Smarter Meeting Rooms on the Rise as Hybrid Work Becomes the Norm

Simon Wells
Authored by Simon Wells
Posted Monday, August 25, 2025 - 2:53pm

As hybrid work becomes the norm, businesses are finally waking up to the fact that their old meeting rooms just aren’t cutting it anymore. These rooms tend to have poor audio and video quality, where it looks like a blurry pixelated mess and there’s always that one person who can never get their mic on.

With more than a quarter of the UK workforce now working in a hybrid setup, companies are realising they need to step up their game. Employees working remotely don’t want to feel left out and the people in the office would like clear communication. Everyone deserves a smooth & efficient meeting experience, whether they’re in the room or dialing in from home. And that’s where smarter meeting rooms come in.

The Struggles of Traditional Meeting Rooms

Traditional meeting rooms were built for a different time i.e. when everyone was working in the office. But as the workplace is evolving to more remote and hybrid roles, meeting rooms need to evolve as well. 

The struggles with older traditional meeting rooms range from: mic cut outs, connection lags or video glitches. It becomes frustrating for teams and they end up spending more time troubleshooting instead of conducting the meeting. It’s a waste of time, and nobody wants to be the person holding up the meeting with a tech issue.

It’s no surprise that businesses are realising they need to evolve. And they’re moving towards better solutions that make collaboration easy, efficient and stress-free.

The Rise of Smart Meeting Rooms

Smart meeting rooms are built with hybrid work in mind - think top-notch audio, crystal-clear video and all the tools you need to make collaboration seamless. 

Smart meeting rooms integrate everything you need in one solution. You don’t have to juggle between Zoom, Teams, or whatever else you’re using. It’s all in one place, and it works flawlessly. This isn’t just about upgrading your video camera, this is about creating a meeting space that actually works for everyone, no matter where they’re tuning in from.

Microsoft Teams Rooms is one of the best ways to get this right. It’s a system that integrates all the essential tools for a smooth meeting: top-quality video, clear audio, and simple connection. Approximately 60% of enterprise organisations utilise Teams Phone, Rooms, or Premium, indicating a significant shift towards integrated meeting solutions. Everything’s in sync, and it’s all managed from one platform. It’s like upgrading from a dial-up internet connection to fibre optic. No more fuzzy audio or frozen screens instead you’ll get high-definition video and premium microphones that pick up every word clearly.

 Real-World Solutions for Hybrid Work

Hill Dickinson, an international law firm based in Liverpool, sought to maintain strong relationships with clients and colleagues amid the rise of remote work. With Microsoft Teams boasting over 320 million monthly active users globally, it’s no surprise they  adopted Microsoft Teams Rooms solution which included devices like MeetUp, Rally, and Sync, to facilitate seamless video conferencing. This transition has allowed the firm to conduct face-to-face meetings virtually, reducing travel costs and enhancing flexibility.

Across the UK, more and more companies are upgrading their meeting spaces to meet the demands of hybrid work. Many are turning to solutions like Microsoft Teams Rooms installed by Bridgehampton, which combine high-quality audio, video, and integration features to make remote collaboration feel as natural as in-person meetings.

The Future of Hybrid Workspaces

In the UK, 77% of employees now work in a hybrid model averaging 1.8 days per week from home, surpassing the global average of 1.3 days. Remote and in-office work are going to continue coexisting, and companies that want to stay ahead need to make sure they’ve got the right tools in place.

As more businesses move to hybrid models, the need for smarter meeting rooms will only grow. We’ll see more companies investing in high-tech solutions that make collaboration feel natural, no matter where people are working from.

Thankfully, the tech is already out there and businesses that make the switch will be the ones leading the way.

Conclusion

Hybrid work is changing how we do business and the tech we use to collaborate needs to keep up. Smart meeting rooms are no longer just a luxury; they’re essential for businesses that want to stay connected and productive.

If you want to ensure that your team is fully equipped for the future of work, it’s time to invest in the right meeting room technology. Microsoft Teams Rooms can make hybrid meetings smooth, efficient, and hassle-free.

In the end, the goal is simple: make hybrid work easy. Because when the tech works, the work works.


 

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