Powering hybrid work using the Webex App.

I use the Webex app for instant messaging, joining Webex meetings, for group chat, and primarily to stay connected to other word wide users that use Cisco products. Cisco has provided public spaces, that anyone with a Cisco Webex account can join, that allows you to talk to other Cisco users that are using Cisco products. I've also joined the Cisco certifications public spaces to exchange messages with other certification test takers. The biggest use case so far has been having a space that I can use to collaborate with my team members on projects we are working on. It is so handy to have a single place for an exchange of ideas.

User adoption and knowledge of the applications and hardware were the biggest challenges. Creating the back end accounts to enable use of a soft phone, getting the software installed and shipping headsets were a challenge as well. For users that needed a physical device we had to walk them through plugging the device in and getting it registered. A lot of time the end users didn't have POE available or they didn't have an ethernet port because they were using the ISP provided router.

I've seen a positive impact using Cisco products to enable a hybrid work model. People are happier to skip the commute and use that time to get more work done. It was a culture shift for some people to work remote and it didn't work for some people as they preferred the commute and the in person interaction of the office setting.

I've found that hybrid work doesn't work for everyone. Some thrive and some struggle to adapt because they are so used to the in office interaction. Video meeting make up for a percentage of that missed experience but it cannot take the place of in person interactions. As we've moved back to a part time in office experience i feel a slightly higher percentage of people enjoy the return.