Research by Frost & Sullivan reports there is greater adoption of meeting insights and analytics tools to gain a better understanding of space utilization, performance, and engagement, with 76% of the decision-makers indicating this is a key capability. Companies are looking into implementing emerging technologies that provide insights on the workspace and meeting room utilization.

Today’s workforce has become accustomed to the Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) or Bring your own Device (BYOD) concept in meeting rooms. The Barco ClickShare solution enables users to host calls from their own laptop with their preferred videoconferencing platform, using the audio and video equipment in the meeting room. According to Barco, ClickShare has been leading the market with its wireless BYOM approach, as market research company Futuresource Consulting has previously estimated that ClickShare’s portfolio makes up over 50% of the global wireless conferencing market.

Clickshare & Microsoft Integration

With more than 240,000 ClickShare Conference devices in the field, ClickShare will be a significant data source for Microsoft Teams Rooms management capabilities and will feed into future initiatives. This first step provides valuable insights for IT decision makers without changing the user experience. When initiating a Teams call, the user’s Teams desktop client identifies the connected microphone, speaker, and camera via the ClickShare Base Unit and Button, passing the data into the Teams Pro Portal. Once multiple users have connected to the same ClickShare Base Unit, the information is populated for IT managers as a potential shared space within the Pro Management portal, enabling registration and management of the meeting space.

“ClickShare has always put the user at the heart of the experience, while guaranteeing IT managers have the necessary insights to equip meeting rooms in the most optimal way,” says Jan van Houtte, head of product at Barco. “Through this integration, Microsoft and Barco will work together to build easy management systems at scale for their customers. The joint forces in the Shared Spaces initiative are a first yet crucial step to explore market opportunities and establish a future portfolio.”

“Barco shares a clear focus with Microsoft on creating the best meeting experience. This focus drives our decision making, strategy, and partnerships, which has led us to take this step,” says Dan Root, head of global strategic alliances at Barco. “We are very pleased to be a part of the Microsoft Teams Devices ecosystem, and to bring Microsoft into our partnership program. Through this collaboration we will work together to build industry-leading solutions that take collaboration to the next level.”

Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on February 22, 2024. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.

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Izzi Demara, marketing coordinator for RoomReady says, “We integrated technology in a wide range of spaces for this client, including extra-large conference rooms, huddle spaces, training rooms and medium-sized conference rooms. We needed to create a standardized solution to simplify the user experience.”

Demara adds, “As a company, we firmly believe that simplicity is better when it comes to meeting room technology. Our installations should be quick and painless because we recognize that our customers have businesses to run. We’ve carefully selected our technology partners to ensure they work within a model that supports our core values.”

For this project, RoomReady standardized on Lightware’s Taurus UCX, a universal matrix switcher that enables users to share their content easily, switch hosts and control their meeting room easily and intuitively. Taurus UCX offers USB-C connectivity for simplified audio, video, power and control signal handling via one cable. The USB-C ports on Taurus UCX devices are where the user plugs into the system. Users can transfer data, video and audio signals, and the Taurus UCX will charge the connected device.

Testing Lightware’s Taurus UCX Solution in Pilot Rooms

“Initially, we created pilot rooms that enabled the client to test out the functionality before we installed the technology in a thousand rooms nationally,” says Demara. “Paul Stuckey, CTS-D, was the engineer leading this project. He presented Lightware’s Taurus UCX in our test lab alongside different cameras, speakers, switchers and other technology. We outlined Lightware as the best solution for this application and, at that point, shared the solution with the client to allow them to test the integration in their environment for two months. The solution has been a great fit for the client. As a result, we’ve completed 300+ rooms in over 50 locations with a standardized solution that can be deployed in different spaces across the country, while providing the same user experience.”

Demara adds, “We selected Taurus UCX because of the simplicity of installation and user experience. Taurus UCX streamlines USB-C to HDMI connectivity. It’s incredibly helpful for BYOM applications. Additionally, an important feature for the end user is Taurus UCX’s charging functionality. It charges the device during BYOM. Often, the client would have a computer die and prematurely end a meeting. With Lightware’s Taurus UCX, the client can charge their device simultaneously while presenting. It eliminates the traditional headaches associated with bringing a device to a meeting.”

