Video conferencing and visual collaboration
Video conferencing and visual collaboration incorporate several elements of hardware and software for conference rooms, desktops and remote workers. Businesses of all sizes need to keep up on the evolving video conferencing market to evaluate the latest trends and innovations to find the systems best suited to their needs.
Top Stories
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Feature
11 Jan 2023
Top UC and collaboration news of 2022 highlights 4 key trends
Review the 2022 UC and collaboration news highlights to learn about the trends that drove the market, and discover how these trends will influence the market in 2023. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Dec 2022
5 video conferencing trends to eye in 2023
We live in a video world now, and businesses are focused on improving the experience for their employees. Check out the video trends driving the market in 2023. Continue Reading
Download: Video Conferencing Evaluation Guide Includes Research, Peer Reviews
Zoom, GoToMeeting, Skype for Business, and two more video conferencing tools are reviewed by your peers in our new 35-page evaluation guide. Get an expert overview of the types of video conferencing tools, as well as bandwidth and interoperability requirements you need to be aware of before you make your purchase.
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Tip
18 Nov 2022
How to approach a Webex-Teams integration and make it work
Cisco and Microsoft are finally breaking down the interoperability barriers between Webex and Teams apps. Companies will be able to soon reap the benefits. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2022
Zoom video, UCaaS offerings draw closer to Teams, Webex
Zoom introduced a slew of features for its UCaaS platform at Zoomtopia, including mail and calendar services and an informal virtual meeting place called Spots. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Nov 2022
How to record Zoom breakout rooms
Zoom doesn't make it easy to record a breakout room, but with a few extra tweaks, it can be done. Here's why it's worth the effort. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2022
Cisco adds more Webex-Teams integration for hybrid work
Cisco Webex users now have more hybrid work features, including a new whiteboard and integration with Teams, iPhone and iPad cameras. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Oct 2022
How asynchronous video communication boosts remote work
When it's time to share information with colleagues, a full-blown video conference isn't always necessary. Maybe an app like TikTok could help. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Oct 2022
Balancing remote work privacy vs. productivity monitoring
Weighing employee productivity monitoring against remote workers' privacy is a serious issue that requires protecting personal and corporate data and setting the right policies. Continue Reading
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News
12 Oct 2022
Microsoft introduces premium add-on for Teams meetings
Microsoft plans to release the Teams Premium add-on in February but won't launch advanced AI capabilities until later in the year. The company hasn't released pricing. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Oct 2022
Desktop video conferencing hardware now built for hybrid work
Desktop video hardware offers organizations hybrid work benefits, including high-quality video for home workers and simplified IT management. But getting buy-in can be a challenge. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Sep 2022
Microsoft Loop crosses information silos in 365
Microsoft plans to release Loop this year as the long-awaited information-sharing tool across 365 apps. The software reduces the time spent searching for vital data. Continue Reading
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News
20 Sep 2022
Slack Canvas helps tame information overload in chat
Slack chat can bury vital knowledge under a flood of new messages. The company said its Canvas tool will let workers pull out, save and collaborate on specific material. Continue Reading
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News
16 Sep 2022
Adobe buys Figma to fill remote collaboration product void
Adobe expects to bolster its collaboration tools for the hybrid workplace with its $20 billion acquisition of Figma, the maker of cloud-based software popular with developers. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2022
Zoom updates Contact Center, but features lag rivals
Zoom has added new Contact Center tools for supervisors and agents, giving management better insight into metrics while offering agents more ways to help customers. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Aug 2022
5 steps to address hybrid meeting equity
Meeting equity is more than how you appear on camera. Follow these five steps to ensure hybrid meetings are engaging, productive and equitable for all employees. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Aug 2022
6 workplace benefits of immersive learning with AR and VR
AR and VR have the potential to enhance workplace learning programs. Learn how both employees and organizations can benefit from immersive learning with AR and VR. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Aug 2022
Virtual whiteboard vs. ideation system: Which is best for you?
