Rooms – the software component of its hybrid conferencing solution – that further improves hybrid collaboration. The new upgrades include full integration with Zoom (now out out of beta), along with calendar integrations with Microsoft and Google. “Airtame helps transform […]

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Airtame, the Copenhagen, Denmark-based hardware-enabled SaaS platform provider announced three new feature upgrades to Airtame Rooms – the software component of its hybrid conferencing solution – that further improves hybrid collaboration. The new upgrades include full integration with Zoom (now out out of beta), along with calendar integrations with Microsoft and Google.

“Airtame helps transform organizations into a hybrid environment where every meeting space embraces both physical and remote interactions, promoting collaboration equity for all,” says Susanne Lund, Airtame CEO. “With the full integration of Zoom, Microsoft Calendar, and Google Calendar, we’re creating a truly cross-service hybrid conferencing solution in which users do not need to worry about meeting links, set-up changes, and the typical problems that plague today’s conference rooms. Conferencing should be easy, and Airtame’s hybrid conferencing solution makes it so.”

Airtame’s Zoom Integration

In the few months since adding Zoom as a beta feature, Airtame has received positive feedback from users and has made the necessary tweaks to improve performance. With full Zoom integration, users can now join Teams or Zoom meetings on any Airtame Hub device. The company says it’s as easy as joining a Zoom call on Airtame Hub directly via a scheduled event in the users’ calendar or with a meeting link.

“Even with our Zoom feature out of Beta, we’ll continue to work on adding new features, enabling tighter integration with Zoom’s services, and improving overall performance,” Lund emphasizes. “Now, users never have to miss another meeting because they couldn’t join a Zoom call from another room system that didn’t have ‘guest-join’ enabled, or didn’t support Zoom. With Airtame Rooms, users will have a uniform and simple user experience no matter the meeting link – Zoom or Microsoft Teams.”

Airtame’s Microsoft, Google Calendar Integrations

The new Microsoft Calendar and Google Calendar integrations solve another major collaboration pain point experienced by workers and educators today. It’s often difficult to coordinate and book conference call rooms with the corresponding conferencing platform they are compatible with. In many situations, users will need to invite the room to the calendar event with a link, or users must join the calls on their own devices and then invite the room into the call.

These new calendar integrations streamline efficiency to get meetings up and running with ease by integrating directly with the user’s own calendar via the Airtime app. They can log into their work calendar using Microsoft or Google single sign on, and immediately preview the list of meetings in their calendar. Once logged in, they can join a call from there.

“With the Airtame hybrid conferencing solution, it’s now possible to effortlessly control videoconferencing with a single platform, expanding the capabilities of the hybrid collaboration that has come to define how we work and learn,” Lund says. “You can start a Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting on the same room system with an identical user experience – regardless of platform – right from your Microsoft calendar or Google calendar. Once logged in, it’s as easy as one click.”

Airtame’s hybrid conferencing solution consists of both software and hardware. Airtame Rooms – the software component running on Airtame Hub – integrates with multiple services, enabling flexibility and ease. Airtame Hub – the hardware component – enables the premiere Airtame experience for screen sharing, digital signage and hybrid conferencing.

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on March 7, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

 

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XMOS Launches XVF3800 Voice Processor for Collaboration Applications https://mytechdecisions.com/audio/xmos-launches-xvf3800-voice-processor-for-collaboration-applications/ https://mytechdecisions.com/audio/xmos-launches-xvf3800-voice-processor-for-collaboration-applications/#respond Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:14:28 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=47327 XMOS, the Bristol, U.K.-based provider of IoT technology, announced the launch of its XVF3800 voice processor, designed to deliver a high-performance, rapid time-to-market solution for enterprise and consumer voice conferencing platforms. The four-microphone processor is intended to enable Microsoft Teams and Zoom certification in conferencing devices, video bars, portable speakerphones, PCs, gaming monitors and collaborative […]

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XMOS, the Bristol, U.K.-based provider of IoT technology, announced the launch of its XVF3800 voice processor, designed to deliver a high-performance, rapid time-to-market solution for enterprise and consumer voice conferencing platforms.

