Crestron develops RL system with Microsoft which includes Lync 2013 functionality

Paul Milligan, March 7, 2013

Crestron and Microsoft have developed a video-enabled collaboration system for the meeting room. Crestron RL includes full Microsoft Lync 2013 functionality, including HD multi-party video and collaboration capabilities, such as presenting PowerPoint, sharing desktop or applications, and use as an interactive whiteboard.

Crestron RL system

Meetings can be scheduled through RL’s integration with Microsoft Outlook and can be joined with a click on the touchscreen console in the meeting room.

Users can remotely participate via Lync, without the need to deploy additional gateways and adding participants is done by adding them to a Lync conversation.

“We are pleased that Crestron will bring a Lync room system product to market,” said Giovanni Mezgec, general manager for Lync product marketing at Microsoft. “Crestron’s experiences in providing conference room solutions across the world, combined with Microsoft Lync’s software capabilities, produce a solution that takes collaboration and communication to a new level.”

Crestron RL includes Crestron UC Codec for Lync, HD camera, microphone, 65in touchscreen(s), 10in table-top touchscreen.

“As a scalable, appliance grade, turnkey system, Crestron RL can be implemented in practically every conference room across the global enterprise,” says Robin van Meeuwen, VP of Crestron International.

This full-featured Lync-based system enables video, voice, Lync meetings or Instant Messaging within seconds from any device. users can view, edit or annotate any document, file or video remotely, and share ideas and notes collaboratively with partners, colleagues and clients anytime, anywhere with any device.

“Crestron allows the conference room to be monitored, managed and controlled via the NOC or any PC on the network just like the IT infrastructure,” adds van Meeuwen. “It also enables future upgrade paths to include lighting, automated blinds, energy and even room scheduling into the system so that all building technology can be centrally managed.”