The phrase “digital transformation” is a buzzword we hear often, but without a carefully considered strategy informing your implementation of audio visual solutions, your “transformation” may not go as planned. So let’s look forward and think about how to transform your organization in lasting ways.

Mobile conferencing and collaboration solutions have radically changed the way we work. Untethered from the office and liberated from the desk, we now have a vast array of conferencing and collaboration tools at our fingertips at all times. Versatile models like Skype for Business allow anyone to join a meeting at any time, no matter where they are. This is most definitely a boon for businesses of all kinds, and for the mobile worker, the video capabilities of cell phones and tablets eliminate the anxiety of missing out on important happenings back at the office.

Video walls have long been a staple of public spaces like lobbies and malls, and they’ve always been effective vehicles for straightforward information and standard advertising. However, with the rise of touch screens and high definition images, the potential of the video wall is now virtually unbounded--such large displays can now become interactive experiences that enhance trainings, elevate meetings and engage customers. Let’s take a closer look at how interactive video walls can have an impact on business.

Mobile conferencing and collaboration solutions and their many bells and whistles might seem forbidding at first. But sorting through security specs and management details is a job for your IT experts. At their core, these solutions offer intuitive user experiences: anyone with a smart phone or tablet or laptop can quickly get the feel for a cloud conferencing solution like Prime Call Cloud UC.

When we talk about video conferencing and collaboration solutions, we tend to do so in a way that foregrounds established companies. You’ll notice our blog posts referring to ways in which collaboration and conferencing technology can improve business. Implicit in this language is an assumption that the business has been around long enough to need shaking up. Or we will write about how seasoned employees can be trained to use new technology. It’s not that established businesses have the most to gain from these solutions--it’s just that they might be more likely to have settled on a way of doing things that doesn’t jibe with the tech-assisted nature of business in the 21st century.

In March, we reported that communications titan Plantronics would be acquiring conferencing and collaboration company Polycom for $2 billion. The proposed deal made a great deal of sense to industry observers, as Polycom’s much-respected collaboration solutions dovetailed nicely with Plantronics’ various audio innovations.

In a recent survey conducted by Wainhouse Research, 94% of responding businesses reported that video conferencing solutions have increased their productivity. That statistic alone makes a compelling case for the necessity of video conferencing and collaboration solutions in the modern workplace, but it’s helpful to take a step back from numbers and examine the why and how. 

When we talk about conferencing and collaboration solutions and other digital incursions into the workplace, we tend to focus on things like cost and productivity and security. But at the end of the day, what’s most important are the people who will end up sitting in front of those screens and using the technology. If the technology doesn’t work for them--if it doesn’t make the job easier or more fulfilling--it ultimately won’t work for your company. So how do employees feel about technological innovation in the workplace? A recent survey by Aruba has some answers.

Cisco Webex Meetings is a full content-sharing and video conferencing solution that allows users to initiate and join meetings from desktop computers, mobile devices, internet browsers and video devices. It’s a true all-in-one solution designed to maximize accessibility and flexibility but without skimping on the features that 21st century companies and workers need to excel. Let’s take a look at five key features that make Webex Meetings such a crucial tool.

In addition to their trailblazing work in the realm of video conferencing and collaboration, Polycom has long been a leader in the world of audio technology. From Microsoft phones to multimedia hubs, Polycom has audio solutions for spaces of all sizes and purposes.

The video capabilities of the Polycom Trio line of conference phones has already made it an industry favorite, but with Polycom’s recent announcement of additional video features, the Trio has become an even more powerful force in the realm of AV solutions.

That headline sounds a little menacing, but don’t worry. Meeting spaces aren’t becoming sentient forces and planning a Terminator-like takeover. Be that as it may, you’d be remiss not to pay attention to the ways meeting spaces are being reconfigured due to the disbursement of the workforce and the development of increasingly sophisticated mobile collaboration technology. In case you still need convincing, we’ve got some numbers to back it up.

Polycom has long been an industry leader in the  conferencing market, and with recent innovations like the video-ready RealPresence Trio, the forward-thinking manufacturer has only further solidified its standing as a trailblazer in conferencing and collaboration technology.

It is hard to relinquish control, especially when you are on the verge of making a decision that will fundamentally alter the way your company does business, but when you are in the market for a video conferencing and collaboration solution, you might want to consider giving your IT department as much say as possible.

Cisco Merges WebEx And Spark To Simplify Collaboration

Until recently, Spark was Cisco’s go-to video conferencing and collaboration solution for modern teams seeking a fleet and flexible platform for messaging, content sharing and video calling. It was essentially an amped up version of Cisco’s popular WebEx collaboration solution. Now, in an attempt to streamline its collaboration offerings, Cisco will be merging Spark and WebEx so that all users can access the benefits of both platforms./p>