The four-microphone processor is intended to enable Microsoft Teams and Zoom certification in conferencing devices, video bars, portable speakerphones, PCs, gaming monitors and collaborative display solutions.  According to the company, state-of-the-art algorithms provide high-quality audio in challenging environments, while the processor enables engineers to fully optimize performance based on the specific acoustics of the product at hand.

XMOS’ XVF3800 voice processor features include:

  • Acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) – removes far-end echoes picked up by the microphones, which enables the XVF3800 to extract clear voice signals even with high-volume speaker output
  • Adaptive multiple beamformers – tracks both stationary and non-stationary voice sources, identifying the direction of arrival, and isolating the voice of interest, improving double talk and dereverberation performance
  • Noise suppression – nulls diffuse noise sources (air conditioning, road noise etc.) to enable accurate, consistent voice capture
  • Automatic gain control (AGC) – ensures a consistent far-end volume for speakers at different distances from the device.

Beyond the specialized microphone interface and two supporting linear mic arrays, the XVF3800 also incorporates USB2.0 connectivity, as well as an I2S audio interface that can sample at 16kHz or 48kHz.

The XVF3800 is currently available to early access customers and will be generally available, along with a development kit, the XK-VOICE-SQ66, in the next quarter. The new processor builds on the success of XMOS’ high performance VocalFusion range.

“The modern workforce has more disparate and flexible work environments than ever before, and so has never had higher expectations for its communications tools,” says Aneet Chopra, EVP marketing & product management, XMOS. “With this in mind, enterprise and consumer software providers like Microsoft Teams, and Zoom, are raising the bar to match these expectations. Turnkey solutions that are high performance and easy to integrate are needed to keep pace with new innovations and experiences.”

XMOS will be showcasing the XVF3800 demo during the Embedded World conference March 14-16, 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany. To see a demo, and discuss the voice processor in more detail, book a meeting with the team here.

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ClearOne University UNITE 4K Conferencing Camera Courses in December 2022 https://mytechdecisions.com/audio/clearone-university-unite-4k-conferencing-camera-courses-dec-2022/ https://mytechdecisions.com/audio/clearone-university-unite-4k-conferencing-camera-courses-dec-2022/#respond Fri, 02 Dec 2022 16:26:41 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=45986 ClearOne will offer training for the newly launched UNITE 60 4K and UNITE 160 4K PTZ Cameras this month. Both new state-of-the-art solutions offer organizations cutting edge performance and increased videoconferencing flexibility. Tech mangers can familiarize themselves with new features like AI-powered smart face and voice tracking on the UNITE 60 4K camera, and 12x optical […]

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ClearOne will offer training for the newly launched UNITE 60 4K and UNITE 160 4K PTZ Cameras this month. Both new state-of-the-art solutions offer organizations cutting edge performance and increased videoconferencing flexibility. Tech mangers can familiarize themselves with new features like AI-powered smart face and voice tracking on the UNITE 60 4K camera, and 12x optical zoom capabilities and smart face tracking and auto framing on the UNITE 160 4K camera.

Registration for the final courses of the year is now live here. December participants will be the first ever to access the UNITE 60 4K and UNITE 160 4K PTZ Camera courses.

December courses include dedicated classes on CONVERGENCE AV Manager Certification, AV Conferencing Certification, Pro Audio Conferencing Certification, Advanced Pro Audio Conferencing Certification, Design Library Training, and CONSOLE AI Software Configuration Certification.

The schedule of topics and times is as follows:

ClearOne UNITE 60 / 160 4K CAMERA TRAINING

  • Dec. 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST

CONVERGENCE AV MANAGER CERTIFICATION

  • Dec. 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST

AV CONFERENCING CERTIFICATION

  • Dec. 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Dec. 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Dec. 20 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 21 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. EST

ADVANCED PRO AUDIO CONFERENCING CERTIFICATION

  • Dec. 15 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST

DESIGN LIBRARY TRAINING

  • Dec. 7 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. EST

CONSOLE AI SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION CERTIFICATION

  • Dec. 5 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST

PRO AUDIO CONFERENCING CERTIFICATION

  • Dec. 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Dec. 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Dec. 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Dec. 27 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Dec. 28 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Dec. 29 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. EST
  • Dec. 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST

This article originally appeared on Commercial Integrator’s sister-site CEPro.com.

