With the rise of remote work, the conference room may become more important than ever before. Even those companies that shift focus away from offices to remote working arrangements will still benefit tremendously from having a technologically-enabled conference room. Let’s take a look at some of the best conference room technology ideas that will empower and support remote working arrangements.
Of course, while the things discussed here are focused on remote work, traditional offices could also benefit from the below factors. Ultimately, a great conference room provides an excellent experience, no matter the working arrangement.
Setting up a “Video Wall” With a Projector
Televisions are great for at home. In the office, however, a video wall may offer better and larger images. You can create a video wall with a projector. Projectors can also be a more affordable option compared to some large televisions. Thus, a video wall will allow you to display imagery cheaply and effectively.
Premium Sound Systems That Deliver Clarity
Meetings are useful for clearing up misunderstandings and getting everyone on the same page, among other things. Unfortunately, if you’re relying on cheap computer speakers or a Bluetooth speaker bought at the local electronics store, the audio quality will suffer. This could lead to misunderstandings.
A premium sound system will help ensure that every voice, and indeed, every word, is properly heard. This will make it easier to coordinate people and convey information. And when considering conference room technology ideas, you want to put communication towards the top of the list.
Adjustable Natural and Artificial Lighting
Lighting can have a big impact on people, their mood, and yes, their productivity. You’ll want to have controllable lighting in your conference room so that you can adjust lighting levels as needed.
Artificial lighting may first come to mind. These days, modern lighting systems offer more nuanced control than ever before. A professionally installed lighting system can also take into account the shape and layout of the room.
Now, it’s also possible to greatly control natural lighting. You can now use motorized systems to control shades and the like.
Easy Climate Control
Like lighting, the temperature can have a big impact on people and their moods. You’ll need to pay close attention to the climate within any given room and you’ll want to adjust the temperature so everyone is comfortable. If people are too hot or too cold, they may not pay close attention. Heat might make people tired, for example.
Making Virtual Reality a Reality
Even as remote work puts distance between teams, virtual reality can help close the gap. With VR technologies, it’s possible to provide more immersive experiences. For example, VR can be used to project people or objects into a setting, say models for a building under construction.
Smart and Centralized Cables
With wireless charging, Bluetooth, and other technologies, wires may someday become a thing of the past. For now, however, wires remain common and in a conference room, they can be quite a nuisance. Smart cabling allows you to reduce errant cables, reducing the risk of someone tripping on the cables, or the cables themselves becoming damaged.
Centralized cabling solutions make it easier to ensure that everyone can plug into a power source or whatever else is needed. With remote workers especially, many folks may show up to a meeting with a tablet or laptop. You’ll want to make sure that they can plug in if needed.
While the above list of conference room tech ideas is a great start, it’s far from exhaustive. You should closely consider the needs of your own organization and team along with your conference space.