The digital workplace — with its combination of remote and in-person collaborators who need to communicate effectively — is here to stay. So, ask yourself, What’s your preferred conferencing platform and operating system?
Whether your organization uses Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or another product, finding a solution that’s designed to work effortlessly with your preferred platform will maximize room uptime. Before you start your search, there are some things to consider.
You can provide consistency by implementing an open platform that is equipped to meet the needs of each space. Each of those spaces, whether a huddle space, boardroom, classroom, training facility, or auditorium, will need specific solutions to deliver the right user experience. But they should all be easy to operate, so choose a solution that supports a consistent experience everywhere.
You should be able to leverage a single interface to facilitate all your conferencing and collaboration needs, whether you use Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or your own conferencing system. This method ensures that everything works, that no device is vulnerable, and that none of the solutions require a certain skill set to operate in advance.
Be certain that the system supports other options with minimal effort. Even if your organization uses Teams or Zoom – and that conferencing platform has been standardized by the IT department – there will be guests, clients, and vendors who won’t necessarily be using your preferred platform.
Another consideration is your preferred OS. Whether it’s Is Windows® or Apple® you still might have many of your employees on Android™ tablets for a particular job. Whatever solution you choose, you’ll need to confirm that it integrates well with your OS. Additionally — especially when BYOD employees and guests enter the collaboration — any ecosystem you run with needs to function on multiple operating systems.
Cloud-based Deployment, Management, and Monitoring
Systems that feature cloud-based deployment, management, and monitoring offers a broad range of advantages. Here are some questions to consider.
Can the solution support rooms remotely? A solution that sends automated, event-based alerts to laptops and mobile devices allows you to resolve issues — and if there’s a problem, you can take control of devices remotely to
troubleshoot and resolve technical issues faster. Issues that are resolved quickly — from anywhere — make for fewer interruptions and smoother workflows, all without having to call IT for assistance.
Can you manage device lifecycles? A system that provides a comprehensive view of device lifecycles, will enable you to schedule updates, prepare budgets, and anticipate needs more efficiently. And if that system tracks when licenses will lapse — image how that can help you with planning and budgeting. Workflow interruptions could also be avoided if you had complete control of the timing of software and firmware updates.
How simple is it to maintain operations standards? Look for a system that allows you to establish standard room configurations and remotely deploy them to individual or groups of rooms at the same time. One that can remotely push firmware and software updates to individuals, groups, or all devices at once. Establishing event schedules for turning rooms on in the morning, off in the evening, and account for weekends and holidays, should also be considered. You’ll also need a solution that can identify threats and breaches, especially on networks with BYOD options.
What data can be collected and analyzed? To drive better planning and budgeting, there are solutions that automatically collect room and device usage data and generate reports. Some systems even provide granular info about what technology is used down to individual button presses — including how it is used (e.g., connectivity methods), and how often devices are used.
For more info and a handy checklist of action items, download the full Crestron eBook “Keys to the Digital Workplace.”
Precise Systems Integration Ltd (PSI Ltd) is a Crestron Elite Technology Professional. Contact us today to design and build your digital workplace.
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