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Konftel Adds Lecture Mode to Flagship Speakerphone https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/konftel-adds-lecture-mode-to-flagship-speakerphone/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/konftel-adds-lecture-mode-to-flagship-speakerphone/#respond Fri, 23 Sep 2022 15:33:48 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=45070 Konftel, the Sweden-based collaboration end-point solutions provider had added a new lecture mode wireless headset feature to its Konftel 800, flagship conferencing speakerphone. According to Konftel, the new lecture mode feature was designed to allow end users the ability to move more freely within rooms for teaching and training. “Wherever they are located, perhaps facing […]

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Konftel, the Sweden-based collaboration end-point solutions provider had added a new lecture mode wireless headset feature to its Konftel 800, flagship conferencing speakerphone.

According to Konftel, the new lecture mode feature was designed to allow end users the ability to move more freely within rooms for teaching and training. “Wherever they are located, perhaps facing a whiteboard, they can still have perfect microphone pick-up and be heard clearly by all remote participants,” says Konftel product manager, Torbjörn Karlsson.

Freedom for Teaching & Training

The new feature is available via a free software upgrade. To take advantage of the new function, an approved wireless headset needs to be connected to the speakerphone. The first release only supports the Jabra Engage 65. Support for other headsets will come with future firmware releases.

While the presenter is speaking, the Konftel 800 will automatically mute all its microphones and only keep the headset microphone open. Karlsson explains that when the person stops talking, the speakerphone microphones are unmuted and all participants in the room can be heard. But through the headset, the remote participants can always be heard.

He adds, “Lecture mode gives the presenter complete freedom to roam around a room and break free from any traditional communication barriers. Wherever they are located, even with their back to the room, they can still be heard clearly.”

Related: Konftel Cam20 Now Certified for Zoom Rooms

The Konftel 800 forms the audio centerpiece of several Konftel video kits. It boasts multi-connectivity, beamforming microphones and daisy-chain connection for audio expansion. It is linked to a wireless headset via a DECT base station, with lecture mode operating via all IP, USB or Bluetooth call connections.

Ceiling Mount Kit for Konftel 800

Konftel has developed a special ceiling mount kit for the Konftel 800, providing an appealing alternative to traditional desktop placement. According to the company, the ceiling mount kit addresses the growing demand for smarter and more flexible room configurations, where up to three devices can be connected from above.

Karlsson adds, “You can move furniture and rearrange the room every day without any technology hassle. It’s perfect for larger spaces and multipurpose rooms, where daisy-chain capabilities make sure every inch of the room is covered by audio.”

He continues, “With the speakerphones mounted to the ceiling you’re clearing the table from devices and cables, for a neat and tidy room appearance. It also elevates the video meeting experience. The user can forget about where the microphone is placed and focus on the interaction with remote participants on the screen. The audio pick-up and distribution work its magic without anyone noticing. It all comes naturally.”

This article originally appeared on MyTechDecisions’ sister-site CommercialIntegrator.com.

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Crestron Introduces Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams Displays https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/crestron-flex-phones-microsoft-teams-displays/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/crestron-flex-phones-microsoft-teams-displays/#respond Tue, 31 May 2022 20:23:52 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=42553 Rockleigh, N.J.-based Crestron Electronics announced the new Crestron Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams Display. According to the company, it is the latest addition to the Crestron Flex Digital Workplace Platform. The product expands upon the capabilities of the Crestron Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams. It provides a dedicated conferencing companion for Microsoft Teams-based collaboration that […]

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Rockleigh, N.J.-based Crestron Electronics announced the new Crestron Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams Display. According to the company, it is the latest addition to the Crestron Flex Digital Workplace Platform.

