Crestron announced the largest expansion of its Digital Workplace portfolio to date at its Modern Work Summit, held this week in Madrid, Spain. The global workplace collaboration technology provider introduced the following range of hybrid meeting solutions across the enterprise:
- AirMedia Connect Adaptor, a one-touch, plug-and-play wireless presentation solution for wireless conferencing
- Crestron Desk Q and Crestron Desk Touch for desk scheduling;
- Crestron Flex Pods, a scalable tabletop wireless microphone and speaker platform;
- Crestron Videobar 70, an all-in-one collaboration bar for Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, and BYOD meeting spaces.
“We aim to be the ultimate partner for organizations seeking complete room solutions, company-wide workplace platforms or both,” states Brad Hintze, Crestron EVP global marketing. “Our goal is to provide a seamless and consistent experience across every room in the workplace, regardless of its size or function. We strive to be the driving force behind workplace technology solutions that make a tangible difference in how people work. The new products in the Crestron portfolio make this happen.”
Hybrid meetings have become essential for businesses to operate. Crestron provides enterprises with the tools to enable effective audio and video collaboration in every space, utilizing a broad product catalog and powerful management tools. In contrast, other solutions may require cobbling together multiple vendors to achieve the same level of reach and functionality across the enterprise.
Crestron Air Media Connect Adapter Bundled with Microsoft Teams
The AirMedia Connect Adaptor is a one-touch, plug-and-play wireless presentation solution for wireless conferencing. Crestron and Microsoft will launch an AirMedia collaboration bundle for Microsoft Teams software that will afford Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) and Microsoft Teams meetings in even more spaces. According to Crestron, the AirMedia Connect Adaptor is the only adaptor optimized by Microsoft for wireless collaboration, eliminating the need for an application to present and conference.
According to Craig Durr, a senior analyst at Wainhouse Research, “I am bullish to see Crestron as the first major vendor in the managed BYOD space. Working with Microsoft, they have released a BYOD solution with a very aggressive price point that can run the Microsoft application. The solution addresses a gap within the Microsoft ecosystem where BYOD is still a preferred solution for collaboration. For end users, the AirMedia Connect Adaptor easily connects to a laptop, and offers a user-friendly BYOD experience akin to a Microsoft Rooms-lite approach. For IT administrators, the solution is manageable. Everybody wins.”
Enabling Seamless BYOD Collaboration in Any Type of Room
BYOD is a leading request of organizations that want a simple way to bring meeting capabilities to smaller or non-traditional collaboration spaces where they may not want to deploy full third-party collaboration infrastructure. The AirMedia Connect Adaptor works with various platforms for added flexibility, but the Microsoft Teams software variation adds even more convenience for organizations that have chosen a standard meeting platform.
How does Crestron’s AirMedia Connect Adaptor Work?
Users will need to plug the AirMedia Connect Adaptor into the local device’s USB-C connector, use the quick-touch buttons, and present or conference with no need to install additional software or adjust user access. Users have the option to join virtual meetings using their preferred device.
The AirMedia Connect Adaptor allows for content transmission in up to 4K/30p, so users never have to worry that their image or video quality will suffer. All content transmitted utilizes encryption, so guests won’t have to worry about using new networks, and hosts won’t have to worry about unwanted intrusions.
A Gateway to Better Meetings
For Microsoft Teams users constantly moving to and from their office, the AirMedia Connect Adaptor will streamline BYOD workplace experience, says the company.
When using Crestron room technologies, the AirMedia collaboration technology can integrate seamlessly. Thus, it creates an intelligent experience that includes occupancy sensors to wake the room, touchscreens to manage schedules and controls, and the Crestron DigitalMedia platform for wired presentation and content distribution, without requiring extensive programming in each room.
Managing AirMedia Devices
As with all Crestron devices, provisioning and managing AirMedia devices can be done remotely with zero-touch provisioning through the Crestron XiO Cloud Management System, which can also be used to deploy firmware updates, keeping the system updated without needing new installations or hardware replacements.
With Crestron, organizations have access to a suite of hybrid meeting solutions that can be easily and seamlessly integrated to meet their unique needs without relying on multiple vendors or products.
“At Microsoft, we understand the vital role of hybrid meetings in supporting effective collaboration in today’s workplace. It’s essential to have hardware solutions that are certified to integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Teams and meet the needs of small, medium, and large meeting spaces. We are pleased to see Crestron’s continued commitment to innovation in this area. Their dedication to empowering customers with comprehensive hybrid meeting solutions makes them an invaluable partner,” says Ilya Bukshteyn, vice president, Microsoft Teams Calling and Devices at Microsoft.
Download: Collaboration Today and Tomorrow: Spring 2023 Edition
Crestron Desk Q & Crestron Desk Touch
Crestron Desk Q and Crestron Desk Touch are new additions to the existing Crestron line of scheduling solutions. The Desk Q with QR-code-based reservations is ideal for community workstations, hot desks, and hoteling, while the touch interface of Desk Touch is ideal for semi-private offices, cubicles and even stand-up spaces, says the company.
Crestron Flex Pods
Crestron Flex Pods provide high-quality tabletop audio to meeting spaces, transforming a room to work as needed for each meeting, without being confined to fixed in-ceiling microphones or speakers.
The Crestron Flex Pods Hub is a wireless receiver that is connected to the room UC device and communicates wirelessly with multiple (up to four) Crestron Flex Pods that can be placed throughout the room.
Crestron Flex Pods can be deployed as part of a Crestron Flex or AirMedia Wireless Collaboration Kit or standalone to seamlessly integrate with existing Crestron Flex C-Kits, AirMedia Receivers, or other BYOD solutions.
Crestron Videobar 70
Crestron Videobar 70 is an all-in-one collaboration bar that pairs with Microsoft Teams, Zoom Rooms, and any BYOD service. It is best suited for medium to large rooms. The Videobar 70 includes built-in UC computing and intelligent features that capture participants vividly, says the company.
Four high-quality cameras work together to intelligently crop for the best image, ensuring the video captured is always a clear, well-framed view of the person speaking, even at 30 feet.
In addition, the company adds, that the Android OS makes it an easy plug-and-play deployment.
Product Availability
- The BYOD Crestron AirMedia and Microsoft Teams bundle will ship in Q4 2023.
- Desk Touch will ship in July.
- Desk Q will ship in Q4 2023.
- Crestron Flex Pods will ship in Q3 2023.
- Crestron Videobar 70 will ship in Q4 2023.
Crestron will be demonstrating these new solutions at InfoComm 2023 (June 14-16) in Orlando at booth #2501.
Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site Commercial Integrator on May 23, 2023. It has since been updated for My TechDecisions’ audience.
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