Cisco added the cloud messaging service to its Webex Teams messaging application – something the company called a "significant step" in integrating BroadSoft's technology stack after completing its $ 1.9 billion acquisition this year.
The combination is designed to provide a "business-grade" cloud-based PBX [private branch exchange] telephony system, as well as existing messaging and document sharing capabilities.
"For users, this simplifies things," said Zeus Kerravala, founder and chief analyst at ZK Research. "BroadCloud Calling gives businesses the benefits of a PBX without having to deploy it."
The addition of Webex Teams content sharing and messaging calls makes it a "unique UC [unified communications] application, which was UC's original vision, "said Kerravala.
Earlier this year, Cisco merged its two collaboration platforms – Webex and Spark – into a single platform: Webex Teams. At the time, IDC research director Wayne Kurtzman described the rebranding as "not just marketing. It's a fundamental change to include calls, meetings, video, collaboration and their devices in the room under what they perceive to be their best known brand, the Webex, "he said.
At the Cisco BroadSoft Connections event in Florida on Tuesday, Cisco also unveiled a new call application that integrates with Microsoft Outlook and corporate directories.
The Cisco Calling App allows users to make voice and video calls from mobile devices and desktops running iOS, Android, Windows, or MacOS.
Meeting room hardware and software
Cisco has also unveiled new devices designed to enhance the huddle space experience – citing research that claims there are more than 25 million meeting rooms in offices around the world.
The Webex Room Kit Mini videoconferencing device is designed for smaller meeting rooms by increasing the existing range of Webex Room Kit products.
The device "wakes up" when it detects users entering the meeting room and adapts the video to ensure that all participants are visible on the screen.
Meanwhile, the 55-in. The white board of the Webex Board received a software update, with browser access, sticky notes, and tweezers and zoom interactions. For larger rooms, Cisco has also released an 85-inch model. version of the screen.
Finally, the company praised Webex Share, a wireless screen-sharing device that turns any TV or screen into a presentation device by connecting to Webex Meetings and Webex Teams.
Kerravala said boardroom hardware can be expensive and difficult to deploy, limiting technology to medium and large rooms. Devices aimed at smaller rooms should help extend the reach of videoconferencing tools.
"There are literally tens of millions of meeting rooms and open spaces where there may be a TV or other exhibit, but nothing more," he said. "The Mini Room Kit and WebEx Share make it easy to convert any display into a smart collaboration space."
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