HP Presence hardware takes aim at hybrid working

HP has announced a slew of new devices that aim to facilitate the move to a hybrid work environment.

The HP Presence Meeting Space Solutions kit, which includes a Wolf Security-equipped HP Presence Mini PC and Presence Control Center, boasts unique features such as a spotlight frame, which automatically focuses on the current speaker, a Presence Room Assistant that can be used to report missing chairs, dry markers, or temperature issues, and a detection capability, which wakes the conferencing system as soon as someone enters the room.

The HP Presence Control Center allows admins to manage meetings and includes a dedicated setup app which makes it easy to configure and share custom settings remotely. Equipped with adaptive AI-enhanced audio by Bang & Olufsen, it’s capable of creating a custom audio profile based on size, shape, device placement, as well as additional room characteristics such as pillars or furniture.

The Control Center comes in two versions, depending on business needs: HP Presence Control is suited for huddle rooms and medium-sized meeting spaces, while the HP Presence Control Plus can accommodate larger meeting spaces.

HP’s global head of Commercial Systems and Display Solutions, Andy Rhodes, said that HP Presence “fits the work world of yesterday, the world of today, and is future-proofed for tomorrow’s collaboration needs”.

“With hybrid here to stay, pre-COVID technology simply can’t solve for the new ways people work. Without the right technology, people aren’t being heard and their ideas are getting lost. Every voice deserves to be heard – whether they’re sitting in the meeting room or at their kitchen table,” he added.

The Presence Meeting Space Solutions kits are to become available starting February 2022, with pricing will be shared closer to availability. HP is also planning to sell some of the items separately.

Earlier this year, HP also announced Flexworker – a cloud-based printing solution suited for hybrid workforces. Integrated into HP Wolf Security, Flexworker offers hybrid workers the flexibility to use secure, company-approved printers from home, boosting productivity.