Cisco strengthens collaboration arm with Android desktop devices, more cloud meeting rooms
SAN FRANCISCO---Videoconferencing has taken a backseat to security and the Internet-of-Things lately, but Cisco put its collaboration arm front and center at the start of its IT summit this week.
Unveiled at the start of Cisco Live on Monday afternoon, the networking giant unveiled a set of new desktop products intended to make workplace videoconferencing more personal for employees.
Starting with the more tangible, everyday solutions, Cisco introduced the Android-based DX70 and DX80 desktop collaboration devices designed with what the San Jose-headquartered company dubbed as a "Scandafornian" (Scandinavian meets Californian) aesthetic.
Looking more like petite all-in-one desktops, these machines support HD video and audio, Web conferencing and browsing and other integrated business applications.
The higher-end DX80 sports a 23-inch screen and also features Intelligent Audio, which should reduce background noise to virtually non-existent.
That's followed by the next iteration of Cisco's Internet Protocol phone portfolio, which comes with a few upgrades tailored to cater to the BYOD set.
The new IP Phone 8800 Series comes with Cisco's Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice software for importing contact information and call history as well as audio and video calls in progress from mobile devices to the 8800 Series desk phone. Select models also come with USB ports to charge those devices.
All of these products are rooted in the cloud-based, real-time conferencing service WebEx along with Cisco's Collaboration Infrastructure for voice, video, and conferencing services and endpoints.
The former is being updated with Collaboration Meeting Rooms (CMRs) for personal and private video collaboration space. Based in the cloud, Cisco described these virtual spots as "as easy as clicking your unique room," enabling users to host meetings and invite attendees to join in from any device they choose, Cisco-made clients or not.
The Collaboration Infrastructure is also being treated to an update with user self-care and single sign-on (SSO) along with enhancements around mobile call security, application integration, and video interworking.
Cisco did not provide individual release dates for these items just yet, except to specify they are in "varying stages of development and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis."
Images via Cisco Systems