{"id":22413,"date":"2022-01-31T11:05:35","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T11:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?p=22413"},"modified":"2022-05-09T12:08:15","modified_gmt":"2022-05-09T11:08:15","slug":"innovations-of-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/innovations-of-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"RingCentral MVP: Top Innovations of 2021 Plus What\u2019s Coming in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

2021 was another year of remarkable change. Many companies returned to the office and many stayed remote. We also saw new hybrid arrangements where teams worked alternating schedules.<\/span><\/p>\n

We toppled our old routines and embraced new ways of work. Beyond this, we also learned how to stay connected as colleagues spanned different locations and time zones. Despite all of the uncertainty, we emerged successful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, we like to think that <\/span>RingCentral MVP<\/b><\/a> made an impact. The combination of messaging, video and phone helped you stay connected with your colleagues, teams and customers, and gave you the flexibility to do your best work \u2013 <\/span>from anywhere.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve released a lot of new features in 2021 that made this possible. Here are some of our top innovations, along with a sneak peek at what\u2019s to come for 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our favourite innovations of 2021<\/b><\/h2>\n

1. Live Transcription<\/b><\/h3>\n

Whether you\u2019re joining a call late and need to catch up or need to multitask, <\/span>Live Transcription<\/b> makes it easy to stay on top of what\u2019s happening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When enabled, <\/span>Live Transcription<\/b><\/a> uses AI to automatically transcribe conversations \u2013 great for late joiners who can get caught up without disrupting the meeting. Transcripts can be reviewed at any time during the meeting and also downloaded for future reference.<\/span><\/p>\n

Real-time transcription is also a helpful tool that enables global teams to overcome language barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about live transcription <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Team Huddle<\/b><\/h3>\n

The days of missing casual chats at the office are over, thanks to our Team Huddle feature.<\/span><\/p>\n

Team Huddle<\/b><\/a> is an always-on video meeting that allows members of a RingCentral Team to hop on and hop off as needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a casual, accessible virtual meeting spot that\u2019s great for setting up open office hours, HR Q&A sessions, IT service desks, and a lot more. Think of it as a live chat room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about different ways to use Team Huddle <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Team<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Auto-follow<\/b><\/h3>\n

Having to take the time to ensure you\u2019re framed optimally and visible to meeting participants can be one of the drags of video meetings \u2013 especially if you need to move around the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

When enabled, our auto-follow feature makes framing automatic. <\/span>Auto-follow <\/b>uses AI to track where you are on camera and ensures that you are centred on the screen, no matter where you are.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Auto<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Presentation Modes<\/b><\/h3>\n

One complaint we often hear about video meetings is that they lack the dynamic vibe of in-person sessions because you can\u2019t see both the presenter and presentation materials at the same time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our <\/span>Presentation Mode<\/b><\/a> feature enables the best of both for video meetings. Instead of having to choose between a dry screenshare or seeing the presenter, Presentation Mode displays both.<\/span><\/p>\n

Presenters can show their video layered on top of their shared content, with settings such as Overlay, Newsroom, and Conference Room, and still convey a human element: facial expressions, hand gestures, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about presentation modes <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Breakout Rooms<\/b><\/h3>\n

Whether it\u2019s small-group icebreakers or mini-brainstorming sessions, there are occasions where you\u2019ll want to break out a larger meeting into more intimate discussions. Our Breakout Rooms eliminate the complexity of doing so.<\/span><\/p>\n

With <\/span>Breakout Rooms<\/b><\/a>, meeting hosts no longer have to create separate video meetings and participants don\u2019t have to leave the main meeting for small group discussions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All you have to do is decide the number of rooms required, and then assign or randomly split up participants into smaller working groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

More on Breakout Rooms <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Breakout<\/p>\n

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6. Mobile to Room switch<\/b><\/h3>\n

Commuting into the office or out for a walk and need to join a meeting along the way?<\/span><\/p>\n

With our <\/span>Mobile-to-Room<\/b><\/a> switch feature, you can start a meeting from your mobile device and then seamlessly switch to a nearby meeting room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This means no more dropping off and back on or fumbling to connect cables to switch over. Just click a button to transfer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about Mobile-to-Room <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. RingCentral Rooms: a touchless meeting room experience<\/b><\/h3>\n

