The RoomReady Review – March 2021

The RoomReady Review - September 2020
Vol 13 • March 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
Navigating a Year Unlike any Other
How Will Your Company Use “Return to Work” to Attract Talent?
Cisco Webex adds real-time translation in over 100 languages
LETTER FROM CEO AARON MCARDLE
Letter from CEO Aaron McArdle
What a year. Remember when we thought pandemic life would last just a few weeks … or months at most?

Although a lot of changes have taken place in the last 12 months, one of the biggest is the role of technology. For many of us, operating in an all-remote environment was new – but also instantly essential. And somehow, through tools like videoconferencing platforms, we made it work. How, exactly?

People were sort of forced to get more comfortable using new technology, and they tried new things like taking old, familiar office activities virtual. Communities started cropping up, giving professional and personal interactions a new twist. Online water cooler chats, happy hours, birthday parties and volunteering became acceptable and often even fun. In fact, I think we’ll see some of this continue once life is a little closer to normal and we can meet in-person again.

So we are now facing an interesting situation. Companies have seen how productive their teams can be while working remote, and how employees are enjoying the benefits. But with offices reopening soon, companies need to create the right hybrid environments that maintain their productivity while keeping remote work options available.
As we move into the second quarter of 2021, now is the time to explore how technology will continue to create great meeting experiences, regardless of whether we’re in-office or remote, personal or professional. Because video is here to stay.

Sincerely,
Aaron McArdle
CEO, RoomReady 
FEATURED
Navigating a Year Unlike any Other
As I sit here in my home office, during the workday and practically in pajamas (you are too, don’t judge, we’re all pairing flannel pants with dress shirts), it occurs to me we are now one transformative year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of us have done more in this year than we ever imagined we could. We thought we’d be home for a few weeks juggling an alternate life and a year later that alternate life seems to have taken over. 
Finally, we’ve turned a corner.

MEETING ROOM FACT OF THE MONTH
90%
expect some degree of video installation growth in 2021
According to Commercial Integrator’s 2021 State of the Industry Report , video installations will become a staple this year.
COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS
How Will Your Company Use "Return to Work" to Attract Talent?
In this video, Aaron and Phil McArdle discuss how companies can use improved technology and a company culture focused on flexibility to recruit top talent.

ROOMREADY IN THE NEWS
Don't Sleep on Google Meet
RoomReady CEO Aaron McArdle shares his insights on Google Meet’s presence in the K-12 education space and its ability to bleed into the enterprise.

Office 2.0: How Technology and Infrastructure Support the Post-Pandemic Office
Aaron McArdle recently took part in a roundtable webinar with Cabling Installation and Maintenance, Panduit, and TEECOM to discuss what changes commercial real estate companies and corporations expect to make as they welcome people back into buildings.

LATEST MEETING ROOM NEWS
Cisco Webex Adds Real-Time Translation in Over 100 Languages
Recent Webex enhancement allow the platform to automatically translate during live meetings, removing language barriers without a human translator.

Are Meeting Rooms Fit for Purpose
According to a recent study by Shure, most meeting rooms are not equipped with the technology they need to facilitate effective meetings.