Author: Ubiq

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

5 Benefits of Using Ubiq's Wireless Presentation System

Posted on

Conference room technology and AV equipment have grown leaps and bounds in recent years. They have changed the way we communicate in the workplace, amongst ourselves, across departments, and across the globe. That shift has set expectations for more immediate collaboration and conversation during meetings. This is why the wireless presentation system has become one of the most in-demand conference room AV products of the BYOD era.
Wireless presentation systems turn meeting rooms into central access points for content. Through secured environments, team members can meet in one digital location from various physical locations and multiple devices. Wireless presentations turn the meeting room into a collaborative place where content can be shared through any pre-existing audio visual setup.
Wireless presentations turn meeting rooms into a central access point for content. Through secured environments, team members can meet in one location from various locations and multiple devices. Wireless presentations turn the meeting room into a collaborative place with shareable content and readily available means of communication.
So, why go with Ubiq over anyone else? Ubiq’s wireless presentation system is an all-in-one solution that provides a cable free, hassle free, seamless experience for meetings and conferences. Built around the concept of hives, Ubiq’s hardware resides in the center of your meeting room, connecting people to content across multiple devices and (soon) remote locations.
Here are just some of the benefits:

  1. Easy set-up. Ubiq has designed the system for self set-up and provides step-by-step instructions. Ubiq’s wireless presentation system integrates with your current IT infrastructure. It works with the A/V technology you currently use. The hardware, also known as a “hive,” only needs to be set up in center of your meeting room. The system is supported by PC and Mac operating systems, and will be compatible with multiple tablets and mobile devices (coming soon).
  2. Quick access. Wireless presentations can be activated and accessed in under 10 seconds. Using P2P and WiFi connectivity, it takes a few simple clicks to enter your meeting session in and out of the conference room. Remote presentations will allow for your virtual teams to share in the experience in real-time, creating greater communication and collaborative opportunities.
  3. Time. Ubiq not only is easy to use, but it promotes productivity. Integrating with calendar tools, like Google Calendar, teams can schedule meetings, reserve rooms and request “hive” access. It sets structure around meeting organization for all parties involved.
  4. Security. Ubiq works with your enterprise security structure and policies. It can bridge corporate and guest networks to allow all key parties to partake in the same session. Live session data is encrypted and protected to only be accessed through the designated meeting with the hive. Ubiq also supports corporate SSO (single sign-on) to create a simple authentication process through Ubiq’s software.
  5. Less strain on IT. Ubiq is user-friendly. It is meant to empower employees to set-up their own meetings using easy to manage technology with minimal IT involvement. IT can spend their time more efficiently to support your company in other areas. Ubiq also provides an administrative dashboard for monitoring of “hive” activity from a single, remote location. IT does not need to be in the room, and can be proactive in making sure all systems are a-go!

Discover how Ubiq can work for your organization. Request a demo today!

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

Top 10 Locations for Remote Employees

Posted on

Many remote employees enjoy the flexibility of working outside of the office while being connected to the office especially during the summer seasons. While many think about the best at-home office set-up or their co-working space perks, what about the cities in which we work?
Netherlands-based tech entrepreneur Pieter Level started NomadList to rank the best places live and work remotely by city across the globe, based on the following criteria, such as:

  • Cost of living (per month)
  • Weather
  • Internet Speed
  • Transportation
  • Visa requirements
  • Access to WiFi-connected coffee shops

With a multitude of factors to consider, the site has an algorithm that updates the data on an hourly basis. The data is crowdsourced, based on registered user information, emotions (fun levels) and location check-ins throughout the world. That data is used to give each city is given a score as a percentage to determine its rank.
What’s interesting is that one might think the best places for remote employees would be busy business travel destinations, like New York, Toronto, London or Tokyo. The list doesn’t include list any of those cities! Here’s the current list of top 10 locations worldwide!

