Amber Hickman |
Most companies that introduced hybrid working noticed an immediate improvement in team productivity. But according to research from IDC, roughly one in three of those saw that improvement diminish over time, as employees suffered from digital fatigue and a loss of corporate culture.
As businesses urge employees back into the office to help address these issues, they also recognise that there is a need to rethink the pre-pandemic design of workplaces.
Jonathan Boaz, director of alliance partner sales at Shure, says: “Businesses need to invest in reliable, high-quality technology that supports the latest hybrid work trends, enables easy collaboration, and provides users with the confidence that their meetings will work every time.”
One such technology is audio that integrates with camera tracking. This allows “both in-person and remote participants to feel part of the conversation,” says Boaz.
“For employees joining remotely, good home equipment like headphones or desktop microphones are just as important. Businesses need to ensure that their workforce is equally equipped regardless of where they are joining from.”
But how can you be sure that equipment you’re using is fit for purpose? Shure turns to certification to give its customers confidence.
“We work closely with Microsoft to ensure that most of our conferencing solutions are certified for Microsoft Teams Rooms,” says Boaz. “Our devices have undergone rigorous and comprehensive tests in labs and real-life environments so that IT professionals and integrators can be certain that Shure continues to deliver only the highest standards in collaboration performance.
“The Microflex Ecosystem is an example of one of our product lines that meets the higher standards of demanding environments, making it well worth a greater investment in meeting room technology. The recent new addition in the collection, the Microflex Advance MXA902 Integrated Conferencing Ceiling Array, delivers an array microphone, loudspeaker and IntelliMix DSP technology in one device. It’s an ideal solution for any small to medium-sized room, with minimal setup required.”
Effective technology is crucial for redesigned workplaces. “The human experience is the key to making hybrid work, work,” says Boaz. “The future is all about integrated audio that stays out of the way and works flawlessly, all while providing an equitable experience for a remote participant.”
This article was originally published in the Summer 2023 issue of Technology Record. To get future issues delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for a free subscription