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What’s new in Webex: May 2021

May 03, 2021 — Webex Team

Welcome to what’s new in Webex! This article provides highlights for new Webex features and capabilities.

In May we’re introducing expanded features and capabilities in the Webex app to align to the way you work including options to simplify messaging, meeting scheduling and in meeting layout curation by host. We’re also introducing additional options to support your plans for safe return to the office.

Read more below for information about these capabilities and more.

WEBEX APP

MEETINGS

MESSAGING

CALLING IN WEBEX

DEVICES

INTEGRATIONS

CONTACT CENTER

WEBEX APP

Select where you start

Are you a power meetings user or do you spend most of your time calling? Webex is making it easier to work your way and select your default landing tab based on your preferred workflow. Now in the Webex app settings, you (or your IT admin) can pre-select the tab you want to land on each time you log-in.

Work more efficiently with the Webex Desk Camera

For a more streamlined experience, use the Webex app with the Webex Desk Camera to control when and how you share your video on calls and in meetings. The Webex Desk Camera privacy shutter serves as the master switch for video in the desktop app. Close the shutter and your Webex app video will turn off locally as well, sharing only your avatar image.

MEETINGS

In app scheduler

Schedule meetings right from the Webex app! No need to use your email or yet another app to schedule your Webex meeting. Add important meeting details, check the availability of the attendees, and send out the invites. Need to make changes? Just edit or cancel the meeting from the calendar and send the invite again – it’s that simple.

Host controls to custom meeting layout

Webex is expanding custom meeting layouts so that host and cohosts can curate meeting layouts. Drag and drop participants to the main stage and synchronize the view for all meeting participants. Use custom meeting layout host controls to get your meeting started with a more engaging view, focused on key speaker and content.

MESSAGING

Mark messages unread

More options to work your way with Webex – now you can mark important messages as unread as an easy reminder for future reference or follow-up.

Space Navigation

Easily move between spaces you’ve recently visited, no need for total memory recall. Now you can easily retrace your steps, find the last space you visited and keep work and conversations flowing. Use the arrows to move back and forward between spaces or hold the arrow to view your history.

Looking for more detail on features and tips for the best experience with the Webex app?

Visit the What’s new in the Webex app blog.

CALLING IN WEBEX

Additional mobile options for Webex Calling: New DECT calling support

If you have mobile based workers and are looking for more options, we have new solutions for cloud telephony. DBS 110 DECT is now available in Webex Calling. Webex Control Hub also provides visibility and administrator control for new devices.

DEVICES

Webex devices are designed to help organizations enable great remote and in-office experience combining the power of hardware and software.

New accessories simplify cleaning of shared spaces

In addition to intelligent features like people count, social distancing alerts and proximity pairing, Webex now has additional accessories for easy cleaning of shared space resources. New metal grills for the Webex Room Kit Mini, and medical grade silicon removable covers for IP phones and handsets make frequent cleaning even easier.

Optimize camera and microphone capabilities for the Webex Room Kit Mini

Deliver great experiences for remote participants even when in-office meeting spaces allow for more social distancing. The Webex Room Kit Mini now supports 5X digital zoom and we’ve further tuned internal microphone audio for better reach with clear audio for up to 4 meters away from the device – so that everyone can be fully seen and heard.

INTEGRATIONS

Webex helps you to maximize efficiency, automate and innovate by integrating Webex with business applications.

Slack Integrations for Public and Private Channel Meetings

Set meeting policy across public and private channels with Webex Meeting integration in Slack. Admins can use a simple bot command to set up meeting policies by channel type for desktop and mobile users. Bot commands support added privacy and deliver the following meeting behavior:

When Slack users in a Private Channel click Start an Instant Meeting, the instant meeting will use their personal room to create the meeting.
When Slack user in a Public Channel click Start an Instant Meeting, the instant meeting will schedule a regular Webex Meeting

CONTACT CENTER

Webex Contact Center Enterprise 12.6 Release

The newest release for our enterprise contact center solutions (UCCE, PCCE, Webex CCE, and HCS-CC) includes new features to simplify agent experiences and streamline operations management for IT admins.

New features for enhanced agent experiences include:

AI powered agent experience with Agent Answers to enable more proactive support and call transcription capabilities
Work your way with easy device selection options for agents to choose amongst preferred devices when working at home or in the office
Less app switching with new multi-tab gadget within the agent desktop application

Expanded features for IT administrators include:

Simplified orchestration of updates and patches
Expanded observability with native AppDynamics integration for easy application performance monitoring for all apps integrated within the contact center
Increased concurrent agent support for large deployments for up to 36,000 agents