What's New

In today's hybrid work landscape, IT managers face unprecedented challenges in ensuring seamless productivity and manageability of devices across diverse environments. Addressing these needs, HP has recently launched three innovative docking solutions: HP Thunderbolt 4 100W G6 Dock, HP Thunderbolt 4 Ultra 180W G6 Dock, and the HP Thunderbolt 4 Ultra 280W G6 Dock. These advanced docks are designed not only to simplify connectivity but also to resolve critical pain points experienced by IT managers and end users alike.

Remote Manageability: The Game Changer​

One of the standouts feature of HP's new docking stations is the enhanced remote manageability. Integrating these docks into the Poly Lens management platform enables IT departments to remotely onboard, manage, and monitor the devices, revolutionizing the way IT support is delivered. This capability is crucial in ensuring both traditional office setups and home offices are seamlessly maintained and optimized.

Effortless Onboarding​

The new HP Docks support bulk onboarding by IT for large-scale deployments, as well as PIN onboarding for smaller or individual locations such as home offices. This flexibility ensures that no matter the scale of deployment, the process is streamlined and efficient. Once onboarded, devices appear in the Poly Lens Inventory view, providing a comprehensive overview for IT administrators.

Comprehensive Monitoring​

From the Poly Lens Inventory view, IT administrators can monitor active status, sort by type, location, IP address, or other details. The inclusion of a geo-filter map view and customizable columns allows for a tailored monitoring experience. This level of detail ensures that IT professionals can quickly identify and address any issues, maintaining optimal performance across all devices.

Provisioning and Customization​

The Settings tab within the platform allows for the adjustment of provisioned settings, accommodating deviations from bulk provisioning to meet specific use cases. This flexibility ensures that each device can be customized to suit individual requirements, enhancing the user experience and productivity.

Enhancing IT Control and User Experience​

The integration of HP Docks into the Poly Lens management platform demonstrates the essential role of Poly Lens in successful deployments. This integration provides IT professionals with the necessary controls to manage and optimize the performance of HP Docks, regardless of the user's location. The result is a more streamlined, efficient IT management process that greatly enhances the overall experience for end users.

We encourage our customers to add the newly supported HP Docks to their existing Poly Lens Account enabling better device management for IT, and better desktop experiences for end users. For more information on how HP's new Thunderbolt docking solutions and the Poly Lens platform can revolutionize your IT management, visit the Poly Lens site. See an example of the management features in action here. Learn more about the newest HP G6 Docks here.

¹Poly Lens support includes the next generation of HP Docks only (HP Thunderbolt 4 100W G6 Dock, HP Thunderbolt 4 Ultra 180W G6 Dock, and the HP Thunderbolt 4 Ultra 280W G6 Doc).

Video collaboration has become an essential part of how we work. With teams spread across different locations and varying in size, businesses are investing heavily in video-enabled rooms to facilitate communication, idea generation, and problem-solving. However, ensuring these rooms are being used to their full potential and achieving a solid return on investment can be a challenge.

As an IT administrator responsible for managing room-based video collaboration solutions, you're likely familiar with the complexity of maintaining these spaces—both from a technical and operational standpoint. Video rooms are a significant investment, encompassing real estate, equipment, furnishings, power usage, and more. But the question remains: Are these investments truly paying off? Are the rooms being used efficiently? Are users facing any hidden technical issues that could be impacting productivity?

Enter Poly Lens Pro for Rooms. This powerful new software offering on the Poly Lens platform is designed to provide IT administrators with enhanced control, seamless integration, and actionable data to optimize the use of video rooms across your organization.

Let’s break down the key features that make Poly Lens Pro for Rooms a game-changer for IT admins:

1. Remote Room Access: Support Wherever You Are

One of the most valuable features of Poly Lens Pro for Rooms is Remote Access. As an IT admin, you can remotely assist users, configure systems, or even perform maintenance on video rooms, no matter where you are.

With just a few clicks, select the room system you want to manage from your inventory and connect to it. Once connected, you can control the system as if you were physically in the room, ensuring quick resolutions and minimizing downtime. This level of access simplifies troubleshooting and helps you maintain smooth video collaboration across your organization.

