With the New Year upon us, we thought it would be a good idea to have a look at a few of the new technologies set to make a big impact on 2021, and the benefits they bring in terms of adaptability, collaboration and messaging.
- Wifi6
WiFi 6 is designed to improve speed, increase efficiency and reduce congestion when there is heavy bandwidth usage. This is because the WiFi 6 protocol enables simultaneous upstream and downstream multiple user, multiple input and multiple outlet (MU-MIMO) data transmissions on the same frequency. This latest advancement in Wifi technology will allow for THREE times faster download speeds, which means WiFi performance will be better when hosting multiple devices on a network. Wi-Fi 6 also offers features like beamforming, which transmits Wi-Fi signals directly to clients rather than over a broad spectrum.
How could this affect you? Well, this is great news for video conferencing systems and collaborative presentation solutions which will see a drastic increase in speed, transforming office meeting rooms and opening up the capability for more prominent, real-time interaction and collaboration. Speed and response benefits will also be experienced with other types of collaboration solutions, such as wireless presentation systems and multi-touch smart displays, which allow multiple users and quick switch-overs between devices and apps. It also delivers better coverage in environments which have previously frustrated visitors with poor coverage.
- 5G
5G, is the fifth generation of cellular network technology, which offers higher download speeds and lower latency. It is currently being rolled out in the UK and various other countries. Why is this a benefit? Well, especially when combined with WiFi6, 5G opens up new opportunities for content sharing and for video calling with colleagues no matter where they are in the world. This enables meeting spaces to be more easily adapted to remote working demands. Collaboration solutions can be combined with cloud-based working to allow for multiple people to present and work together on tasks in real-time wherever they are.
For digital signage, 5G will enhance personalised content delivering targeted videos, adverts and other content. The speed and bandwidth will make technologies such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality more viable, which offers new markets and revenue opportunities for visitor centric businesses such as museums, galleries and stately homes but could also be relevant for universities too.
- Smart technology
There are a range of new solutions offering the possibility of advanced functionality to better meet current needs. These include smart devices which can collate and analyse data on meeting room usage, such as highlighting under- or over-utilised rooms. This leads to better estate management, a safer environment and a better user experience. Real-time monitoring is also possible with networked devices, resulting in less downtime, better safety, better social distancing and more efficient working practices, all of which improve productivity.
If you are looking to fit out or refurbish your office environment, and would like to learn how we can help you take advantage of these new technologies, just get in touch and ask for a free consultation with one of our specialists.
