Cisco is teaming up with Samsung and Microsoft to boost video calling tools, but will it be enough to topple Zoom and Google Meet?
Cisco, Microsoft and Samsung are teaming up to offer new meeting room solutions that they hope will attract even more businesses.
Aimed at supporting and improving hybrid collaboration experiences, the announcement includes new integrated videoconferencing solutions for Cisco Room Series.
The trio says the joint effort is in response to the fact that an overwhelming majority (98%) of meetings now involve remote participants, a trend that has seen significant growth since the pandemic.
Cisco collaborates with Microsoft and Samsung
The new partnership combines Cisco’s RoomOS-powered devices, Samsung’s Smart Signage displays and Front Row, a feature supported by Microsoft Teams Rooms-certified devices. Collectively, the companies believe that the deep integration of software and hardware “will (eliminate) the distance between meeting participants.”
Cisco EVP and General Manager for Security & Collaboration, Jeetu Patel, added: “Through our collaboration with these industry leaders, we are delivering something we call Distance Zero, which eliminates second-rate experiences wherever you work.”
Hardware that works with the new solutions is already available and full functionality is expected to be available in the coming months.
Devices include Samsung’s 5K and 4K UDH displays and the new 105-inch Samsung Smart Signage. Cisco devices and those using Microsoft Teams Rooms will also benefit from camera, audio and voice-enhancing artificial intelligence.
The partnership promises scalable, manageable and secure meeting room solutions, as well as interoperability between Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams.
However, Cisco isn’t the only company working with others to provide greater interoperability. More than a year ago, but in the wake of the pandemic, Google Meet and Zoom revealed that customers would be able to join calls on the other platform from their chosen tool.