The Workplace and Videoconferencing
How we work has changed dramatically as a result of the pandemic. And what appears clear is that many of these changes are here to stay. Whether your company is back fulltime or not, most of us understand that video calls are part of how we work now. Many companies across industries have embraced the benefits of videoconferencing systems and have invested further in what we have come to refer to as ‘Zoom rooms’.
It’s Part of the Next Normal
For many months, videoconferences were a necessary substitute for meeting in person. Going forward, the videoconference room will be an additional tool for the work place that will supplement other forms of collaboration and communication.
The ongoing benefits of videoconferencing include:
- Reduced travel & reduced carbon footprint
- Improved productivity and collaboration
- Time savings
- Higher attendance
Why Not Just Have Everyone Join from Their Desk?
A room dedicated to videoconferencing is a better experience for everyone. The technology makes the meetings easier to start and run. A dedicated room also offers a reliable stable connection that makes seeing and hearing colleagues clearer.
Additionally, the human connections we form by meeting and interacting in person strengthen our working relationships so coming together – even to videoconference with others – is beneficial. Research shows that if we don’t have adequate time face-to-face, we experience declines in wellbeing. Being present together in the office and in the videoconferencing room is critical to physical and emotional health and is an overall improvement over everyone logging in from a room of their own.
What Does a “Zoom room” Need?
Videoconferencing rooms are usually the size of a conference room but they can be as large or small as you want them to be. They are designed to be user friendly and have a very specific list of equipment:
- Tablet
- Speakers
- Camera
- Microphone
- Display (monitor)
- Hard drive
The tablet typically runs all the equipment in the room; it is simple and intuitive to operate. Adding additional features like cameras that move as the speaker(s) moves or adding a USB hub for users to give a presentation directly from their individual laptops are increasingly common.
As patterns shift to more people going back to the office, videoconferencing rooms are growing in popularity as the workplace adapts to our next normal. If a videoconferencing room is something you are thinking about, KTS can help you design and install a videoconferencing room with all the elements you need to ensure that your meetings are successful and productive. Contact us.