The product expands upon the capabilities of the Crestron Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams. It provides a dedicated conferencing companion for Microsoft Teams-based collaboration that gives quick access to various features. This includes channels, chats, files, calendars and all other Microsoft Teams features. Crestron thus deems it as the ideal desktop solution for both in-office hot desks and remote home offices. Its design also facilitates cleaner management of daily workflow and activity. At the same time, it frees up other devices for more specialized work.

Enabling Smarter Hybrid Workspaces

According to Forrester research, 70% of U.S. and European companies will adopt a hybrid work model post-pandemic. Additionally, more than 20% of Americans will work remotely by 2025. With fewer people in the office full-time, private offices are being replaced by hot desk and hoteling options that enable more flexible usage.

Also Read: Crestron Announces Inaugural Modern Work Summit

Standardizing each of these spaces with an easy-to-use videoconferencing, collaboration and workflow management solution will streamline transition time as workers move about these newly flexible spaces. Crestron Flex provides a full suite of dedicated devices to ensure every person can easily and quickly use every space. This is regardless of whether it’s at a desk, in a conference room or huddle space or even in a home office.

Additional Features

With the Crestron Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams Display, users have the power of Microsoft Teams in a dedicated desktop companion. It also has quick access to channels, chats, files and all other familiar Microsoft Teams features on a dedicated device. This enables users to prioritize a desktop PC or laptop for work. The Better Together integration enables simple sign-in. It also allows users to access their files and share content from either their PC, laptop or Microsoft Teams Display.

The Microsoft Teams Displays also communicate individual and device status across team personnel and IT staff. It is available in 8-inch and 10-inch models. Moreover, the Crestron Flex Phones feature a high-fidelity microphone and crisp video to ensure in-person and remote participants enjoy the same inclusive meeting experience.

“Employee empowerment means giving employees the tools they need to be productive both in and out of the office. This includes creating workspaces that promote productivity and attract employees to the office with easy scheduling and better collaboration that deliver an improved workflow in the hybrid world,” says director of product marketing at Crestron, Lauren Simmen.

“According to data from Ultimate Software, 92% of employees say technology that helps them do their job efficiently improves their work satisfaction. As a dedicated device, the Crestron Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams Display do exactly that. They enable people to better organize, compartmentalize, and transition from home to the office and elsewhere.”

Availability

The Crestron Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams Display are available for pre-order today through licensed Crestron dealers. Organizations that have already deployed Crestron Flex Phones for Microsoft Teams will be able to upgrade to Microsoft Teams Display with a simple software upgrade through the Microsoft Teams Manager.

This article originally appeared on MyTechDecisions’ sister-site Commercial Integrator.com.

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Visualizing the Hybrid Office – Solutions for Every Space https://mytechdecisions.com/facility/hybrid-office-solutions-for-every-space/ https://mytechdecisions.com/facility/hybrid-office-solutions-for-every-space/#respond Wed, 10 Nov 2021 15:00:13 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=34799 The hybrid office has been at the height of the national conversation of the future of work over the past year, and while many have talked about hybrid offices in the abstract, few have truly explained what the hybrid office would look like. It’s understandable — a hybrid office for one company could mean specific […]

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The hybrid office has been at the height of the national conversation of the future of work over the past year, and while many have talked about hybrid offices in the abstract, few have truly explained what the hybrid office would look like.

It’s understandable — a hybrid office for one company could mean specific groups coming in on scheduled days, specific individuals coming in only for collaborative meetings, some departments working full time in office while others work full time from home, or some other combination of in-person and remote that works for that specific company.

While there is no one-size-fits-all description for the hybrid office, there are technologies that can enable any given configuration of hybrid that a company can conceive of. In an upcoming Commercial Integrator and My TechDecisions webinar on Wednesday, November 17th at 2 pm ET, sponsored by AVI-SPL and Biamp, we’ll virtually walk through a hybrid office, space by space, to take a look at the technology enabling hybrid work in each space.

In a hybrid office any given space can be outfitted with technology to enable collaborative, hybrid work. The ultimate goal is for the technology to not get in the way but instead enable teams to work together whether in the office or remote.

