Cisco merges its collaboration suites

Cisco has launched two new Webex devices, one for workers' desks and the other for the boardroom.

The desk-sized offering, called Webex Desk Pro, is a 27-inch, 4K touchscreen device that’s also compatible with non-Webex conferencing services. The software uses AI technology to allow users to blur the background or replace with a virtual one in real time.

The boardroom beast is called "Room Panorama" and uses multiple screens with features like facial recognition with name and title labels, new actions and meeting summaries.

The networking vendor is also combining all its collaboration offerings into a single platform to allow seamless switching between devices.

Called Single Platform Advantage, the platform combines calling, messaging, meeting, devices and contact centre through a unified modular app.

Cisco said that for users can transition from a mobile device to a meeting room device “with the flick of a finger”, while also giving IT teams a single pane of glass for admin control and security.

A new Webex offering, Cisco Webex Edge for Calling, connects existing PBX solutions to Webex Calling and provide global dialing plans, least-cost routing and centralised services including IVR and voicemail.

Cisco also released a new Bluetooth headset called the Cisco Headset 700 series, featuring noise cancellation technology and a dedicated mobile app. IT admins can manage the headset through Control Hub to protect against malware and other threats.

The vendor is also making all these devices as-a-service initially in the US. Cisco hasn’t revealed when the option is available in Australia.

“For CIOs, giving employees amazing collaboration experiences shouldn’t be hard. They should be able to give them the best collaboration tools on the planet. And tools should be super-secure and simple to manage,” Cisco EVP/GM for collaboration Amy Chang said.

"We’ve tapped into our deep engineering know-how to deliver just that. All cloud? All on prem? Hybrid? It shouldn’t matter. We’ve got it.”