2. Room Analytics: Understand Usage and Optimize Resources

Poly Lens Pro for Rooms offers a comprehensive Room Analytics feature that tracks how often your rooms are used, for how long, and by how many people in each timeframe. By connecting to a supported calendaring system, you can even gain insights into room utilization inside or outside of scheduled meetings.

This data is crucial for identifying underutilized rooms, optimizing resource allocation, and making more informed decisions about your video collaboration investments. It can also help with space planning, ensuring that you’re not overinvesting in underused resources.

3. Room Insights Dashboard: Visualize Data for Better Decision Making

The Room Insights Dashboard provides a detailed, easy-to-read view of various aspects of your video room deployment. It includes visualizations on key metrics such as:

• Device types
• Utilization vs. occupancy
• Uptime and total usage
• Booked vs. occupied rooms
• Call type and trends
• In-person meetings

The data presented on this dashboard helps you assess room performance and user behavior, making it easier to pinpoint areas for improvement and identify trends that can inform your future technology investments.

4. Enriched Insights via Calendar Integrations

Poly Lens Pro for Rooms also integrates seamlessly with your Microsoft Office 365 calendar, enriching your calendar-based insights and offering an additional layer of data for room utilization. By analyzing meeting schedules and room usage in conjunction with these calendar insights, you can uncover even more granular data about how your video rooms are being used and make strategic adjustments accordingly.

5. Powerful Data Visualization with Microsoft Power BI

For those who require more advanced analysis, Poly Lens Pro for Rooms allows you to connect data to Microsoft Power BI. This integration provides a visual representation of key metrics like device usage, adoption, and inventory status. You can create custom reports, share insights with team members, and gain deeper, actionable insights into the effectiveness of your video room deployments.

6. Zoom Device Management Integration

For organizations utilizing Zoom for video collaboration, Poly Lens Pro for Rooms offers seamless integration with Zoom Device Management. This integration streamlines the management of Zoom-enabled video rooms and provides visibility into the Zoom ecosystem, facilitating performance monitoring and proactive issue resolution. The use of deep links to Zoom Device Management further empowers IT professionals with enhanced control capabilities.

7. APIs for Customization and Flexibility

For those requiring enhanced control beyond the core APIs available to all customers, the complete suite of Poly Lens Pro for Rooms features is accessible via APIs. This comprehensive set of APIs is specifically designed to facilitate custom integrations, reporting, and data-sharing capabilities. It provides IT administrators with the flexibility to tailor the platform to the specific needs of their organization.

Conclusion: Better Tools for Better Collaboration

Poly Lens Pro for Rooms goes beyond a regular IT management tool – it maximizes the value of video room investments. By offering powerful insights into room usage, device performance, and user behavior, Poly Lens Pro for Rooms enables businesses to make informed decisions about their video collaboration technologies.

For IT administrators, this means more control, less downtime, and the ability to optimize room usage and resources. For end users, it translates into a more reliable and enjoyable video collaboration experience that boosts productivity and collaboration.

Now, Poly Lens Pro for Rooms is available as a limited time free trial to all customers, giving you the chance to experience firsthand how it can transform your video room management. With this trial, you can unlock the full potential of your video collaboration solutions and take a data-driven approach to optimizing your investment. Go to Lens.poly.com to start your free trial of Lens Pro for Rooms today.

Since we introduced the new Poly Studio Base Kit G9 Plus for Microsoft Teams Rooms in May last year, we have had quite a lot of enhancements around Poly’s PC-based room solutions, i.e., Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms, in the second half of last year. Let’s recap what happened.

Certification of Poly Studio V Series (Studio V52 and Studio V72) for Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms​

The introduction of Poly Studio V Series based on “2nd gen” video bars has a significant impact on our PC-based rooms in terms of capabilities they support today, such as latest Poly DirectorAI features and noise blocking technologies, but also for future enhancement that can be supported on our PC-based platforms, including Poly Studio E360 center-of-table camera and Modular Room (Poly StudioNet) support. This, along with having the complete audio and video setup across room sizes, makes our Windows portfolio more consistent and complete.

