Federal agencies are returning to the office, but still allowing remote workers to work from home, increasing the need for remote and on-site employees to join meetings together. Pre-pandemic the technology needed to host a hybrid meeting was a speaker sitting in the middle of a table. Now workers demand better tech that allows them to have a more comprehensive experience at all levels of the meeting. These are five questions to ask when you create the ideal hybrid meeting environment for your agency.
1. What do I need to make audio clear to remote participants?
The audio industry has seen a lot of changes over the past decade. It is imperative that federal agencies invest in this area. Wide-band audio (also known as HD voice) extends the frequency spectrum of audio signals, which results in higher-quality speech. Multiple microphones are required to capture audio from all participants in large and medium-sized rooms. A third option for audio is using voice technology in collaboration platforms such as Webex, ZoomOr Avaya. This makes it easier to use the system and opens up new capabilities like translation, noise blocking, and transcription.
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2. What tech can make remote workers feel like they’re in the office?
Many collaboration vendors now offer the ability to use artificial intelligence to split one camera feed into multiple streams. Zooms Together Mode transforms traditional bowling alley views where distant participants can see one end of a long, rectangular table into one that shows the face of each person. This allows everyone to see the same view.
3. How can we share information without everyone staring at their laptops?
Modern collaboration platforms integrate digital displays with interactive features that allow users to interact and share content with remote participants. The example of the Cisco Webex BoardParticipants can wirelessly share HD video content via touch screen. This allows remote participants to easily create and comment on content and collaborate with in-room attendees.s.
READ MOREIt is possible to use cross-agency collaboration tools for team collaboration. Here’s how.
4. How can I enable side conversations when necessary?
Team messaging is great for sidebar conversations in meetings. Participants can follow the stream of the larger meeting via video and share content, then use the messaging capabilities to chat to one or more people to have a side discussion. Employees would prefer to use the chat feature integrated into a meeting solution, but standalone apps are possible.
5. How can I use existing technology for more complex meetings?
Apps for team collaboration allow quick messages to go between two or more people. A full-featured collaboration application is required for more complex meetings. It includes video calling, content sharing, whiteboarding, and video calling. Employees can collaborate in a team setting and then escalate to a call, video or meeting if necessary. This is why it is better to choose an integrated collaboration solution than different best-of breed applications.