  1. Natal, Brazil
  2. Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
  3. Varna, Bulgaria
  4. Split, Croatia
  5. Jeju Island, South Korea
  6. Taichung, Taiwan
  7. Cluj, Romania
  8. Thessaloniki, Greece
  9. Monterrey, Mexico
  10. Kigali, Rwanda

Not yet looking to travel the world? You can get the top rankings also by continent or country!
Current Top 10 Locations in North America

  1. Oaxaca, Mexico
  2. Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
  3. Monterrey, Mexico
  4. Queretaro, Mexico
  5. Hermosillo, Mexico
  6. Dallas, Texas, United States
  7. Miami, Florida, United States
  8. Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
  9. Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
  10. Austin, Texas, United States

Do these lists surprise you? Are you ready to pack up, travel and work on the road? See where your ideal destination ranks by visiting NomadList.com and let us know!

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

Do Your Meeting Rooms Meet the 'Modern Standard'?

Posted on

The way we conduct meetings has changed over the years, thanks to technology. From the telephone to video to the interactive display, meeting rooms and huddle spaces are no longer bound to location and time zones. The tools we use have certainly evolved to help us be more productive, efficient, and collaborative.
Let’s look at how conference room technology has grown:
Telephone conferencing. Alexander Graham-Bell’s telephone in 1877 changed how we communicate from remote locations. Business meetings didn’t need to be in the same room. No need to wait for messages to arrive via telegraph or post. He brought real-time communication!
Since then, we’ve seen the telephone’s purpose change thanks to innovations, such as:

  • The speakerphone allowed groups to speak through a single 1:1 communication flow.
  • Conference functionality allowed a user to connect more than one phone line to another or transfer to another.
  • Conference call systems opened communication to allow multiple phones to connect into a single line.

WATCH: “The Birth of Telecommunications” (History)
Video conferencing added a visual element to work communication. People could see and speak to one another. Video initially was an enhancement to audio. Since then, it flipped with the rise of the Internet and cloud connectivity.
Video communication has changed how we see, hear, and speak with one another. Tools like Skype, Facetime, Google Hangouts and WebEx gives us options to record or live stream our conversations. All the while, we make our business portable and social.
VIEW: “The History of Videoconferencing” (Telemerge, Inc./SlideShare)
Where are we today? The wireless presentation has bridged the gap between teleconferencing and videoconferencing. It has promoted unified communication to allow teams to connect across different platforms, devices, and audio visual setups. It’s changing company cultures by bringing people together through a central access point.
We’re able to contribute and bring value to our meetings no matter our location.
WATCH: “Get Started with Ubiq”
Where do we go next? Take a look at what Lightpath put together in a great timeline infographic on “The Evolution of the Business Meeting.”
Tell us where you see conference room technology and conference room AV equipment are heading!

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

Why You Need To Implement New Technology Now

Posted on

The planning process to implement any new technology can be a daunting process. A number of factors have to be taken into consideration to make changes as seamless and as timely as possible. All the while, your IT team will be managing priorities to ensure implementation is going smoothly while handing their day-to-day responsibilities.
Here are top 5 ways to optimize new technology implementation:
1. Understand the Business!
New technology doesn’t mean having top of the line hardware or software. It’s not always about being on trend. It’s about providing the right tools and systems into your organization to help it run efficiently to meet its objectives.
It’s important to evaluate current workflows and processes. By identifying gaps, it can help illustrate how new technology can improve current systems, enhance performance and motivate employees. In addition, it helps IT understand how other business areas operation and benefit your organization.
2. Get the Buy-In…Early!
New technology requires support from key stakeholders. You will need to work cross-functionally with other leaders and teams within your organization, and possibly external partners. That is why understanding your business is so key. Being able to speak to their specific areas and business needs can gain support for the new technology. The stakeholders can communicate the reasons and impacts of the new technology, which can translate to quicker adoption by employees across your organization.
3. Choose Your Project Management Style!
New technology implementation requires resources, time and money. While everyone would want projects to go as quickly as possible, you should make sure that the project will run as efficiently as possible. Again, the goal is to make deployment as seamless as possible without much disruption to your business.
Whether you follow Waterfall, Agile, Six Sigma, etc., the project management framework should fit the expectations set for the new technology for yourself and your key stakeholders.
• Consider your resource availability against your allotted budgets.
• Make adjustments where needed during your discovery and planning phases
• Make the project tasks and timeline available to all project team members
The earlier you have your framework outlined, the better prepared everyone will be.
4. Be Transparent!
In addition to being transparent with your stakeholders and project team members, you should also be forthcoming with information to employees who will be impacted by the implementation. Questions will arise during the process. If you can provide the answers sooner than later, it will help employees better manage their priorities and performance.
Some information may not be accessible to all. However, you should work with key stakeholders on the types of details that can be shared. This can be integrated into a communication plan for the implementation. The plan will help everyone to manage what information is shared and when before, during and after the deployment of new technology.
5. Always Be Testing!
Testing is a critical piece for any implementation. Don’t wait until the end of development or right before deployment. Testing should be ongoing throughout stages, or sprints, of your project. Testing isn’t only limited to your IT team. Quality assurance, staging environments and user-acceptance are important to your testing.
Develop an outline with scenarios and user stories to help key stakeholders, team members and partners understand the anticipated results of testing. With proper analysis, regular testing not only will it tell you what works and what does not. It could possibly great new opportunities for enhancements.
What other tips do you have to ensure your new technology implementation goes smoothly? Share with us!