Introduction of Poly Lens Room app for better PC-based Room Management​

Unlike the previous generation of Microsoft Teams Rooms, Poly Studio Base Kit G9 Plus included Poly Lens Room app, to be able to better manage the firmware updates on the compute and the touch controller, and when registered to Poly Lens, administrators gained more insight and control to Teams Rooms.

With subsequent releases, this capability was extended to existing Poly’s Zoom Rooms systems, and more management features were enabled so you can manage the whole system including the connected peripherals from Poly Lens portal.

Lens Room v1.5.147 added Poly’s Zoom Rooms support. Now you can choose between Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms when you install the Lens Room app.

Lens Room v1.5.257 (and HPCC 1.0.0.2945) added Camera Control App support for Studio V52, V72 and E60 cameras (available on Poly Studio Base Kit G9 Plus)

Lens Room v1.9.290 added device settings support for the Studio V52, V72, and E60 when they are connected to the Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms compute.

As more capabilities are expected to be added to the provider apps or to the USB video bars throughout 2025 and beyond, Poly Lens and Poly Lens Room app will grow their capabilities. Stay tuned.

We’re excited to introduce HP ID Single Sign-On (SSO) as a new sign-in option for Poly Lens. This integration simplifies access to the Poly Lens platform and enhances your ability to seamlessly manage your access credentials with the broader suite of HP solutions, creating a more unified and efficient workflow experience.

What is HP ID?​

HP ID is a centralized identity solution from HP that lets you use one set of credentials for various HP services. Key benefits include:

• Simplified Access: Use a single sign-in flow to access supported HP solutions and the Poly Lens ecosystem of cloud portals and apps.
• Enhanced Security: Industry-standard authentication safeguards your account.
• Seamless Ecosystem: Switch effortlessly between HP solutions without managing multiple credentials.

How to Get Started​

1. Visit the Poly Lens sign-in page on any Lens app or the Lens cloud admin portal.
2. Select Sign in with HP ID.
3. Enter your credentials. Don’t have an HP ID? Create one quickly during the sign-in process.

A Unified Experience​

HP ID integration makes accessing HP solutions easier, more secure, and future-ready. Log in today to experience the difference, and stay tuned for more updates to Poly Lens.

We are excited to announce the Auto-Sync Credentials with Devices feature in Poly Lens, designed to streamline device onboarding and provisioning. This capability allows for seamless configuration management through policies, ensuring all IP-connected devices are efficiently managed, regardless of how they were initially onboarded.

When this feature is enabled, it will convert PIN/QR code onboarded devices to provision-based device management, which allows these devices to be managed using the robust policy management tools in Poly Lens.Additionally, you can easily and centrally update provisioning credentials for all devices in your Poly Lens Account, ensuring uninterrupted use of Device Provisioning in Poly Lens.

The Auto-Sync Credentials with Devices feature reduces the workload for administrators by automating the provisioning process, saving time, and minimizing errors. Embrace the future of device provisioning with Poly Lens and experience the ease and efficiency of this new capability today!

For more information on how to access the feature, please reference Poly Lens Help

We are excited to announce the release of Poly VideoOS 4.4.0, now available for all users! This latest update includes new features designed to enhance deployment flexibility, setup ease, and elevate the hybrid meeting experience. Additionally, it includes a new program that focuses on innovative feature development and customer collaboration.

Here's a closer look at the release highlights:

• Expanded Support for Studio E60 Connected over Ethernet Connect Studio E60 to Studio G62 or G7500 video conferencing system over Ethernet for a simple, flexible, and cost-effective large room setup.

• Access AV Controls from a Poly Touch Panel
  Seamlessly integrate with leading control systems to expand a Poly TC8 or TC10 touch controller as an advanced room controller that provides a single panel for everything.

• Poly DirectorAI Perimeter Live Setup Updated experience allowing admins to setup the meeting room perimeter by using a touch controller in the room to see a live view of who is included or excluded then adjust accordingly.

• Poly Lens Remote Access
  Admins can remotely see displays in the room and drive or control every aspect of the system from Poly Lens. Learn more in the Remote Access blog.

• Poly Labs
  A collaborative program delivering innovative pre-release features and experiences to customers more quickly. Learn more in the Poly Labs blog.

• For Zoom customers - Zoom Smart Gallery Enhancement Now supports up to four simultaneous video streams on 2nd gen Studio X video bars and Studio G62.

