Finding the right video conferencing solution for a hybrid work environment

Right up front, videoconferencing will probably never be able to completely replace face-to-face meetings. However, the pandemic and resulting boom in video conferencing has shown that good collaboration is still possible productively and in person despite distance. There are good reasons for virtual meetings. You save costs and time, which would have been caused by the saved travel. Despite the distance, you still ensure a relatively personal collaboration. Especially for heterogeneous teams at multiple locations or across national borders, your company can continue to work together efficiently or open up completely new possibilities of collaboration. In the competition for the best employees, a hybrid work model can give you an advantage, and suitable video conferencing solutions can help you achieve this balance for the benefit of the company.

However, as I'm sure you're also aware, with increased use and participation in video conferencing solutions come a number of challenges. Participants keep having connection issues, the camera or audio not working. Attempting to share content, such as their own screen is a challenge for some. Not to mention moments where one of the participants is in their underwear. If the company has not already installed a suitable infrastructure, everyone in the office, out of respect for one or the other colleague at home, has to join the "call" individually from their personal workstation. Room solutions can remedy this situation and do justice to everyone, employees in the office as well as external participants.

The fundamental thing is that the company has to decide on an appropriate collaboration platform. For most, this has long been decided for other reasons. For example, most companies in Switzerland use one of the Microsoft products, i.e. Teams or Skype, while Google Meet and Zoom or corresponding solutions from Cisco are also popular. Depending on the customer or partner, however, a mixture of all these and other niche products are also used in everyday life. There are even providers from Switzerland. Hostpoint Meet should be mentioned here as a current free example with the benefit of being hosted domestically. The restrictions with cameras, speakers and microphones built into notebooks are certainly known to many, although there are many improvements with examples such as the current MacBook Pro 14'' and 16'', like the built-in camera. This one supports 1080p (currently the limit for most services) and uses a lens with a larger aperture that lets in more light. With the right accessories, companies can offer their employees a consistently professional experience without buying one of the new MacBook Pros outright. As a Logitech partner, we would like to mention the BRIO webcam with 4K Ultra HD and the Logi Dock.

In the past, equipping entire meeting rooms was very expensive. This has changed dramatically in recent years. With the adoption of permanent hybrid work models, it is paramount to create spaces at the office that accommodate this trend and type of collaboration. From huddle corners to meeting rooms to large board rooms, anything is possible today. Whether spontaneous or planned. Meeting rooms with a table and the appropriate number of chairs are usually already available, as well as a large screen or projector in most cases. With the products of our partner Logitech, the adequate solution can be retrofitted for all these room sizes or platforms. Logitech Rally Bar, Rally Bar Mini or Rally Plus room solutions create an answer for all these room sizes. All devices are certified with the most common platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom or other video platforms. A 4K-capable camera is integrated, which has a built-in and lossless optical zoom. The AI viewfinder enables a permanently stable room view and people counting. Advantages which arise from this are, for example, automatic zooming of the camera image of a speaking person in the room. Beamforming microphones and corresponding speakers help to understand your counterpart better and vice versa. Room occupancy systems, whiteboard camera for the integration of analog content into digital conferences and much more are modularly available.

Besides all these different options, however, the needs and spaces are usually different for each customer. We are happy to help you implement room solutions in your company. Starting with the basic concept, the integration into your existing platform, the technical pre-clarifications in the room, the suitable light, furniture, the acoustics as well as the training for your employees. We are happy to help and support you. You can reach us at mail@workingflow.ch or by phone at 044 240 44 22. You can also simply chat with us right here on our website.

More information at https://workingflow.ch/en/business/conference-rooms