NewsUC&C1 Nov 2024 · 3 min read

Big UC News From Microsoft, QSC, Cisco and Lenovo

Microsoft Teams adds a new layout and digital signage, while QSC is acquired by Acuity Brands and Lenovo and Cisco expand partnership. Published on UC Today.

Kieran Devlin

UC news roundup: Microsoft, QSC, Cisco, Lenovo

A New Layout For Microsoft Teams, Digital Signage Coming To Teams Rooms, and Three-Quarters Of Teams Enterprise Users Also Buy Premium, Phone or Rooms

It's been a momentous week of Microsoft Teams news.

Microsoft has unveiled a new Teams layout for chats and channels to bolster collaboration and productivity.

Microsoft has redesigned the chat and channels experience, consolidating chats, teams, and channels into one unified space under Chat. This integration aims to streamline Teams users’ digital workspace, making accessing, triaging, and organising conversations easier. The new chat and channels layout will be available for public preview in November. The capability will be available for Teams’ desktop, mobile, iOS, and Android apps.

In other Teams news, Microsoft is making moves in the digital signage space by introducing digital signage functionality for Teams Rooms on Windows.

Microsoft is creating opportunities for organisations to use their Teams Rooms hardware for signage in addition to meetings and presentations, enabling them to communicate to teams, showcase company news and upcoming events, and reinforce brand messaging.

Finally, while Teams took something of a backseat during Microsoft’s latest earnings call, with an inevitable focus on AI and Copilot, CEO Satya Nadella offered one eye-catching statistic illustrating the extent of Microsoft’s dominance in UC and collaboration—almost three-quarters of Microsoft Teams Enterprise customers also subscribe to the vendor’s Teams Premium, Teams Phone or Teams Rooms solutions.

Nadella said during the call’s initial address:

On top of all this AI innovation, Microsoft Teams usage remains at all-time highs as people use it to streamline all their communications. Nearly 75 percent of our Teams Enterprise customers now buy Premium, Phone or Rooms.”

QSC Announces Takeover by Acuity Brands

QSC has reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by the industrial-technology company Acuity Brands.

QSC, a leader in audiovisual solutions and creator of the Q-SYS platform, announced its integration into Acuity's Intelligent Spaces Group to drive the development of innovative technologies aimed at creating “smarter, safer, and greener” environments.

Joe Pham, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of QSC, commented:

Bringing QSC together with Acuity underscores the critical role AV technology plays in live, hybrid, and virtual experiences. Our two organisations are aligned on a long-term mission and core values that drive our mutual passion for innovation, customer satisfaction, and employee well-being. Our shared vision of how we can leverage data with our technology solutions will elevate our ability to service our end-users and drive growth."

Acuity shared additional details in its press release, noting a net purchase price of $1.1 billion—equivalent to approximately 14 times QSC’s estimated EBITDA over the past 12 months. QSC reported sales of about $535 million for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024.

Lenovo, Cisco Expand Partnership To Bolster Digital Transformation

Lenovo and Cisco have expanded their strategic partnership to bolster flexible working and digital transformation for enterprises.

At this week’s Cisco Partner Summit 2024, the two companies introduced new offerings designed to simplify work environments, optimise enterprise infrastructure, and pave the way for enterprise AI by leveraging Cisco’s Collaboration Devices, networking, and security.

"Our partnership with Cisco is a testament to delivering customer-centric innovation," said Brian Connors, Worldwide VP & GM, Enterprise and SMB Segment & AI, Infrastructure Solutions Group at Lenovo. "These new solutions represent our joint commitment to providing businesses with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital and AI landscape."

The announced solutions include Truscale Meeting Room as a Service (TS MRaaS), TruScale WorkSmart, Factory and Rack Integrated solutions, ThinkAgile HCI hybrid cloud, and SAP HANA solutions with Cisco networking integration. Each solution aims to streamline IT processes, enhance user outcomes, and help organisations operate more efficiently.

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