The project presented unique design challenges—from flexible seating configurations and varied room usage to the anticipated installation of a sliding partition wall in 2028. The 12.6 × 7 m room required a solution that could seamlessly adapt to training sessions, lectures, boardroom meetings and beyond, all while remaining intuitive and requiring minimal user setup.

Designing for Flexibility—Today and Tomorrow

Key objectives included:

• Supporting a wide variety of room layouts (from horseshoe meeting style to classroom and open‑plan)

• Delivering an intuitive Teams‑enabled experience with almost zero technical setup

• Ensuring meeting equity by keeping all participants—near and far—equally visible and audible

• Future‑proofing the system for a planned sliding partition wall, which will split the room into ~8 m and ~4 m spaces

Multi‑Camera, Multi‑Zone Video Coverage

• Yealink MVC860 Teams Room System with UVC86 dual‑eye presenter‑tracking camera, automatically following lecturers at the lectern.

• Huddly Crew AI‑driven multi‑camera array (five cameras networked over a dedicated video LAN) provides dynamic speaker, overview and contextual shots—no manual switching required.

• Support for Microsoft Teams’ new multi‑stream camera feature, enabling remote attendees to toggle between presenter‑only, audience‑only or combined views.

Natural‑Sounding Audio with Dante

• Yealink Pro Audio ceiling solution: two CM50 Dante‑enabled ceiling mics + eight ceiling speakers for voice lift and room reinforcement—no handheld or lapel mics needed.

• DSP‑mixed audio (presenter, room, remote, media) feeds directly into the existing hearing loop for full accessibility.

• Completely data‑cabled Dante network, separate from the main LAN.

Dual 86″ Displays & Seamless Control

• Dual Legamaster Pro 86″ anti‑glare displays replace the legacy projector—offering crystal‑clear visuals for hybrid and in‑room audiences.

• Users control content distribution (duplicate or split) via:

  • Main Yealink Teams touch panel at the lectern

  • Removable extension touch panel on the modular horseshoe table (PoE‑powered)

Preparing for the Partition Wall

When the sliding wall arrives in 2028, the system will automatically:

• Disable cameras and microphones in the smaller segment via a partition sensor

• Retain spare switch ports for easy deployment of an additional Teams Room system if needed

Technology Highlights

• Yealink MVC860 + UVC86 presenter‑tracking camera

• Huddly Crew AI multi‑camera system

• Yealink Dante Pro Audio (CM50 ceiling mics + ceiling speakers)

• Dual 86″ Legamaster Pro displays

• Yealink PA20 wireless content sharing dongles (×2)

• Netgear AV switch with expansion capability

• Microsoft Teams multi‑camera streaming support

This tailored installation delivers a truly modern hybrid collaboration environment—meeting the trade union’s current requirements and ready for tomorrow’s needs. If you’re planning to upgrade your meeting spaces or face similar flexibility challenges, talk to the VideoCentric team today to see how we can design a future‑proof solution for you.

Seamless connectivity is paramount. For those seeking a wireless presentation solution, ScreenBeam emerges as a game-changer.

In the past decade, the landscape of wireless presentation systems has undergone a transformative evolution. Driven by advancements in computing power and wireless technologies. Initially conceived to simplify the connection of external displays to computing device. Wireless presentation systems aimed to eliminate the cost and inconvenience associated with fixed cable installations.

The rising prevalence of mobile devices within enterprise environments has elevated the demand for wireless display solutions. As this demand surged, the original objective of mere display connectivity expanded into a broader realm – one of wireless collaboration. Recent years have witnessed the widespread adoption of touch-screen solutions and interactive whiteboarding. Reshaping the concept of wireless presentation into a dynamic landscape centred around collaborative engagement.

The changing dynamics of workspaces. Marked by the emergence of alternative meeting spaces like huddle rooms and stand-up meeting areas. Coupled with the accelerated growth of unified communications (UC). Has underscored the need for deployable solutions that seamlessly integrate into existing infrastructures. While maintaining an economically viable total cost of ownership.

The merging of enterprise security imperatives and the effective management of the wireless spectrum in the context of wireless presentation and collaboration. Introduces additional complexities in deployment. The inherent security afforded by traditional one-way wired video connections to display systems proves challenging to replicate in wireless scenarios. Given a myriad of influencing factors. This challenge is further compounded when accommodating Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios. Where the introduction of guest or user-owned devices heightens the intricacies of security and wireless management. Effectively addressing these challenges becomes paramount in ensuring a secure and efficient wireless presentation and collaboration environment.

Considering the aforementioned factors, the selection of a singular wireless collaboration solution requires careful consideration of the following constraints:

• App Access and Installation Constraints: Accessibility or installation of applications may be restricted or prohibited.
• Device USB Access Limitations: Access to device USB functionality may be restricted or disallowed.
• Compatibility with Major OS Features: Native screen mirroring and extended desktop functionalities on all major operating systems must be supported.
• Support for Multiple Network Connections: The support for multiple isolated network connections in a wireless collaboration solution. Is designed to address the need for a flexible and secure environment. Where both internal team members and guests can seamlessly connect while being on different networks.
• Effective Management of Wireless Channels: Managing multiple wireless channels and power levels is essential for seamless operation.
• Versatility in Miracast Modes: Simultaneous support for Miracast P2P mode and Miracast infrastructure mode for Windows and Android devices, along with iOS/macOS screen mirroring for Apple devices, is a requirement.
• Integration of Touch Collaboration Tools: Support for touch collaboration tools leveraging Office 365 is imperative for enhanced interactive experiences.
• Compatibility with Legacy Devices: HDMI input support is needed to accommodate legacy devices or those with disabled wireless display capabilities.
• High-Resolution Display Capability: 4K capability, coupled with standard USB Human Interface Device (HID) touch functionality, is crucial for touch-enabled room displays.
• Scalability and Futureproofing: The solution should demonstrate scalability and future functionality while maintaining cost efficiencies.
• Integration with Unified Communications (UC) Systems: Seamless integration with UC systems is a key consideration for a holistic collaboration experience. Meaning that whether you are in the room or on the call you have the same unified experience.
• With security and wireless prerequisites at the forefront, three primary use cases emerge for wireless presentation systems compatible with contemporary enterprise networks.
• Full Enterprise Network Isolation: Complete isolation within the enterprise network for heightened security measures.
• Guest and Enterprise Network Isolation: Isolation of guest and enterprise networks to ensure secure collaboration environments.
• Guest and Enterprise Network Isolation with Apple Isolation: Specialised isolation measures for Apple devices within guest and enterprise networks to meet diverse collaboration needs.

These considerations underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach in selecting a wireless collaboration solution that not only addresses current constraints but also anticipates future requirements in the ever-evolving landscape of digital collaboration.

Uncompromising Excellence in Wireless Collaboration

Meeting the demand for cost-effective centrally managed wireless collaboration without sacrificing features has long been a pursuit in the professional AV realm. The quest for a solution that seamlessly incorporates built-in Miracast with both P2P and Infrastructure modes, iOS/macOS screen mirroring, dual network interfaces, and local Wi-Fi, all without the need for apps, dongles, or wires, and with 4K support and touch capabilities, has been a challenge.

The ScreenBeam 1100 emerged as the world’s first solution to conquer this elusive goal.

Expanding upon this ground-breaking architecture, the ScreenBeam 1100 Plus introduces enhanced functionality and added value to the market. With dual infrastructure network interfaces leveraging wired Ethernet and dedicated 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi, the ScreenBeam 1100 Plus provides simultaneous access to both guest and employee networks. An additional dedicated 3X3 MIMO Wi-Fi ensures exceptional performance for Miracast P2P mode and local Wi-Fi mode access point operations at 4K resolution.

The wireless interfaces of the ScreenBeam 1100 Plus allow precise individual control of channel and power settings, ensuring optimal spectrum utilisation and streamlined deployment, particularly in dense wireless environments. The ScreenBeam Central Management System (CMS) facilitates seamless provisioning, monitoring, and upgrades, making large-scale deployments straightforward.

In terms of enterprise deployment flexibility, the ScreenBeam 1100 Plus offers unparalleled versatility and security. Whether the requirement is for full network isolation or complete network integration in any meeting space, this solution delivers the ultimate in deployment adaptability. With the ScreenBeam 1100 Plus, organisations can confidently embrace wireless collaboration without compromising on functionality, efficiency, or security.

Understanding Miracast

As Microsoft’s co-engineering partner, ScreenBeam fully enables Windows built-in Wireless Display. Co-inventor of Miracast technology, ScreenBeam provides scalable commercial-grade implementations. Ensuring a reliable user experience. The unique multi-network architecture supports both employee and guest devices without compromising security, making ScreenBeam a trusted solution in diverse environments.

Miracast Defined

Miracast, an industry standard maintained by the Wi-Fi Alliance, enables users to wirelessly display content from their devices to larger screens. Unlike traditional wireless networks, Miracast facilitates direct communication between devices, eliminating the need for cables.

ScreenBeam’s Role in Miracast Implementation

ScreenBeam, an active member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, played a key role in creating the Miracast standard. As a key partner in Microsoft’s Miracast implementation, ScreenBeam ensures a seamless wireless presentation experience on Windows platforms, including Windows 11.

Miracast Device Compatibility

Miracast comes pre-enabled on modern Windows devices (Windows 11) and Android 4.2 or higher devices. This broad compatibility ensures that millions of devices are ready for Miracast out of the box, offering a hassle-free wireless presentation experience.

Top Four Benefits of Miracast in Modern Conference Rooms:

• Connectivity Without Hassle
• Untethered Presentations
• Enhanced Team Collaboration
• Native to Windows

The marriage of Miracast and ScreenBeam brings forth a wireless presentation solution that is not only reliable and versatile but also seamlessly integrated into modern work environments. Whether you’re conducting in-person meetings or connecting with remote teams, ScreenBeam and Miracast empower you to own your meeting space and foster innovation in the era of digital collaboration.

As an Authorised ScreenBeam Partner, we are thrilled to introduce these innovative products to our esteemed clientele. We invite you to engage with our specialised sales team to explore comprehensive details on how these cutting-edge systems can seamlessly integrate into your unique environment. Connect with us today to unlock the potential of these solutions tailored to elevate your technological landscape.

Why don’t you contact our Sales Team today to discuss how this will work in your environment!!

What is going to make your workplace great again in 2024 and beyond?.

Growing evidence suggests that a steady return to the office will continue. Notable organisations such as Zoom and Amazon have imposed compulsory in-office time (usually around 3 days per week). It’s probable that because larger businesses are making this decision, others will follow their lead. Employees that attend the office will expect to return to a technologically upgraded workplace. Thus allowing them to be at least as productive as they are at home.

