The pandemic brought about a revolutionary transformation in the way people work, establishing remote and hybrid environments as the new norm. With this shift, collaboration has taken center stage, acting as the bridge that unites individuals across distances and fostering seamless communication among teams. Companies are turning to video conferencing and other tools, regardless of their physical locations, to connect teams, elevate productivity, and fuel creativity. In this dynamic environment, distribution partners play a vital role as they hold the key to helping customers harness the true power of collaboration. A recent webinar hosted by Gavin Critchlow, PBM Cisco Collaboration, and Mike Brooks, SBDM Cisco Collaboration, underscored the remarkable synergy that emerges when combining the forces of Cisco devices with Microsoft Teams.
Cisco’s Webex Suite has been a significant player in the video conferencing market, with more than $900 million in sales since its inception. The Suite’s remarkable growth of 90 percent year-over-year and the addition of 600K users in Q2 highlight its popularity and reliability as a collaboration tool. One of the biggest advantages for customers using Webex is its comprehensive management and control within the Webex Control Hub, allowing IT teams to handle everything from calling services to polling and more, all under one invoice and vendor. Critchlow emphasized the value of Webex as a comprehensive platform, managed and controlled through Webex Control Hub. This unified approach streamlines invoicing, vendor management, and integration, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
Cisco offers a range of devices designed for different meeting spaces. These include the Cisco Room Bar for smaller spaces, Room Bar Pro for medium-sized spaces, and Room Kit EQ for larger meeting areas. All these devices are Microsoft Teams certified, ensuring seamless compatibility. As hybrid work becomes more prevalent, Cisco’s intelligent peripherals also provide a compelling solution for remote collaboration. The 4K desk camera, 320 series headset, and 720 series headset are designed to optimize meeting experiences at home. The AI-powered features, such as background noise removal, beam-forming microphones, speaker and presenter tracking, and meeting zones, contribute to equitable and efficient meetings, regardless of the participants’ locations.
Cisco is actively pursuing Microsoft certification for its entire portfolio of devices, providing partners and customers with the flexibility to choose their preferred platform while enjoying a consistent user experience. The company is also exploring the certification of their headset series to showcase true interoperability.
The collaboration between Cisco devices and Microsoft Teams has resulted in a powerful and comprehensive solution for organizations seeking seamless and efficient communication and collaboration. The range of Microsoft Teams certified Cisco devices, paired with intelligent peripherals, is designed to create equitable and immersive meeting experiences. As the workplace continues to evolve, the integration of Cisco devices for Microsoft Teams Rooms is poised to play a pivotal role in driving productivity and connectivity for businesses worldwide. It’s up to partners to help these businesses discover their power.
Watch the full Cisco Devices for Microsoft Teams webinar here.
