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Leading global provider of visual communications and collaborations services, onboards additional ex-military trainee to its Veterans Programme. Kinly is pleased to welcome Evan Beard, the latest ex-military trainee, to its Veterans Programme. Evan will be responsible for assisting engineers in their day-to-day activities to learn and develop new skills with the long-term aim of becoming CTS qualified. Evan served in the Royal Marines Commando for four years, where he spent a year and a half as part of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group, a group of elite warriors who protect the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent. He then went onto specialise as a Heavy Weapons (Anti Tanks) operator at 40 Commando in Taunton, learning how to combat a wide range of threats in challenging terrain. Upon leaving the armed forces, Evan attended night college to train as a carpenter but quickly established that carpentry wasn’t something he wanted to make a career of. Finding an advert on the CTP website, he was intrigued about what a career in AV would look like and reached out to Justin Paveley, Engineering Director at Kinly. "After speaking to Justin, it felt like the perfect move for me. Kinly’s Veterans Programme offers a seamless transition into a tailor-made career for veterans. I’d advise any ex-military service men looking for a new career to investigate the programme. I’m really excited to start my new journey at Kinly and can’t wait to see what the future holds,” said Evan Beard, Veteran Trainee, Kinly. Justin Paveley, Engineering Director at Kinly comments: "We are thrilled to have Evan onboard to start his training with us. As a former Royal Marine he will bring several cross transferable skills that will allow him to flourish in our wonderful industry. Evan has already brought his commando mindset and motto into the work place '99.9% Need not apply'.’’ Kinly is actively recruiting, any veterans who would like to find out more please get in touch with Justin at JPaveley@Kinly.com

Kinly, a leading global provider of visual communications and collaborations services, has been recognised as Global APEx certified for its commitment to delivering industry excellence. Kinly’s Global APEx status is unique as only a handful of companies across the world hold the Global APEx distinction. Commonly, businesses are awarded APEx status in specific countries, but as a global service provider it has been Kinly's goal to achieve this status for worldwide use. The AVIXA APEx program is a recognition program for integration companies and AV design consulting firms dedicated to upholding industry excellence by providing quality service to customers. To qualify for the APEx certification companies are evaluated on several criteria like; the number of employees holding key industry certifications, including AVIXA’s CTS credential (15% of total employees must be CTS certified), the completion of ongoing training as well as positive customer feedback. To foster better communication between the AV provider and the client, APEx providers must also prove that they meet or exceed the requirements within two ANSI/INFOCOMM standards: Standard Guide for Audiovisual Systems Design and Coordination Processes AV System Performance Verification Standard “The APEx designation gives AV companies a mark of distinction in the marketplace,” said David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD, AVIXA’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. “Customers of APEx companies can be confident of the AV provider’s professionalism and commitment to ongoing training, customer service and dedication to excellence.” “I’m delighted that we have retained our Global APEx status for a third year in a row, and for the first time as Kinly. Achieving the APEx distinction is important to us as it demonstrates our commitment to our clients, the investment and development of our employees, and our passion to staying ahead of the curve in an ever-changing industry,” comments Justin Paveley, Engineering Director, Kinly. "Justin and the team at KINLY continue to demonstrate what it means to be a trusted and quality-assured supplier of integrated systems in the AV industry, through support of AVIXA’s CTS program and now through its attainment of the APEx accreditation for the third time running. Their enthusiasm for the program is truly inspiring and a great example of their pledge to the industry,” says Ben Barnard, Regional Manager, UK & Ireland, AVIXA For more information on the APEx Program, visit avixa.org/APEx.

