Ensuring your hybrid team thrives requires more than just the right software. Teams also need hardware designed to bridge the gaps between distributed staff members and enable more immersive collaborative experiences. That’s where the Cisco Board Pro G2 comes in.

Introduced in March 2024 at Enterprise Connect, the Cisco Board Pro G2 is one of Cisco’s multiple innovations this year. More than just a basic display, this all-in-one board turbocharges hybrid work. It combines expansive viewing options with cameras, a touchscreen, and advanced AI-powered capabilities.

It even integrates with all the critical tools teams use to share information, such as Webex Teams, Microsoft Teams Rooms, Miro, Mural, and more. I took a closer look at this powerful new collaboration device; to discover the benefits it offers hybrid teams.

The Quick Verdict: Pros and Cons

I’ve seen plenty of great, intuitive displays entering the hybrid workplace over the last year, but Cisco’s Board Pro G2 is definitely one of the most powerful options. The built-in NVIDIA AI chipset unlocks an amazing, collaborative experience, which I feel really enhances meeting inclusivity.

Plus, I love how flexible this device is. It’s not just a tool for people who use Webex for meetings, you can link the board with all the apps your team already uses.

Pros:

  • Huge range of incredible AI-powered features
  • Excellent presentation capabilities
  • Smooth and seamless digital whiteboarding
  • Smart integration options for hardware and software
  • High quality resolution, audio, and video

Cons:

  • Expensive pricing
  • Can take a little while to configure everything

Cisco Board Pro G2: Overview and Specs

At a glance, Cisco’s Board Pro G2 seems pretty similar to most of the top interactive displays I’ve seen offered by Avacor, MAXHUB, and Microsoft. As you might expect, it comes with a high-resolution touchscreen and is available in two sizes (55 and 75 inches) to suit any meeting room.

However, plenty of things make this collaboration device stand out. Not only is it brimming with AI-powered features for things like automatic framing and noise removal, but the solution comes with everything you need for inclusive meetings. You can host whiteboarding sessions while streaming video and audio, and even customize the room experience with add-ons.

Let’s take a brief look at the specs:

  • RoomOS and Microsoft Teams Rooms
  • Mult-touch 4K LCD display
  • 2 x 48 MP cameras
  • 14-element beamforming microphone array
  • 2 active pens
  • Integrated multi-channel speakers and subwoofer
  • Wall mounting kit included
  • USB-C, HDMI 2.0 input
  • 2 x HDMI output terminals
  • Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
  • Integrated sensors for presence, noise, and environment
  • BYOD Supported

Cisco Board Pro G2 Review: The Display

Let’s start this review with a closer look at the display itself. As I mentioned above, there are two size options available, 55-inch, and 75-inch, both of which offer an incredible 4K resolution.

Of course, this is more than just a standard “screen”. Cisco has designed an all-in-one device for collaboration, combining its display with two high-quality cameras, and a 14-element beamforming microphone array. Plus, there’s a multi-channel loudspeaker system that creates a “spatial audio” experience, designed to make you feel like you’re in the same room as your remote colleagues.

The cameras, speakers, and microphones are all phenomenal on their own, providing exceptional clarity. However, they’re further enhanced by the integrated AI capabilities, which help to keep distractions out of your meetings, by distinguishing between in-room participants and passers-by.

Like many screens designed for hybrid collaboration, the Cisco Board Pro G2 features a highly interactive touchscreen display. I was extremely impressed by how responsive the screen is. However, it might not be as effective at distinguishing between fingers and palms as some alternatives, so I’d definitely recommend taking advantage of the included pens.

The pens that come with the display are pretty impressive too. They have a handy button to load a contextual menu, allowing you to choose between annotation and multi-ink experiences. If you’re working on apps like Miro or Mural, you’ll have no problem drawing on digital whiteboards and sharing ideas with colleagues using these pens.

Flexibility and Interoperability

One of my favorite things about the Cisco Board Pro G2 (compared to the other devices I’ve tried), is how flexible it can be. First, it supports BYOD (Bring your Own Device) connections via HDMI, USB-C and wireless casting. This is ideal for companies looking to keep meeting costs low, and allow team members to customize their meeting experience.

The Board Pro G2 can also connect with two external screens, as well as extra microphones, speakers, cameras, and room controls and scheduling displays. Basically, this means you can set up any kind of room you like in an instant, whether you’re hosting an all-hands meeting or training session.

Another point to note is that although the screen comes with a wall mounting kit as standard, there are other options. You can purchase a separate floor stand, and a floor stand with wheels if you want to move your display into different rooms. However, those add-ons will cost you extra.

