Prior to the pandemic, numerous companies had already acknowledged the advantages of virtual collaboration tools.

However, the widespread adoption of these tools significantly surged in the Spring of 2020 when remote work and virtual collaboration became the prevailing practice.

As more companies are now transitioning back to physical office spaces, an increasing number of customers are inquiring about the necessity of upgrading their existing meeting room technology that was in place before the pandemic. The main driving factor behind this inquiry is that employees have become accustomed to a particular experience during the pandemic, and the meeting rooms from the pre-pandemic era fail to deliver a comparable experience.

But what are some signs that you should upgrade your meeting spaces?

Read on to learn more!

Naturally, the clearest indication that it’s time to update your meeting room technology arises when it aligns with a long-term strategic plan.

In such cases, your hardware lifecycle management software will initiate a hardware refresh, and you can proceed with ordering new technology through your established procurement process.

However, it’s important to recognize that not all companies can follow this approach.

Some are in the process of catching up, while others contend with competing priorities or limited budgets. If you find yourself without a two- or three-year plan, rest assured that you are not alone in this situation.

The most evident and familiar sign is when your current meeting room technology consistently fails to meet the required performance standards.

In such cases, it becomes imperative to consider an upgrade.

Furthermore, if your existing meeting room technology consistently faces challenges in providing clear and reliable audio and video, it becomes a substantial barrier to effective collaboration.

With the continuous evolution of software, developers constantly introduce new ideas that demand greater processing power.

Unfortunately, older hardware tends to possess less of this necessary horsepower. If your meeting room technology has been in use for several years, it’s highly likely that both the hardware and software are outdated.

Consequently, you may experience sluggish performance, compatibility challenges, and increased security vulnerabilities.

This situation can be frustrating for IT managers and systems administrators who find themselves inundated with frequent maintenance and support requests, while also worrying about potential data breaches and cyberattacks.

Failure to keep up with your partners’ implementation of new technology can lead to future challenges.

Likewise, if your current technology is unable to accommodate the latest operating systems or device types, collaborating effectively becomes a challenge when partners are physically present.

In the era of remote work and hybrid workplaces, where individuals prefer to use their personal devices, it is crucial that your meeting room technology is capable of supporting laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Failing to do so will result in an inability to deliver a seamless user experience.

Being avid technology enthusiasts ourselves, we understand the desire for the latest and most advanced features.

However, there comes a point when the fear of missing out transitions into the realization that you’re actually falling behind. According to a 2022 survey conducted by Cisco, nearly 90% of respondents considered video conferencing as essential or important for their business.

If you find yourself in a state of FOMO (fear of missing out), it’s crucial to ensure that you have the necessary tools to achieve your goals and maintain competitiveness in today’s dynamic business environment.

In today’s fast-paced technological landscape, product innovation cycles have become increasingly shorter as manufacturers strive to keep up with advancements and competition in the industry.

To ensure that your solutions remain aligned with current IT desktop computing strategies, our integrators suggest refreshing key core components every three to five years.

If you’re unsure where your current meeting room technology stands, our integrators emphasize that the bare minimum capabilities required today include collaboration tools like video conferencing, screen sharing, and virtual whiteboards. Without these features, effectively working with remote teams and external partners can become more challenging.

Should you find that your existing meeting room technology no longer meets your needs, our team at Ultimate Technologies Group is ready to assist you in finding a suitable solution.

Call today to find out more!