Lightware’s Taurus UCX is designed to tackle challenges in a meeting room and collaboration environment. Featuring an open environment protocol, where every bit of data is openly available for higher level management, control and monitoring systems, Taurus UCX allows seamless connectivity across various videoconferencing applications, including Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and others., says Lightware. It simplifies switching between videoconference sources depending on the needs of a particular meeting.

From Cisco to Microsoft Teams

“The client was originally a Cisco house. They recently switched to Microsoft Teams,” explaines Demara. “Lightware has been very helpful throughout the switch because the technology integrates seamlessly with Teams. Additionally, the client has an advanced BYOM solution with Cisco Webex in their new New York facility. They can connect via Lightware to easily access Microsoft Teams. Lightware has simplified access and connectivity throughout the client’s meeting facilities. From the engineering side, it eliminates additional points of failure and unnecessary downtime for complex configuration.”

Lightware’s Taurus UCX enables users to maximize their experience with boardroom or meeting room technology. Taurus UCX incorporates various devices, such as laptops, web cameras, and USB peripherals, including keyboards, mouses, laptops and displays. It can automate room assets like lights and shades without the complexity of using another control platform. Taurus UCX can be controlled via button panels, web browsers or by connecting a source. Together with the auto-switching and room control capabilities, Taurus UCX creates a simplified collaboration solution.

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The ScreenBeam 1100 Plus wireless presentation platform also provides agnostic support for all major videoconferencing services. It achieves this with the ScreenBeam Conference software to support hybrid work environments.

The platform thus delivers app-free wireless presentation from any device. Users simply tap once to wirelessly present and markup content on in-room displays from their own device. ScreenBeam Conference, included free with each receiver, wirelessly connects user devices to the room USB peripherals to support BYOM webconferencing needs.

ScreenBeam and MAXHUB to offer Seamless Compatibility

“We at MAXHUB recognize ScreenBeam’s cutting-edge technology for its ability to meet the need for wireless video sharing with a simplified interface that is vendor agnostic,” says Charles Montoya, director of UC sales for North America at MAXHUB.

He continues, “We anticipate our customers will be delighted by ScreenBeam’s tested compatibility with our popular cameras for seamless unified communication and collaboration (UCC).”

Also Read: MAXHUB Adds ND86PNA 4K Commercial Display for Presentations

MAXHUB cameras tested for compatibility with ScreenBeam include the UCS 10 video bar, UC P10 camera, UC M31 panoramic camera and the UC S05 all-in-one Unified Communication bar. Additional camera support and future engineering integration announcements will be made as they become available.

“MAXHUB’s broad array of high-quality camera and audio solutions have expanded conferencing capabilities to workspaces, large and small, across the globe,” adds Jay Taylor, director of strategic alliances for ScreenBeam.

“Our individual and joint innovation, technology and performance is exactly what the hybrid workforce needs with plug-and-play simplicity we are both recognized for,” Taylor concludes.

Check out MAXHUB products on our sister-site AV-iQ.com.

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

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The Pro Switch enables wireless Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM), wireless content sharing during a Microsoft Teams session, and in-room wireless presentation in other meetings not being run on a unified communications collaboration (UC&C) platform. Now in-room participants can switch between Microsoft Teams Room meetings and BYOM.

“Organizations are bringing employees back to the workplace, requiring flexible and reliable meeting spaces,” says Mike Ehlenberger, VP of ScreenBeam. “Working meeting spaces are significant investments and should never be locked or limited to a singular technical solution. ScreenBeam USB Pro Switch combined with the ScreenBeam 1100 Plus unlocks the maximum value of your meeting room investment and expands communication options well beyond a standalone dedicated unified communications installation. The best part is everything is fully automatic, making user experiences natural and carefree.”