Additionally, as I mentioned above, you’re not restricted to using Webex meeting solutions with this screen. Although the device does come with Webex software pre-installed, there’s also native support for the Microsoft Teams Rooms service. You can also easily leverage connections with solutions like Google Meet and Zoom, too.

Plus, there are a bunch of smart integrations for apps like Mural and Miro, and you get the option to leverage sensors within your display. These sensors can automatically track things like temperature, humidity, noise and air quality through Cisco’s Room Navigator. That means business leaders can access valuable insights into how to improve meeting experiences.

Team leaders can even control room peripherals, like curtains and lights, using Room Navigator’s customizable APIs. Alternatively, you can set up automatic power-saving modes to reduce energy consumption and improve your carbon footprint.

Integrated AI Features and Cameras

I already mentioned the Cisco Board Pro G2’s cameras and AI capabilities briefly above, but when the two are combined, you really do get a phenomenal meeting experience. With the two cameras, you get 112 and 70-degree field of view options, which is great for framing participants in any room size. The two cameras work together with AI to provide inclusive camera views and amazing camera reach.

You can even choose from a host of different camera views, such as “People Focus”, for multi-participant framing, optimized group view, and adaptive speaker view. There’s also an AI virtual lens, to ensure speakers at the end of a large conference table are still captured perfectly.

The NVIDIA AI chipset immediately gets to work as soon as you turn the device on, optimizing images and audio automatically, for more clarity in meeting experiences. Not only do you get phenomenal AI noise removal, but the microphone array automatically detects active speakers in real-time to enhance audio performance.

If you want to take your AI experience to the next level, you can take advantage of Copilot with Microsoft Teams Rooms. Alternatively, there’s the dedicated Cisco AI assistant available within the device via an integration. This assistant can work with your team throughout meetings, automatically responding to requests, summarizing and transcribing content, and more.

Plus, if you enable the sensor capabilities, the AI assistant will be able to keep track of all the key details of your meeting rooms, allowing you to adjust the environment throughout long sessions.

Cisco Board Pro G2 Device Management

Similar to most high-end collaboration devices, the Cisco Board Pro G2 comes with integrated device management solutions. With the “Control Hub” software, IT teams can monitor, manage, troubleshoot, and even analyze your devices from a single interface. As soon as you log in, you’ll get an instant overview of device health for all your Cisco products, and connected peripherals.

To make managing your meeting rooms easier, Cisco’s Control Hub enables everything from bulk configurations to automatic software upgrades. You can even leverage various APIs to connect with solutions to improve your room management, like Cisco Spaces. Cisco Spaces can leverage data from various different technology platforms to show an instant view of room availability.

Plus, there’s end-to-end network monitoring via a Cisco ThousandEyes integration. For hands-on management, you can link your Cisco Board Pro G2 to the Cisco Room Navigator device. This gives in-meeting participants access to intuitive conference controls and configurable device settings. You can also add in room booking and third-party apps.

The Room Navigator, and the display both keep track of presence and environmental details for you, so you can track every element of your meeting room experience. If you’re using on-premises solutions, you can manage your technology using Cisco Unified Communications Manager too.

The Biggest Benefits of Cisco’s Board Pro G2

There’s a lot to love about Cisco’s premium collaboration device, from it’s sleek and stylish design, to it’s ability to adapt to a range of room configurations.

For me, these are the biggest benefits that stood out:

  • Incredible AI capabilities: AI is infused into every part of Cisco’s device. It doesn’t just enhance meeting video and audio quality. It empowers companies to access real-time assistants, analytics, and even extend the functionality of the display’s integrated cameras.
  • BYOD flexibility: Cisco ensures every team member can contribute to a meeting however they choose with wired and wireless BYOD support. It’s even possible to use any meeting solution you like, from Microsoft Teams to Zoom.
  • Excellent controls: With remote configuration options through Cisco Control Hub, real-time sensors built into the device, and end-to-end security, managing your meeting rooms is simple. The Control Hub even enables management of third-party peripherals.
  • Interactivity: The touchscreen is very intuitive, particularly with the high-quality pens included in the display kit. If you run a lot of brainstorming and training sessions, this screen will be great for keeping everyone engaged.
  • Room experience: Cisco’s device makes it easier for business leaders to create a compelling, comfortable, and engaging meeting experience. You can even track environmental conditions to ensure you’re supporting the wellbeing of your teams.

Cisco Board Pro G2: The Verdict

Ultimately, it’s easy to see why the Cisco Board Pro G2 has gained so much attention from companies redesigning their hybrid workplaces. This interactive screen really does transform the way teams connect and share information. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to manage and customize.

Whether you’re investing in Microsoft Teams Rooms, Cisco Webex, or an alternative meeting solution, Cisco’s collaborative board will empower and delight your teams. The biggest downside is the price – but can you really put a price on the value of great teamwork?

 



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