Spaces in the hybrid office and the technology that belongs within them that will be discussed include:

  • Boardroom
  • Conference Space
  • Huddle Spaces
  • Lobby
  • Auditorium
  • Cafeteria
  • Training Space
  • Open Office

Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of the conferencing, collaboration, audio, video, and IT technology that belongs in each of these spaces in order to provide ultimate versatility in the hybrid environment any company chooses moving forward.

Join us on Wednesday, November 17th at 2 pm ET to finally see what the hybrid office will really look like!

Register here.

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Improving Our All-Too-Common Conferencing Problems https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/solving-conferencing-problems/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/solving-conferencing-problems/#respond Thu, 06 Aug 2020 14:15:43 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=25153 Look in a conference room today at almost any company, and what do you see? Not the pretty pictures in brochures with beautiful clean tables and happy people pointing at pie charts. No, it’s usually one or two table-top mics and maybe a sound bar. Perhaps a USB camera stuck on top of a monitor. […]

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Look in a conference room today at almost any company, and what do you see? Not the pretty pictures in brochures with beautiful clean tables and happy people pointing at pie charts. No, it’s usually one or two table-top mics and maybe a sound bar. Perhaps a USB camera stuck on top of a monitor. Cables abound: USB alongside HDMI and even analog audio. Maybe there’s a dedicated computer, maybe there’s not.

And how do employees use these conference rooms? That depends. They may try to use the dedicated computer, only to find that something isn’t connected because of a previous meeting.

Or they may be frustrated that the dedicated computer cannot access the files they wish to share. They may try to connect the USB mics, speakers and camera to their own laptops (Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD) with varying degrees of success.

Or they may just give up and use the built-in microphone and camera on their own computer to save time and make progress.

Brad Price is the Senior Product Marketing Manager at Audinate.

Even if they manage to connect to some USB devices, they are often suboptimal due to poor placement and performance, leading to excess background noise and poor echo cancellation.

As more people attempt to join a conference in a room, these conferencing problems multiply in severity, with members unable to hear or be heard clearly.

This is not a productive arrangement. It leaves equipment unused – or poorly used – and leaves employees feeling frustrated and ineffective.

It also leaves the IT department out of the equation until the situation is dire, because they have no visibility into all of these non-networked peripherals and connections.

How would a better system look?

What makes conferencing better?

As we start to think about how to untangle conferencing issues, a few key attributes are clear from the examples above.

1. The system should be manageable by IT.

There is nothing more frustrating for IT professionals than to be called in to repair conferencing problems that are out of their control, over and over. Non-networked conferencing components such as USB and HDMI devices are invisible to the IT department until someone calls from a conference room with a problem to fix, resulting in wasted time and resources. A better solution should be completely visible and manageable to IT via the network.

2. The system should do a better job of supporting BYOD.

The fact that users often bring their own laptops or mobile devices shouldn’t cause headaches for conference attendees or IT departments. A better solution allows users to make simple, pre-configured connections to to conference room system without exposing the network to undue risk.

3. The system should support high quality microphones.

The use of a single table-top microphone in conference rooms is barely a step up from laptop microphones, often offering mediocre sound quality and far too much pickup of room noises. A better solution allows for the deployment of multi-channel and beam-forming microphones, usually ceiling mounted, that can adjust their directionality to focus on individual people, thereby eliminating noise and vastly increasing intelligibility.

4. The system should allow microphones to be placed where they make sense.

Whether using ceiling or table-top microphones, cable length restrictions shouldn’t impede proper placement near attendees. Too often people crowd around a microphone that is stuck at one end of a table in order to be heard. A better solution allows for the easy deployment of multiple microphones as needed, placed where they can provide the greatest benefit, unimpeded by cable length.

5. The system should allow loudspeakers to be placed where they make sense.

With all the talk about microphones, loudspeakers are too often forgotten but they are equally important. A system that places a single loudspeaker at one end of a room cannot hope to address everyone in the room without high volume levels and even feedback. A better solution allows multiple loudspeakers to be placed around the conference room for maximum intelligibility at manageable volumes, unrestrained by cable type or length.

