Even before the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have been looking for ways teams could collaborate without meeting in person. However, as they say, “necessity is the mother of invention,” and unified communications technology has advanced rapidly in response to this demand. Challenges remain with managing complex multi-vendor audiovisual (AV) installations to ensure the necessary hardware is in place for productive, high-quality video and audio-conferencing solutions.
While we are still navigating the pandemic’s complexities, companies like Shure have now had the necessary time to develop innovative solutions that make collaboration and AV installations much cleaner and more straightforward.
With that in mind, let’s review the audio technology advancements Shure has made, explain what its Microsoft Teams certification means for you, and point you in the direction of a few products that you may want to incorporate into your existing or future meeting room or auditorium installations.
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Shure Creates End-to-End Audio Solution for Unified Communications
With the pandemic’s advent, Shure quickly recognized the need to develop technological solutions to facilitate the remote team collaboration we rely on today. Whether these solutions are needed for remote teaching on higher education campuses or companies with remote or hybrid workforces, Shure worked on a range of AV solutions that would garner a Microsoft Teams Certification.
Perhaps the most important development from these efforts was the certification of the Shure IntelliMix Room®, which virtualized the digital signal processing element of AV setups. This solution was the first-ever software-based digital signal processing (DSP) for AV conferencing to achieve official certification for Microsoft Teams when installed on the Crestron UC-C100-T Flex Video Conference System Integrator Kit.
Through this partnership with Crestron products, Shure now offers an end-to-end audio and video conferencing solution providing a range of benefits to end users. So, let’s take a moment to run through some of those features and benefits.
How Do Microsoft Teams Certified Shure Solutions Benefit Your Unified Communications Installations?
Clear communication is vital in almost all settings, and mishearing a single word can lead to catastrophic consequences. By integrating Shure solutions into your unified communications (UC) setup, you can now benefit from their industry-leading technology without any of the pain associated with traditional installations.
We already mentioned the massive customizability of the Creston Flex series, allowing you to create conferencing solutions for all spaces, from the boardroom right to large university auditoriums. By partnering with Shure, the entire experience is enhanced by providing an end-to-end Microsoft Teams certified solution that significantly simplifies deployment. Better still, you can benefit from stunning audio within completely customizable configurations.
With a portfolio including the complete audio signal chain from microphone to DSP to loudspeaker, you can now benefit from Shure’s premium features such as:
- Automatic artificially intelligent audio mixing to keep meetings on track
- Clear mute indicators (no need to ever wonder if you are on mute again)
- Shure Audio Encryption that secures your audio against eavesdroppers
- Straightforward deployment, meaning you can cover more rooms faster
- Single vendor support (get all the help you need in one place)
Another significant advantage is very little hardware to install as a networked and software-based solution, making your meeting rooms gloriously clutter-free. Even in large meeting spaces, the only visible hardware might be the microphone, which can blend seamlessly with the ceiling architecture.
So now that you’ve learned about why you might want to upgrade to a higher-quality, more intelligent, streamlined, and scalable audio solution for your AV and UC installations, let’s discuss a few Microsoft Teams certified products you may want to consider.
Shure’s Certified Microsoft Teams Devices
You may wish to incorporate several devices (and software solutions such as IntelliMix Room®) into your current or future AV/UC installations. Below are some of the leading devices that have been granted Microsoft Teams Certification for their seamless integration into your collaboration setup.
Shure MXA310 Table Array Microphone
A high-quality microphone is critical to efficient communication. The MXA310 table microphone maximizes the audio quality of conference calls, so voices come through clean and clear every time. These devices are small in stature but powerful in performance, making them perfect for smaller meeting rooms and combined for more extensive settings.
Shure IntelliMix P300 Audio Conferencing Processor
Shure’s industry-leading DSP enhances every aspect of conference audio by minimizing echoes, distortions, and background noise. Since it is powered by industry-leading software, it is perfect for meeting rooms of all sizes, regardless of microphone or speaker requirements.
Shure MXA910 Ceiling Array Microphone
For larger conference rooms, a ceiling array microphone can make more sense. Instead of spending time getting the mic in position, you can focus on what you have to say. This model helps eliminate clutter. This MXA910 ceiling array mic also comes with IntelliMix, further enhancing the audio quality.
Shure MXN5W-C Networked Loudspeaker
It’s one thing to be heard clearly by others, but you also need to ensure that you can correctly hear and interpret instructions from clients, stakeholders, and/or students. The MXN5W-C networked loudspeaker provides high-quality speech reproduction for AV conferencing applications.
Since the solution is PoE-enabled and software-controlled, this networked loudspeaker does not require a separate amplifier or outboard DSP. It integrates seamlessly into Shure’s ecosystem of networked hardware and software for a complete audio solution.
You can view the complete list of Microsoft Teams Certified devices here.
Contact NCS Today to Upgrade Your Microsoft Teams Conferencing Solutions with Best-in-Class Shure Devices!
As an approved partner of Crestron and Shure, NCS can offer customized UC solutions and AV installations ideally suited to your needs. We have already helped several Texas organizations make the switch to a hybrid and/or remote workspace, and we can do the same for you.
If you are currently using Microsoft Teams to power your organization and wish to upgrade, enhance, or deploy streamlined networked AV solutions for better collaboration, make sure to contact a member of our AV team to discuss your needs in more detail.
Give us a call at 281-484-1777 or contact the team via email at sales@ncs-tx.com to schedule a complimentary AV consultation.
