Cisco recently revealed new devices designed to assist businesses in transitioning employees back to the office. These devices were introduced during the company’s Enterprise Connect 2024 (EC24) event. Along with the new devices, Cisco also presented findings from a recent study on hybrid work.
During a pre-briefing call with Webex GM Javed Khan and other Webex leaders, Cisco’s hybrid work philosophy was discussed. Khan emphasized the importance of delivering high-quality experiences for employees who return to the office, stating that simply sticking a camera on a monitor is insufficient. This sentiment aligns with the experiences of many IT and business leaders who have struggled to keep employees in the office due to poor conference room experiences.
Digital Proximity
In the current hybrid work environment, employees expect an experience that feels like they are present in the same room as their colleagues, even when they are physically distant. This concept is called “Distance Zero,” which focuses on maintaining digital proximity. To achieve this, companies need to invest in software and hardware that facilitate seamless collaboration.
The underinvestment in office collaboration tools has led to the current state of hybrid work, where companies are struggling to provide a productive work environment for their employees. To address this issue, Cisco has introduced two new products: the Cisco Board G2 and the Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series. These multifunctional devices are designed to enhance collaboration experiences and provide a personalized workspace for employees.
The Cisco Board G2 is an AI-powered, touch-enabled collaboration device that offers a modernized meeting experience. The Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series, on the other hand, turns any desk into a personalized workspace, empowering employees to work efficiently from anywhere.
By investing in these tools, companies can create an environment that fosters collaboration and maintains digital proximity, even in a hybrid work setting.
Cisco Board Pro G2
The Cisco Board Pro G2 is a fully integrated device designed for meetings and open spaces. It is the next generation Board Pro and is a video conferencing device and a whiteboard with a touchscreen. It complements the rest of Cisco’s portfolio and is focused on providing a collaborative experience to users.
One of the highlights of the Cisco Board Pro G2 is its ability to provide better in-meeting views. This is made possible by the 96-megapixel dual-lens camera that lets remote participants see their onsite colleagues clearly, whether they are close to the camera or far away. The AI integrated into the device keeps the picture clear, while a new multistream layout gives Webex Meetings participants simultaneous views of the entire room and a closeup of the speaker.
The Cisco Board Pro G2 also includes an NVIDIA chipset and computing engine, which improves the camera views and audio performance. Cisco has been using NVIDIA chips in its devices for years, and that is why so much functionality is built into the endpoints. Speaker tracking, background noise removal, and virtual backgrounds are all done on-device, offloading the processing from the software.
Cisco also claims that the Board Pro will offer flexible collaboration and simplified deployments. Overall, the Cisco Board Pro G2 is a multifunctional, AI-powered room device designed for small and medium-sized workspaces that harnesses the collective power of team collaboration.
Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series
Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series is a new line of multifunctional devices designed to provide a personalized productivity hub to any desk. With hybrid work becoming more prevalent, the series aims to make workspaces feel more personal and convenient.
According to Cisco, the 9800 Series has premium audio and noise removal capabilities, making it an ideal device for meetings and calls. In addition, the series provides security and end-to-end encryption for meetings and calls using Trusted Platform Module 2.0 hardware. This helps ensure that sensitive information remains secure and confidential.
One of the highlights of the new phone series is that it can personalize any desk. Employees can use Spaces or a QR code to reserve a desk and gain access to contacts, call history, calendar, and meetings. This feature makes it easier for employees to stay organized and productive.
The series also boasts simplified user experiences and better management capabilities. Cisco has made sustainability a priority, and the Desk Phone 9800 Series is no exception. It contains more than 74% post-consumer recycled materials and uses low power modes to ensure energy efficiency.
Joe Berger, VP of Digital Experiences for World Wide Technology, praised the Desk Phone 9800 Series, saying that it offers an excellent employee experience. According to Berger, the quality and breadth of features allow them to deliver better solutions to their customers.
Overall, the Desk Phone 9800 Series is a multifunctional and secure device that provides a personalized and convenient productivity hub to any desk.
The Hybrid Future
Cisco’s hybrid work study revealed that most employees are positive about returning to the office, but they want better-equipped spaces for collaboration and brainstorming. Employers are taking note, with 81% already redesigning workspaces or planning to do so within the next two years.
However, as the study showed, most surveyed employers plan to adopt AI but lack a strategy and are concerned about security, integration, and costs. This is where NVIDIA’s GTC event comes into play. Despite the hype around AI, customer deployments are still lagging behind. Embedding AI into devices, like the Cisco ones, is a great starting point as it has an immediate benefit to users, and the turnkey nature of those devices removes deployment complexities.
The collaboration devices unveiled by Cisco, such as the Cisco Board Pro G2 and the Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series, are purpose-built, multifunctional devices that deliver modernized collaboration experiences to today’s hybrid workforce. These devices are equipped with AI and touch-enabled features, making them ideal for use in modern workspaces.
In conclusion, the hybrid future of work is rapidly approaching, and employers must adapt to meet the changing needs of their employees. By redesigning workspaces and adopting AI-enabled devices, employers can create better-equipped spaces for collaboration and brainstorming, while also addressing concerns around security, integration, and costs.
Some Final Thoughts
Cisco has a long history of innovation in the phone and collaboration device industry, and their products are known for being well-designed and user-friendly. However, one of the challenges facing the industry is getting people to try these new devices, as many users may be hesitant to switch from devices that they are already comfortable with.
To address this challenge, Cisco has implemented a device “seeding” program, where they give companies the opportunity to try their devices for a period of time. This program allows potential customers to test the devices and see if they meet their needs before making a purchase. Early feedback on the seeding program has been positive, indicating that it is a successful marketing tactic for Cisco.
Overall, Cisco’s focus on user experience and their willingness to put their devices to the test through the seeding program demonstrate their commitment to delivering high-quality products to their customers. By continuing to innovate and prioritize user needs, Cisco is well-positioned to remain a leader in the industry.
