Since the early days of Teams Room solutions on both Windows and Android, peripherals devices such as cameras, microphones and speakers have been connected using USB2.0/3.0 standards. The future of AI-assisted work is in creating scalable and manageable room systems by connecting spaces equipped with multiple smart cameras and diverse audio devices using IP connectivity for efficient integration. With the release of PolyOS 4.4, this is now possible with Modular Room (MR), which is HP Poly’s strategy to meeting customer demands for rapid scalability and ease of management for Teams Rooms. This blog post will provide a comprehensive guide to setting up and configuring the Netgear ProAV line of switches for modular room deployments for Teams Rooms.

Microsoft Ignite 2024 just ended with massive feature releases and updates to M365, Azure and AI. It was a tremendous event jam packed the latest innovations geared to take modern work new levels of productivity. For those of us too busy to watch all the live and recorded sessions, here's a quick TL;DR version of 5 important highlights announced at Microsoft Ignite 2024, focused on Teams and Devices. For those who prefer to read the complete version from Microsoft, the link is: ​https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftteamsblog/what%E2%80%99s-new-in-microsoft-teams--microsoft-ignite-2024/428753 

In August this year Microsoft posted an important announcement in the M365 admin portal Message Center as MC665936 entitled "Device Management Changes for Microsoft Teams Android Devices". Microsoft is introducing a new method for managing Teams Android Devices, transitioning from the legacy Android Device Administrator to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Device Management. This migration is essential for leveraging new features and functionalities that enhance device management and security, and also because Google has deprecated the Device Administrator API since 2020. The migration will come in the form of a new firmware update to Microsoft Teams Android devices from ODM partners in 2024. The firmware update will move devices from Android device administrator to Android AOSP management. In this blogpost we provide a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the Intune environment for this upcoming migration.

One of the key features that customers have consistently asked for in Teams Room on Android devices is the support for Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol (SCEP). This protocol simplifies the process of certificate management, making it easier for devices to obtain and manage digital certificates. With PolyOS version 4.3 released in this month of Aug 2024, Poly's range of Teams Room on Android devices comprising of the Studio X family of collaboration bars as well as the G series modular room codecs, SCEP is supported for both the codec and the TC8/10 touch controllers. In this post, we'll dive into the configuration and usage of these SCEP features 

In today’s hybrid work environment, clear communication and effective collaboration are more important than ever. Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows devices now feature AI-powered speaker recognition technology, expanding its capabilities to all microphones, not just intelligent speaker equipment. This is a huge step in bringing Copilot AI functionality into Teams Rooms. In the past, Microsoft required specific Intelligent Speaker hardware to enable this functionality, but this is no longer necessary as any MTR will be able to provide this capability. In this blogpost, we take a first look at this newly released feature for Teams Rooms on Windows and experience how the new cloud-powered AI speaker recognition makes a difference in an actual meeting.

In this blog post, we go over the procedure on how to analyze call and meeting quality for Microsoft Teams Room Android or Windows devices. The Microsoft Teams Admin Center (TAC) has the ability to allow administrators to perform Call Analytics that provides detailed information about calls and meetings for Teams Room devices. It includes data on devices, networks, connectivity, and call quality. This is especially useful for troubleshooting poor call quality for specific devices, isolate problem areas (e.g., network issues, firewall blockage, proxy delays and other latency problems). Sometimes during a particular meeting, users may experience inaudible or broken audio as well as video freezing or no video at all. Call analytics is one of the best tools available to determine the root causes.

Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows consoles can now be efficiently deployed, provisioned, and managed using Windows AutoPilot and Autologin. This combination streamlines the process, eliminating the need for physical interaction during setup. Windows Autopilot and Autologin have just been released in PREVIEW this week. In this blog post, we walk through the steps on how to leverage this powerful feature for mass deployment of MTRW devices

In the latest 4.19.57 version of Teams Room on Windows, Microsoft introduced a simplified deployment option using one-time passwords, or OTPs. This is especially useful for those who work with a system integrator. An OTP eliminates the security risk of needing to share room credentials, like usernames and passwords, with your installer. The code is shared with a company administrator, who can remotely provision credentials to the device. OTPs are currently available on Windows devices only. In this blog post, we walk through the steps of deploying MTR Windows using this new option.

The Poly Studio X family includes all-in-one video bars and modular solutions for large boardrooms and training rooms. With incredible audio and video technology, compact sizes, and simple deployment, these devices are ideal for classrooms and environments of various sizes. The devices are equipped with an 8" TC8 or 10" TC10 touchscreen controller that allow users to join meetings, start instant meetings, make calls, share content, and manage participants in a meeting. In this blogpost, we look at some of the frequently asked questions regarding pairing of MTR Android touch controllers.

A Microsoft Teams Signature Room is a dedicated meeting space that is designed to provide the best possible experience for hybrid meetings. It includes a set of hardware and software that is specifically optimized for Microsoft Teams, as well as a carefully designed layout that promotes collaboration and engagement. Microsoft provides design guidance for Signature Rooms using a Jabra Panacast50. In this blogpost, we look at a possible Teams Signature Room layout that uses the Poly Studio E70 camera. Caveat: The information here does not represent any official guidance from HP | Poly or Microsoft. However, it is a real design that has been used in an actual signature room.

Teams common area phones are typically placed in an area like a lobby or another area that is available to many people to make a call: a reception area, lobby, or conference phone. Common area phones are signed in with accounts tied to a Microsoft Teams Shared Devices license which costs USD8.00 per month. 

This article provides an overview of how to deploy and configure Teams phone devices as common area phones for shared spaces. Many of the Teams voice deployment steps were already covered in a previous blog post and here we will use the existing tenant dial plan and voice routing policy. Number assignment will be done using a new cmdlet that were introduced recently. Once complete the phone will be able to display a dialpad and make and receive PSTN calls via direct routing