We deep dive into MTR technology including the AI features
An opinion piece by Akhila Vushke, UC Sales Engineer
Flexibility: The key to modern workplaces
In today’s rapidly evolving work environment, flexibility is paramount. Companies are recognising the need for seamless collaboration tools that cater to various work setups either be it in-office, remote, or hybrid. The goal is to create an integrated experience that enhances employee engagement and productivity, regardless of their physical location.
Microsoft Teams Room: A game changer for collaboration:
Microsoft Teams Room stands out as a powerful solution to unify physical and digital workspaces. It is not just a trend as it is becoming a necessity for modern businesses.
The number of active Teams Room devices has more than doubled in just one year.
As the workplace continues to evolve, solutions like Microsoft Teams Rooms will play a crucial role in shaping the future of work. They’re not just the meeting tools but they are also the catalysts for a more connected, flexible and productive work environment.
A Teams Room system can be one of the following:
- A Teams Rooms on Windows compute module and attached touch console.
- A Teams Rooms on Android device and touch console connected via either an IP-based or USB connection.
- A Surface Hub.
What’s inside the MTR licenses for your meeting spaces to sparkle?
- Basic Teams Room license:
The Teams Room basic license is Ideal for small to medium-sized meeting spaces, offering essential features for video conferencing and collaboration. They provide foundational Teams meeting experiences like scheduling, joining meetings, and wireless content sharing.
Basic is included with the purchase of any certified Teams Room device at no additional cost Customers can apply up to 25 Basic licenses to their M365 tenant.
But for customers needing more advanced core management, hybrid meeting features, and the evolving AI features a Teams Room Pro license is a must.
Teams Room Basic license can be used to license a single certified Teams Room system in a room. If you want to log into more than one Teams Room system in a room using the same resource account, you need to use a Teams Room Pro license. For example, if you have a booking panel outside the room and an MTR inside the room an MTR Pro license is essential.
If you need to license more than 25 Teams Room systems within your M365 tenant, those licenses need to be Teams Room Pro licenses. Teams Room Basic licenses can be used to license Teams Room systems only and not Teams Panels.
- Pro Teams Room:
The Pro version of Teams Room takes things a step further with additional features that cater to larger teams and more complex meeting needs, and this includes allowing IT administrators to oversee multiple rooms efficiently.
Pro Features and the role of AI:
✔ Room Management Tools: IT admins can manage multiple rooms from a centralised dashboard, making scheduling and maintenance a breeze.
✔ Advanced Analytics: Gain insights into meeting performance and user engagement, helping teams optimise their collaboration strategies.
✔ Enhanced Security: The Pro version includes advanced security measures to protect sensitive information shared during meetings.
✔ Smart Cameras: AI-powered cameras can automatically adjust to focus on speakers or participants, ensuring that everyone is visible and engaged during meetings. This feature is especially useful in larger rooms where participants may be spread out. A great example is if you have a presenter and audience situation where the audience is split between the room and remotely connecting, everyone experiences seeing the presenter despite their physical location.
✔ Real-Time Transcription and Translation: AI can provide real-time transcriptions of meetings, making it easier for participants to follow along and ensuring that key points are captured. Additionally, translation features help break down language barriers, allowing for global collaboration.
You can find more information with a comparison table about Microsoft Teams Room licenses by visiting this link.
Using Custom Background Images in Microsoft Teams Room Pro for marketing purposes & Our recent upgrade to Yealink MVC860:
I recently had the opportunity to explore the customisation features of Microsoft Teams Room Pro to set custom background images. After upgrading one of our meeting rooms from the Yealink MVC640 to the MVC860, I was able to explore and showcase the new features and enhancements. The upgrade has significantly improved our own meeting experiences. At this link you can see a walkthrough of the upgrade process and how the MVC860 can elevate collaboration in the workplace.
For a recent team meeting, I decided to use a vibrant image that represented our brand. Choosing a visually appealing background not only personalised the space but also set a positive tone for our discussions. It sparked conversations and helped everyone feel more connected, regardless of whether they were in the room or joining remotely. This is a great visual way to reinforce your business and brand.
Setting up the custom background was straightforward. If you’re interested in customising your own background images, it’s very straight forward. Visit this link to get started! I highly recommend trying out this feature—it’s a great way to enhance your meetings and reflect your brand!
Partnering with You: Our Commitment to Support:
As organisations navigate the shift to hybrid work models, having the right support can make all the difference. At Bluechip NZ, we understand the challenges and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Our UC team is here during normal business hours Monday to Friday to assist with this process from scoping through to quoting. If you’re not selling video conferencing devices to your customers, someone else is and it’s not as daunting as you might think. If you’d like to know more or have an opportunity to discuss reach us for a pre-sales discussion via uc@bluechipit.co.nz.
We’re here to help you make the most of your collaboration tools!
As you all know, I’m new to Bluechip NZ and my key takeaway from working with our own inhouse Yealink MTR solutions that whether you use the Basic or Pro license for MTR, the integration of AI significantly enhances the overall experience. AI assists to make meetings more engaging, efficient, and secure, and empowers teams to collaborate more effectively than ever. As organisations continue to adapt to hybrid work environments, investing in robust communication tools like Video Conferencing for Microsoft Teams Room will be essential for fostering teamwork and productivity. New features for MTR are being added by Microsoft all the time and key hardware vendors such as Yealink and Jabra are adapting quickly to embrace those features.
For you as the partner – who is configuring meeting room spaces for your clients? We’re here to help you grab this opportunity and look forward to you reaching out to us on uc@bluechipit.co.nz.