Digital whiteboards are useful when tackling short-term needs, but a full-featured ideation system might be the best option for more sophisticated and mission-critical projects. Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2022
Microsoft to release Teams for Apple silicon
Microsoft's native version of Teams for Apple silicon should help performance-sensitive Mac users, like programmers, graphic designers and video editors. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jul 2022
How do you measure ROI for virtual events?
Businesses and industries are using virtual events to reach customers. Determining ROI of these events isn't as easy as it was for physical conferences, but it can be done. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2022
How to plan a hybrid conference room setup
Conference rooms need to evolve as employees demand the same rich virtual meeting experience they have on desktop. Learn how to approach a hybrid conference room setup. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2022
Zoom, RingCentral, BlueJeans improve virtual whiteboards
Zoom, RingCentral and BlueJeans have released updates to their virtual whiteboards to make them more useful for meetings between office and home workers. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2022
Google to test AR glasses in public
Google will seek to iron out challenges for AR as it tests a lightweight, glasses-type device. The company already has a foothold in the enterprise with its Glass AR glasses. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Jul 2022
The difference between a traditional and hybrid meeting room
Hybrid meeting rooms differ from traditional rooms that focused on in-person attendees. Learn the challenges facing large and small rooms in supporting hybrid meetings. Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2022
Zoom One bundles services to draw single-vendor customers
Zoom ties its services together in Zoom One as it evolves from a video conferencing app to a communications platform. The company targets firms that want a single UC vendor. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jul 2022
Room video conferencing interoperability critical for hybrid work
Vendors are beginning to take solid steps to make sure their video conferencing apps are interoperable with whatever meeting apps employees want to use. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jun 2022
Social collaboration tools create hybrid work water cooler
Traditional collaboration tools have struggled to replicate casual office conversations. New social collaboration tools could help reduce the isolation of remote and hybrid work. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2022
Understanding WebRTC security architecture
WebRTC is a secure technology for real-time communications, but security also depends on the application using it. Find out how developers can maintain that security. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Jun 2022
How do you evaluate UC applications for frontline workers?
UC offerings differ depending on business goals and intended users. When evaluating tools for frontline workers, consider factors based on communication, endpoints and workflows. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2022
Slack will add video to impromptu meeting app Huddles
Slack brings video meetings to Huddles this fall to encourage people to hold quick conversations without switching to Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2022
Zoom provides app tools to more developers
Educators, doctors and finance professionals use Zoom differently, so the company wants developers to help it meet each group's specific video conferencing needs. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2022
Microsoft updates Teams to filter out echoes
Microsoft will make Teams calls more like telephone conversations, using AI to filter out background noise and echoes that disrupt conversations. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2022
Hybrid meeting best practices emphasize engagement
In this book excerpt from 'Suddenly Hybrid,' learn about some hybrid meeting best practices that support engagement, regardless of where attendees are located. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2022
Effective hybrid meetings require training, equity, best practices
Authors Karin M. Reed and Joseph A. Allen discuss the need for proper training and best practices to support inclusive and effective hybrid meetings. Continue Reading
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Answer
31 May 2022
What is a hybrid meeting?
Employees are now signing into meetings from a variety of locations. What's the best way to support hybrid meetings and to ensure that workers remain productive and engaged? Continue Reading
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Tip
25 May 2022
Hybrid meeting technology helps AV teams address equity
AV teams are challenged in providing remote and in-room meeting attendees the same experience. Hybrid meeting technology for speaker framing is the first step to meeting equity. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2022
Google adds AI summary feature to Workspace
AI-generated meeting and document summaries can help workers find important information, according to Google. The company will add the feature to its Workspace apps. Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2022
Privacy groups urge Zoom to abandon emotion AI research
Privacy organizations want Zoom to ditch emotion-tracking AI. The tech is invasive, discriminatory and doesn't work, the groups said. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 May 2022
Where do Zoom recordings go? How to find saved recordings
Zoom meeting recordings are saved and stored on your desktop or the Zoom cloud. But your organization may have security rules that restrict meeting recordings. Continue Reading
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News
05 May 2022
Video conferencing found to harm worker creativity
Research shows video conferencing curbs the creation of new ideas, so managers should also schedule in-person brainstorming sessions. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 May 2022
How will VR collaboration transform meetings?
