Meetings are a waste of time

Most of us spend a lot of time in business meetings – and I’m sure we all daydream once in a while, or miss part of the meeting as we check our e-mail or consult news sites. Harmless as this might sound, there’s clearly something going on.

So many costly meetings…

When Googling the topic, I came across this interesting infographic which shows that there are about 3 billion meetings per year in the US alone. Yet, 71% of the meeting participants feel that these meetings are not productive. So, we knowledge workers are spending the bulk of our time in meetings that we consider unproductive.

Imagine what this loss of productivity costs an organization. At a conservatively estimated hourly rate of $50 (USD) per meeting participant, the average 5-person meeting could cost up to $250 per meeting. Or, as Group Vision estimates: each year, the Fortune 500 companies lose $75 billion on unproductive meetings. Anything but harmless, if you ask me…

From presentation to true collaboration

Over the last two decades, technology has changed the way people collaborate – from telephone and fax, to e-mail, online chat and social media. With the help of internet connectivity, microblogging, conferencing tools, groupware platforms, and more, people are working together like they never have before. But many people feel it’s time for yet another revolution in the meeting space – to help us move from monologue to dialogue, from presentation to true collaboration.

We are convinced that technology can help turn collaboration into a competitive advantage for your business. And that’s what we want to explore in our SWITCH blog, as we share collaboration facts, figures, trends and updates, with a sprinkling of product news from Barco’s AV world.

Can technology save the meeting

ast time, we touched upon the productivity issues in today’s meeting culture and the pressure from management to treat collaboration as a competitive asset.

In Barco’s ‘Meeting Room of the Future’ survey, held last summer, 8 out of 10 business leaders indicated that technology could help provide a solution to the quest for greater productivity, and (wireless) presentation tools were considered the No. 1 priority when updating meeting rooms. You can consult the full results of the survey on SlideShare and YouTube.Link below -

Survey on SlideShare

Improving decision-making

Investments in visualization and presentation technology are usually made with one goal in mind: improved decision-making. In fact, 70% of the people we surveyed cite improved decision-making as the top benefit of data visualization tools.

But there are many aspects to be kept in mind when choosing the right technology for your organization, including: technology requirements, implementation needs, managing user expectations, and proving return on investment. Such a decision is never taken lightly – not even by those of us who go for consumer-like presentation and collaboration gadgets or other budget-friendly, functionality-light tools.

6 challenging dimensions

In my opinion, there are six key elements to consider when you are weighing your options for having technology take you to the next level of collaboration:

ease of use
open standards
technology
enterprise integration
security
and, of course, the user of the solution.
Six dimensions – and each of them creates unique challenges.

Barco introduces game-changing meeting room technology

When you know that 30 million PowerPoint presentations are produced around the world every day, you can imagine how much time – and money – is lost waiting for technicians to get them working properly. ClickShare is Barco’s answer to this inefficiency, making connection to the meeting room’s video system a matter of clicking a button.

A solution for PC and MAC

A standard ClickShare set-up consists of four USB devices (the ‘ClickShare Buttons’), a storage basket (the ‘ClickShare Tray’) for neatly storing the Buttons when they’re not in use and a Base Unit. The Base Unit has a fixed connection to the meeting room’s AV system and handles all processing. Users who want to put their presentation on the large meeting room screen simply connect a Button to their PC or MAC, click it … and immediately their desktop is transferred wirelessly to the large visualization system. What’s more, ClickShare doesn’t interfere with the laptop’s resolution, and it automatically displays the screen content optimally. ClickShare also allows you to show video clips with frame rates of up to 20 fps.

Collaborate in style

But there’s more: ClickShare enables the other meeting attendees to participate more actively. When they too connect a ClickShare Button to their laptop, they can put their content on-screen as well. In total, four participants can be on-screen simultaneously. This saves people the hassle of disconnecting the video cable and passing it to a colleague.

And, as appearances matter as well, ClickShare couples usability with good looks – so, it’s a solution that people are eager to use, during every meeting.

Changing meeting dynamics forever

“ClickShare is one of those innovations that really excite people,” says Eric Van Zele, CEO of Barco. “You can immediately see that it’s a spot-on concept that will make life easier for millions of people every day. And the best thing is: ClickShare is so incredibly simple to use. Click and you’re on-screen. Everybody can do it. And because people are encouraged to share more information with the other participants, ClickShare will change meeting dynamics forever. Barco is very proud to launch this product today – we really believe ClickShare will strengthen our company’s position in the Corporate AV market.”

Barco goes 3D at Petrotech 2014

From 12 through 15 January, professionals from India’s growing oil and gas industry assembled in the India Exposition Mart in Greater Noida for the Petrotech international oil and gas conference and exhibition. Here, Barco presented its latest innovations, including a 3D video wall, ClickShare, and the projectiondesign F35 AS3D 3D projector. In addition, Barco partner Schlumberger—a system integrator for the oil and gas industry and a Petrotech crystal sponsor—displayed its latest sector solutions on a Barco MVL-621 video wall.

