After announcing several new products under ThinkPad, ThinkVision, and ThinkCentre portfolio, Lenovo has announced new additions to its ThinkSmart portfolio which is designed to transform business communications via improved meeting experiences at the individual and group levels. The all-new ThinkSmart View is a dedicated personal business communications device for conducting Microsoft Teams audio and video calls. Lenovo also introduced that select solutions can now be fully managed by ThinkSmart Manager, a proprietary software application for IT departments to easily manage their fleet of ThinkSmart devices.
Lenovo’s smart office strategy is simple – Focus on the importance of employee engagement. We do this by looking at how employees most effectively collaborate and aim to proactively address the challenges we’ve all been faced with when conducting or participating in meetings. Designing to address different collaboration needs will drive real-world benefits ThinkSmart View is powered by Qualcomm APQ8053 SoC with a dedicated device screen for Teams audio and video conferencing. With just one-touch meeting starts through the built-in display and by pairing a Bluetooth headset, users can virtually eliminate background noise and improve confidentiality. A physical camera shutter and device lock by PIN provides welcome security.
ThinkSmart View is also designed to work beyond the office. The user-friendly design means it can function in hot-desking environments just as well as it can live happily in a home office. Its flexibility could even introduce a new wave of smartphone rooms for public spaces. Zoom Rooms bundle kits for small, medium and large meeting spaces featuring the ThinkSmart Edition Tiny for Zoom (based on ThinkCentre M920q) are now available.
Lenovo’s existing purpose-built ThinkSmart Hub 500 solutions with either Microsoft Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms empower smaller groups to be highly productive through efficient meetings in dedicated small to medium conference spaces. Zoom Rooms bundle kits for small, medium and large meeting spaces featuring ThinkSmart Edition Tiny for Zoom (based on ThinkCentre M920q) are now available. Including the Lenovo Tab M10 controller and Heckler stand and featuring Logitech audio and video peripherals, the kits can be purchased through Maverick AV Solutions in the US, Canada and select countries in Europe and Asia.
Lenovo will further expand ThinkSmart Edition Tiny kits with our partner Logitech to include Microsoft Teams Rooms. As mentioned earlier, offices are being carved out into different spaces, ranging in size from phone booths and huddle rooms to large, casual open areas and formal meeting rooms. Lenovo Smart Office Professional Services can help take that pain away. By offering end-to-end services from consulting through deployment and management, the team can build a tailored smart office solution. The new ThinkSmart Manager software, manageability of select ThinkSmart devices has never been easier. IT departments can remotely deploy, manage, configure, update and resolve issues across those ThinkSmart devices within their cloud-sphere of influence.
A single console provides real-time status by individual devices and can generate reports on issues and usage trends to help maximize smart office solution efficiency. Protected by Lenovo Secure Authentication, ThinkSmart Manager can also remotely change BIOS and supervisor passwords on ThinkSmart devices and prevent unwanted USB port use for enhanced protection.
Pricing and Availability
- ThinkSmart View is expected to be available starting January 2020, starting at $349 or $449 with a ThinkPad X1 ANC Bluetooth Headset
- ThinkSmart Tiny kits are available now from Maverick AV Solutions.
- ThinkSmart Manager is available now with the first year’s subscription included.
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