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Logitech has introduced a new suite of Sync smart office tools aimed at improving workplace experiences for employees and enhancing analytics for business IT teams. The new features, Auto Book and Auto Release, automatically reserve and cancel room bookings based on workplace behaviour, while Logitech View offers interactive digital office maps for easier navigation through large office complexes.
A Steelcase Workplace Survey revealed that 40% of employees waste up to 30 minutes daily searching for meeting spaces. This issue often arises when people occupy meeting rooms without booking them, overstay their reservation times, or fail to show up for booked rooms, a phenomenon known as ‘ghosting’.
“With hybrid work so pervasive, the office can feel like the Wild West,” said Henry Levak, vice president of product, Logitech for Business. “Logitech’s smart office tools are the not-so-secret weapon to bring predictability and detailed insights into these dynamic work environments.”
The Auto Book and Auto Release features address these challenges. Auto Book reserves a room when employees start using it, and Auto Release frees a reserved room if no one shows up. After multiple no-show meetings, the entire recurring series can also be automatically cancelled, with changes reflected in the calendar and on Tap Scheduler.
“Rally Bars use AI in-camera sensors to automatically detect and respond to natural workplace behaviours with no human intervention needed,” Levak added. “Employees can focus less on manual actions and more on collaboration, and IT admins get a realistic picture of which rooms are actually used, not just which rooms are booked.”
These features are available in rooms equipped with Rally Bar or Rally Bar Mini, compatible with booking platforms such as Appspace, Envoy, Microsoft, Ricoh Spaces, Robin, and Zoom.
“Auto Book and Auto Release are prime examples of how Logitech shares our commitment to consumer-friendly, intuitive experiences that seamlessly integrate into daily life,” said Paul Alley, vice president of global partnerships at Appspace. “Together, we’re removing obstacles that stand in the way of employee productivity, while also harnessing valuable data to address today’s business challenges.”
Logitech View provides real-time availability status updates via a digital office mapping solution, helping hybrid workers and visitors navigate large office complexes with ease. Maps displayed on large monitors or TV screens using Logitech RoomMate offer quick, colour-coded visibility of meeting rooms, workstations, amenities, and exits. Users can book rooms directly on the map or search for their colleagues’ desks using the touchscreen.
These tools provide significant benefits for IT teams responsible for ensuring that conference rooms are equipped with the right technology and Facilities teams charged with optimising office real estate.
“Underutilised and over-utilised rooms are bad news for the bottom line,” said Prakash Arunkundrum, chief operating officer and GM of Logitech for Business. “Logitech Sync Insights gives you data analytics on space usage, occupancy, and the use of video conferencing equipment during meetings so you can make smarter decisions about tech investments and space planning.”
