What's the difference between Bring your Own Meeting (BYOM) and Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR)?

For an optimal Workplace Experience, 3 elements must be aligned: space, technology and people.

In the modern workplace, meeting solutions are essential for effective collaboration, especially in hybrid work environments. Two popular approaches are Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) and Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR). 

While both solutions aim to improve meeting experiences, they differ significantly in their approach and functionalities. Let's explore these differences.

1/ Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM)

a) What is BYOM? 

Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) allows employees to use their own devices and software during meetings. This means participants can connect their personal laptops, tablets or smartphones to existing meeting room hardware such as screens, microphones and cameras

b) Benefits of BYOM  

1. Flexibility: Users can use their favorite meeting platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet
   
2. Familiarity: Employees are already familiar with their own devices, which reduces technical issues and increases productivity
   
3. Cost savings: BYOM uses existing hardware in the meeting room, reducing the need for additional investments
   

c) Disadvantages of BYOM

1. Compatibility Issues: Not all devices and software are always compatible with the meeting room hardware
   
2. Security Risks: Using personal devices can cause security issues, especially if sensitive information is shared
   

d) BYOM solutions

Wired

The meeting room can be equipped with Logitech or Yealink video conferencing equipment. In both cases you can use a USB-C cable to connect the video bar to your laptop to use the room's camera/microphone/speaker.

Wireless

Do you wish to present wirelessly and connect wirelessly to the videoconferencing equipment in the room? Then you can add a Barco Clickshare CX-20 (non-touch) or CX-30 (touch) at Logitech to use the Barco Clickshare buttons to connect wirelessly to the Logitech Rally Bar.

At Yealink, wireless presenting and wireless video conferencing are integrated as standard in the Yealink Meetin​gBar.

Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR)

a) What is MTR? 

Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR) is an integrated meeting solution designed specifically for use with Microsoft Teams. It provides a seamless experience by using certified hardware and software that is fully integrated with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

You can start your Teams call via a tablet on the table or via the interactive screen on the wall without even needing a laptop. To share the screen of your laptop or smartphone, you can simply join the Teams call and share your screen in Teams with the other participants.

b) How much do Microsoft Teams Rooms licenses cost?

There are 2 versions of Microsoft Teams Rooms: Basic & Pro.

For most customers, the free Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic license is sufficient (limited to 25 rooms).

Microsoft Teams Rooms Pro costs €37,40 per meeting room per month.

For more information: see https://www.microsoft.com/nl-be/microsoft-teams/microsoft-teams-rooms

c) Benefits of MTR

1. Integration: MTR offers deep integration with Microsoft 365, enabling features such as real-time collaboration, content sharing and co-editing
   
2. Ease of use: The user-friendly interface makes it easy for anyone to schedule, start, and join meetings
   
3. Security: MTR offers robust security and privacy features to meet the needs of any organization
   

d) Disadvantages of MTR

1. Cost: The initial investment in certified hardware and software can be high
   
2. Limited flexibility: MTR is primarily designed for use with Microsoft Teams, which may limit flexibility for users who want to use other meeting platforms
   

e) MTR solutions

Both Logitech and Yealink have Microsoft Teams Rooms solutions, in both Android and Windows configurations. The Android setups are sufficient in 90% of the cases, the more complex rooms are usually equipped with a Microsoft Windows setup.

Wired

At both Yealink and Logitech, the Microsoft Teams Rooms control panel is connected to the wired network. You can start a Teams call without needing an extra laptop in the room.

Wireless

Do you want to be able to present wirelessly to the screen outside Teams? Then add a Barco Clickshare C-10 to your Logitech setup.

At Yealink, wireless presenting is integrated as standard in the Yealink Meetingbar.

3/ Can I switch between MTR and BYOM?

The answer is YES:: 

You can perfectly set up a room as a Microsoft Teams Rooms room (recommended if the majority of meetings take place in Teams) and still switch to BYOM for the exceptions, for example. Google or Zoom is needed or someone needs to set up a video call externally.

Logitech has the  Logitech Swytch ​

With Yealink, a USB-C cable comes from the Teams Rooms control panel on the table to switch to BYOM or there are also BYOD extenders.

4/ Conclusion

Both Bring Your Own Meeting and Microsoft Teams Rooms offer unique benefits and challenges. BYOM provides flexibility and cost savings by leveraging personal devices and existing hardware, while MTR provides a seamless, integrated experience with robust security features. The choice between these two solutions depends on the specific needs and priorities of your organization.