Logitech has announced the launch of the Logitech SmartDock, an AV meeting room solution designed in collaboration with Microsoft.
SmartDock works with Skype for Business and qualified devices, including Logitech ConferenceCams, to provide a user-friendly touchscreen console to launch and manage video calls in any meeting space.
“Logitech and Skype for Business have teamed up for many years to deliver high-quality, easy-to-use devices that provide our customers with a premiere audio and video conferencing experience,” said Scott Wharton, general manager of the Logitech video collaboration group. “With Logitech SmartDock, Skype for Business users can easily start video calls with one touch, share content in a meeting, and streamline the overall collaboration experience. Plus, Logitech SmartDock combines multiple components into a purpose-built, Skype Room System-certified solution, taking the guesswork and clutter out of the conference room.”
Zig Serafin, corporate vice president of Skype for Business at Microsoft commented: “We are excited to see Logitech provide the first next-generation Skype Room Systems solution that brings our customers a low-cost, high-quality, consistent Skype for Business experience to every meeting space.”
“Together, Logitech and Skype for Business are modernising the meeting experience with a simple-to-use and affordable collaboration solution that works with your existing display or projectors,” said Roopam Jain, industry director of unified communications and collaboration, Frost & Sullivan. “One of the reasons video isn’t more widely deployed in conference rooms is because it’s traditionally been too complex. Microsoft and Logitech are simplifying the meeting experience, which should ultimately help drive greater video adoption.”
Logitech SmartDock offers HDMI input and output, three USB 3.1 ports and gigabit Ethernet, allowing a variety of Skype Room Systems-certified devices to be connected, including Logitech ConferenceCams. In addition, a power-saving sensor activates the Logitech SmartDock when motion is detected in the meeting space, and automatically turns the display off when the room is empty.
It is also capable of sharing content via HDMI with 1080p 60fps input and capture. The optional Logitech SmartDock Extender Box with a single 5m cable integrating HDMI, USB, LAN and power creates a clutter-free environment, clears extraneous cables from the conference table, and eliminates the need for a separate hub or power brick.
Logitech SmartDock will be available in North America and most Western European countries later this year, with additional availability in 2017.