In 2021, we introduced new touchless features to make meetings safer and more comfortable for everyone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Phone as a controller<\/b><\/h4>\n

Meeting hosts can now use their own <\/span>mobile phones to control a meeting<\/b><\/a>. Not only does this reduce surface contact, but it also allows hosts to move around a room rather than being tethered to a controller.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Personal-Controller-GIF-728\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Voice-activated control<\/b><\/h4>\n

You can also launch a meeting completely touch-free with <\/span>voice-activated control<\/b><\/a>. Simply use the command \u201cHi RingCentral, join meeting\u201d up to 30 minutes before a meeting start time to join automatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about our touchless meeting features <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"This<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Rooms as a softphone<\/b><\/h3>\n

As you configure your meeting rooms for the future of work, there\u2019s no need to purchase separate equipment for phone capabilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RingCentral Rooms setups can now also be used to <\/span>dial out or receive calls<\/b>, making it more seamless than ever to connect by phone or video as needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about other Rooms features designed for the hybrid workplace <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rooms<\/span><\/p>\n

9. New RingCentral Rooms hardware options<\/b><\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve partnered with best-in-class providers including <\/span>Avaya, Logitech, Poly,<\/b> and <\/span>Yealink<\/b>, to offer all-in-one appliances that are easy to use, install, and manage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These new appliances include innovative proprietary AI technologies for participant tracking, framing, and noise cancellation. Check out our full appliance offerings <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

RingCentral Rooms also offers various Room kits that are compatible with Mac and <\/span>Windows operating systems<\/b><\/a>, providing seamless solutions on your OS of choice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

See our list of compatible room kits <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. RingCentral Room Connector<\/b><\/h3>\n

For organisations that have already invested in SIP-based hardware, there\u2019s no need to tear down your existing meeting room equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n

RingCentral Room Connector<\/b><\/a> is an add-on licence to RingCentral MVP or Video Pro+ that allows businesses with third party SIP-based hardware to seamlessly connect to RingCentral video meetings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about Room Connector <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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11. Desktop & Mobile Head-up Display<\/b><\/h3>\n

In the past, only proprietary desk phone and desktop devices offered advanced capabilities for receptionists and admins, such as the ability to manage multiple incoming calls, add users, transfer calls and view other users\u2019 real-time availability.<\/span><\/p>\n

RingCentral offers the first-to-market <\/span>mobile and desktop HUD functionality<\/b><\/a>, finally extending these critical features to all devices and making work more mobile than ever before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mobile<\/p>\n

12. Powerful phone solutions to enhance Microsoft Teams<\/b><\/h3>\n

RingCentral provides multiple calling options for Microsoft Teams users, made seamless via our rich integration with Teams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With RingCentral, Teams users can access a <\/span>native calling experience<\/b><\/a>, including business-critical capabilities such as voicemail, fax and other calling features \u2013 all directly from the Teams app.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And with business calling in 44+ countries and local and toll-free numbers in 110+ countries, it\u2019s a solution that\u2019s well-suited to the needs of global workforces and organisations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about RingCentral for Microsoft Teams <\/span>here<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Microsoft-Teams-976\"<\/p>\n

13. Resource Centre<\/b><\/h3>\n

Accessible right from the RingCentral App, our <\/span>Resource Centre <\/b>is a one-stop-shop to get support, submit feedback and discover the latest releases.<\/span><\/p>\n

With simple and intuitive access to in-app guided tours, support articles, and more with just a click of a button, the <\/span>Resource Centre<\/b> helps companies improve employee training, reduce on-boarding time and get the most out of RingCentral MVP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Resource<\/p>\n

14. The App Gallery: Now available in the RingCentral app<\/b><\/h3>\n

One of the biggest advantages of cloud communications is the ability to integrate your favorite apps. In RingCentral, we\u2019ve made this easier than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can now search and install any team messaging add-in directly from your RingCentral app. Choose from messaging bots, interactive add-ins (beta) and notifications all without having to leave the app.<\/span><\/p>\n

For other third-party apps, check out our App Gallery here:<\/span><\/p>\n

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