The use case is not limited to spaces with Microsoft Teams Rooms. Combining ScreenBeam USB Pro Switch with the 1100 Plus receiver system allows USB videoconferencing devices to be automatically switched between wireless BYOM (enabled by ScreenBeam Conference) and wired BYOM using the HDMI input and USB Pro Switch.

According to ScreenBeam, the USB Pro Switch with the 1100 Plus receiver system includes advanced technology and features to meet the most commercial and higher education user requirements, including:

Automated and Intelligent Room Resource Switching

Intelligent switching, when combined with the 1100 Plus receiver, means room peripherals are available for any situation, without manual intervention. Microsoft Teams Room hardware can co-exist with BYOM and share room resources. Hosts and presenters are not locked into a proprietary UC&C experience, and instead are able to connect to room resources for BYOM, or in-room presentations.

For example, in an Microsoft Teams configured room, the USB Pro Switch will automatically switch the room’s camera, microphone and speaker(s) to the ScreenBeam 1100 Plus for instant access by the BYOM host. Once the BYOM meeting has ended, the resources are automatically switched back to the Microsoft Teams Room and ready for use.

Supports Touch Displays for Markup Collaboration

ScreenBeam USB Pro Switch enables annotation on touch displays beyond the capabilities of existing Microsoft Teams Room solutions. Because of a co-engineering partnership with Microsoft, ScreenBeam supports Microsoft Windows Ink across all Microsoft Office 365. Additionally, ScreenBeam’s patented Ghost Inking technology eliminates all wireless inking latency for a natural pen-to-paper experience.

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

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The Swedish technology company manufactures high-performance, easy-to-use cameras and conference phones for videoconferencing. The company also has made sustainability core to its mission – as a Climate Neutral Certified organization.

The Tech Decision

Controlled Thermal Resources required an affordable, platform-agnostic videoconferencing solution that would allow them to collaborate with Zoom, Teams, WebEx and any other service a client or partner might utilize.

“Over the last two to three years, virtual collaboration and videoconferences have become part of our daily work process, and the consumer-grade equipment we were using simply wasn’t up to the task,” said Paul Magana, Controlled Thermal Resources’ real estate manager in a statement. “Being able to clearly see and hear remote partners is vital to our ongoing success, and between the finicky setup process, frequent issues with connections and screen sharing, and sub-par audio and video quality, we knew we could do better.”

The Kontfel Videoconferencing Technology

Controlled Thermal Resources chose several Konftel videoconferencing products, including the Konftel 800 conference phone and Cam50 1080P video camera with pan, tilt and 12x zoom capability, providing full-room coverage in one of the conference rooms.

Related: Konftel Conferencing Solutions Upgrades Marymount Cuernavaca Schools’ Hybrid Learning Experience

“We looked at various solutions, and Konftel’s wireless products that can run on Power over Ethernet provided significant benefits for our space while being one of the most affordable options,” said Magana. “What’s more, the fact that Konftel is one of the industry’s strongest proponents of developing carbon-neutral processes and products made it a perfect fit that exceeded all of our expectations.”

Some of the other solutions the client considered would have required tearing up concrete floors to lay new wiring, with some using proprietary cables. The Konftel 800 conference phone is powered by PoE (power over ethernet) and uses Bluetooth to provide simple, fast connection no matter who is running the meeting.

In addition to the cameras and conference phones, Controlled Thermal Resources’ new conference room includes an 85-inch wall-mounted digital display with an Apple Mac Mini mounted behind it. Through this combination of technologies, users are able to easily and quickly launch meetings without all the fuss of the former setup. Previously, meeting hosts had to connect their laptop to the room’s equipment and ensure everything was running smoothly before each meeting, which reduced efficiency and often required IT support.

The Client Feedback

“The new system we designed is easier and more reliable, and the quality has been fantastic,” Magana said. “The first time we had a meeting with 20 executives from all different locations, there were no glitches, no drop-outs, every word and image was crystal clear, and attendees shared their screens with no issues. The vast difference between the old solution and Konftel’s professional-grade equipment has been a game-changer for our daily meetings.”

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