• For Poly Connect customers – Meeting Control App
  For highly secure environments needing full control of entry, display layout, chat viewing, and customization. HP|Poly and Pexip put Meeting Control in the users’ hands blog.

For detailed information on all the new features and improvements, please review the PolyOS 4.4.0 release notes.

HP and Poly is focused on delivering market leading future of work experience solutions for our customers across our PC, audio, video and software portfolio. The launch of our next generation Poly Lens Desktop 2.0 Windows application is a great example of our work solution focus and gives us the foundation to deliver future innovations to enhance our customers’ meeting experiences.
Today we are announcing delivery of our exciting first to market innovations which include:

• Bluetooth® direct device management – Allowing for headset device settings customization and seamless software updates for our end users and scalable management through policies for our IT Admins for select Poly Voyager headsets. See the Poly Bluetooth Direct Demo for detailed information.
• Bluetooth® direct first to market with Zoom – HP | Poly offers the world's first Bluetooth® headsets that deliver call control for Zoom without a dongle for select Poly Voyager headsets.
• Bluetooth® direct HP Differentiated Pairing – An HP exclusive single click pairing experience between HP PCs and select Poly Voyager headsets.
  

Note: Bluetooth Direct is available with Poly Voyager Free 60 UC Series and Voyager Surround UC Series with Poly Lens Desktop 2.0 and greater for Windows.*

We are continually improving our Poly Lens experiences, and Poly Lens Desktop 2.0 also includes the following enhancements:

• Notifications Center – Stay informed with the latest updates organized neatly within the top navigation bar referenced with a notification bell visual icon.
• Device Update Improvement – Allows for important device updates to personal USB and Bluetooth audio and video devices to happen in the background while still having access to utilize the rest of the Poly Lens Desktop app.
  For more information on all the experiences Poly Lens Desktop supports, please reference the Poly Lens Desktop release notes and Poly Lens Help.

We often wish we could all be in more than one place at one time. This wish is perhaps no stronger than with IT professionals. IT professionals have the herculean task of keeping technology working and users satisfied. Organizations of all sizes have embraced meeting room video collaboration to keep their teams connected and productive. These room video systems can be down the hall or across the globe making it a challenge to provide regular maintenance but a real headache to troubleshoot, especially in real-time.

Poly Lens sets out to help you be in more than one place at a time with Poly Lens Remote Access, a way to remotely connect into Poly touch control panels for the purpose of room-based video system maintenance and support. Once configured, IT administrators can access the desired system from within their private Lens tenant by selecting the Remote Access link assigned to the device. End users in the room will have the opportunity to approve or decline the access from the Poly touch control at the table. If approved, the admin will have full control of the control panel features as if they were in physically in the room.

• Boost IT Productivity: Remotely troubleshoot room-based video systems, freeing up valuable time and resources for other critical tasks.

• Lower System Downtime: Visually see system status and identify the best time for maintenance.

• Improve User Satisfaction: When necessary, remotely control the room system placing calls, changing settings, entering passcodes, adjusting volume, and more.

In the case where no one is in the room, the system will auto-accept the access request. This use case is typically necessary when IT administrators are wanting to set up a call in advance of a meeting for the user, during a maintenance window or other admin needs. For security purposes, there’s a persistent alert on the touch panel to ensure protection of IT and user.

When IT is complete with the Remote Access, the system will return to normal operation and be ready for the next user. We believe Remote Access from Poly Lens is a feature that will save you time and hassle while improving end user satisfaction. To learn more, see Remote Access on Poly Lens Help for setup and requirements. To see a demo go to: Poly Lens Remote Access.

Available today! 🚀

At HP|Poly, we know the future of video conferencing requires the latest in technology and a commitment to continually improve. That’s why we’re excited to launch Poly Labs – our new collaborative program that brings you access to pre-release features and innovations designed to elevate your conferencing experience.

With Poly Labs, you’ll have the opportunity to test and shape the next wave of industry-leading tools for collaboration technology. Here’s a closer look at what Poly Labs offers and how you can be part of it.

