Introduction
In today's fast-paced and interconnected business landscape, effective communication and collaboration are vital for driving productivity and fostering innovation. Microsoft Teams has emerged as a cornerstone platform, facilitating seamless teamwork and communication within organizations worldwide. Complementing this powerful collaboration platform, Cisco brings its unparalleled expertise in meeting room hardware to enhance the Microsoft Teams Room experience.
By integrating Cisco devices with Microsoft Teams Rooms, organizations can unlock a new level of efficiency, functionality, and performance. Whether it's enabling crystal-clear audio and video, optimizing room setup and management, or ensuring robust security and reliability, the synergy between Cisco and Microsoft technologies offers a comprehensive solution for modern workplace collaboration.
How Cisco addresses a few challenges with Microsoft Teams Rooms certified hardware today?
Cisco devices based on its RoomOS platform solves a few challenges:
Transitioning between meeting platforms is challenging
[Other OEMs] Swapping the mode, for example from MTR mode to Zoom Rooms require a reset/restart of devices in many cases and needs IT attention.
[Cisco] With dual registration to Microsoft Teams and Webex platform, there is no need to reset or restart the devices. With one button to push, users can natively join meetings on both these platforms.
Meeting experiences are often compromised, lacking essential features
[Other OEMs] Full native experience is missing while using WebRTC for interoperability. Digital Signage in MTR mode is another example which is currently missing.
[Cisco] With the option to join meetings on Microsoft Teams and Webex natively, all the features of meeting platforms are leveraged.
Intelligent device capabilities are restricted to individual platforms
[Other OEMs] Features of hardwares are restricted to a particular meeting platform and does not work for other platforms while using WebRTC for interop.
[Cisco] RoomOS provides the same experience in Microsoft Teams meeting as in Webex meeting. AI enabled features like frames, background noise removal etc. are still available in Microsoft Teams meetings.
Device management and analytics are fragmented across multiple layers
[Other OEMs] Different consoles are used to monitor and manage endpoints as hardware in the meeting room comes from different OEMs and consoles lack monitoring of 3rd party devices
[Cisco] Device and peripherals monitoring and management is done by Webex control hub hence IT teams gets one console to isolate, troubleshoot and resolve meeting room issues.
Software security of devices remains a challenge
[Other OEMs] Enterprises are still skeptical on the usage of MTRoA due to its insecure nature. Management of MTRoW requires efforts from IT teams.
[Cisco] RoomOS is the base of Cisco devices and handles all the network traffic. Android is containerized and not visible/accessible on network for users. Microsoft Teams app reside inside the android container thus enforcing highest security measures.
Features - Cisco meeting rooms hardware
Video Intelligence
Audio Intelligence
Monitoring & Management
What is so different about Cisco Devices?
With dual registration with Microsoft Teams and Webex control hub, Cisco devices gets added capabilities:
Integration with Thousand Eyes: Network level monitoring of Cisco endpoints will be possible using Thousand Eyes. This will make troubleshooting issues related to bad audio/video quality much easier.
Digital Signage: Using certified digital signage platforms such as AppSpace, a signage can be displayed on Microsoft Teams Room displays which is currently missing in the MTR mode.
UI extensions: Capability to add custom UI on touch panel. This can help with functions such as rooms controls for lights, temperature etc. or a simple workflow of ordering a coffee from pantry
Environment Metrics: Environment data such as temperature, humidity etc. can be captured leveraging in-built sensors and used as an when required.
People Count: Occupancy sensors in the meeting room hardware captures and reports actual utilization for ROI calculation.
Sustainable hardware: Cisco devices can be configured to be used only in designated working hours thereby promoting energy conservation.
Is Cisco regaining the lost territory?
The answer is Yes. Thanks to the unique benefits offered by Cisco devices for Microsoft Teams Rooms, there's potential for Cisco's meeting room hardware to regain market share it previously lost to other OEMs certified for Microsoft Teams Rooms.
For years, Cisco has been acknowledged as a frontrunner in providing top-notch audio and video conferencing experiences via its hardware solutions, distinguishing itself from competitors. With Cisco devices now certified as Microsoft Teams Room hardware, enterprises have displayed keen interest in adopting Cisco for their meeting room hardware needs.
Additionally, noteworthy advancements in the Webex Control Hub further solidify Cisco's position, offering an all-encompassing monitoring and management portal for both Cisco and third-party devices.
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