At Enterprise Connect 2024, Cisco revealed solutions tailored to the evolving needs of today's hybrid workforce. Among the innovations introduced were the Cisco Board Pro G2 and the Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series, aimed at transforming collaboration experiences in the workplace.
"Cisco is expanding our portfolio of collaboration devices to deliver modern experiences to every corner of the office — from individual workspaces, to meeting rooms of all sizes and configurations. With AI built in from the ground up, our voice and video devices are changing what's possible for hybrid workers, delivering tangible outcomes that matter," said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Security and Collaboration.
At the beginning of the year, Cisco introduced more innovations to improve the hybrid work experience, with its latest collaboration devices designed for Microsoft Teams at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2023.
The Cisco Board Pro G2
The Cisco Board Pro G2 is an advancement in collaborative technology, leveraging AI capabilities and intuitive touch features to enhance interaction in various workspace settings, from huddle rooms to classrooms. With its intelligent 96-megapixel dual-lens camera system and advanced AI virtual zoom, remote participants can enjoy inclusive views of the meeting space, promoting engagement and participation.
Additionally, the device offers flexible collaboration options, supporting seamless video conferencing, interactive annotation, and digital whiteboarding across multiple platforms, including Microsoft Teams Rooms and Webex.
Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series
The second innovation is the Cisco Desk Phone 9800 Series, designed to adapt to the dynamic nature of modern office layouts. Recognizing the shift towards open floorplans and shared workspaces, this series delivers personalized productivity experiences at every desk. Features such as desk reservation capabilities, QR code check-ins, and integration with collaboration tools streamline workflows and enhance employees' connectivity, whether in-office or remote.
The unveiling coincided with the release of survey findings underscoring the importance of collaborative environments in the post-pandemic workplace. Despite 72% having a positive outlook on returning to the office, employees expressed concerns about the lack of spaces conducive to collaboration and creativity. Employers agreed with these sentiments, highlighting the need for technological investments, particularly in AI, as 80% are planning to invest, and 68% are planning to enhance their workspaces with AI.
According to the survey, there is a growing recognition among organizations of AI's potential to transform the workplace, with a majority planning to integrate AI-powered collaboration software and technologies into their workspaces by 2025. However, bridging the AI skills gap remains a challenge, emphasizing the importance of training initiatives to assist employees with the necessary proficiency.
New offerings within Webex cloud CX solutions
At the event, Cisco also unveiled new offerings within its Webex cloud customer experience solutions, addressing the imperative for organizations to efficiently deliver standout, connected customer experiences without disrupting operations. The introduction of Webex Customer Experience Essentials caters to customer-facing employees, complementing the existing Webex Contact Center capabilities.
The Cisco AI Assistant for Webex Contact Center, with features like conversation summaries and agent burnout detection, has already shown significant improvements in handling customer inquiries and satisfaction scores, as testified by early adopters like First Horizon Bank. These enhancements, coupled with core quality management features and deeper CRM integrations with Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and ServiceNow, enable organizations of all sizes to streamline workflows, enhance agent efficiency, and elevate customer satisfaction while offering competitive pricing and scalability.
