Microsoft has a long history of developing new ways for people to interact with technology and offering innovative collaborative tools that continuously transforms the way we work. From the introduction of Internet Explorer in the mid-nineties and Microsoft Messenger in the early 2000s, to recent acquisitions and established tools such as Exchange, SharePoint, Yammer and Skype. Their latest addition to the Surface family is the Microsoft Surface Hub, which promises to transform team collaboration in the enterprise.
"Just as the PC revolutionized productivity for individuals, Surface Hub will transform the way groups of people work together." (Mike Angiulo, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Devices)
Not only is the devise responsive and engaging, the interactive display technology allows users to interact with content, expand ideas and collaborate together to enhance productivity. The Surface Hub is designed around a highly responsive screen built for ink and touch - its effortless to share and interact with content and it improves the outcome of collaboration for in-person meetings, as well as leverages the one-touch communication options to include external participants. Harnessing the power of Windows 10, Skype for Business, Office and OneNote, it delivers a new kind of productivity experience optimised for groups.
For further evidence on the business benefits of expanding collaboration and simplifying meeting room devices, as well as delivering new features such as digital inking and one touch communication options with the Surface Hub, Microsoft commissioned Forrester Research to conduct a TEI Study. ‘The Total Economic Impact Of Microsoft Surface Hub Cost Savings And Business Benefits Enabled By Surface Hub’ . The study examines the potential return on investment that businesses may realise by deploying Surface Hubs in traditional and non-traditional spaces.
Report highlights include:
Pre and post meeting productivity improvements of 75%, adding up to nearly $48,000 in the first year
Room equipment cost avoidance of $8,000 or more per room, for any rooms planned for equipment install or refresh
Improved sales of 20% for in-person sales meetings that were conducted in a Surface Hub meeting room, adding up to more than $44,000 in the first year
Improved collaboration, higher quality of developed goods and services, and overall better and faster business decisions
What’s evident from the report is that a range of companies and industries can benefit from this technology. From design firms where brainstorming, visualisation and collaboration are firmly integrated into business-specific processes to a mix of industries such as medical, legal, manufacturing and universities – who leveraged the Surface Hub to improve meeting and collaboration results.
Surface Hub drives meeting productivity, reduces costs and helps increase sales.