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

Can IT Leaders Be Just As Important As the CEO?

Posted on

Today, technology is more integral to achieving business success than ever before. Almost every step of the business process from strategy to execution now involves the use of digital technology. Furthermore, studies have shown that its usage━when coupled with great IT leadership━can help improve overall performance.
CIOs, CTOs, and other IT leaders may have been behind the scenes in the past. However, now they are at the forefront of many company initiatives. A recent study by Harvard Business Review reported that companies that combine technology and leadership effectively are more likely to increase their revenue by 10 percent or more in the first two years.
Members of the IT executive team can be your most valuable allies when it comes to implementing technology to improve your business. How can utilizing them help your entire organization grow?
Managing People
Employees are at the heart of every organization. They are the ones that drive your business to success, so it is crucial to know about their working styles, motivations, strengths, and values. Technology is helping organizations learn about what is most important to their employees and identify ways to help them grow professionally. When company leaders are more informed, it can also make it easier to manage teams.
Many companies are initiating innovative benefits programs that reward employees based on their performance and productivity. For example, Google has some of the most expansive employee benefits programs in the world. Employees enjoy free gourmet food, massages, and paid family leave. They have access to bikes, treadmills, nap pods, and even a garden space for planting in the workspace. These perks may sound superfluous, but their success in motivating employees is supported by data that the company tracked and analyzed.
Of course, not every business can offer the same perks as tech-giant Google. But, other organizations can emulate their use of technology to learn more about their workforce to help motivate and manage them.
Optimizing Time With Integration and Automation
Technologies like collaboration tools, wireless presentation software, CRM systems, and more are integrating information between systems. Integration allows organizations to decrease the number of tools they need to log into, and stores their data in a few places instead of several.
Digital technology has also made it easier for organizations to automate menial but time-consuming tasks, giving individuals more time to devote to more valuable projects. Both automation and integration have become crucial for businesses to remain competitive, especially when it comes to marketing and sales.
This is why many CIOs and CMOs have started to collaborate on marketing initiatives. CIOs can help CMOs and other members of the marketing team use integration and automation tools to streamline processes, save time, and optimize revenue. Furthermore, when IT leaders work together with marketing leaders, their data and technology expertise can help improve overall campaign effectiveness.
Paving the Way for Data-Driven Strategy
For the past several years, the term “business intelligence” (BI) has been buzzing in the corporate world. Companies can now collect data about employee engagement, sales, customer behaviors and relationships, marketing, and almost every other facet of a business that affects performance. Data visualization and easy-to-use analytics tools have made it possible for both small and large businesses to take advantage of BI.
Modern-day IT executives are often at the core of these capabilities. Technology makes it easier for companies to learn about their industry trends, competitors, and target audiences. However, the value of business intelligence is only truly realized when organizations turn data into action. The role of a CIO is evolving into a position that works with different verticals within an organization to help make this happen. They are working with CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, and other C-suite executives to promote the use of data and technology in making more informed and strategic decisions.
In nearly every industry in the world, technology has become a crucial part of business growth.
With strong IT leadership, companies are more likely to make data-driven decisions, drive employee productivity, and increase revenue. Ultimately, they learn more about their business, and by doing so, boost their overall performance.
Additional Reading
Why CIOs Don’t Become CEOs
What It Takes for CIOs to be CEOs
Making the CIO to CEO Connection

