Transforming Collaborative Spaces with Touchless AV

One of the main factors in a successful working environment is group work. Prior to and during the pandemic, companies expressed their worries about remote working and the difficulties experienced in replicating healthy collaboration between colleagues remotely. With the right AV technology, these worries can be addressed, improving working environments and blurring the line between the office and home.

Post-pandemic office trends 

Corporate buildings, in the post-COVID era, will see significant changes in both functionality and operation. A huge focus will be placed on safety guidelines, incorporating social distancing, and controlling population density. 

“Companies that adopt a hybrid work approach will likely use offices to develop more emotional connections, facilitate collaboration, and create human experiences” - Deloitte Insights 2021 Commercial Real Estate Outlook

The biggest office trends will be focused on intuitive AV solutions which are touch-free and easy to use. Companies like Atlona will be accelerating change with touchless AV and BYOM technologies as meeting rooms take a centre stage in group working activities. 

Hybrid meeting solutions

As hybrid working is being embraced by the majority of employers, hybrid meetings will become a routine. Meeting spaces will have to upgrade to seamlessly facilitate hybrid meetings, that incorporate various components such as live video streaming, content sharing, interactive collaboration and in-person communication. 

The newest available technology such as touchless AV, wireless network and room booking systems help businesses run a smooth operation, regardless of location, while keeping employees safe and engaged. 

Touchless AV

The pandemic has redefined our “touching culture” - we no longer rely on touch panels or interactive displays at work due to health & safety measures. Social distancing and safety guidance has pushed companies to implement changes to their work environments, and touchless AV technology is leading the way. 

Collaborative workspaces are an extremely important part of any working environment, since hybrid working is increasing in popularity, these spaces must now be equipped with the right technology.  All meeting spaces should enable hybrid working and participants need to be able to hold events in-person, virtually and a mixture of the two in an easy-to-use and safe manner. 

Motion and occupancy sensors, voice activation and QR codes can control multiple applications such as lighting, AV equipment and room scheduling. Not only it is safer to use but also easy and convenient, bringing functionality into the workspace. With relevant AV solutions such as Altona’s Velocity or Omega, meetings can run smoothly with minimal effort. 

Atlona’s Velocity System maximises automation for the AV control system, including BYOD systems and QR codes. It also supports different levels of security, from protected by login to unsecure access for any user. 

BYOM - bring your own meeting

Meeting rooms that operate on the “touchless” principles, are more likely to encourage the use of a personal device, incorporating BYOD (bring your own device) and, consequently, BYOM (bring your own meeting). Businesses should embrace BYOM as a tool to accelerate digital workplace strategies.

BYOM works as a natural extension of BYOD in the workplace. With BYOM, a meeting space can adopt a more informal, less structured way of working, giving way to collaboration and creative conversations while at the same time ensuring that all participants can see and be seen, hear and be heard. 

Surging in enterprises globally, BYOM expansion can be pinpointed to key benefits it brings to companies:

• Increased productivity in the workplace.
• Ability to use a preferred conferencing solution.
• No need to use equipment that is difficult to operate.

Atlona’s Omega Series is particularly suitable for use in video conference rooms, as switchers are small and compact and integrate all USB peripheral devices into the system. 

Room booking systems

Multiple businesses are transitioning into hybrid working, increasing the importance of meeting spaces and requiring comprehensive and effective room booking systems. These systems will help avoid double bookings, empty conference rooms and interruptions in meetings, at the same time providing optimal, easy access and scheduling. Efficiently using meeting rooms will contribute to office space optimisation and workplace design. 

Improved IP-based room management platforms enable booking via appointment calendar in Microsoft Outlook or Google calendar - hassle free and without contact. Proximity sensors installed outside the meeting rooms bring the LED displays out of standby mode and show the status and availability of the room from a safe distance.  Not only are these systems easy to install but they are also easy to use, avoiding interruptions during meetings and further maximising the use of collaborative workspaces.  

Wireless connectivity 

How could our advanced offices and homes operate without internet connection? They couldn’t! The right connectivity and network service is crucial. 

Many offices are moving towards cloud-based connectivity, debunking old myths that wired networks are faster and more secure. In truth, continual advancements have made wireless technology indispensable to the work environment. 

Modern workforces are not static, but constantly on the move - from the desk to a meeting room, from the office to home working. It has also become more common to use personal devices compatible with BYOD and BYOM systems at work. To support this movement, the shift is seen from wired connectivity to wireless routers and Wi-Fi networks.

Wireless connectivity goes hand in hand with touchless AV technology, allowing presenters to share content from their personal devices without the need to plug in. It creates a flexible and fluid operational system, preferred by participants in and outside the room.

For more meeting space solutions and connectivity read: Multi-Connection Meeting Space Solutions