- Qualified by Microsoft as fully interoperable with Microsoft Lync Server 2013
- Simplifies collaboration with seamless sharing of real-time video, voice and data
- Businesses achieve better engagement, enhanced communication and increased productivity
- Meetings with local and remote participants begin with a single touch
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 8, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The much-anticipated SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync has been qualified by Microsoft as fully interoperable with Microsoft Lync Server 2013 and is now shipping worldwide. SMART Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:SMT) (TSX:SMA), a leading provider of collaboration solutions, is one of the first companies to globally ship an integrated hardware and software solution that supports Microsoft Lync in the meeting room. Lync is the popular software application that thousands of companies around the world already use on a daily basis for their communication requirements. The SMART Room System is fully integrated with innovative features, all developed with the goal of extending customers' Microsoft Lync investment into any collaboration space.
"We are delighted to see the SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync shipping," says Giovanni Mezgec, General Manager of Lync Product Marketing for Microsoft. "The SMART Room System combines SMART's outstanding visual collaboration solutions with Lync's industry-leading UC features, offering a collaboration solution that can help increase productivity, efficiency and organizational flexibility."
Even prior to the system being available, SMART documented hundreds of customer orders from businesses. The conferencing solution simplifies the collaboration experience for both virtual and face-to-face meeting participants and provides a seamless online experience through sharing of real-time video, voice and data. Businesses that have started using SMART Room System have benefited from its ease-of-use and found it led to better engagement, enhanced communication and increased productivity.
Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was presented with the opportunity to test the SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync prior to product launch to assist with product development. The university had previously deployed Microsoft Lync and was one of the largest user bases for enterprise voice, with close to 2,000 active users, making the SMART Room System an ideal fit for the university.
"One of the first benefits we experienced upon implementation was ease-of-use. With the SMART Room System, you can walk into the room, press one button and you're in the meeting," says Dan Smith, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Marquette University. "The system takes the technology barriers away and allows you to quickly get to the heart of the meeting."
The SMART Room System is frequently used for IT project meetings that require collaboration by local and remote participants. "With the system, meetings have become more effective because remote attendees are able to see the shared content easily and contribute to the meeting as if they were physically in the room," says Smith. "The video experience enables participants to read visual cues from all attendees – whether they are local or remote – which is very powerful and leads to better engagement and clearer communication."
Microsoft's internal studies have indicated that it takes an average of 8 to 12 minutes to begin a meeting using technology, but with the SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync the start-up time for an active session with full access to audio, video and presentation data is reduced to a single touch ensuring optimal use of meeting time. SMART's industry-leading interactive displays feature specialized glass treatment for a smooth touch experience with no drag. The displays also offer integrated ink controls for color selection and proximity detection, an innovative feature enabled by sensors that automatically detect user movements to turn the display on when you enter the room and power off when not in use. The SMART Room System includes an ultra wide-angle, high definition camera offering 109-degree field of view and room grade optics, customized speakers and microphones along with an extra-large room control console with an 11.6" (29.5 cm) display. Each component has been specifically designed and manufactured by SMART.
"Since we announced the SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync in March, we have experienced significant interest and growing demand from business users around the world," says Scott Brown, President, Enterprise, SMART Technologies. "We are very pleased to now be shipping this outstanding solution which empowers our customers to participate in active, richly collaborative work sessions from almost anywhere."
For more information, watch this video, view these images or visit the landing page of the SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync.
Availability and Purchasing
The SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync is available in three sizes and is shipping worldwide. For purchasing information, specifications and a list of authorized SMART resellers, visit http://smarttech.com/">smarttech.com.
About SMART Technologies
SMART Technologies Inc. is a leading provider of technology solutions that enable inspired collaboration in schools and workplaces around the world by turning group work into a highly interactive, engaging and productive experience. SMART delivers integrated solutions of hardware, software and services designed for superior performance and ease of use, and remains a world leader in interactive displays.
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