By: Mike Ridderhof, CTS-D, CTS-I
Solutions Engineer, CommLink Integration Corp.
The era of the traditional conference room is fast approaching its end. A new more versatile meeting space is on the rise to meet ever increasing dynamic workplace needs. The image of a large imposing boardroom that we all hold dear to our A/V hearts is more and more becoming the exception and not the rule. Much like how cell phones have evolved as a tool for so much more than phone calls, so too must conference rooms become adaptable to a multitude of applications.
Some within more creative industries have tried using less traditional options like ping-pong tables as a conference table, in attempts to give off a ‘casual and creative’ vibe. The problem with repurposed furniture and equipment is that they are far from comfortable and often impede getting actual work done. By outfitting traditional meeting room spaces with furniture designed to be flexible, along with comprehensive video-conferencing systems, companies can increase the functionality of these spaces while still presenting as trendy and modern.
By breaking away from the singular monolithic tables and towards more flexible modular furniture, these rooms are no longer locked into a single configuration and use. Spaces can then be easily adapted to better support employees to meet the demands of an increasingly complex workplace. What was once a conference room can morph into training stations, an event area, webinar broadcasting space, or classroom. In one setting the perimeter displays can be used for data analysis during a productivity meeting, and then just as easily be switched to an interactive team training station immediately after. This adaptability releases employees from feeling tied down by conventional spaces and provides the foundational infrastructure for them to more effectively tackle today's ever-changing workloads and expectations.
Additionally, in the current post-COVID era, the workplace landscape is becoming increasingly remote for many. For those looking to break away from Brady Bunch-style zoom calls and recreate the in-person meeting experience virtually, stand-up video display carts are now being used to enhance one-on-one interactions. These carts can be placed within larger conference rooms or smaller huddle rooms and the portrait style displays provide more coverage of the body while incorporating hand gestures that are often cut off during a normal video conferencing call. They can help facilitate a more personal and integrated experience that can so often feel detached in a remote setting.
With increased functionality often comes concern for ease of use. With how demanding the average workplace has become, employees have less bandwidth for major concerns - let alone worrying about how to turn on and link a projector, or which app they need to use to help share content within a particular meeting room space. Currently, scheduling systems can be utilized to apply different capabilities at specific times. However, the true future of convenient functionality and customization lies in the use of AI integration. One example would be using AI facial recognition to trigger settings and launch personal interface preferences as you enter the meeting space.
There is understandably some hesitation around this technology and its implications for personal privacy. But for better or worse, it is already being widely used in our daily lives. Such applications include occupancy tracking, marketing research, and security. Many consumers have already invited Alexa and Google into their homes, allowing them to listen to our conversations and collect marketing data in exchange for the comfort and convenience of automatically adjusting home lighting, sound, temperature, and security. Even more people have allowed access to their fingerprints, and even take 3D models of their faces, to provide added security to their mobile devices. Incorporating this level of technology to help streamline meeting functions is part of the next logical step forward in smart flexible meeting spaces. That being said, this remains a controversial privacy issue that will continue to be tested and explored.
It is unlikely that we will move away from the classic conference room as a whole, as it remains critical for several workplace needs. However, the more adaptable we are able to make spaces, the more effective they will be and the longer they can remain relevant. As a system designer, these new requests have been a refreshingly fun challenge to think outside the box and explore new capabilities within these spaces. We look forward to seeing where the industry goes next when designing and building out these vital new spaces. With InfoComm fast approaching there will be plenty of new technology to explore, and I’m excited to see how we can incorporate the latest technology into our designs in order to continue to provide new and exciting, flexible, and personalized experiences.
Looking to improve upon your meeting and conference rooms? Contact us today!