Here are some of the considerations that will help you achieve this.

Meeting room video conferencing

With 320 million active users globally, Microsoft Teams is currently winning the unified communications platform battle. Microsoft Teams Room (MTRs) systems offer a touch-panel with one-touch to join your video calls when the room is invited. Microsoft’s certified solutions include complete solutions from Yealink, Neat, HP/Poly, Logitech, Lenovo, DTEN and others. These can be paired with touch panels outside the meeting room, allowing for instant booking and visibility of upcoming room usage.

Removal of the “empty bathroom” syndrome

Modern offices are often designed with fashion in mind. That often comprises hard surface, lots of glass, exposed aircon ducting, modern chairs and lack of soft wall or floor coverings. Apart from the cold feeling this portrays, it is a design that is acoustically unfriendly. A hard room is a loud room; in other words highly resonant, like an empty bathroom. Not the ideal environment to conduct an in-house meeting, let alone a video conference. An MTR as described above will not absorb resonance and that shouldn’t be confused with echo cancellation. Your MTR investment could be wasted without acoustic treatment consideration.

 Wireless Presentation

Most meetings involve discussion about content. Whether this is a slide deck, document, a whiteboard or a spreadsheet, meetings are more successful if information can be shared in real time. Traditional sharing was to plug in an HDMI cable to present from a fixed PC installed in the room, or Interactive Whiteboard, or extended to the meeting table to pug into a user’s laptop.

These approaches typically resulted in frustration – why?…

• HDMI cables can only be used with one device at a time.
• Many devices (Macs, some PCs and mobile devices) no longer have HDMI out without additional adapters.
• HDMI is not designed to be plugged in and removed frequently. Microsoft blame a substantial amount of PC faults on HDMI port problems. IF the HDMI cable is damaged, it can be expensive and disruptive to replace.
• HDMI itself doesn’t support touch-back or whiteboarding. If you’re using interactive displays; an additional USB cable is required for this.
• Some users don’t know the difference between HDMI and USB plugs forcing the wrong one into the wrong hole.
• Screen resolutions on different user’s laptops differ; their default one (from home) not operating correctly in the office.

Wireless presentation technology is generally in one of three forms:-

• USB Dongle
• WiFi Connection
• Mobile Mirroring

The USB Dongle approach was made successful by Barco with their highly reputed Clickshare range. Later reduced in cost by Yealink with their WPP dongles. Internal receivers in their Teams Room and Zoom Rooms solutions and their external RoomCast receivers. However, many organisations “lock down” USB ports to strengthen security and others object to dongles going missing. The latest trend is towards WiFi connected receivers from the likes of ScreenBeam.  They require no specific software applications to be downloaded and provide a dongle-free approach.

Mobile devices typically use mirroring techniques such as Miracast and Airplay. These are sometimes received by the in-built wireless capability of the VC system. Particularly if it is a Video Bar solution. In other cases by an external receiver such as Screenbeam or Yealink Roomcast, previously mentioned.

Standalone Bring Your Own Device Conferencing

Whilst your boardroom and training room may benefit from a fully installed system. It is hard to justify replicating that across all smaller rooms. According to Microsoft, there are 90 million meeting spaces globally. Only a tiny fraction of these (about 0.01%) have a purpose-built Microsoft Teams video conferencing system in them. In others, just the camera and audio are permanently set up according to the characteristics of the room and a user brings their own personal meeting (BYOM) into the room on their own laptop.

BYOD solutions allow native calling from multiple platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex and Google. The user interface is already familiar to the user and so mitigates requirements for support resulting from user error. However, the simple click-to-join approach of the meeting room is lost, and other participants can be left unable to start a meeting if the host is late.

Wired vs Wireless Bring Your Own Device Conferencing for Installed VC Rooms

We have already discussed the pros and cons of connecting a pair of HDMI and USB cables for presentation purposes. This is still the only method for many equipment manufacturers but Screenbeam, Yealink and Barco have taken BYOD / BYOM to the next level using WiFi or USB-dongle approaches to wireless BYOD as well as for presentation-only environments. Not all BYOD performs as well as it needs to though, as data throughput is high, some cameras work at higher speeds than others, and customers typically buy based on price and data sheet descriptions rather than consulting the experts for a side-by-side comparison of performance vs cost.

Costs can range from £200 to £3,000 and so it is important to understand the differences. Yealink MTRs and Zoom Room Systems may be natively registered to a single platform, but they have wireless BYOD access built in provided you’re happy to have a USB dongle to plug into your USB-A or USB-C slot.

Room Booking and Hot-Desking Solutions

Room booking panels and desk booking such as GoBright are becoming integral components of modern workplace design, optimising office space utilisation, employee satisfaction and overall efficiency. Booking panels positioned outside each meeting room provide real-time information about status and future availability. Casual users can instantly book or extend meetings directly from the panel which is integrated into your calendar system, such as Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar.

Desk booking systems empower employees to reserve workstations in advance, fostering flexible and efficient use of reduced office space. These systems usually offer an online platform for reservations, integrate with office layouts to display available desks, may include customisable booking preferences such as specific areas or desk types and provide wayfinding for those in larger shared spaces. Mobile app support is common, enabling on-the-go reservations for a more dynamic and responsive workplace environment.

