SMART Expands Collaboration Options and Partners with Unify Square to Deliver Premium Services for Microsoft Lync Users

Collaboration has become more dynamic, intuitive and powerful and is now available in more work spaces thanks to SMART Technologies Inc.
(NASDAQ:SMT) (TSX:SMA), a leading collaboration company and global provider of interactive displays for enterprise. Building on recent announcements made at Lync Conference 2014 held less than a month ago, significant additional enhancements have been made to SMART’s solution for Microsoft Lync Room Systems (LRS) including a new room size, additional collaboration capabilities, as well as premium services for installation, ROI reporting and solution adoption through Unify Square. These additions further differentiate SMART in the LRS category and are being unveiled for the first time at Enterprise Connect 2014 which opens today in Orlando.

“Our product development team and our global partners have been working overtime on enhancements to the SMART Room System for Microsoft Lync,” says Scott Brown, President, Enterprise for SMART Technologies. “By listening to our customers, in addition to applying our own innovation and engineering, we have expanded the collaborative capabilities for in-room and remote users, and introduced programs to ensure successful adoption and continued return on investment. Our customer-first approach ensures meetings are intuitive, productive and collaborative and our commitment to Lync users reinforces our position as the leading provider in the Lync Room System category.”

“We are delighted to partner with SMART to deliver additional benefits for companies who recognize the excellent value and capabilities of the SMART Room System,” says, Sonu Aggarwal, CEO of Unify Square. “The additional reporting and consulting solutions from Unify Square complement the SMART Room System by accelerating adoption and proving the ROI for this powerful voice, video and data collaboration solution.”

Increased collaboration

SMART is introducing the SMART Meeting Pro® Connector for Microsoft Lync (2013) which enables enhanced data collaboration between multiple SMART displays using Microsoft Lync 2013. This new capability is ideal for customers with existing SMART displays who want deep collaboration and the ability to seamlessly join meetings using Microsoft Lync. Once in the meeting, both in-room and remote participants can share data from any application, use SMART Ink™ software to create digital notes, write into existing Microsoft Office applications and PDF documents, and capture ideas from all participants, regardless of location. It also enables any SMART Board™ interactive display and any SMART Room System to participate in the same meeting using Lync.

New premium services

In addition to the implementation, training and maintenance services already part of SMART’s Premium Services offering, SMART is adding unique services through Unify Square. The company is recognized for its expertise in helping customers succeed with their Lync strategy, design, deployment and operations.

PowerView for SMART Room System (PowerView for SRS) delivers a comprehensive view into when and how SMART Room Systems are utilized across the organization. The subscription based, online reports are available through Unify Square, making them easily accessible and easy to implement with no on-site hardware or maintenance requirements.

Power start up package for SMART Room System combines guidance and best practices from UCC experts with a short term evaluation of PowerView for SRS to ensure deployments are set up for success. This package includes deployment best practices, regular checkpoints to ensure successful implementation, guidance on interpretation of the PowerView for SRS reporting and metrics unique to each deployment, as well as input on user enablement activities, recommendations for further deployment, and resources to continue to drive adoption.

Largest range of room sizes

Following the announcement of single and dual 55” (139.7 cm) display combinations, SMART is also adding a new size that includes dual 84” (213.36 cm) displays. This new size expands the range of choices for customers once again, accommodating room sizes ranging from 50 ft2 to 400 ft2, suitable for two to 20 participants.

Pricing and availability

The SMART Meeting Pro Connector for Microsoft Lync (2013) and the reporting and consulting services from Unify Square are expected to become available in summer 2014. The dual 84” SMART Room System (XL) is expected to begin shipping in spring 2014. For local pricing, purchasing information, specifications and a list of authorized SMART resellers, visit smarttech.com/SMARTRoom.

About SMART

SMART Technologies Inc. is a leading provider of technology solutions that are redefining the way the world works and learns. SMART products enable inspired collaboration in schools and workplaces by turning group work into highly interactive, engaging and productive experiences. SMART delivers integrated solutions of hardware, software and services designed for superior performance and ease of use.

About Unify Square

Founded by former Microsoft Lync product team members with deep insight into the UC market, Unify Square is a leading provider of Unified Communications and Collaboration solutions. Unify Square is one of the largest solution providers for Microsoft Lync worldwide, with more than 40 global Fortune 1000 companies amongst its enterprise customers and nearly 3 million Microsoft Lync users impacted through its products and services. www.Unify Square.com.

Reader’s advisory

Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information or statements. Without limitation, such statements include those concerning the expected availability of new products mentioned in this release. By their very nature, forward-looking information and statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information and statements will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking information or statements. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking information or statements, nor any responsibility for updating such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking information and statements contained in this media release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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