Drilling for opportunities 
For the eleventh year straight, Petrotech acquainted professionals in India’s growing oil and gas industry with the latest tools and solutions to both overcome the sector’s most pressing challenges and seize every possible opportunity. Technology can play a key role in both objectives. “Over the years, Barco’s appearance at Petrotech has become a tradition,” says Abel Garamhegyi, managing director at Barco India. “This year, we are happy to showcase our latest collaboration 3D technology: stereographic cubes that help the oil industry make wiser, more effective, and more cost-effective decisions.”

At this year’s edition, Barco presented a range of products designed to help professionals work more efficiently. For the very first time, Petrotech visitors experienced our 3D video wall solution, as well as the unique features of the projectiondesign F35 AS3D projector. These features include the display of fully uncompressed 3D images with the highest amount of detail at an affordable price. With these solutions, Barco is proving once more that 3D technology can play a large role in facilitating both oil and gas exploration and the management of existing wells.

Slick collaboration 
The ClickShare presentation tool, developed to foster collaboration in the meeting room, was also demonstrated. Visitors experienced its intuitive, wireless interface for themselves and discovered why so many companies are adopting the system to make their meetings more productive and enjoyable. And while we’re talking collaboration: Schlumberger—a leading technological supplier and system integrator in the industry—used Barco’s OverView MVL-621 video wall to display its products under the best possible conditions.

‘The invasion’ introduces Barco’s corporate AV range

‘The Invasion’ – an exclusive event to celebrate the launch of Barco’s corporate AV range. While our Collaborate, Impress and Present projectors and our ClickShare system took center stage, the event also introduced the unique Engage™ package. Engage™ bundles ClickShare with other technology and office furniture to spur collaboration in the meeting room. The Imago group will support the rollout of Engage across Europe.

Fantastic feedback
The launch event, which took place at the prestigious Royal Society of Arts building in London, was the first opportunity for Imago’s reseller partners and their customers to see the full range in one place. They were treated to extensive demos of the projectors and of ClickShare, as well as to presentations by Barco on its corporate AV strategy and the long-term plans for technology development. “We have had some fantastic feedback from our customers,” wrote the Imago Group on its LinkedIn page, after the event.

Engage™ by Herman Miller
More than showcasing the new projector range, the Imago Group also gave a sneak peek of Engage™ – a concept designed by specialist corporate furniture manufacturer Herman Miller that includes Barco’s ClickShare. The combination of ClickShare with Samsung displays, audio conferencing from Revolabs, display stands from CBS and Herman Miller furniture leads to turnkey collaboration solutions for today’s meeting rooms.

Read AV Magazine
Want to learn more about meeting-room efficiency and the Engage™ offering? Well, AV Magazine has dedicated a two-pager to this topic in its November-December issue. Don’t miss it!

Herman Miller offers Barco ClickShare wireless collaboration technology

Barco, a global leader in visualization and collaboration solutions, has forged a North American alliance with Herman Miller, an international contemporary office furnishings company, to offer Barco’s ClickShare wireless collaboration technology to enhance meeting dynamics.
Traditionally, commercial office furniture and ProAV industries rarely intersect, but with the need for collaborative work spaces, consumerization of IT and growth of personalized technology, these two industries are finding ways to combine their offerings, providing turnkey collaboration solutions.

Shared approach to enhanced meetings
Herman Miller and Barco collaboration products are an ideal marriage of furniture solutions and collaboration technology. This partnership revolutionizes and simplifies the way people work together and share content. Additionally, Barco’s ClickShare design fits discreetly into Herman Miller’s products.

“A sleek and efficient product, ClickShare integrates seamlessly with both our AV carts and our furniture,” comments Wayne Baxter, Director of Herman Miller’s “Thrive” ergonomic portfolio of products.

Enhancing collaboration and efficiency in today’s meetings
Barco ClickShare makes it easy for professionals to present their content on the meeting room main display with just a click of a button. Comprised of only a few simple components – a base station, ClickShare buttons and easy-to-use software – ClickShare allows users to instantly connect, communicate and collaborate by mirroring their computer screen content on the meeting room display.

“Like Herman Miller solutions, ClickShare enhances collaboration and inspires productivity, making meetings more impactful and efficient,” continues Baxter. “I personally never want to have another meeting without ClickShare!”

New inroads to new markets
“By forming alliances with market leading, progressive companies like Herman Miller, we can greatly expand our reach to create new business opportunities in new markets, ultimately empowering thousands of professionals with the ability to greatly enhance collaboration and meeting dynamics,” comments Patrick Lee, Vice President Barco North America.

