Cisco is announcing several key new Webex products and features, including new integrations with Microsoft Teams, a partnership with Apple, new collaboration devices, hybrid workspace blueprints, new apps and more.
In large part, the improvements announced during the company’s WebexOne 2022 event are designed to help customers of all sizes continue to scale up their hybrid work strategies and help teams collaborate effectively and efficiently regardless of where they work.
Microsoft, Apple partnerships
At the forefront of the announcements are new integrations with Microsoft Teams that allow customers to use Microsoft Teams Rooms on Cisco’s collaboration devices. This was actually announced by both companies earlier this month, but Cisco also announced an integration with Microsoft Teams that enables users to make Webex Calls in the Teams interface.
As organizations continue to use multiple meeting apps, the Microsoft Teams integrations makes it easy to switch between two major platforms.
In addition to Microsoft, Cisco announced a new partnership with Apple that will allow iPhone and iPad users to share content from their cameras via the Webex Meetings app and annotate over what they’re seeing with Mobile Camera Share. Cisco gives an example of a frontline worker sharing job site progress with clients in real-time instead of just sending static images or screenshots.
Devices, apps, experiences
Also announced was the Cisco Room Kit EQ, a videoconferencing bundle designed for larger rooms that integrates with up to three external displays. The kit includes an AI-powered Cisco Codec EQ, the intelligent Quad Camera video bar, a touch controller and other room peripheral options.
Also announced was the new Webex Whiteboard app in the Webex Suite, which allows anyone to start or join a whiteboard and work together from a browser, the Webex App or a Cisco device. Whiteboards can be combined with Slid polls, saved and shared in a Webex space for asynchronous ideation, the company says.
Cisco says it has also improved its asynchronous video offering Vidcast, adding a new AI-powered editing capability designed to help edit content and a new integration with Slido to include polling and audience engagement into shared video content.
In addition to the Teams integrations, Cisco says Group Call Management is now available for Webex Calling, making it easier for business to activate informal call center services to elevate customer calling experiences, measure performance, improve training and deliver results without needing a sperate or specialized contact center application.
Also coming to Webex is a new lobby experience for virtual events will support a variety of customizations, such as agendas, speaker bios, sponsors, and more. The new experience includes new content widgets, new production tools in Webex Webinars, and an Integration into Network Device Interface.
Hybrid Workspace blueprint
Cisco, long a provider of solutions designed to help organizations collaborate remotely, is offering a repeatable Hybrid Workspace Design Guide based on its New York City office that organizations can use to build out their hybrid workspaces. The guide encompasses the company’s Smart Building Solutions, collaboration, networking, security technology and more.
We visited the company’s New York City office earlier this month and wrote about it here.
Collaboration security, management
To help IT teams secure and manage Cisco products, the company made updates to its tools that help protect intellectual property, offer real-time room occupancy and air quality updates and guide IT admins create greater efficiency for managing and supporting workers.
These include audio watermarking to uniquely tag audio streams to every participants in a confidential meeting, a new integration between Webex Control Hub and Cisco Spaces to give employees critical facility information, and IT Digital Coach to guide IT admins to achieve best practices.
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