Building stronger connections in a multi-camera world

According to the latest figures from Microsoft, the tech giant now has over 300 million monthly active users in the world, with the stats for Microsoft Teams Rooms also rising exponentially.?

Ilya Buksheyn, Microsoft’s Vice President of Microsoft Teams Calling and Devices, said the number of Teams Rooms is doubling on a regular basis and the future is “multi-camera .”

Whoever we are, communication with others is vital for survival. The Covid-19 pandemic heralded a new era of interaction that made humans more reliant on technology than ever before, and for millions it was their only means of contact with the outside world.?

As the world continues to embrace hybrid working, businesses of all sizes must create spaces that foster connectivity, both face to face and remotely.? But before that can happen, users must have access to simple, accessible technology that’s quick to deploy, familiar and doesn’t require a lot of technical expertise.?

The senior management team at Workspace Audio Visual discussed Microsoft’s latest claims with partner John Vickerage of Alto Technologies Ltd , and together they shared their thoughts on how businesses can make the best use of the different kinds of video conferencing technology available to them.

WAV: Microsoft estimates that there are roughly 90 million meeting spaces around the world, of which maybe 10 to 15 million are video enabled in some way. How realistic does that sound to you?

John Vickerage, Alto Technologies: 10-15 million video deployed rooms sounds very high to me, and in my view the reality is likely to be much lower. We have to be clear on where that data’s coming from and understand that some of those spaces will no longer be operational, or contain outdated technology that’s incompatible with MTR (Microsoft Teams Room).?

We also know that technology has a habit of going AWOL, so just because something’s listed on an inventory there’s no guarantee that it’s actually still stored in that meeting space. Portable tech is often moved into other meeting rooms, taken for testing, or even packed away in a bag by mistake at the end of a meeting and then forgotten about. Some of it is also high value and difficult to secure, which also explains why it can disappear.

WAV: There’s been a backlash against remote working from some of the big names like Elon Musk and Google, but the vast majority of companies we work with are still very much embracing Hybrid working. The important thing is making sure it works properly, so our job is to help them make informed decisions about what tech is right for them and deploy tailor made solutions that work for their individual business.?

JV: ?Yes, there are lots of? video conferencing options available to customers today, like MTR , interactive screens with built-in cameras like DTEN and Yealink .

For many, cost savings will be a big priority and people like to use technology they’re familiar with, so anything that enables users to bring their own devices to work and connect through those can be attractive in terms of capital expenditure and training costs. Of course, if businesses are going to encourage people to use their own technology they will need to have a robust BYOD policy in place and ensure everyone is up to speed on data security.

WAV: We’ve worked in the audio visual industry for decades, but things have come on leaps and bounds in the past couple of years. Things like lapel mics and flexible audio systems have been important because they can completely transform the experience and help create virtual meetings that are just as professional, personal and authentic as the real thing. What do you think has been the biggest game changer recently?

JV: Companies like Huddly and others are doing great things to provide a consistent experience for users. Huddly’s Gallery mode is an exciting concept that uses AI to identify individual users and frame them during meetings and presentations, so everyone has equal visibility. There’s been a huge evolution in cameras, with 360 degree cameras? like the Logitech SIght ? giving everyone a seat at the table wherever they are.??

We recently posted on LinkedIn about the new DVDO C4 camera, which was launched at ISE this year.? It’s great for speakers who like to move around and gives them the freedom to present in a way that feels the most comfortable and natural to them.?

WAV: What do you say to those who fear that video conferencing widens the gap between remote workers and those in the office?

JV: Screenbeam recently published an insightful white paper outlining the core pillars of content collaboration. In order for remote workers to feel truly connected, their experience must be completely seamless and they should be able to share their information and ideas as if they were in the room. But that shouldn't be to the detriment of those team members who are actually on site. Great meeting technology should enhance the experience for everyone and be combined with interactive rooms and inclusive spaces that people want to be a part of. Screenbeam’s wireless presenting technology eliminates common issues, creating a more level playing field for remote and on site participants.?

Virtual meetings and conferences are now a familiar part of working life and that doesn't look like it’s about to change any time soon. To find out more about what solution is right for your business, get in touch.?