High Tech Desktop Equipment

As companies navigate the evolving landscape of workspaces, investing in cutting-edge desktop technology can play a pivotal role in enticing employees back to the workplace. Picture this: sleek, high-performance PCs adorned with the latest hardware, boasting processing power that effortlessly handles demanding tasks. In VideoCentric’s opinion, HP is leading the charge, offering workstations that marry style with performance, delivering an unmatched user experience.

One of the keystones in this technological revolution is the adoption of high-definition monitors. The vivid clarity and sharpness provided by top-notch screens, also from HP, can transform the work environment, promoting productivity and reducing eye strain. Beyond visuals, the integration of noise-cancelling technology in wireless headsets, such as those offered by industry leaders Yealink and Poly, creates a more comfortable workplace for returning employees through the elimination of background noise and reduction in distractions, fostering a more conducive atmosphere for innovation and collaboration.

As we reimagine the future of work, the allure of state-of-the-art desktop equipment becomes a compelling factor in the decision to return to the office. The seamless integration of high-tech desktop kit not only elevates the work experience but also serves as a tangible testament to a company’s commitment to providing an environment where innovation and productivity thrive and where employees are an organisation’s greatest assets.

Digital Signage

Display screens are often only used for a fraction of each day. Digital signage can be applied to such devices, for example to communicate updates on company performance, upcoming events and marketing messages. Synchronising content in foyer areas, in passageways and in meeting rooms, when not being used for presentations or video conferencing can create a much more inclusive feel for your employees. Poor management communication continues to be the No.1 complaint in surveys about employee satisfaction in the workplace, yet those same people are you most expensive and valued assets.

Videocentric is a collaboration technology specialist, providing business communications solutions since 2001. We would be delighted to partner with you to navigate the technology decisions deigned to help you deliver the best workplace experience for your teams.

If you would like to learn more about the technologies in this article, please contact our Sales Team

As a leading supplier of Neat products, we couldn’t be more excited to introduce this companion device that promises to revolutionise the hybrid meeting experience.

If you’re eager to learn more about this ground-breaking technology, don’t miss the original blog post by Simon Anthony Walker on Nov 20, 2023 – “Enjoy Superb Hybrid Work Meetings with Neat Center.”

Neat Center is designed to create a sense of togetherness, ensuring that remote attendees feel as if they are right there at the table with their in-office counterparts. The difference in experience is truly remarkable.

Hybrid teams face the challenge of not always having everyone physically present in the same room. Neat Center addresses this issue by providing advanced video technology that simulates the feeling of being together, breaking down the digital barriers that can hinder collaboration. It’s the perfect solution for teams looking to enhance the natural, relaxed, and inclusive atmosphere of in-person meetings even when working remotely.

In this exclusive demo video, witness first-hand how Neat Center seamlessly integrates with Neat Bar Pro and incorporates our pioneering Neat Boundary and Neat Symmetry features. These innovations create a more natural, inclusive, and focused hybrid meeting environment that is sure to elevate your team’s collaboration.

What sets Neat Center apart is its ability to bring remote attendees to the center of the conversation.

Equipped with a 360° 3x lens camera, a 16x omnidirectional mic array, and advanced AI, this companion device ensures that remote participants don’t miss a single detail. By providing a closer, more natural audio-visual perspective, Neat Center allows remote team members to feel fully engaged, as if they were physically present in the meeting room.

Setting up Neat Center is a breeze, with a single cable for network and power.

Its highly flexible, self-calibrating design allows you to position it anywhere in the room, ensuring that everyone is seen and heard clearly. Whether on the meeting room table or suspended above, Neat Center adapts to your space and use cases, making it an ideal solution for Microsoft Teams or Zoom meetings.

Pre-orders for Neat Center are now open!

To delve deeper into the features and benefits of Neat Center – Click Here!

Don’t miss the opportunity to transform your hybrid meetings into inspiring, productive, and rewarding experiences for both remote and in-office teams.

Contact our Neat Sales Teams Today!!

Why Employee Engagement Matters

Employee engagement isn’t just a buzzword—it directly impacts your organisation’s bottom line. Engaged employees are more motivated, satisfied, and loyal, contributing to a more positive workplace culture and improved performance. However, engagement often falters when teams feel disconnected or struggle with communication.

Our collaboration solutions ensure that your employees stay connected and engaged through seamless communication, video conferencing, and unified collaboration platforms. When staff feel empowered to work together and contribute, your business benefits from:

• Increased Morale: Employees who feel heard and included are more likely to stay engaged.
• Reduced Turnover: A positive, connected work environment leads to lower employee churn.
• Enhanced Innovation: Collaboration fosters creativity and the sharing of ideas.

How Better Collaboration Boosts Productivity

Productivity hinges on more than just hard work; it’s about working smarter, not harder. Traditional methods of communication and team management often fail to meet the demands of modern workflows, leading to bottlenecks, miscommunications, and inefficiencies.

VideoCentric’s suite of collaboration tools integrates seamlessly into your existing infrastructure, enabling teams to communicate in real-time, share content effortlessly, and collaborate as if they were in the same room. With our solutions, you can:

• Reduce Downtime: Streamline communication processes and resolve issues faster.
• Enhance Focus: Provide employees with tools that minimise distractions and help them concentrate on what matters.
• Empower Remote Workers: Remote and hybrid employees can participate in meetings and projects with the same level of engagement and access as in-office staff.