It may be too soon for virtual reality to play a role in how companies conduct business meetings, but it's not too early to understand its benefits. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2022
Meta pumps the brakes on metaverse, long-term spending
Meta's slow earnings growth means less money to spend on its long-term metaverse project. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company is laying the groundwork for 2030. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2022
Zoom launches AI tool for sales departments
Zoom's AI insights help sales teams by analyzing video call transcripts for information to determine the next step in negotiations with prospective customers. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Apr 2022
Assessing intelligent speakers for Microsoft Teams
Companies are exploring Cortana to beef up their Microsoft Teams meetings as more workers are brought into the office. The virtual assistant has some unique features. Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2022
Google updates Meet to match, surpass competitors
Google's upcoming Meet updates will include letting multiple workers communicate over video while collaborating on a document, spreadsheet or slide presentation. Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2022
HP goes deeper into hybrid work with Poly acquisition
HP plans to acquire Poly to appeal to companies looking for conference gear, headsets and other devices for hybrid work. HP expects to close the $3.3 billion deal this year. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2022
Businesses have plenty of time to adopt VR technology
Experts agree that VR could one day play an important role in business collaboration -- but it will take 10 years or more for the technology to mature Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Mar 2022
Video meeting equity comes into focus amid hybrid work
Meeting equity is the latest hybrid work challenge. Industry leaders at Enterprise Connect explain how organizations can ensure an equal experience for remote and in-person attendees. Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2022
BlueJeans provides meeting controls via smartphones
BlueJeans is rolling out features that add more meeting controls to smartphones. The capabilities make mobile devices a more viable option for remote workers. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
Cisco bolsters Webex flexibility as hybrid work looms
Cisco said companies must have the flexibility to let employees work how and where they want. Hybrid work features for Webex will provide employees with more choices. Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2022
Microsoft, Cisco, Zoom pledge conference room compatibility
Workers used to the flexibility of PC-based video conferencing during the pandemic won't have the same experience in the office's conference-room gear. Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2022
Enterprise Connect 2022: Solving hybrid work challenges
The latest advancements in collaboration software, UC as a service, contact centers and virtual reality await attendees of this year's Enterprise Connect. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Mar 2022
Virtual event platforms for conferences race to bolster features
Even as the pandemic ebbs, virtual events will remain a primary way to reach employees and customers -- but make sure you're getting what you need before you deploy a platform. Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2022
Microsoft updates Teams, Outlook for hybrid work challenges
Microsoft's upcoming hybrid work features will help remote and in-office employees schedule meetings, share presentations and collaborate more effectively. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
14 Mar 2022
Everything Enterprise Connect 2022: News, trends and insights
This guide gathers the latest news, trends and analysis from one of the largest conferences focused on the enterprise communications and collaboration market. Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2022
Tech companies rein in harassment in VR meeting places
Companies are unlikely to buy into virtual reality for meetings and events if tech companies can't protect customers' employees from groping, stalking and threats in cyberspace. Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2022
RingCentral unveils UCaaS offerings for education
RingCentral plans to launch two UC-as-a-service education products this month. Future UCaaS releases will target other markets, including healthcare and finance. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Mar 2022
As large-room video conferencing ebbs, firms gird for future
As companies evaluate return-to-office strategies, they are also taking a look at the role video conferencing will play when they reassess how meeting rooms should be designed. Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2022
Zoom takes its video service to the contact center
Zoom has entered the contact center-as-a-service market. The company's product offers video calling as companies seek a more visual interaction with customers. Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
Zoom and RingCentral settle lawsuit
Zoom has agreed to let RingCentral customers continue using the Zoom-powered product Meetings. Zoom will also give companies time to move to RingCentral's homegrown product. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Feb 2022
What are types of virtual events and can they be improved?