Embracing the BYOD Trend
The relationship between Herman Miller and Barco comes at a time when an increasing number of professionals are using personal technology for business communication and presentation, known widely as “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD). ClickShare allows companies to fully embrace this trend by providing a system that enables users to easily share content from these devices on the main display without the complexity if connecting to the company network. The combination of platform flexibility and the ability to simultaneously share different types of documents – including PowerPoint, spreadsheets, and pdfs – make ClickShare a highly versatile and flexible content-sharing tool.

An integrated collaboration solution
Barco’s value-added distributor, Starin, is supplying ClickShare to Herman Miller dealers in the US and Canada as an integral component of the “Engage™” system, which provides customers with everything they need for effective wireless screen sharing within a collaboration space. This product bundles Herman Miller’s VCALL AV Support for audio visual and video conferencing needs in either single or dual screen format with ClickShare to foster interactive information sharing.

Why ClickShare is the best solution for your meeting room?

Conferences and discussions will happen online and meeting room tools are a necessity. Thus, the question is not if one should buy an online presentation or collaboration tool, but the imperative issue is which one to buy and how to decide? Well, the precise answer is sort of company specific, because to an extent it depends upon the user’s requirements. Few features say wireless connectivity and presentation are pertinently required in certain cases, while certain users might feel they could do without this add-on. Thus, the perfect meeting room tool for a setup is defined based upon the specific requirements and budget; however a more general analysis can certainly be conducted. Elucidated below are a few points that play a pivotal role in determining if a wireless presentation system is of decent quality and is reasonably feature equipped. While the essential features of a meeting room tool are analyzed, ClickShare as a wireless presentation system in India is scrutinized alongside.

1.Wireless abilities – Wires are simply out; from printers to laptops to mobile devices, every gadget is flourishing on the wireless connection technique, why should these conferencing tools by any exception? ClickShare is a wireless presentation system; this one click meeting room tool thrives on the wireless technology and thus, for the meeting participants and online users, connecting with this device is hassle free.

2. Sans the bells and whistles – A wireless presentation and conferencing tool can be termed acceptable if in order to setup a meeting, it does not mandatorily demands time for the setup or a technical expert to enable the collaboration. The wireless presentation system software should simply be a discussion platform that is easy to manage. Barco’s ClickShare fits into this definition of a perfect online presentation system; it is a one click meeting room tool, which a non-technical person can totally operate.

3.Interactive enough – Meetings are not just about verbal communications or simple presentations where the presenter runs through the prepared slides. For a discussion to be constructive enough, a lot of information is exchanged and the members communicate effectively by not just engaging in a verbal discussion, but by making use of boards, editing stuff, pulling in supplementary documents and pictures, making notes, reviewing and hence on. A diligent online meeting room tool accommodates the stated and more. ClickShare lets you share audio and video clips, edit files, instant document transfer, messaging and other related tasks, thus qualifying this criterion as well.
4.Secure – For a company, its information is sacred and any leaks in the communication channel can cost millions. With internet as the correspondence enabler, security of data has reached a new level. ClickShare is not just an easy and effective meeting room tool with a large meeting room screen, but it is also a robustly secured wireless presentation system.
5.Cost – Stated features are best explained, if enwrapped in an affordable bundle. Barco’s ClickShare wireless presentation system India is well configured to suit not just the working style of an entrepreneur, but also the pocket of a money-wise investor.

Barco announces Android app for its ClickShare meeting room presentation system

Barco, a leader in professional meeting room visualization and collaboration systems, has extended BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) support for its ClickShare product with the release of a new Android app. The app extends ClickShare support for mobile devices beyond Apple’s iOS.
With ClickShare – Barco’s revolutionary meeting room collaboration system – users can present their content on the main meeting room screen with just the click of a button. Now users of Android phones and tablets can also enjoy the ClickShare experience with the new ClickShare mobile app for Android. The app provides a virtual button allowing users to show documents, pictures and screen shots in the ClickShare composition. As Android is now one of the most widely used platforms for smart devices in the world, this hugely expands the applicability of ClickShare.

“The BYOD trend is becoming increasingly significant for businesses and we want to offer users the flexibility to share their content within a meeting room environment from any device and in the most straightforward way possible. Therefore, it was of key strategic importance for us to extend support for the ClickShare technology to the Android Operating System,” explains Guy Coen, General Manager Collaboration at Barco.

“The market response to ClickShare has been overwhelmingly positive, and the app for iPhone and iPad has been very popular with users. Extending this to Android undoubtedly opens the way to a new wave of ClickShare enthusiasts.”

The ClickShare iOS app has also been updated and is now compatible with Microsoft Office documents, as well as JPEG images and PDF documents. The ClickShare Android App is available to download free from the Google Play store now.

Barco ClickShare

Barco’s ClickShare occupies a new market segment – collaborative meeting room technology. ClickShare is a wireless single-click meeting room presentation system that allows any number of users to display content from up to four devices at once on a single screen, and all in the correct resolution. It is compatible with Windows and Apple Mac computers, as well as tablets and smartphones running on the Android and iOS operating systems. For more information, please see http://www.barco.com/clickshare.