Cisco has announced a series of updates designed to improve the integration of its devices with Microsoft Teams.
This raft of updates released in Spring target both users of Cisco Rooms, enhanced with Video Integration for Microsoft Teams (VIMT), and those utilizing Microsoft Teams Rooms.
Rolled out as software updates, the move aims to enhance the ease of use across both experiences by offering streamlined management, expanded camera support, and improved interoperability.
Updates for Microsoft Teams Rooms
Apple AirPlay Support Coming Soon
Following their Enterprise Connect 2025 preview, Cisco will soon deploy Apple AirPlay compatibility for devices running Microsoft Teams Rooms.
This addition will let users wirelessly display content from Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) directly to Cisco hardware, making content sharing more accessible in meeting environments.
Improved Zoom Connectivity via Conference Room Connector
Cisco equipment now offers simplified Zoom meeting access through the One-Button-to-Push (OBTP) functionality, powered by the Cisco-Zoom Interop application. This feature works across all Cisco hardware running Microsoft Teams Rooms, though it requires Hybrid Calendar activation in Control Hub.
The system automatically identifies scheduled Zoom meetings in the device calendar and provides single-touch joining capabilities through Zoom’s Conference Room Connector (CRC).
Enhanced CRC features include support for dual displays, customizable layouts, host controls, content sharing capabilities, and participant list visibility—creating a more comprehensive experience when accessing Zoom meetings from Cisco hardware in Teams Rooms.
AOSP Device Management Now Generally Available
Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Device Management is fully deployed on all Cisco hardware running RoomOS January 2025 or newer. This upgrade enables automatic AOSP Device Management implementation without manual setup requirements.
IT teams can confirm proper installation by looking for “Authenticator” and “Microsoft InTune” entries in the device’s “Microsoft Teams Software” section, ensuring appropriate management and security measures.
New Microsoft Approved Release Channel in Control Hub
Cisco has established a Microsoft Approved channel—a specialized release track providing Microsoft-verified software for Cisco hardware in Teams Rooms environments. This collaborative release process involves thorough testing by both companies before deployment, ensuring customers can receive direct Microsoft support when needed.
This Microsoft Approved channel will be the recommended default for all new Teams Rooms installations. While aligning with Teams Admin Center (TAC) releases, it also offers additional configuration flexibility within Control Hub.
Administrators benefit from improved software lifecycle management, including the ability to maintain specific software versions for up to six months—particularly valuable for large-scale enterprise deployments.
USB Content Camera Support Expansion
Cisco hardware now supports additional USB 2.0 cameras using the MJPEG format, including specialized content cameras designed for Teams Rooms environments. This enhancement enables flexible content sharing, particularly from traditional whiteboards—valuable in educational and collaborative settings.
Content cameras work alongside specialized image-processing software to capture and share physical whiteboard content during meetings. This allows presenters to use conventional whiteboards while ensuring remote participants can clearly view presented materials, helping bridge in-room and remote participant experiences.
The USB 2.0 camera integration supports various applications, including document capture and connectivity with third-party primary cameras, benefiting both Teams Rooms and Cisco Rooms configurations.
Microsoft Teams Enhancement for Cisco Rooms
In addition to the above updates for the Teams side, these are the additional software updates aimed at improving seamless operability from the Cisco Rooms side.
- Cross-Tenant Meeting: Joining Microsoft Teams meetings hosted by external organizations is now more seamless with the introduction of cross-tenant join capabilities. Organizations using Video Integration for Microsoft Teams (VIMT) can now expect a unified and familiar meeting experience, regardless of the meeting host.
- Enhanced IntelliFrame Support: Cisco devices now support receiving Microsoft Teams Cloud IntelliFrame. Meeting participants can now see close-up, optimized video views of other attendees joining from supported Microsoft Teams Rooms devices equipped with a Pro license. The IntelliFrame feature is controlled by the sending Microsoft Teams Rooms device, which intelligently captures and frames participants, providing a more immersive and engaging remote collaboration experience.
- Layouts’ Integrated Spotlight Functionality: Participants who are spotlighted by Teams hosts or presenters using a Teams client will now be prioritized within existing layouts. A new Spotlight icon will also be displayed in the name label, making it clear who is currently in the spotlight.
- PowerPoint Live Presentation Viewing: Cisco plans to add the capability for Video Integration for Microsoft Teams (VIMT) users to view PowerPoint Live snapshots directly on their Cisco Rooms devices. This enhancement is designed to eliminate the need for participants to use the Teams client separately to view presentations, streamlining the meeting experience.
These software updates aim to enhance productivity, streamline collaborative workflows, and simplify device management across Teams and Cisco environments.
By providing improvements for both Cisco and Teams Rooms configurations, the updates ensure support for users’ preferred setups.
With key improvements in camera support, cross-platform compatibility, and management tools, these updates continue addressing the needs of organizations embracing hybrid work models.