Video conferencing software has helped companies connect with their employees and customers, but it hasn't quite filled the bill when it comes to supporting virtual events. Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2022
Microsoft, Meta tackle harassment in virtual worlds
Microsoft and Meta have introduced personal space in their virtual worlds to combat the downside of virtual reality, sexual harassment and other bad behavior. Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Amazon takes its telehealth offering nationwide
Amazon has made its Care telehealth service available nationwide with in-person healthcare services to follow later in the year. The company is tapping a growing healthcare market. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2022
How to achieve the ideal classroom video conferencing setup
Remote learning is here to stay. Having the right classroom video conferencing setup can help students and teachers feel more engaged whether they're at home or in the classroom. Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2022
Zoom attacking hybrid meeting shortfalls
Zoom will look to stand out in a competitive market by improving hybrid meetings. The company hopes upcoming features will bridge the divide between remote and in-person attendees. Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2022
LogMeIn rebrands to GoTo, simplifies offerings
LogMeIn becomes GoTo as it aims to appeal to small and medium-sized businesses with UCaaS and IT management that's available through a single application. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2022
How to mesh video conferencing, video calling devices for home
Giving remote employees the chance to use their Amazon Echo Shows or Facebook Portals when logging in to meetings has advantages, but security and performance concerns remain. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2022
Zoom launches virtual conference floor for online events
Zoom wants virtual events to feel more like in-person sessions. The company's 2D virtual show floor, Expo, aims to re-create that sense of presence for remote attendees. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Jan 2022
Video streaming vs. video conferencing: What is the difference?
Companies are finding that video streaming and video conferencing can serve the same purpose. That doesn't mean, however, they are interchangeable. Find out why. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2022
Cisco introduces digital accessibility features for Webex
Cisco aims the latest features at making Webex friendlier to disabled people, an essential step as digital accessibility lawsuits rise and the fight for talent intensifies. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Jan 2022
How secure is Zoom video conferencing?
Companies can take some simple steps to protect their Zoom meetings, but they should also consider ways to better educate their employees on how to use the software. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Jan 2022
How do you record Zoom meetings using OBS?
Open Broadcaster Software is becoming an essential way for companies to improve the look and feel of their Zoom meetings. The software also makes it easy to stream meetings live. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2022
Verizon launches BlueJeans on Google Glass
Verizon has brought its BlueJeans video conferencing service to the Google Glass headset. The carrier is offering the headset with the service for $1,140. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Dec 2021
Weighing video conferencing options for small businesses
Businesses of all sizes are enabling video rooms as part of their collaboration strategy. Here's how small businesses can choose the right video conferencing tools. Continue Reading
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News
22 Dec 2021
Tech vendors to help people disconnect from work in 2022
Burnout has surged during the pandemic, and the inability to fully disconnect from work isn't helping. Tech firms will continue addressing the problem in 2022. Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2021
Microsoft adds end-to-end encryption to Teams
Microsoft will allow Teams users to make one-on-one, end-to-end encrypted video calls. The feature comes with tradeoffs, like no live captioning, recording or transcription. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Dec 2021
Discover the benefits of a video content management system
Video is everywhere. Organizations that want to reap its benefits need a strategy that supports video creation and provides a central location for security, management and storage. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2021
Zoom adds app developer incentives; Teams revamps app store
Microsoft and Zoom compete in winning developers for their respective collaboration platforms. Each company features more than 1,000 apps in its store. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2021
Zoom to blur lines between video, phone meetings
Zoom Phone head Graeme Geddes said the lines between video meetings and phone calls will blur, allowing workers to choose the best communication tool for their needs. Continue Reading
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Answer
22 Nov 2021
How can UC tools create a virtual water cooler experience?