What is Poly Labs?​

Poly Labs is our cutting-edge program focused on delivering pre-release features and experiences directly to our customers. With Poly Labs, you can expect an ongoing partnership that brings the latest advancements to your organization faster.

Poly Labs is grounded in three core pillars:

1. Innovative Technology
   We’re at the leading edge of new technology. Our early-stage features are crafted to tackle challenges in collaborative spaces, creating a better conferencing experience.

2. Collaboration with Customers
   More than just early access – it’s a partnership. Your feedback helps shape product functionality, making this a truly collaborative experience to create better solutions together.

3. Accelerated Timeline
   Access early features and enhancements faster than ever. Poly Labs ensures new developments reach you sooner so you can benefit from the latest advancements without delay.

Explore New Features in Poly Labs​

Our initial program launch is tied to Poly VideoOS 4.4 release and includes the following features available on select video conferencing devices and within Poly Lens:

• VoiceScoreAI
  VoiceScoreAI offers live audio scoring to help you assess and enhance room acoustics in real time, ensuring an optimal experience for meeting participants on the far end.

• People Detection Filters
  Two new filters that refine Poly DirectorAI smart camera technology by excluding participants displayed on monitors and stationary objects from framing, keeping the focus on active participants.

• People Count Report
  Gain insights into how your spaces are used. This tool unlocks valuable data to help you understand space utilization, improving collaboration and planning.

How to Access Poly Labs Features​

All these features can be activated through Poly Lens. We’ve created a short video that demonstrates how to access Poly Labs and activate features.

Be Part of Early Innovation with Poly Labs​

Poly Labs is an important step in our journey to enhance collaboration in meeting rooms. Your feedback is essential – not only to fine-tune the features in Poly Labs today but also to help shape our roadmap for future innovations. Together, we’re creating tools that make meeting spaces more efficient and responsive to your needs.

Coming soon with PolyOS 4.4.0

The HP|Poly and Pexip partnership continues to strengthen with the release of Poly Meeting Control App. The new video endpoint capability has been co-developed within this growing partnership to enable rich feature experiences when in a PrivateConnect, or CloudConnect powered by Pexip call with Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.

What features does the Poly Meeting Control App offer?​

The Poly Meeting Control App provides users with an elegant and intuitive interface, allowing them to effortlessly initiate video calls, share content, and adjust the camera settings. During meetings, the app lets users raise hands, lock the meeting, manage participants, mute, and unmute the microphones, control the volume, admit or reject participants, and view incoming chats from meetings.

Why IT Decision Makers Should Care:​

1. Availability: Meeting Control App is available on ¹Poly video devices running OS 4.4.0 and Poly TC8 and Poly TC10 Touch Controllers.
2. Entry Control: Simple UI for allowing or restricting meeting entry.
3. Video Layout: Template wizard shows layout options for single and dual screens.
4. Audio,Chat: Mute and unmute participant audio while viewing chats from the Pexip meeting.

“We are committed to supporting meeting room vendors with the technology they need to deliver secure and seamless meeting experiences, which is why we collaborate with industry leaders like Poly, Cisco, and others. We see that our co-developed Meeting Control App is enhancing Poly’s secure meeting experience, which means that users in highly regulated industries do not have to sacrifice features and functionality in the name of security. Pexip and Poly offer you both,” says Lauren Eustace, VP Strategic Alliances, Pexip.

In just one year of collaboration, Poly has transitioned 65% of its customer base to the Pexip platform and notes a significant uptake in their Pexip-powered solutions, which cater to the specific privacy requirements of highly regulated entities such as an international defense alliance, a major energy company, a higher educational institution, among others.

“With the integration of Poly and Pexip, our customers receive the security, interoperability, and functionality they need for their critical meetings. We intend to keep collaborating to deliver more value, aiming to introduce additional features and flexibility to support our solutions. The launch of our co-developed Meeting Control App is a key milestone in this endeavor,” says Marty Sexton, Senior Product Marketing Manager, HP|Poly.

When it comes to connecting your employees, the HP|Poly Meeting Control App delivers the required meeting control and customization some organizations request, and many organizations require. To learn more, contact your HP|Poly Account Manager or authorized partner.

¹Poly G7500, Poly Studio X30, X50, X52, X70, X72, TC8, TC10