By Guest contributor |
Organisations operating amid today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape are investing heavily in automation, AI and cloud technologies to stay competitive and reduce the daily workload of employees. These technologies promise streamlined processes and enhanced decision-making, but their true value is only unlocked through strategic alignment of these processes and technologies with people, which relies heavily on effective collaboration and communication.
In this context, collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams are not just enablers of productivity; they are the core infrastructure that drives learning, engagement and sustained change across hybrid workforces.
Collaboration is foundational for modern organisations to innovate and achieve strategic priorities. Investments in collaborative infrastructure amplify the return on investment (ROI) of wider organisational strategies, enabling teams to move beyond basic communication and towards deeper alignment in a disrupted world.
In Collaboration: The ROI Amplifier, a new IDC InfoBrief sponsored by Shure, research shows that collaboration – often perceived as a soft skill – is a measurable driver of ROI. In fact, 71 per cent of organisations say collaboration improves the ROI of technology investments such as Microsoft Copilot and Teams.
To facilitate this, high-quality audiovisual (AV) tools are essential. Not only do they empower hybrid workers and make daily operations smoother, but they also enable accurate meeting transcriptions, clear recordings and task automation.
“Our research shows that superior AV solutions significantly enhance team collaboration by providing clarity and consistency,” says Mick Heys, vice president at IDC. “This minimises misunderstandings and creates an environment conducive to effective teamwork and decision-making.”
The result is improved productivity, which drives revenue growth.
“Clear audio and visual communication transform the simplest of exchanges into meaningful collaboration,” adds Heys. “Integrated with collaboration platforms, these tools ensure that teams can rely on precise and high-quality inputs for accurate AI note taking, translation and analysis. Clearer understanding by all participants, including the AI, ultimately drives better collaboration, productivity and innovation.”
Recognising this need, Shure has developed solutions that bring clarity and consistency to collaborative environments. The IntelliMix Room Kits are tailored for small, medium and large Microsoft Teams Rooms. Each Teams-certified kit includes a Windows-based Compute with built-in Shure IntelliMix Room DSP, a Touch Panel, one or two Microflex Advance MXA902 Ceiling Array Microphones and Loudspeakers, Huddly Camera solutions, and all the needed accessories for connectivity and power. Shure’s IntelliMix Room DSP enhances speech and removes distracting sounds, ensuring every word is heard clearly and transcribed accurately with Copilot in Microsoft Teams.
Central to these kits is the Shure Foundation System, a flexible and scalable audio solution designed to support an even wider range of room configurations and collaboration platforms. It combines Shure’s trusted audio components – including IntelliMix DSP, Microflex microphones and networked loudspeakers – into a customisable package that delivers exceptional audio for an unmatched collaboration experience.
In short, automation, AI and cloud technologies are indispensable to modern businesses, and their success is deeply tied to collaboration. Incorporating meeting audio and video systems that connect teams, empower communication and foster transparency is crucial for unlocking the full potential of technological investments.
Ultimately, businesses seeking to maximise ROI should prioritise collaborative infrastructure in their strategic planning. High-quality AV tools like the Shure IntelliMix Room Kits ensure every idea is captured, every voice is valued, and every visual interaction is optimised, making collaboration a catalyst for innovation and success in the era of digital transformation.
By focusing on the human element and strategically enhancing collaborative AV technologies, organisations can achieve sustained growth and drive successful digital transformation initiatives.
Sam Sabet is executive vice president and chief technology officer at Shure
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