Hybrid Hardware for the Modern Workspace

Hybrid working is here and changing our working behaviours.

As employees continue to embrace the ‘new norm’, businesses will begin to realise they may not be quite as well equipped for this change as initially thought.

The increased adoption of videoconferencing, and the concerted focus on UC hardware that integrates into a UC eco-system, have meant finding the right solution for your customers can appear a little overwhelming.

They may be moving back into the office full-time, remaining at home, or using some sort of hybrid working blend. Whatever you’re recommending and sourcing for your customers needs to be adaptable and to fit the requirements of a workforce with multiple work locations.

To assist in this challenge, we take a look at 4 common scenarios where your customers may need assistance choosing the right solution for their working environment.

Find your scenario…

Scenario 1: Working from home

Scenario 2: Working from the office

Scenario 3: Working in public

Scenario 4: Working in challenging environments

Scenario 1: Working from home

The environment:

Users working from home, either with their own dedicated office, working from a communal area of their house, or somewhere less conventional such as their garden (British weather permitting).

The requirement:

These workers may be working in a noisy/ busy environment with other family members and kids in close proximity, requiring noise-cancelling devices with accurate voice isolation to prevent background noise.

They may also need a portable but quality video device they can pick up and move where required at a moment’s notice. This will all need to be tied in with their company’s existing communication platform environment.

The solutions:

Poly, EPOS and Yealink offer a wide range of adjustable noise cancelling headphones, while enabling wireless roaming so users can make and receive calls even if they’re in a different room from their softphone or computer.

Similarly, all three vendors also provide a choice of personal, portable, and compact speakerphones. Built to isolate the speaker’s voice and cancel any echo, these devices offer a quality audio solution for workers with more private spaces at home.

Video also shouldn’t be ignored. Small video bars and USB cameras offer a quality flexible solution to the increased use of videoconferencing outside of the office. The likes of Logitech, Poly and Yealink offer a range of such devices from personal video bars to USB plug-and-play cameras.

Scenario 2: Working from the office

The environment:

Our old familiar – the office. This may be the standard office setup with a dedicated desk per employee, or a hybrid, hot desk model, plus access to some meetings rooms.

The requirement:

The office may not have seen much love over the last 18 months but, for those returning either on a full-time or part-time basis, they’ll need to be equipped at their desks with UC solutions that keep them connected to the video platform environments they’ve been used to. They will also need to ensure they have an audio device that cuts out external office noise.

And for those with dedicated meeting spaces, they may require a fully equipped meeting room solution that’s simple to set up and easy to use.

The solutions:

For fully kitted Zoom meeting rooms, Nuvias UC’s Zoom bundles offer 1 year prepay licenses combined with some of the world’s leading video hardware providers. You can choose between Poly, Yealink or DTEN devices from huddle rooms to full scale conferencing rooms.

For fully integrated rooms compatible with other platform environments, Poly, Yealink, Lifesize, Logitech, and AudioCodes offer solutions for Teams rooms and various other platforms.

EPOS have also recently released their new EXPAND Vision 3T. A simply to install video solution for a natural meeting experience.

Some companies will be looking to re-equip their staff with new office audio devices as they move back to the office. Poly and EPOS offer a wide range of wireless DECT headsets, while Poly, AudioCodes and Yealink have portfolios of Teams and SIP IP Phones available to choose from.

Yealink have recently released their WH6 Series Workstations. An all-in-one headset and call management Teams device to help users de-clutter their work area.

Scenario 3: Working in public

The environment:

With the ability to work from anywhere, more workers than ever are able to log a few hours at a nearby café, hotel lobby or train, but with devices that match office quality comms solutions they’re used to in the office.

The requirement:

These devices need to be adaptable and transportable. Preferably lightweight and of a size conducive to fitting easily into a bag or to carry around from place to place. 

Being in public, they’ll also need to block out external interruptions while making sure any mics they’re using having the ability to isolate their voice on calls while not disturbing those around them.

The solutions:

Poly and EPOS over-ear Teams headphones can adapt to ever-changing surroundings as work environments change. These solutions are able to connect to multiple devices so users can switch effortlessly between their phone, laptop, and desktop.

Poly and EPOS offer in-ear headsets designed to offer enterprise quality audio while on the move. Poly’s Voyager 6200 and EPOS’ ADAPT 400 feature a vibrating neckband so users can manage and be alerted to notifications and calls in confined spaces on transport.

This is made even easier with EPOS’ Connect app allowing users to change the audio setting with a quick swipe.

Scenario 4: Working in challenging environments

The environment:

As pubs and restaurants start to open back up, and warehouses and hospitals continue to work around the clock, workers find themselves needing to communicate across long distances, amongst loud machinery, and patients and customers needing assistance.

The requirement:

Robust audio devices that can withstand being dropped, passed around and being used in unpredictable environments.

These will also need to stay connected around other complex machinery and not allow other technology to affect its performance.

The solutions:

SIP devices offer a reliable and cost-effective solution for such environments.

Poly’s Rove Series and Yealink’s W5 SIP handsets are built to last for such environments. Utilising the power of SIP connectivity, these devices are designed with long-range communication in mind to limit interruptions or disconnection that may occur with Bluetooth devices if used in these workspaces.

Yealink’s T5 series are also Teams native with select devices coming fitted with an in-built monitor to manage calls with a simple touch-screen display.