Audio Visual Insights for Web-Conferencing and Live Streaming

UPDATE 914/16 : EVOKO has a new room booking management product called the LISO. We have a new video below.

Hello IT Professionals,

Resource management, expecially conference room management, is becoming more and more important. The need to maximize the resources that are available in a given company has become a top priority for: facilities managements, IT professionals and real estate managers. To help start the conversation we have compared the top 5 solutions on the market in a way that will hopefully become a time saving tool. 

Crestron Key Features 

• Web-based cross-platform interface
• Customizable and user-defined interface
• Direct database integration with SQL Server
• Fully integrated with MS Exchange Server for scheduling
• Networking support including DHCP and SSL
• Windows Event Log support
• Device usage and call statistics reports
• Asset management tools to track and schedule maintenance
• Enhanced customization of attributes, contacts, logs and reports
• Advanced plug-in modules for calendars, hot lists, action items, instant messenger and web cameras 

The RoomView™ Add-in for Microsoft® Outlook® brings expanded room scheduling versatility and meeting preparation directly to the Windows® desktop. Seamlessly, a user can reserve a room based on required AV equipment, room location, and availability directly from the RoomView icon within Outlook. Events that prepare the room for a meeting, such as turning on the projector or dialing the appropriate video conference, can be initiated within Outlook's simple user interface.

Extron Key Features

We are pleased to introduce the Extron Room Scheduling System. Room Agent™ setup software transforms TouchLink™ Pro touchpanels into a full-featured room booking solution. While competitive devices rely on additional scheduling software or external processors, Room Agent ties TouchLink Pro touchpanels directly to Microsoft Exchange, delivering a convenient stand-alone room booking solution for any size application. Users can reserve rooms from any Exchange-connected device, including their mobile devices, or from the touchpanel, itself. Since Room Agent uses Extron’s popular 5” and 7” TouchLink Pro touchpanels, multiple mounting options are available, including on-wall, in-wall, as well as secure mounting to almost any flat surface, including glass or granite.

Evoko Key Features: 

Clairity is key

A meeting should be well planned, yet relaxed. See at a glance if the room is vacant or not by means of the screen’s red or green LED illumination. With Evoko Room Manager bookings for all conference rooms couldn’t be easier, no training is needed.

Smooth scheduling

It doesn’t matter where you are. Book, cancel or extend a meeting in your own electronic calendar or directly on the screen outside the meeting room. If the room is busy, Evoko Room Manager will tell you where the nearest room is available. The units synchronize with MS Exchange, Office 365 or Google Apps for Business to always show the latest information.

Valuable Statistics

Statistics can help us take wise decisions. With the Evoko Room Manager you get all the information you need to optimize the use of meeting-rooms and equipment. How much do you use your meeting rooms and are some used more than others? Was that meeting-room optional for a certain group? Any broken equipment? Export full reports directly to MS Excel. Get the Business Intelligence you need with the Evoko Room Manager and cut costs. 

Roving-Office Key Features:

Office hoteling software has become a strategic tool for many businesses looking to dynamically manage available space. Thousands of organizations have reduced overhead, decreased energy consumption and created dynamic, flexible work environments. Sound good?

Roving is a comprehensive, adaptable workspace management solution for employees and administrators. Make it simple for your employees to reserve shared workspace and manage scheduling and calendars. Provide administrators valuable, detailed usage statistics to enable informed decisions about office expansion.

• Low up front cost
• Cloud based
• Mobile device compatible
• Web interface
• Secure
• Reduce real estate overhead cost
• Accommodate mobile work force & sales force
• Decrease energy consumption
• Create a dynamic work environment
• Increase employee satisfaction & retention

Steelcase Key Features:

RoomWizard II works with a variety of calendar systems including Microsoft® Outlook®, Google Calendar®, Lotus Notes® and others. Meetings can be managed seamlessly via web, laptop or smart phone. When workers find an open meeting space, they can reserve it instantly and get to work.

RoomWizard II even keeps track of space utilization with the analytics console that measures and reports reservation patterns. And for simple management of the system, the administrative console allows the system managers to configure, update, and monitor all of their RoomWizards from a single interface.

• 7" capacitive touch screen - adjust room reservation or grab a room for an impromptu meeting
• Status lights - red or green lights show availability
• Start button - automatically release a room if occupants do not show up
• Use RoomWizard II as a stand-alone system, or seamless book rooms with an existing reservation system such as Microsoft^® Outlook^®, Lotus Notes^®, Google Calendar^® or other software systems  
• Analytics console - record room occupancy and reservation patterns, then generate reports to provide insight into space utilization
• Administration console – manage, configure, and monitor all RoomWizards from a single interface
• Built-in web server allows users to find and reserve a room from any network PC 
• Warranty - 3 years (including the touch screen) with an option for 5 years

More on Conference Room System Management

• Check out our review of the top 5 conference room booking solutions here.
• Learn how to check your conference rooms bandwidth for video calling here.
• Looking for conference room computer? Check out how to install the Intel NUC here.
• Learn how to connect h.323 & SIP conferencing systems to the cloud here.
• Top 10 tools for audio visual design and conference room managers here.
• Learn more about lighting for video conferencing in your meeting rooms here.
• Learn all about video conferencing strategy here.
• Learn about designing “Zoom Rooms” for video conferencing here.

Sources:

http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=schedulingad&m=nf1678us

http://www.evoko.se/products/evoko-room-manager/

http://www.crestron.com/products/fusion/default.asp?from=www.crestron.com%2Ffusion

http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/integrated/collaborative/room-wizard/pages/overview.aspx

http://roving-office.com/Overview