Nemesis UV-C lighting systems offer technology designed for use in commercial buildings. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, UV light is likely effective against SARS-CoV-2, as it can be used to kill other coronaviruses.
Nemesis’ UV-C lighting uses LEDs to emit general illumination, while the UV-C sanitizes nearby surfaces. The technology has undergone photometric studies to confirm its sanitizing potential and can be integrated into an existing lighting system. Some of Nemesis’ offerings also come with a motion sensor for automatic shutoff, ADA compliant visual and audible alarms during disinfection, and timed settings so users can detail when disinfection occurs.
The LumeCube is a compact, affordable lighting device ideal for video conferencing, video broadcasting and video streaming. Originally developed as a photography accessory, it is ideally sized and suited for professionals, managers, educators, administrators and anyone who must remain in contact from a distance.
The LumeCube is available in several models, including models that can be clipped to the top of a laptop of computer monitor, or placed on a mini-tripod next to the computer. It uses LED lighting technology, which is safe and efficient, and is built with a softening diffuser to eliminate harsh shadows on the face. The LumeCube’s brightness and color temperature can also be adjusted, which gives the user complete control over how they look while on camera.
With a USB-C adapter, which comes with the light, the LumeCube can be charged and operated simultaneously, and it can run for 14 hours straight on a full charge. To round it out, the LumeCube is designed with an intelligent LCD screen for simple use.
Barco’s ClickShare products, and specifically its ClickShare Conference line, enable wireless presentation, whether participants are in the room or attending remotely. Wireless means touch-free, as users only have to connect the ClickShare button to connect to the rest of the conferencing system. There’s no need to plug any cables in or access a separate control device.
Barco offers several ClickShare Conference packages, designed to fit conference spaces of any size, from huddle rooms to large boardrooms. The entire solution is focused on simplicity, as integration is quick and painless, the system is triple agnostic (as in, it is compatible with any device, any UC technology and any AV peripheral brand) and it supports a BYOD approach.
Further, the Barco ClickShare is secure, with an ISO27001-certified solution built for enterprise networks.
Crestron’s AirMedia line of wireless presentation systems are the next in the company’s long history of standout conferencing products. The AirMedia comes in two models, the AM-200 and AM-300, and both provide HDMI in and out and Miracast connectivity. The AM-300 also comes with a DM input in case there is a Crestron DigitalMedia transmitter in the room.
With AirMedia, users only have to enter the conference space, connect to the system, punch in a four-digit code and start the meeting from there. There is no need to mess with cables and the only device users have to interact with is their own.
Crestron’s wireless presentation systems offer an extra bonus with their robust connectivity, making for a more immersive conferencing experience. For example, AirMedia can be connected to room controls and occupancy controls, so as soon as someone walks in, the display greets them and puts up a set of instructions for connecting. The lights and audio switch are automatically configured, and if there is a projector or other conferencing aid, it can be switched on as well.
Mersive’s Solstice line of conferencing solutions is known for its performance, usability and security. It can also facilitate wireless conferencing, as users can connect to the system from their own device using a code sent by the Solstice. The system is equally capable in-room or when used to connect remote participants, especially with the Solstice’s simple drag-and-drop interface that allows for easy content sharing.
Users can share their screen through the Solstice app or through AirPlay, Miracast, an HDMI in or through a web browser. There’s a lot of options and the Solstice is agnostic, so it works seamlessly with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or another preferred conferencing platform.
Mersive’s clever design makes efficient use of the company or school’s network, as in-room sharing is managed over local networks (only the meeting host needs to connect to the conference), and both the guest network and corporate network are utilized for conferencing. The Solstice also supports multiple 4k video streams, so performance is impressive, and security is a priority. In fact, Mersive subjects its security measures to annual third-party penetration testing, so the Solstice’s security is thoroughly tested.
ScreenBeam has made its name producing high end wireless presentation solutions, and its ScreenBeam 1100 Plus is the latest in a respected line of technologies. Designed for enterprise and educational settings, the 1100 Plus offers several advantages, including true multi-network capability. To facilitate this, ScreenBeam has included several user interface designs, depending on whether the system is accessed internally or externally, so IT can modify the receiver as needed. This makes deployment easier and reduces costs.
Also, with a native wireless display like the 1100 Plus, there’s no need to install an app or fiddle with a dongle or cable. The idea is to maximize ease of use for people attempting to connect to the ScreenBeam. The 1100 Plus also enhances collaboration with its native support for the Windows ecosystem. With this support comes additional features, like Ghost Inking, which eliminates the latency between finger and annotation, so users can make notes like they were drawing on paper.
Finally, the ScreenBeam 1100 Plus is built with an HDMI in, so users can wire their device in if needed. The 1100 Plus can also switch between wired and wirelessly connected devices without delay.
Video concierge is an emerging AV solution that allows for face-to-face communication while still recognizing social distancing. With video concierge, people can receive live assistance from a remote support team member on demand. There are many settings where video concierge makes sense, like hotels, restaurants, banks, retail shops, K-12 schools and universities.
A top video concierge option is Teleportivity, which can do more than just video concierge. Teleportivity allows businesses to establish fixed help points using QR codes or NFC tags. The user merely reads the code or tag with their device and a support team representative pops up on their device to offer help.