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

Top 5 Books on Leadership for CIOs

Posted on

A little professional development never hurt anyone, even the most senior of your staff! Sure, taking classes and studying for advanced degrees/certifications are great to build your skillset and resume. However, a little knowledge from the printed word can change your perspective on how you lead your team and advocate for your employees.
Here are 5 top books that CIO/CTOs should have on their bookshelves!
Work Rules by Laszlo Bock (Twelve)
Laszlo Bock is the Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google Inc. You may wonder why such a fancy title for someone that’s essentially in Human Resources? After reading Work Rules, it makes sense, Laszlo gives insights into how Google views Human Resources and how their goal is to promote growth and strength at all levels from senior leadership to the individual contributor. While all employers want the best quality employees, Google wants to bring in good people who connect with their mission with transparency and lifelong learning. The lessons learned from the book follow the humanistic approach that people are generally good, who want to do good and be good employees. Leaders should look into how their role not only is to harness that goodness but also promote it in and out of the office.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek (Portfolio)
In his book, Start with Why, Simon Sinek introduces us the “Golden Circle” and how to connect people to our passions and our business. It’s about how to build trust and loyalty with your audience. In his latest book, Leaders Eat Last, he examines the team dynamic and the role of the leader in it. It discusses how trust and loyalty can grow internally within your organization. Leaders meant to set the tone, create the environment and provide guidance and motivation. In this digital age where works are both working in-house and remotely, this book explores how leaders can use their skills, drive and passion to create a positive work experience for all around them.
How to Look People in the Eye Digitally by Ted Rubin (Substantium)
If you’re not familiar with Ted Rubin (tedrubin.com), do a search on “Return on Relationship.” As leaders, we are all making investments in our company and our teams. To ensure the greatest return is communication. How to Look People in the Eye Digitally brings us back to basics in how we interact with each other offline as we should online. Successful leaders understand the art of conversation. It never hurts to brush up on style to better our interactions, whether one-to-one or one-to-many.
The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John C. Maxwell (Center Street)
John Maxwell shares stories of how individuals can unlock their potential to be leaders. The 5 Levels of Leadership gives insights into what makes for a good leader, focusing on the community surrounding him/her. The explanation of the levels explore how and why people connect to effective and successful people, which are noted as: 

  1. Position – People follow because they have to.
    2. Permission – People follow because they want to.
    3. Production – People follow because of what you have done for the organization.
    4. People Development – People follow because of what you have done for them personally.
    5. Pinnacle – People follow because of who you are and what you representLeadership doesn’t mean you stop learning. The professional development continues after the promotion or placement. Maxwell provides to the tools for everyone to understand what makes a leader and what it takes to grow as a leader.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey (Simon & Schuster)
This book is essential for anyone in a leadership/managerial role. Originally released in 1990, The 7 Habits… require the individual to change their perspective on the world, making the paradigm shift. It requires looking your personal belief system and actions and how they relate to the world in which you want to live. It’s not just about being your best self; it’s more about how you connect with the world through focus, direction and organization. Covey presents basic concepts that can help us make changes in small and big ways for personal and community growth.
These titles are just a few to add your personal library. There are many more to be read and shared to enhance and promote our skills to grow and improve as leaders, regardless of level. Have any titles you like to share? Post them in the comments!
Additional Reading
4 Huge BI Challenges Facing CIOs and IT Leaders
How CIOs Can Remaster Their Leadership In the Digital Era
 

