Multi-Application Room Solution (MARS)
Multi-Application Room Solution (MARS)
Building upon the successful Connect feature for Lifesize Icon room systems, the Lifesize “Multi-Application Room Solution”, or “MARS” for short, is a new take on how to deliver unrivalled flexibility within meeting rooms.
By installing a Windows computer or tablet alongside a Lifesize Icon room system, and with the addition of a powerful Multi-Application room software package – Customers can unlock a new streamlined, consistent and repeatable meeting experience that’s capable of conducting back-to-back meetings on any leading video meeting platform, including BlueJeans, Google Meet, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, Pexip, Webex, Zoom and more.
Leveraging the native Windows desktop or browser-based apps offered by each meeting solution vendor, users can easily access all of the available features, such as chat, file sharing, screen sharing and even advanced moderation and host controls via the Windows host computer, whether via a traditional keyboard and mouse or a touch-screen interface.
We’ve partnered with a leading software solution vendor to offer a combined Lifesize MARS software package, which offers a consistent and re-brandable home-screen, shows scheduling information, enables convenient launching of meeting invites via one click, can open invites from room or personal calendars, share files from local or OneDrive storage. Conveniently “clean-up” when you’re done, leaving your room computer safe, secure and ready for the next meeting. The Multi-Application launcher brings consistency to otherwise disparate meeting apps and user interfaces.
The Multi-Application presentation tool (Montage) allows you to share documents and graphics wirelessly from your own device, to annotate on your slides, to run whiteboarding sessions and more, these features can combine with those from the Multi-Application launcher to make your room more flexible and productive than ever before.
Run your meeting directly on the hardware installed within the room, bring your own calendar and files with you, and use your own device to augment the experience.
Deployment configurations
In summary, there are two main deployment options
- Wired – utilizing USB and HDMI connectivity to the Windows host computer
- Hybrid – utilizing HDMI and a network-based connection to the Windows host computer.
For more specific information about the use, deployment and configuration, please refer to the Multi-Application Room Solution Deployment Guide on Lifesize Community.
Hardware Requirements
Minimum specification:
Below are the minimum requirements for the room computer hardware for a Multi-Application Room Solution. We strongly suggest that customers purchase hardware that meets or exceeds this specification.
- Windows 10 (version 1809) or later operating system
- Minimum display resolution 1920 x 1080, or greater
- Intel Core i3 (8th Gen.) processor, or better.
- 8GB RAM, or better.
- 64GB Storage, or greater.
- Ethernet or WiFi (10 Mbps or above)
- Suitable I/O connectivity for:
- USB-C or HDMI video output
- USB-A or USB-C (for “wired” installations)
- Keyboard & Mouse or Touch Display
Other peripherals and cables may be required to install the computer as a permanent fixture in the meeting room, as the primary compute device with suitable control devices.
NOTE: Lifesize highly recommends customers to utilise hardware which meets or exceeds these requirements and those of leading third-party desktop meeting app vendors.
Recommended specification:
Below is the recommended hardware for a Multi-Application Room Solution. We suggest that customers purchase a Windows tablet computer that meets or exceeds the specification below to achieve a good video meeting experience, regardless of the UC apps being run. This specification has been chosen because it meets or exceeds the requirements published by leading cloud conferencing providers, including Microsoft, Zoom, Google, Cisco and others, while balancing price and performance.
- Form Factor: Windows tablet computer + Docking station
- Windows 10 (version 1909) or later operating system
- Minimum display resolution 1920 x 1080, or greater
- Intel Core i5 (11th generation) CPU, or better
- 8GB RAM, or better.
- 128GB SSD, or greater.
- Ethernet / WiFi (100 Mbps or better)
- Suitable I/O connectivity or Docking station for:
- Power/charge port
- USB-C or HDMI video output
- USB-A or USB-C (for “wired” installations)
Other peripherals and cables may be required to install the tablet computer as a permanent fixture in the meeting room, as the main control surface and compute device.
For more specific information, please refer to the Multi-Application Room Solution Deployment Guide on Lifesize Community.
Support for Multi-Application Room Solution deployments
In-depth testing has been performed with the largest and most popular solutions currently available, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex, BlueJeans among others, but conceptually you can join any meeting or run any software that is available for Microsoft Windows – the most used PC operating system in the market.
Lifesize has performed extensive compatibility and verification testing with leading desktop meeting software tools and services, however unfortunately we cannot take any responsibility for the support, performance or compatibility of third-party software, or any subsequent changes or updates made by their vendors which may impact functionality or compatibility.