Microsoft has recently announced a series of major new platform and device announcements at the Enterprise Connect show in Orlando, Florida this week. Among the exciting updates is Microsoft’s Surface Hub 2S becoming the first touchscreen to run Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows. This functionality will come with new Surface Hubs, starting later this year, while there will be a migration path for existing devices at a future date.
The move will unlock top-requested Teams Rooms features such as the Front Row layout, persistent chat, and consistent remote management capabilities. The Surface Hub 2S will also pair with the full range of Teams Rooms certified accessories.
In addition, Microsoft announced that Cisco meeting devices will now be natively certified to run Microsoft Teams, enabling users to connect seamlessly from a native Teams meeting to a Webex meeting and back again. Customers will have the option to make Microsoft Teams Rooms the default experience. The new Cisco Board Pro, available in 55″ and 75″ models, is among the first Cisco devices certified for Teams.
Microsoft will also launch QR sign-in on Teams displays to enable hot-desking from this summer. Hot-desking users can access their personal Teams account seamlessly by scanning a QR code on a Teams display and using the Teams app on their smartphone to log in faster. There is no longer any need to enter credentials into a device manually.
Among other notable new products highlighted by Microsoft at Enterprise Connect was Crestron AirMedia for Microsoft Teams, which brings plug-and-play presentation and wireless conferencing capabilities to smaller, lower-profile, and lower-cost rooms that Microsoft refers to as BYOD spaces. The Yealink DeskVision A24 Microsoft Teams Display also debuted, featuring AI-powered audio and video capabilities, dual-mode device connections, a 4K camera, built-in speaker and mic, wireless charger, and a hinge monitor design that enables the screen to be tilted and used for whiteboarding.
Microsoft has also unveiled a new device ecosystem platform at Enterprise Connect, which offers the best of Microsoft and Android, tailored for shared spaces and optimized for Teams devices. This platform is built on the Android Open Source project (AOSP) and delivers security, reliability, management, and ease of deployment.
The Jabra PanaCast 50 Video Bar System is the first device taking advantage of the new device ecosystem. It is an integrated solution that includes a Qualcomm system-on-chip (SoC) compute unit running Android, which will be upgradable to the new Microsoft device ecosystem platform. The solution also includes other specialized processors as well as speakers, microphones, and video cameras, with network and display interfaces for easy deployment.
Microsoft has also launched the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 security solution for Teams Rooms devices to strengthen endpoint security for Teams Rooms Pro customers. The solution will be integrated into the Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro license and the Pro Management Portal.
Finally, Microsoft is introducing a new modern, fluid interface for Teams Rooms on Windows this month. This includes a homepage and function screen redesign, five new themes, more intuitive messages, and enablement of custom themes with an organization’s images and branding on meeting room displays. The Front Row layout is also finally available for Teams Rooms for Android from this month.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s recent announcements at the Enterprise Connect show have brought a series of major new platform and device updates, including the first touchscreen to run Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows, new products from Cisco, QR sign-in on Teams displays, and a new device ecosystem platform, among others. These updates reflect Microsoft’s commitment to delivering innovative and secure solutions for shared spaces and optimized Teams experiences.