Our Solutions at a Glance

At VideoCentric, we provide a range of technologies designed to boost both engagement and productivity:

• Video Conferencing Solutions: High-quality video and audio solutions that bridge the gap between in-person and remote teams.
• Collaboration Software: Unified Communication (UC) platforms that centralise messaging, file sharing, and video calls for streamlined team collaboration.
• Interactive Displays: Enable more dynamic, engaging presentations and brainstorming sessions that keep everyone actively participating.
• Cloud-based Collaboration Tools: Access workspaces and meetings from anywhere, ensuring teams can collaborate without boundaries.
• BYOD Support: Allow employees to connect using their own devices, providing flexibility without compromising on collaboration quality.

Unlock the Potential of Your Workforce

A well-connected, engaged workforce is a productive one. By investing in modern collaboration solutions, you not only improve employee satisfaction but also streamline processes that boost efficiency and performance.

Let VideoCentric help you create a workplace where every team member feels empowered, connected, and ready to contribute. Contact our Team today!

Here is a full breakdown of the new releases and all you need to know about how this will work with your Teams Room System.

According to Greg Baribault, Head of Product for Teams Rooms at Microsoft. “It is our biggest release of the year, including four features that I think you’ll really love.”

Cloud IntelliFrame makes participants in a meeting room appear similar to remote attendees where the camera used is non-AI, helping pick up on facial expressions and other non-verbal cues as if they were there in person. Cloud IntelliFrame addresses the limitations of traditional non-AI cameras in remote meetings by enhancing communication, collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity. By providing a more immersive and lifelike experience, this technology has the potential to transform how remote work is conducted and redefine the way teams interact in virtual settings. This would be a useful update to the Teams Room Systems for many reasons:

1. Enhanced Communication: Non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures play a crucial role in effective communication. By making participants in a meeting room appear similar to remote attendees, Cloud IntelliFrame can help bridge the gap between in-person and remote interactions, enabling a more natural and nuanced communication experience.
2. Improved Collaboration: Remote participants often feel disconnected from the discussions and decisions made during in-person meetings. With Cloud IntelliFrame, remote attendees can better engage with the meeting by observing the visual cues of in-room participants. This can lead to more active participation and improved collaboration among all meeting participants.
3. Reduced Misunderstandings: Misinterpretation of intent and emotions is common in virtual meetings due to the lack of non-verbal cues. By enabling remote participants to perceive facial expressions and gestures more accurately, Cloud IntelliFrame can help reduce misunderstandings and enhance the overall quality of communication.
4. Inclusive Meetings: Inclusion is a key consideration in today’s remote work landscape. Cloud IntelliFrame can help create a more inclusive meeting environment by ensuring that remote attendees can participate in discussions as if they were physically present. This can lead to a stronger sense of involvement and engagement for all participants.
5. Empathy and Engagement: Seeing the reactions and expressions of colleagues in real-time can foster a greater sense of empathy and emotional connection among team members, irrespective of their physical location. This can lead to stronger relationships, improved team dynamics, and a more positive work environment.
6. Effective Decision-Making: When remote participants can accurately gauge the reactions and opinions of those in the meeting room, decision-making processes can be more effective. This is particularly important for discussions that require a consensus or quick reactions.
7. Training and Presentations: Cloud IntelliFrame could also be valuable for training sessions and presentations. Presenters can receive immediate feedback from both in-room and remote participants, allowing them to adjust their delivery and content based on real-time cues.
8. Technology Adaptation: Many organizations may already have non-AI cameras in their meeting rooms. Cloud IntelliFrame could extend the usefulness of existing hardware without requiring significant upgrades.
9. Hybrid Work Environments: As the trend towards hybrid work environments (combining in-person and remote work) continues, technologies like Cloud IntelliFrame can help create a more cohesive experience for all employees, regardless of their work location.
10. Competitive Advantage: Organizations that embrace innovative technologies to improve remote collaboration can gain a competitive advantage by attracting top talent, improving productivity, and fostering a positive corporate culture.

Front-Row unified backgrounds and video segmentation removes individual backgrounds, adjusts a video participant’s size and applies a uniform background to make it appear that remote participants are in the same room. This is intended to reduce distractions and make it easier for people in the room to feel connected to remote meeting participants. This feature is turned ON by default but can be disabled via XML.

Front-Row unified backgrounds and video segmentation has several potential benefits that could make it a useful addition to remote meetings and video conferencing platforms:

1. Reduced Distractions: One of the primary challenges of remote meetings is the potential for distractions caused by varying backgrounds and environments of participants. By removing individual backgrounds and replacing them with a uniform background, the focus remains on the participants and the content of the meeting, reducing visual clutter and potential distractions.
2. Professionalism and Consistency: Unified backgrounds contribute to a more professional appearance during video conferences. Participants may not always have a tidy or appropriate background, especially in home environments. The uniform background provides a consistent, polished look, helping participants maintain a higher level of professionalism.
3. Enhanced Engagement: When all remote participants appear to be in the same virtual room due to background segmentation, it can create a stronger sense of connection and engagement. This setup simulates an in-person meeting atmosphere and may lead to better communication and collaboration among participants.
4. Visual Clarity: The feature that adjusts a participant’s size can help ensure that everyone on the call is clearly visible, regardless of their physical distance from the camera. This can be particularly helpful when participants are using a variety of devices and camera setups.
5. Inclusivity and Accessibility: Not all participants may have the ideal physical space or background for video calls. This feature promotes inclusivity by ensuring that everyone’s video presence is equally clear and visually appealing, regardless of their individual circumstances.
6. Branding and Customization: For businesses and organizations, the ability to set a unified background can reinforce branding and provide a professional touch to virtual meetings. It’s possible to use branded or themed backgrounds that align with the company’s identity.
7. Emotional Connection: Seeing remote participants in a shared virtual space can evoke a sense of togetherness and belonging. This emotional connection can lead to better relationships among team members, even when they are physically distant.
8. User-Friendly Experience: The feature simplifies the process for participants by automatically applying the background adjustments. This ease of use can encourage more people to engage in video conferencing, even those who might be less comfortable with technology.
9. Focus on Content: By eliminating the need to worry about background choices, participants can focus more on the content being discussed during the meeting, which can lead to more productive discussions and outcomes.
10. Minimized Technical Challenges: Inconsistent lighting, messy backgrounds, and other technical challenges can hamper the quality of video calls. By applying background segmentation and size adjustments, these technical issues are mitigated, leading to smoother and more effective communication.

Overall, the update aims to create a more immersive, distraction-free, and connected environment during remote meetings, improving the overall quality of the virtual communication experience.

Spatial audio in Front Row experience makes it possible to use stereo speakers to make listening to remote attendees a more natural experience. Audio is played closer to the physical location of remote participants on a Front Row screen layout, to make it feel like the remote people are in the room and reduce meeting fatigue. This feature is turned OFF by default but can be enabled via XML. 

The addition of spatial audio in a Front Row experience could offer several valuable benefits for remote communication and collaboration scenarios:

1. Enhanced Realism and Immersion: Spatial audio creates a more immersive and natural environment by simulating the way sound behaves in a physical space. This can make remote attendees feel as if they are actually present in the room, contributing to a more engaging and realistic meeting experience.
2. Improved Communication Clarity: Traditional audio setups often struggle to convey the direction and location of speakers, which can lead to confusion and decreased comprehension. Spatial audio enables better differentiation between speakers by placing their voices in specific positions within the virtual space, making it easier to follow conversations.
3. Reduced Meeting Fatigue: One major drawback of remote meetings is the increased sense of fatigue that participants often experience due to the constant focus required to discern and process voices from different sources. Spatial audio’s ability to mimic real-life sound dynamics may reduce cognitive load and subsequently alleviate meeting fatigue.
4. Better Social Dynamics: Human communication heavily relies on non-verbal cues and the spatial orientation of voices. Spatial audio can replicate the sense of proximity and directionality present in face-to-face interactions, making it easier for participants to perceive social cues and engage in more natural conversations.
5. Interactive Presentations and Performances: Beyond meetings, spatial audio could enhance the experience of presentations, lectures, and performances by allowing presenters to virtually position themselves within the auditory space. This could lead to a more dynamic and captivating delivery for remote audiences.
6. Cross-Platform Compatibility: As spatial audio gains traction, it’s likely to become more standardized across various communication platforms and devices. This would enable a consistent experience for users regardless of the technology they are using.
7. Inclusive Collaboration: For teams distributed across different locations, spatial audio could help bridge the gap between remote and in-person participants, making everyone feel equally present and engaged.
8. Enhanced Remote Presence: Remote attendees might feel isolated or detached from in-person meetings. Spatial audio can help bridge this gap by giving them a stronger sense of being physically present, fostering a sense of belonging and participation.
9. Increased Engagement and Participation: A more immersive and interactive audio experience could encourage remote attendees to be more active participants, as they feel more connected to the discussions and events.
10. Innovation in Remote Collaboration: The integration of spatial audio showcases technological advancements and innovation in the realm of remote collaboration, setting a precedent for future developments in communication tools.

In summary, spatial audio in a Front Row experience has the potential to revolutionise remote communication by providing a more natural, immersive, and engaging way for remote attendees to interact. This could lead to improved collaboration, reduced fatigue, and more effective communication in virtual environments.

For more information you can read the Full Release Notes from Microsoft

Collaboration Bars supporting multiple applications were launched in 2020 but users’ expectations were dashed when they found that they were focused on futureproofing an investment and needed to be re-configured by the IT Department, as opposed to allowing a user to walk into a room and simply select the required mode to join a Zoom or Teams conference call.

VideoCentric has used its wealth of integration expertise to launch a hybrid solution that switches One PTZ Camera (with either 5x or 12x zoom), One set of Wireless Microphones and One Speaker seamlessly between platforms on demand. The single Touch Controller is switched between Microsoft’s MTR interface and Zoom’s Room interface and allows for integrated camera control.

VideoCentric’s marketing states that it is ……..“As simple as 1-2-3”. But what does that mean in practice? David Shimell, Sales Director for VideoCentric commented: ”Users don’t care what is going on behind the scenes, as long as it works. They get invited to a Teams or Zoom meeting and simply want to join it; not to be told they don’t have the right licences, or they need to contact IT, or wait for two or three restarts to occur”. “So, we set about developing a single solution based on components that were already certified by Microsoft and Zoom and where we could add our little bit of magic, based on a simple 1-2-3 approach”

1. Power ON Displays
2. Select MODE (eg Teams, Zoom, BYOD or Interactive Whiteboard)
3. Press JOIN

The name is derived from its “FOCUS” on Microsoft Teams Room (MTR) and Zoom Rooms capabilities for primary meeting room usage, whereas the “ARENA” represents the wide selection of desktop Apps that employees or guests might wish to use instead, such as Webex, GoTo Meeting, Lifesize, Google Meet, BlueJeans, Pexip, Teams desktop, Zoom desktop or others, whether they be pre-installed on a meeting room NUC, an Interactive Whiteboard or brought into the room by participants on their own Windows laptops or Macbooks.

