Leveraging Microsoft Teams Rooms Devices

The global remote work movement during COVID-19 lockdowns meant we all got used to working together, apart. Now, as we navigate the post-pandemic world, a successful return to the physical office will be reliant on blending our changed habits and progressed requirements.

It’s unlikely workers will return to the office ‘en masse’, so the new work environment needs to unite people affected by global travel restrictions, staggered return workers and those operating remotely. The pandemic has forced us to figure out how to keep the best of our in-person agile practices while adapting them to support the new hybrid workplace which will involve an amalgamation of physical and virtual meetings.

The move to remote work during COVID-19 proved the utility of virtual meetings, changed our perception and reinforced the importance of integrating these capabilities. Digital tools will provide a new means of connection, collaboration and accessibility for the work environment now and into the future.

The gap

When COVID-19 hit, businesses went into crisis mode and underwent a rapid adjustment to modified remote work life. As we start to emerge from the pandemic, it’s clear some of our newly adopted processes are here to stay in everyday office operations.

In working from home, many people discovered the benefits of video conferences, offering the best alternative to in person meetings, connecting us with colleagues, clients and prospective customers.

Business agility and viable continuity is only possible where organisations invest in the creation of a workplace technology stack with sustainable foundations. Digital solutions must be easy to use, enabling workers to access information and connect with colleagues and customers.

This was important before COVID-19 but is now essential.

‘Virtual first’ working for the win

Research indicated the return to the office will involve a hybrid approach, leveraging a combination of physical and virtual processes and unified culture across both. Despite the use of physical office space, the technology that fills it will become a top priority to adapt to new working patterns.

The key to success will rely on engaging collaborative and accessible technology that creates an integrated experience for office workers and remote employees.

Microsoft was ahead of the curve long before the pandemic, leading the way businesses digitally equip their meeting rooms with Teams devices. With the ability to remove communication barriers via integrated device connectivity, individual inclusion and team collaboration, the single interface of the Microsoft Teams platform enables employees to stay connected, have equal access to information and do their best work, together, no matter where they’re located.

Peter Garner, Commercial Sales Lead ANZ, OEM, Microsoft says, “Today, as organisations begin to reopen their doors and some workers return to the workplace while others remain remote, businesses face a unique set of challenges. It’s critical that teams still get to share and collaborate. That’s where Microsoft Teams and the great portfolio of Microsoft Teams certified personal and room devices come in, enabling teams to participate like they are in the room wherever they are.”

Creating a cost-effective video environment

As people have discovered and enjoyed the benefits of video conferencing while in lockdown, businesses are now exploring how to give these applications a permanent place in the office setup.

While the idea of kitting out large boardrooms with complex audio-visual systems may seem expensive, it’s entirely possible to create engaging collaboration experiences with existing or upgraded tools.

Microsoft Teams enables the optimisation of office spaces regardless of room size or budget. Even the smallest of huddle spaces can be video enabled, allowing a business to cost effectively communicate with remote participants on Teams video calls.

There are a variety of Microsoft Teams certified devices that cater to diverse meeting spaces. Creating an organisational video environment enables any employee to walk in and start Teams meeting quickly and seamlessly, with or without individual devices.

Set up and installation of these devices is less complex, offering a consistent user experience in every room for employees to easily familiarise themselves with the equipment and process.

The office is undergoing a facelift - the immediate opportunity

As offices are being redesigned and reconfigured to prepare for the post-pandemic workforce, now is time to modernise meeting spaces. Microsoft Teams can create a connected ecosystem to future-proof businesses. With constant innovation, Microsoft Teams offers features to optimise engagement, workflows, productivity and connectivity through digitally equipped, physical infrastructure.

Businesses can also investigate how to leverage the Australian Government’s $17.6B stimulus package to fund their virtual environment upgrades. The stimulus presents an opportunity to invest in the next wave of digital transformation with an instant tax benefit.

This could go towards purchasing new infrastructure to keep up with changes experienced in newly transformed businesses, or further upgrades to complete a modernisation.

Dicker Data has Teams based solutions

Choosing the right digital solutions for different offices and meeting spaces is crucial. In setting up your virtual work environment in the physical office, organisations may require products from multiple vendors to integrate with Microsoft Teams devices. Dicker Data can guide you through the process offering a range of Microsoft Teams certified devices from some of the leading manufacturers in this space including Poly, Lenovo, HP and Logitech.

Sign up for a for a free Microsoft Teams trial.