Back at a press event in New York City in April 2019, the first unveiling of the Surface Hub 2S in the much bigger format (85” to be precise) got alot of us excited and we've been waiting in anticipation on it's official launch ever since! As of January 2021, it’s now available for pre-order ahead of shipping from Q1 onwards.* Designed to facilitate spaces that require a much larger screen, the Microsoft Surface Hub 2S 85” delivers collaboration on a massive scale. State-of-the-art hardware with Microsoft 365 productivity, the Surface Hub 2S can help you to achieve teamwork without boundaries. The new 85” version is ideal for deploying in larger conference rooms, board rooms or even more expansive huddle spaces and classroom/teaching settings. Make remote meetings feel less remote Today's modern workplace is constantly evolving, especially in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic. Workforces are more remote than ever, with an increased demand for flexible solutions and tools that create a seamless experience when meeting colleagues. What’s more, with the likelihood of hybrid work environments becoming the norm when transitioning back to the office, it’s key that the right technology is there to make communication and teamwork easy. Bridge the gap between those who are in the office and those who are still remote, with a powerful meeting platform offering vibrant, life-sized video via Microsoft Teams. The larger screen of the 85” Microsoft Surface Hub S2 can also facilitate social distancing for those back in the workplace, allowing peers to stay 2 metres apart while still working together. Beyond the workplace The Microsoft Surface Hub 2S in 85” isn’t just an ideal solution for the workplace. It can also become part of the digital transformation for schools and higher education institutions, in a world where students and professionals alike have had to find new ways to access resources and to deliver the curriculum.

Cisco is launching a range of new Webex devices for optimal video conferencing experiences from your office desk or home office aimed at helping enterprises to strike a balance between work from home (WFH) and return to office (RTO) for the emerging hybrid workplace model to succeed.

Kinly, Europe’s number one visual communications and collaboration specialist, has been recognised as the top 3 firm in SCN’s Top 50 System Integrators of 2020.

The recent COVID-19 months have brought even more focus on workplace trends such as remote working and workplace flexibility. Digital technologies including video conferencing and collaboration tools have become a 'go-to' in facilitating business continuity amongst a remote workforce. With workplaces becoming more open to adopting different technologies, it’s important that productivity is supported and challenges are solved along the way. Today’s modern workplace is creating a need for more products and services that enable hybrid meeting environments, especially when the vast majority of meetings in 2021 and beyond will almost certainly always have at least one remote particpant. "By 2024, in-person meetings will drop from 60% of enterprise meetings to 25%, driven by remote work and changing workforce demographics" (Gartner) The rise of videoconferencing Over the years the workplace has transformed itself with new technology and trends; BYOD was once a ground-breaking concept, which is now very much the norm. The same goes for the rise of videoconferencing, a tool that many businesses have adapted to - in a way like never before - as workforces become more remote. The pandemic in particular has led a surge in the adoption of video conferencing tools, with workforces split up and relying on video communication to keep businesses running. Being able to bring teams together through the right solutions has been key but also being able to work together over video has been a critical step in the adoption curve. Now, the next workplace technology acronym is here to encourage businesses to adopt systems that meet the users needs. Today’s workforce wants to work with the technology and platforms of their choice; the tools which have enabled them to continue to work this year. Many workforces will avoid using equipment they aren’t familiar with or find difficult to use, instead opting for conferencing solutions that are easy and intuitive. This has paved the way for BYOM; 'Bring Your Own Meeting', which has been championed by Barco. What is BYOM? BYOM is a concept that allows users to host and join video meetings and share content using a preferred platform in an existing meeting room or space from their own device. Embracing BYOM is made possible by Barco ClickShare Conference (CX), which allows for wireless conferencing from any device using an existing meeting room USB camera such as Logitech MeetUp for instance. You have the ability to easily connect to the conferencing platfrom (Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Zoom, Google Meet + many more) and share content via your laptop, but importantly utilising the meeting room display and USB room camera for a richer experience. Transform a virtual desktop meeting for one into a sharing experience for many with a simple set-up process, due to a system that is compatible with the laptop device you may be using for work. Barco ClickShare Conference can facilitate a BYOM experience, in a range of diffrent meeting spaces within the workplace.

Kinly – a leading global specialist in video collaboration services, headquartered in Amsterdam – has completed the acquisition of AVMI - establishing one of the industry’s leading global service providers.

Kinly adding Neat Video Conferencing systems to their portfolio of Video Devices to support high volume room deployments – starting with a global rollout for one of the world’s largest international banks.

This week at Cisco’s annual partner conference this year held digitally, Kinly was honored with Technology Excellence Partner of the Year: Collaboration for its innovation, leadership, and best practice as a Cisco business partner across EMEAR North. Tom Martin, Managing Director of Kinly in Northern Europe accepted the award on behalf of the company which was recognized for our ability to take the Cisco technology and adapt it to customers need, growing 30% in FY20.