Put simply, interoperability describes when one piece of technology works well with another. For example, Cisco devices work well with Microsoft Teams meetings and a plethora of other video conferencing platforms. They aren’t just compatible with Webex meetings.

Said another way, interoperability is the ability of a system, device, application, or product work with or use the parts or equipment of another. Interoperable devices, applications, etc. can connect and communicate in a coordinated manner, doing so seamlessly, without the user putting in much extra work. Leveraging interoperable tools helps companies be more efficient and communicate more effectively.

When it comes to video conferencing equipment and meeting platforms, there are several interoperability options:

• Native SIP: Native Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) allows video endpoints from different vendors to connect to each other or into a meeting platform with a basic set of functionalities like audio, video, content sharing, and encryption.
• Gateway: If a conferencing platform doesn’t offer native SIP, they might offer a gateway service, which allows meeting participants to use their preferred device to join proprietary meetings. The gateway is required to translate signaling and may transcode media to the correct format.
• WebRTC: Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) is browser-based. In this type of interoperability, the virtual meeting platform provides a standard interface that lets participants join via their web browser, without installing a specific application. High-quality video endpoints feature built-in web-engines which can use WebRTC interface to join video meetings from the device, leveraging the device’s microphone, speakers, camera, and screen.
• USB Passthrough: USB passthrough allows people to join any meeting platform from the video conferencing device, using the device’s interfaces via USB.

Read this blog post to learn more about interoperability and video conferencing equipment.

You can use Cisco devices to join meetings from any video conferencing platform you choose—Webex, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, and more. Regardless of which meeting platform you’re using for a specific meeting, you’ll still get all the benefits from the device’s high-quality screen, camera, and audio capabilities.

To further ensure a consistent user experience, no matter what type of meeting you’re joining, you can use the One Button To Push (OBTP) feature on your Cisco devices and easily join any meeting with the push of a single button. Simply enable the Hybrid Calendar Connector to set up One Button To Push.

You can join any Zoom meeting from a Cisco device and still enjoy the benefits of the device's high-quality screen, camera, and audio capabilities. You can also take advantage of Cisco devices' One Button To Push feature so you can join your Zoom meeting with the push of a single button. If you have Hybrid Calendar enabled, Cisco will automatically scrape the SIP URL and give you a single button to push. Or, easily join any Zoom meeting from a Cisco device with your laptop and a simple USB-C connection.

You can join any Microsoft Teams meeting from Cisco devices, enjoying your meeting with the benefits of the Cisco device’s high-quality screen, video, and audio.

To join a Microsoft Teams meeting from a Cisco device, you can use one of two methods: the Cisco Video Integration for Microsoft Teams or WebRTC.

If Microsoft Teams is your primary meeting platform, we recommend using the Video Integration for Microsoft Teams (VIMT). With VIMT, you’ll have access to features including participant lists, the ability to mute/unmute participants, and two-way content sharing. Enable the Hybrid Calendar Connector so VIMT can automatically enable you to join Microsoft Teams meetings and you can leverage the One Button to Push feature. Learn more about VIMT.

If you don't have VIMT, you still join a Microsoft Teams meeting from your Cisco device using WebRTC.* The device will automatically launch the WebRTC browser so you can join the meeting with One Button to Push. Learn more about how to enable WebRTC and how to join a Microsoft Teams meeting with WebRTC.

In 2023, you will also have the option to run native Microsoft Teams Rooms on a series of Microsoft Teams Rooms, Microsoft Teams Display and Microsoft Teams Panel-certified Cisco devices, covering small to large workspaces, including focus rooms and huddle spaces to ideation spaces and conference rooms. This provides you with the most feature-rich Microsoft Teams experience, while still providing a native Webex Meetings join experience.

*NOTE: There are some feature limitations with WebRTC so VIMT is the recommended method, if possible.

You can join any Google Meet meeting from Cisco devices, still benefitting from the Cisco device’s high-quality screen, video, and audio. Join the Google Meet meeting with the One Button to Push feature, or tap the Google Meet button directly from your Cisco device. You can also connect to the meeting by dialing in. You’ll need the code provided in your calendar invite or at the end of the meeting link. Once you have the code, you can join by selecting the Google Meet button on your Cisco device. Learn more about joining Google Meet meetings on Cisco devices.