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

How Co-Working Spaces Can Help Increase ROI

Posted on

In this digital age, our world is getting smaller. We have social media to thank for that. Not only is it changing the way we communicate, it’s changing how and where we work together…co-working.
Co-working spaces are popping up at a rapid rate across the globe. However, the concept of co-working isn’t that new. Coined in 2005, Brad Neuberg created the first co-working space in San Francisco on the concept of working independently yet within a communal space. However, freelancers, independent workers and the self-employed have been utilizing this concept before the dawn of the coffee house! Simply stated, co-working is a way for professionals to work in a space to share ideas, expertise and equipment. It’s working…socially and flexibly!
What has made co-working so popular now? How can that help you with your business?
Co-working spaces have added a new element to workplace culture. Some small businesses and start-ups are electing to use co-working spaces to work directly with their community of local patrons and merchants. Co-working spaces have become a mix between the Town Hall and the local coffee shop with the comforts of the home office. Big and small, co-working spaces become a meeting space to be social, conduct business and get professional development.
Co-working has also gotten a boost from Millennials, those who entered adulthood around 2000. Compared to 32% of adults over 35 working as freelancers, 38% of Millennials are freelancers, according to a recent study by The Freelancers Union and Elance/O-Desk. Their interest to be connected to technology and society, while seeking impactful work to change the word, ties into the “being in the moment” flexible nature that falls outside of the 9-to-5 work grind.
A great piece from AdWeek in 2013 made the recommendation of co-working spaces for social media professionals. These same benefits can be applied to those in the technology sector. In IT, we work with freelancers and consultants in specialty areas. The quality of their work can often be attributed to how they stay organize, perform and work well with others. Co-working provides those opportunities to them, which can be passed onto your business.
Here are some ways that co-working spaces create opportunities for your business:

  • Communication: Many co-working spaces offer meeting and conference rooms for their members. It’s a great way to use conference room technology, like wireless presentations, across a secured network with reliable Wi-Fi. You and your consultant or remote employee be engaged, share ideas and work with unified communication tools without barriers of location or time zones.
  • Security: Co-working spaces have their own security infrastructure in place, as members share bandwidth and connected wireless equipment (printers, audio/visual, etc.). Therefore, their IT teams work to protect their business, their members and their members’ businesses. This translates to your consultant or employee working in a secured network to protect data for your business.
  • Education: Co-working spaces are a place of learning with a number of them offering workshops and professional development sessions. Some even offer discounts to take courses at local educational institutions. If they don’t, there’s still an opportunity to learn from one’s peers working on similar projects or in similar fields.
  • Collaboration: Co-working thrives on collaboration. There are opportunities for new ideas to form and information to be shared. New projects can develop and create experiences for future The takeaways can be applied to clients and fellow employees. What can help your employee or consultant may help you in the long run.
  • Talent Network: Co-working, being social, can help increase your talent pool. The connections made by your consultant or employee may lead to a future hire for your business. Have a new project that requires a specialist? Referrals from their network can be better than a job post.

These opportunities can help you define your IT infrastructure and organization. Setting up tools, like wireless presentations and unified communication systems, will make it easier for remote team members to connect with you and your projects. By understanding the value of the co-working space, outside of your office, you can begin to appreciate the flexibility of your employees and consultants, no matter where they are.

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

Are Enterprises Focusing More on Mobile Now?

Posted on

People have been using mobile devices for personal purposes for years. Mobile data traffic has even started to exceed desktop in most cases. For example, Google recently reported that the number of wireless searches surpassed desktop for the first time. According to ComScore, in the United States the number of mobile only users is now greater than the number of PC users. Furthermore, Cisco predicts that by 2019, wireless data traffic worldwide will exceed wired traffic.
Now, the use of mobile devices has crossed over into the workplace with usage surging all over the world. From wireless presentation software to smartphones, many enterprises are looking for technology solutions that support mobility. As a result, more companies are adopting BYOD, mobile device management, and other mobile-focused programs and policies. As of yet, most of these companies have been small to mid-sized businesses or startups.
However, recent studies suggest that enterprises may soon join the mobile device bandwagon. What developments are influencing their usage in enterprises?
iphone-676726_1280

Mobile Apps

Almost everyone has a smartphone or tablet and more consumers expect companies to have their own application for it. Several enterprises are deploying their own mobile apps. In fact, some reports suggest that the demand may result in a shortage of mobile app developers. Gartner predicts that by 2017, the demand for services will grow nearly five times faster than many IT departments can handle. For IT leaders, this is one reason why the rising popularity of mobile in the workplace is at top of their list of priorities.