Teleportivity also brings its one-of-a-kind Jump Screen technology to video concierge. With Jump Screen, a member of your support team can “jump” from a fixed help kiosk to a user’s device through the use of a QR code. The user merely scans the code and the support team member pops up on their device. At this point, users can take support with them wherever they go, which is extremely helpful should assistance be needed where there is no other option for support.
Cleanliness has become a top priority for businesses, schools and individuals, and iCloth makes it simple for people and organizations to maintain it. The iCloth is a pre-moistened cleaning wipe loaded with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol – which is what the CDC recommends for disinfection purposes.
Designed for optical screens, iCloth is aerospace-approved, won’t scratch delicate surfaces and is individually packaged for maximum safety and effectiveness. It’s also available in three sizes, for cleaning everything from phone screens to large conferencing displays.
Protect98 is a simple, efficient means of remote temperature taking that removes the need for manual temperature readings. Instead of posting someone at the building’s entrance and potentially exposing them to illness, Protect98 allows businesses to scan temperatures through a device.
When in use, the Protect98 app prompts visitors with easy to follow, visual instructions. Temperature readings are taken in seconds and output an immediate pass or fail. Colored lights and audio signals are used in conjunction with the pass/fail notification, so it’s clear when someone is not safe to enter the building.
Protect98 can also be used to store image data so people are recognized and logged when they approach the device. Each person’s temperature data history is also stored for future reference, and there are plenty of backend settings to ensure precise temperature readings and facial recognition.
A heightened focus on video conferencing has organizations trying to get the most out of every display and conferencing system. One way to do this is to prioritize flexibility in your company’s meeting spaces, so people can meet where they want, when they want.
The challenge with this approach is getting your conferencing resources to where they need to be. An ideal solution, though, is for businesses to pair their displays and conferencing hardware with mobile carts that can be moved from one meeting space (or classroom) to another.
Mobile carts are available in a huge range of sizes, designed to accommodate one or more displays, conferencing hardware like a camera or speakers, and room for any cables. It’s a simple fix to a significant concern, and one that fits in any setting.
Crestron One is a mobile-friendly interface developed for organizations that utilize the Crestron family of conferencing and room control products. Launched in 2020, Crestron One allows people to connect to and control any Crestron device with their own. To do this, the user connects their mobile device to a Crestron device through Bluetooth. Once connected, the Crestron device prompts the user to enter a challenge code on their own device. That’s it – the user is connected and can access Crestron functions via their own device.
With Crestron One, anyone can walk into a smart room and operate it without touching a single thing other than their personal device. That’s helpful for BYOD-enabled workplaces and facilitates cleanliness. It’s also a pragmatically-designed interface, because your IT personnel can set permissions on what controls users are allowed to access.
Crestron One is available through room-based pricing, which keeps things simple, and it’s slated for frequent updates. For instance, room booking, wayfinding, additional operating system support and additional Crestron device support are all being enhanced into and through 2021.
Poly has a long history of producing top-notch conferencing technologies, partly because of its mastery of audio. Its audio and conferencing expertise are in massive demand now, with the sudden rise of health-conscious telecommuting.
Poly’s headsets are professional-grade, durable and offer unparalleled audio quality. They are built for the telecommuting or video conferencing professional who is in and out of calls all day, whether in the office, on the road or at home. Poly incorporates noise-canceling functionality into all of its conferencing products, and its headsets are no exception. With ambient noise suppression, your employees will hear better and, therefore, communicate better. Further, Poly has made intercompatibility a priority with its headsets, so they can be incorporated into nearly any workflow, whether that workflow includes Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoTo, RingCentral or 8×8.
Cameras
Video is half of the conferencing picture, and to capture the best video possible, your organization will need cameras designed for professional settings. There are many trustworthy brands manufacturing excellent cameras, including Poly, Logitech, Vaddio, Aver and Lumens, although there are many more. These cameras also vary greatly in their form and intended function.
For example, there are inexpensive, reliable cameras designed for use with laptops or desktops, and they may be small enough to clip to a device. The Poly Eagle Eye Mini is one such camera and can be mounted to an array of devices to capture video.
On the other end are sophisticated PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras, which are designed for smart conferencing rooms. PTZ cameras are designed with face recognition and framing functionality, so they notice when someone starts talking, finds them and frames them so they remain in focus, even if they get up and move around. Modern conferencing cameras (even less expensive ones) can capture video in ultra-high resolution, too, so video conferencing has never looked better.
Occupancy sensors aren’t a new technology, but they’re more important in an age of social distancing. That’s because they immediately detect when someone enters a space and react by configuring room technologies automatically. Occupancy sensors normally work by detecting motion, though some technologies can also detect when a connectable device has entered the space, as well.
With occupancy sensors, people walk into a meeting space and the room reacts by configuring lights, audio and any conferencing technologies. An in-room display could also greet and guide the person through the process of connecting their device and launching into a meeting. This is all done without the user touching anything and without IT getting involved. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to keep meetings and collaboration on track.
CrowdMics by Biamp turns every smartphone into a microphone, an interactive polling device, or into a direct line of communication between student and teacher, or participant and presenter. Once users connect their device to CrowdMics, they can broadcast their voice (if given permission to do so) over the room’s PA system. There is no need to pass a mic around or wear out your voice – because everyone has a smartphone on them.
If users are reluctant to speak to the entire room at once, CrowdMics also allows users to communicate directly to presenters or teachers through text. The teacher or presenter can also prompt students to answer polling questions through their phones, turning a distraction into an effective learning and communication tool.