Two camera variants are offered at launch but others will follow in 2021, together with a wireless BYOD option. With only one Cat 6 cable to the table, wireless microphones and wireless presentation sharing, cable management is already minimal but for those with solid floor or glass tables, VideoCentric will install a completely wire-free solution at the same price.

Eloise Speight, Marketing Communications Manager at VideoCentric said, “We have invested in creating a high-quality integrated package that will work reliably in a variety of meeting rooms without reconfiguration between conferences”. “During the Covid-19 lockdown employees have become familiar with their own preferred desktop apps & cloud solutions, but as the return to work begins, corporate policy is often dictating a different direction for the meeting room or training facility. This direction may not be fully clear yet, but those management staff and employees that will be returning to work, want a solution now; one that is flexible to accommodate change moving forward. Focus Arena provides the best of all worlds….One camera, one audio system, one installation and the ability for users to switch between multiple video conferencing applications rather than rely on IT to continually reconfigure it with all the pitfalls that entails”.

VideoCentric recognises that Microsoft Teams Room and Zoom Rooms platforms aren’t necessarily right for everyone, especially those who have customers or suppliers using alternative cloud platforms. For these users, the “Arena” Apps are either preloaded on to a fixed PC (eg NUC behind  an interactive whiteboarding display, or brought into the room on an individual’s own device (BYOD). A wireless keyboard and mouse are included for those Arena Apps residing on the NUC, but of course BYOD users bring their own keyboard controller with them anyway. Laptop users still need to connect to cables supplied, but the same professional camera, wireless microphones and speaker are switched automatically when the NUC or BYOD modes are selected on the illuminated wall panel installed.

VideoCentric’s Thames Valley showroom is already demonstrating the full flexibility and ease of use of Focus Arena to remote participants. From full Teams Room and Zoom Rooms focus, to a wide arena of desktop capabilities on NUC and portable BYOD, orders are now being taken for installations during March 2021.

ABOUT VIDEOCENTRIC

Established in 2001, VideoCentric Ltd is an independent end-to-end solutions integrator of the worlds’ leading video conferencing, telepresence and video collaboration solutions.

VideoCentric designs, supplies and installs cloud-based, on-premise and hybrid video based solutions for businesses in both the private and public sector. From SMB’s to multi-national enterprises and UK Government, VideoCentric’s solutions are suited to boardroom & meeting space fit-outs, remote working, lecture theatres, hospitals, court rooms and classrooms.

It is VideoCentric’s policy to demonstrate and support everything it sells. That includes Microsoft and Zoom product ranges from Yealink, Poly, Pexip, Crestron, DTEN, Logitech and Lenovo, interoperability licences from Pexip, BlueJeans, Lifesize & Cisco integrated with switching devices, displays and accessories from Extron, Iiyama, Avocor, SY, Barco, NEC, LG, Aver and others.

VideoCentric provides low-cost financing for those looking to preserve cashflow and pay monthly over 24-60 months. Visit our website https://videocentric.co.uk/focus-arena/ to learn more, read our case studies and request a live remote demonstration from one of our showrooms.

In recent years, we’ve seen the delivery of everything from advanced collaboration strategies to virtual assistants and artificial intelligence. Now, some companies are beginning to look forward and predict what the future of our conversations will look like in the years to come.

Already, emerging trends and technology offer an insight into the way that our business communication will evolve. Everything from a demand for greater mobility, to the need for better user experiences, is sure to impact the environment. Here’s what we see for the future of the corporate conversation.

1. The Office Environment Will Change

It’s not hard to imagine an office environment that’s vastly different from the one we used to know. Already, brick-and-mortar businesses are getting smaller, as more employees choose to work from home. In fact, by 2020, half of the UK workforce is set to work remotely.

Although many predictions suggest the changing office environment will mean the end of the desk phone, that may not be the case for some businesses. Instead, it’s likely that the endpoints you use for communication will be more advanced and more mobile than ever before.

There’s also a good chance that smartphones will begin to play more of a role in communication as BYOD becomes more popular. More than 80% of employees feel that smartphones will be a part of the future workplace according to IBM.

2. 5G Drives Transformation

Speaking of the demand for mobility, greater connections on the go should be easier to achieve in the years ahead. Already, we’re beginning to explore the possibilities of better-unified telecommunications through 5G connectivity. According to Juniper research, by the time we reach 2025, there will be more than 1.4 billion 5G connections in the world.

As enterprise mobility continues to drive transformations in the business environment, we may also see smartphones and wearable technology getting smarter. We’re already looking at bendable phones, augmented reality apps and facial recognition in the consumer landscape. Who knows what the business space could be capable of by 2025?

3. Data Plays a Bigger Role

Data continues to be one of the most buzz-worthy topics in the world of business communications. Thanks to an increased number of mobile workers, embedded devices and network protocols, we’re all generating increased amounts of data each day. Going forward, companies will need to find a way to manage and analyse that data, without going against privacy protocols.

