Research has shown the importance of providing high tech collaborative technology. Eighty-two per cent of millennials say that high tech offices will influence their decision about accepting a new job. Research by Cascade Insights* into how meetings work maintained that companies are losing up to 15 valuable minutes at the beginning of each meeting trying to get the technology in the room up and running, undermining the effectiveness, and in turn the productivity of meetings.
The Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 500 is a purpose-built Skype-based system device that lets users easily conduct Skype meetings and share content with local and remote participants. While the ThinkSmart Hub 700 supports multiple platforms such as Zoom, as a speakerphone, it can easily be upgraded to a full video conferencing system.
Greg Bennett, head of Exertis Pro AV Solutions said, “The ThinkSmart Hub range is designed to enable more efficient meetings together with a collaborative experience to create a more engaged workforce. Designed for small to medium sized meeting rooms and huddle spaces, they enable better productivity through their innovative features, simple deployment and ease of use. These solutions will enable our resellers to offer a cost-effective solution that meets the needs of the modern workplace.”
The Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 500 is an all-in-one unit with a 11.6″ anti-glare and smudge resistant, touch panel mounted on a fully rotatable 360-degree stand. It also benefits from two integrated microphones and speakers with Dolby Audio Premium sound. Portable enough to be easily moved to different meeting rooms or spaces, it has an innovative cable management system that prevents cables being accidentally disconnected. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise provides intelligent enterprise-grade protection and the built-in Skype Room Systems app has a universal lockdown feature. Two HDMI ports can drive external displays to show video and content from remote participants.
The Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 700 is a collaboration solution that enables local and remote users to easily connect from any device. The system is compatible with platforms that include Skype for Business and Zoom and can easily be upgraded to a full video conferencing system. Multiple users can share content simultaneously, either wirelessly or through either of the two HDMI ports. It has a management console which can be used to schedule and monitor meeting room usage. Built-in sensors detect in-room participants to help quickly pair devices. Dolby Audio provides clarity with four premium speakers together with four noise-cancelling microphones designed for omnidirectional usage. The solution is complemented by a SaaS offering that enables constructive collaboration.
Jane Ashworth, SMB channel director, UK & Ireland said “The opportunity to distribute the Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub range through its dedicated Pro AV Solutions division is a great fit for these products. Our portfolio provides resellers with a choice of collaboration solutions that can transform inefficient meeting room spaces of all sizes into productive working environments which help to drive better employee engagement.”
The Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 500 is available now. The ThinkSmart Hub 700 will be available from April.
*Cascade Insights Study, commissioned by Oblong Industries, 2016