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3 minute read
Summary
On this New Product Alert, the Collab Collective’s Craig Durr interviews Olivier Proffit, Product Manager at Cisco, recorded live at ISE 2026. Their conversation highlights Cisco’s latest collaboration device updates, with a focus on how AI-driven hardware is reshaping frontline and hybrid work experiences. Olivier walks through two newly announced products: the Cisco Wireless Phone 9821 and the next-generation Desk Pro G2.
Their discussion covers:
- AI on the Frontline: How the Cisco Wireless Phone 9821 introduces AI-ready capabilities and improved tactile design for frontline and desk-based workers
- Desk Pro G2 Evolution: Why NVIDIA-powered processing and dual-camera design enable richer AI features and support up to five participants in compact spaces
- Flexible Use Cases: How Desk Pro G2 bridges personal and small-group collaboration with wide-angle and high-resolution camera modes
- Express Install & Zero-Touch Provisioning: What true plug-and-play deployment looks like with Wi-Fi connectivity and no tools, wires, or manual setup
- Ecosystem Alignment: How Cisco, NVIDIA, and Microsoft come together through MDEP and native Microsoft Teams support
Transcript
Craig Durr: Hey, everybody, it's Craig Durr. I'm still here at ISE 2026. I'm in the Cisco booth. I was supposed to meet Olivier Proffit, and I'm told that we're gonna be talking about some new AI features.
Olivier Proffit: Hey, Craig. Here I am.
Craig Durr: How are you doing? I got a chance here to try this new phone I wanted to see, which is the 9821. Now, I know this isn't your part, but the thing I love about this phone here is it's got the new tactile features. But what's cool about this I'm told, it brings AI to the frontline worker, right?
Olivier Proffit: Definitely. Do you want to see some other AI-powered devices?
Craig Durr: Oh yeah, you got some?
Olivier Proffit: Yes, we do have the new Pro G2.
Craig Durr: Let's give it a shot. Why don’t you show me what we got?
So this is the next generation Desk Pro G2. This is built on the new NVIDIA processor solution, right?
Olivier Proffit: Exactly, the same as the one on the Codec Pro G2, fully AI-powered and future proof to add and to compose, thanks to those two new webcams.
Craig Durr: This has the new dual cameras here, which is best for this situation when you and I sit close to each other. It’s just like one of the setups that you have right here.
Olivier Proffit: Exactly. Here in this update of the Workspace Designer, you've got the ability to set up the settings. You click, and you can play with it. As you can see, the Desk Pro G2 now supports up to five people in the space. Starting from two and then three, which is our hero setups, where we've got more demands from our customers... The three seat huddle space.
Craig Durr: That’s right. Here's one of the interesting things, I talked to Rich about this earlier. And of course, people think about this as being a personal device, but you're seeing more and more of this use case now, right? Tell me about this use case.
Olivier Proffit: Yeah, that's why we expanded and added the camera. We improved the personal camera, and we added the wide-angle camera.
Craig Durr: So when you and I are across the table like this, it still gets a good view of taking place here right now.
Olivier Proffit: Exactly, because you've got the new wide-angle camera with a 105 degree wider angle. And if you are in a personal mode, then you've got the fantastic 48 megapixel camera.
Craig Durr: I love it. Another thing that was really exciting to me about this is that this is the true meaning of Express Install. We're just talking about one cable to get this up and running, right?
Olivier Proffit: Yes. We all know about Microsoft Express Install, right? But this one is the fastest to deploy because you've got no wires, no tools, no screws, no stand…
Craig Durr: Wi-Fi enabled for Internet access… just plug it and go
Olivier Proffit: Exactly. Even better because you don't even have to provision it. You've got zero touch provisioning, so you just plug it and boom, you're good to go.
Craig Durr: That's there—zero touch provisioning. Distance zero. We're bringing in a lot of great things here.
Here's one other really cool thing I like about this product, being that it’s on the NVIDIA chipset, and also being part of the MDEP program as well. This is one of the first products that came out in market with MDEP on NVIDIA, right?
Olivier Proffit: Yes, and here you can see the Microsoft Teams.
Craig Durr: Oh, yeah, so you get to run the solution. There is a powerhouse solution with Cisco, NVIDIA, and Microsoft bringing this to market. Tell me about this. When's this going to be available?
Olivier Proffit: Orderable now, and shippable very soon.
Craig Durr: So you guys have announced it, and you bring it. It's already available right now. That’s fantastic! Not many people can do that there. I love it.
Olivier, I appreciate the update you shared with me. We're gonna go ahead and check out some more here, okay?
Olivier Proffit: Sounds good.
Craig Durr: Hey, everyone. This is Craig Durr coming to you again from ISE 2026. We're going to bring you some more new product updates, like the Desk Pro G2. Stay tuned for some more. Take care.