The rise of new regulations like GDPR has changed the way that we handle data for good. In the years ahead, organisations investing in unified telecommunications will need to choose a vendor that can maintain their security and privacy compliance standards.

4. Unified Communication and Collaboration as Standard

Finally, the question “What is unified communication” will become less common in 2025, as more people embrace the power of an end-to-end communications system. As the ISDN and PSTN network ends in 2025, companies will move to VoIP systems more aggressively, and discover the flexibility and features that come with them.

Already, unified communications is becoming an increasingly popular and crucial part of the business space, driven by the increasing demands and expectations of customers. With unified communication and collaboration, companies can achieve a more cohesive and productive workforce.

Author’s Bio:

Irina Kirnos is a Product Marketing Manager at RingCentral in EMEA. With experience in the cloud software and communication industry spanning Silicon Valley, Research Triangle Park and now London, she enjoys working collaboratively with global teams to develop product messaging and positioning, sales enablement and competitive differentiation. Irina grew up in San Francisco, California and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Check out one of her articles: The Best & Worst Productivity Apps: 2019 Edition.

The experience of a fantastic conference call is having audio that makes participants feel they are in the same room as the remote participants in the call. Polycom’s patented HD Voice provides a method and apparatus for wideband voice over a telecommunications network that is proven to deliver over twice the clarity of ordinary phone calls, providing a vibrant and more natural conversation.

And Polycom’s range of audio innovations ensure that your conferences go smoothly, are free of interference, and make collaboration anywhere – without interruptions – a reality.

What Audio Innovations?

Over the years, Polycom engineers and R&D teams have developed a whole host of industry-leading technologies and innovations – some that can be heard and experienced, others running quietly behind-the-scenes – to deliver the highest quality meeting and conference audio, including:

• Acoustic Fence
• NoiseBlock
• HD Voice
• 3D Voice

Let’s take a deeper look at a few of these innovations…

Acoustic Fence

The idea of the Acoustic Fence is to keep conversations free from external noises by automatically eliminating sounds such as background chat and office typing with a “virtual fence” between the sound source and the meeting participant.

The Polycom Acoustic Fence innovation uses a specially designed echo cancellation technique that attempts to reduce or cancel out all soundwaves except the speakers voice and sounds within the fenced area, using multiple microphones, smart gating and spectral subtraction.

• The person on the other end can clearly hear your voice, and only your voice, therefore understanding you better, feeling closer to you, and will not have to interrupt the conversation asking you to repeat yourself.
• For call centres and many businesses, reducing call time is important. By eliminating distractions and repetition, the wait times and call times are dramatically reduced.

The fence depends on the number of microphones used and their positioning, for example, in a bubble or wall for creating fences such as shown above. Acoustic Fence Technology is found within VVX Phones and RealPresence Group series endpoints and software.

Noise Block

Polycom’s NoiseBlock technology listens for non human noises to prevent them from impacting the sound within video and audio calls. At times when sound is occurring but no one is talking, NoiseBlock will automatically mute the microphone. As soon as you start speaking, the microphone is un-muted so the far end can always hear you, without being distracted by keyboard typing, paper rusting or other background noises near to the microphone. It also reduces constant background noises such as air conditioning units to help improve clarity of conversation.

• Distracting sounds are removed from calls
• No one is required to put themselves or ask other to go on mute
• You won’t forget to un-mute and end up talking without being heard

NoiseBlock is available on the RealPresence Group, Desktop, Mobile, Trio, Debut and RMX server.

HD Voice

Polycom’s HD Voice combines a number of factors to provide high definition audio across many solutions in their portfolio, alongside many other manufacturers who use Polycom HD Voice within their devices.

“It’s like switching from AM radio to CD-quality – the difference is extremely recognisable and so astounding, you will never want to go back to regular phone calls”

• Wideband technology for twice the clarity of ordinary phone calls
• Acoustic Clarity Technology with full duplex audio, echo cancellation, noise reduction and advanced voice processing
• High quality system design with hardware and software components designed to maximize sound quality.

“It’s like being in the same room with the other participants on the call. You can hear every word without repeating, which saves time and cuts down on misunderstanding”

3D Voice

Polycom’s 3D Voice is designed to create a lifelike experience within immersive telepresence studios.

With specific ceiling microphone positioning to triangulate a speakers location and software to transfer positioning information to speakers that are strategically located at the far end, the audio plays back from the specific location that the person is speaking.

This creates a more accurate representation of audio that seems to come from the mouth of the individuals speaking, even when multiple people are talking. 3D Voice enables you to hold more lively interactive conversations in the immersive suite.

With businesses continuing to grow globally, the need for clear remote communications is more critical than ever. With accents and cultural differences adding to the challenge, it’s extremely important that audio is clear and that geographically dispersed teams can communicate as effectively over the phone – or on a video call, where the most important part is still audio – as they can in person.

Find out more

• Wainhouse Research – Evaluation of Polycom’s Noise Reduction Features
• See other audio solutions for the meeting room, desktop and for remote collaboration
• Find out more about Polycom solutions from VideoCentric

Get in touch with VideoCentric online, or on 01189 798910 to discuss Polycom solutions, enhanced audio for your meeting spaces, Polycom audio for Microsoft environments and improving audio for your Video Conferencing rooms, desktops and office spaces.