Even in a hybrid work environment, the water cooler remains a valuable way for remote employees to communicate and stay engaged -- thanks to UC. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Nov 2021
New forms of enterprise video spark management challenges
Video conferencing is now a fundamental part of employees' workdays. But managing and storing video content brings some new challenges that must be addressed. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Nov 2021
Training with VR could lead to broader enterprise adoption
Companies have started using VR to train surgeons and customer service reps. The early use of the technology paves the way for broader adoption in the future. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Nov 2021
The 4 pillars of a complete enterprise video platform
Video has become a key part of business workflows. Four foundational enterprise video platform capabilities can help organizations manage the growth of user-generated video. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2021
Microsoft pairs Mesh with Teams for VR collaboration
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said VR would make Teams collaboration feel closer to meeting in person, making the experience more engaging and less tedious than video sessions. Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2021
Facebook expects business collaboration to move to metaverse
Facebook said the metaverse will change how business is done. However, the company faces competition in the VR collaboration space and skepticism about its practices. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2021
Cisco to add AR collaboration to Webex
Cisco's Webex Hologram is an augmented reality product aimed at improving collaboration when workers can't be in the same space. Cisco didn't provide a release date. Continue Reading
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News
25 Oct 2021
Microsoft adds telehealth features to Teams
Microsoft's latest Teams features try to ease the confusion and some of the difficulties patients face when using telehealth technology to meet with doctors. Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2021
Google pushes Meet features for hybrid work challenges
Google lags rivals Cisco, Microsoft and Zoom in addressing the needs of a hybrid workplace, analysts said. The latest catch-up features are in Google Meet. Continue Reading
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Opinion
14 Oct 2021
Flexible enterprise video strategy key to a hybrid workplace
Organizations need to be flexible to succeed with hybrid work. Three Enterprise Connect video trends will shape how enterprise video strategies navigate the future of work. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Oct 2021
Pandemic renews enterprise virtual reality for collaboration
Enterprise virtual reality may make a comeback as businesses look to improve support for remote and hybrid collaboration. But the question is whether VR is the right technology. Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2021
Half of remote workers remain silent during video meetings
A Cisco study said half of remote employees don't talk during video meetings. Fixing the problem is likely a combination of technology and nudging on the part of managers. Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2021
Hybrid office design will drive tech purchasing
Tech experts predict which hybrid workplace technology from Cisco, Microsoft and Zoom companies are likely to reject or embrace. Many could favor laptops over specialized devices. Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2021
BlueJeans to launch a virtual workspace in 2022
BlueJeans' Spaces is a 2D/3D virtual workspace that provides an office experience to remote workers. The company plans to release the product in the first half of next year. Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2021
Video collaboration tools aren't good enough for hybrid work
Cisco, Microsoft and Zoom agree that their video collaboration products need to do more for at-home and in-office workers. Future uses of AI could help. Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2021
Zoom-Five9 deal falls under national security scrutiny
Zoom's acquisition of Five9 has triggered a national security review of its ties to the Chinese government. Tech buyers may be wary after the latest Zoom controversy. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Sep 2021
How to use virtual whiteboards on Zoom and Microsoft Teams
Whiteboards in remote meetings can add another layer of collaboration by enabling users to visualize concepts. Learn how to use virtual whiteboards on Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2021
Microsoft finds collaboration suffers during remote work
Microsoft research found collaboration networks within the company got less dynamic with the onset of remote work, and technology couldn't fill the gap. Continue Reading
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News
16 Sep 2021
Zoom bolsters collaboration capabilities beyond video
Zoom became the brand name for video conferencing during the pandemic. The company wants to expand that dominance to other areas of collaboration, like chat and whiteboards. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Sep 2021
Hybrid meetings, virtual whiteboards clash with outdated rooms
As companies look to integrate virtual whiteboard software into their conference rooms for hybrid meetings, they should start investing in meeting room hardware. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2021
Zoom adds video to the contact center
Zoom will add video to contact center interactions next year. The company said its Video Engagement Center would improve troubleshooting, build trust and automate everyday tasks. Continue Reading
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News
02 Sep 2021
Video conferencing miscues can get you fired
A survey found that miscues during video conferences cost businesses money and got employees fired. Most companies have punished employees for video meeting errors. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2021
Facebook, Microsoft bet on collaborative virtual reality
Microsoft and Facebook think virtual reality collaboration could help companies save on office space and travel. But the tech needs more development to be ready for general use. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Aug 2021
The enterprise guide to video conferencing
The video conferencing guide helps enterprises navigate collaboration in a hybrid work environment and includes best practices for implementation and user training. Continue Reading