6. The system needs a consistent, always-connected DSP to manage sound quality.

The use of DSPs for conferencing isn’t new, but ad hoc USB-based devices often don’t allow for the use of high-quality, external DSPs, relying instead upon whatever the communications software provides. A better solution allows for the use of always-connected DSPs, located in the conference room or elsewhere on premises.

My TechDecisions Podcast Episode 91: Navigating the Sea of Videoconferencing Applications

Such a system means that users can walk in, connect one cable, and have everything “just work” the same way, every time.

How to get there

The first step is to establish a foundation that provides both necessary functionality for users and means for accountability for IT. These two groups intersect at the network they share, which points us directly to AV-over-IP as the best starting point.

Conferencing systems based upon AV-over-IP are automatically part of the network overseen by IT.

Toolsets allow IT to easily see all devices in all rooms, giving them the ability to spot conferencing problems before attendees notice, and to easily secure the system from unwanted changes. Time and effort can be saved by eliminating constant visits by technicians to malfunctioning conference spaces and instead using modern monitoring tools.

AV-over-IP systems can easily accommodate BYOD systems safely with efficient bridging adapters.

A simple USB device can connect any user device to preconfigured audio routes for a perfect setup every time, no matter who is connecting. These adapters also serve to isolate guest devices from the network itself for increased security.

Too many USB-based solutions assume only one or two channels of audio, but AV-over-IP can handle many channels per device with ease.

This allows for the support of multi-channel microphone arrays connected to multichannel DSPs for truly stellar performance and intelligibility. Because networks don’t have the distance limitations of USB or analog, your DSPs can be located anywhere on the network.

A single, powerful DSP can handle several rooms, and network DSPs may even be implemented as software running on standard computers as well.

As mentioned above, Ethernet networks don’t have the same severe distance limitations of USB or HDMI.

This means that AV-over-IP systems can place devices wherever they work best, which means ideally placed microphones and loudspeakers in rooms for maximum effectiveness with no extenders or compromises.

AV-over-IP can help solve common conferencing problems today with thousands of available products to suit nearly any space, from huddle rooms to giant auditoriums.

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Microsoft Allows Third-Party Developers into Teams https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/microsoft-teams-third-party-developers/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/microsoft-teams-third-party-developers/#respond Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:25:25 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=24822 Microsoft Teams will allow and expand third-party app developers to create applications that can integrate into Teams meetings.

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Microsoft Teams, a platform that has seen a surge in the wake of COVID-19 closings that have moved many meetings to video applications, will be getting more robust in terms of third-party applications soon. The company explained to The Verge that applications will be allowed to span across chat and collaboration, introducing workflows that expand into meetings.

The new features will allow developers to let apps integrate into Teams during video calls, before, and after meetings. They will be able to display content and notifications during Microsoft Teams calls.

Tabs will be added to meeting invites where users can interact with apps before the meeting begins. During the meeting, Teams will allow users to pull apps into live calls. It can show information in a sidebar or introduce notifications. It will also allow for apps to have buttons in the meeting controls bar.

This does away with the need for screen sharing to bring in outside content to Microsoft Teams environments. It also allows for the information from third-party apps to be linked in individual Teams meetings in archives and histories. These capabilities will be available for testing in late July.

Microsoft is also introducing a new Together Mode. According to The Verge:

This Together Mode combined with third-party apps in meetings could lead to an interesting future for Microsoft Teams in the era of remote working. “Every single feature that you see us announcing is to amplify meetings … we’re thinking about extensibility of all of them,” explains [Archana] Saseetharan [group product manager, Microsoft Teams]. “Everything that Teams is doing has an extensibility play to it, and how we amplify the possibilities for developers to plug more and more deeply into the product.”

This announcement should be a welcome one to any Technology Manager that has a company that utilizes Microsoft Teams. The truth is that videoconferencing and collaboration have become a necessary part of the workforce. Especially during COVID-19, but it will outlast that as so many become used to these systems. Allowing for more robust capabilities will benefit every user.

Especially within the archive. Now, the information that is shared during meetings from third-parties will be accessible by users that missed out. It will be interesting to see how Teams changes as a result of this new integration.

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