Workforce

The multi-generational workforce plays a huge part in the rise of workplace mobility. This is especially true when it comes to the generation that now comprises over half of the workforce–Millennials. Many employees today value flexibility, collaboration, and work-life balance. They rely on mobile technology for all of these values. Now it is easier to foster collaboration by working in teams thanks to real-time collaboration tools, cloud computing, and smart devices.

security-265130_1280

Security

For many enterprises, security concerns have been the greatest obstacle to widespread mobile adoption. Security concerns may have hindered some enterprises from incorporating mobile technology more heavily into their business. But, recent trends suggest it could be more widely accepted now. For example, advancements in cyber security and policies could make it more possible enterprises.
Many companies are developing mobile device management or (MDM) solutions that can help them control the use of devices for work and protect company data. If a device is lost or stolen, the IT team can wipe away critical data as soon as they are notified.
Cyber attacks, data breaches, and other security issues are still a big concern for IT departments, however. The demand for mobile in the workplace is so great that it leaves many enterprises with little choice but to embrace their usage.
The rise of mobile may be more common in small businesses or startup companies, but enterprise adoption is growing. Many CIOs and company leaders have realized that employees and customers are going to continue to use these devices in and outside of the workplace. The challenge for IT leaders now is to provide ways to accommodate the mobile demand while also balancing security and efficiency.

Want to set up a wireless Conference Room?Try Now

Smartwatches in Meeting Rooms: Is That What the Future Looks Like?

Posted on

Wearable devices are becoming increasingly common in the home and in the workplace. For years, devices like fitness trackers, smart glasses, and smartwatches have been popular amongst consumers. However, more companies and employees are willing to use wearable technology too–if it helps them do their job better. In a study by CornerStone OnDemand, 66 percent of employees responded that they would use wearable technology to help them improve their work performance.
One of the biggest trends in wearable technology for businesses today is the smartwatch. Early versions of “smartwatches” have been around for a few decades. However, it hasn’t been until recently that they have really kicked off.
Before the capabilities of a smartwatch were extremely limited and could barely be considered “smart”. Many left users asking, “Why would I need to use this when I can just use my smartphone or tablet?” Now, their capabilities have advanced so much that some brands boast that they can replace the need for a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Will smart watches become commonplace in the office and meeting space? If recent market research is any indication, it is possible. In 2014, 6.8 million smartwatches were sold globally, an increase of 82 percent year over year. With the release of the new Apple watch, sales are expected to soar this year. Here are a few more reasons the smartwatch could be the next big workplace tech trend.
Friday blog2
Younger Workforce
Right now, Millennials (ages 18-34) make up over half of the workforce. By 2030, that majority is expected to increase to 75 percent. Needless to say, they are a vital part of many organizations and their generation has a huge influence on how business is conducted. One of the biggest influences that Millennials have had on the corporate world is the increased usage of technology. The age group is known for being tech-savvy and desires the use of technology for work purposes.
This is reflected in their use of wearables, especially smartwatches. According to research firm Nielsen Group, Millennials make up 48 percent of wearable tech users. Furthermore, 36 percent of them plan to buy a smartwatch within the next 12 months, based on a recent study. With their large numbers and penchant for technology, Millennials could be some of the primary drivers for smartwatches at work.
Blog 4 - Image1
Sophisticated Capabilities
Technology has come a long way in recent years. Companies now have access to cloud-based collaboration tools, video conferencing, wireless presentation software, data analytics, mobile tablets, e-learning, and dozens of other devices and programs to help them reach their end goal, faster, The smartwatch is another device that could develop a more prominent role in the workplace.
This is because their capabilities are more sophisticated than ever before. One of the most common uses for smartwatches is to make audio and video calls. However, they are capable of much more. For example, individuals can manage tasks and get alerts to increase their productivity. For employees that frequently need to monitor systems and troubleshoot network problems quickly, the real-time updates feature is essential.
Many smartwatches have as many or more capabilities as a smartphone, only it is conveniently on your wrist whenever you need it. Smartwatches still have a long way to go before they are as mainstream as the smartphone. However, if their progression in the past few years is any indication, there could be at least one in every meeting room or office space.