Have a conference room or meeting space that looks like this? Need a solution to eliminate all of the cords, wires, and adapters?

Earlier this year Microsoft released Microsoft Miracast, a device that can replace all of the wires and adapters, and project your computer screen onto TV's, projectors, and streaming media players. Roughly, it can be described as "HDMI over Wi-Fi". This technology can work across devices regardless of brand to negotiate settings for each connection, which simplifies the process for the users, and all of this happens at lightning fast speeds.

The best part: the device cost about $50

Setup for any of these adapters is simple: Just plug the adapter into any open HDMI input port on your TV, projector, or monitor, then plug in the small USB cable coming from the side of the device. These USB cables don't actually transfer any data; they're there to provide power to the adapter. The wireless display adapter delivers a reliable connection with up to a 23-foot range.

Operating Systems Supported:

• Android 4.2 or later
• Windows 8.1 or later
• BlackBerry 10.2.1

Ready to modernize your meetings? If you are a Five Nines Managed IT Services client, let your Account Manager know! If you are not a Five Nines client, learn more here!

Already have Miracast and need additional info on how to use the device? Once Miracast has been connected, here are the steps to begin presenting:

With your PC and display ready to project, you need to add the wireless display to your PC. Both devices need to be within range, which usually means that they're in the same room.

To add a wireless display to your PC

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Devices.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Devices.)
2. Tap or click Project, and then tap or click Add a wireless display.
3. Choose the wireless display in the list of devices found, and follow the instructions on the screen. 

Project your screen to a wireless display

After you add the wireless display to your PC, you can project your screen to it and change what you see on each screen.

To project your screen

4. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Devices.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Devices.)
5. Tap or click Project, and then tap or click the wireless display you want.

To choose what you see on each screen

6. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Devices.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Devices.)
7. Tap or click Project, and then choose one of these options:

• PC screen only. You’ll see everything on your PC. (When you're connected to a wireless projector, this option changes to Disconnect.)
• Duplicate. You’ll see the same things on both screens.
• Extend. You'll see everything spread over both screens, and you can drag and move items between the two.
• Second screen only. You’ll see everything on the connected screen. Your other screen will be blank.

Disconnect from a wireless display

If you move your PC beyond the range of the wireless display (such as to another room), or if you make your PC sleep or hibernate, the two devices will disconnect. You can also disconnect the wireless display manually.

8. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Devices.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Devices.)
9. Tap or click Project, and then tap or click Disconnect. 

(Information provided by: Microsoft)

Need a simpler way to communicate to your team or visitors how to use Miracast? Download the table tent below and place it on your conference room table!

Still thinking about making the switch to Office 365? Already have Office 365 but have no idea what that really means? You have to come to the right place, join us on our series of exploring Office 365!

What is Office 365?

Office 365 is your complete office in the cloud. At its heart is Office itself—the familiar Office applications businesses use every day—now offered as a cloud service, so it’s always up to date. But Office 365 is also so much more—it gives you the ability to work from anywhere, on any device, whether you’re online or offline. It helps you do your best work, the way you want to, wherever you are. That means more powerful tools for creating content, better ways to work together, and easier ways to share.

How can Office 365 benefit my business?

Office 365 is extremely scalable, for the first time it is offering enterprise level solutions to organizations of all sizes, from online meetings, to sharing documents to business-class email. Small to medium business can benefit from the portability features, low cost, and high security cloud system.

Lets explore some of the other benefits and features:

Business-class email: Large, 50GB mailboxes that can send messages up to 25MB in size, with contacts, shared calendars, and spam and malware protection that stays up to date. Built with Exchange email technology, the leading email solution for business around the world. Use your own custom domain for your email address, connect with Outlook for fully featured offline support, and access via the web through any modern browser. Available on your PC or Mac, as well as Windows Phone, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry devices.

Online meetings:  Hold scheduled or ad hoc online meetings for up to 250 participants, with screen sharing, audio and video, virtual whiteboards, polls, and shared notes. Partners and customers can fully participate through any HTML5 browser.

Online document storage and file sharing:  1TB of space in the cloud to store, backup, and easily share files. Files are accessible from almost any device, and can be synchronized offline and made available without an Internet connection.

Private social networking and collaboration:  A social network that helps your company stay connected, share information across teams, and make faster, more informed decisions.

Get work done from anywhere:  Wherever your people are, online or offline, they can get to—and work with—the most up-to-date versions of the files and tools they need to get things done, and on virtually any device.

Work better together—simply:  Office 365 offers business-class email, shared calendars, IM, web conferencing, and access to the most up-to-date documents stored in the cloud. You can work together in real time without compromising security.

Reduce your capital expenditure:  Office 365 is available as a simple monthly subscription. Avoid large up-front costs for new software while moving the cost of IT from capital to operating expense.

Be always up to date:  Since Office 365 is in the cloud, it is always up to date. No patches or software upgrades necessary. Microsoft is adding new value and capabilities on a monthly basis.

Cut hardware and energy costs:  Without servers to run for email, websites, and document storage, you can reduce energy costs and save by no longer purchasing new server hardware.

License per user:  Simplify licensing while providing each user access to business-critical technology on 5 PCs/Macs and 5 mobile devices. Save money when compared to traditional, per-device licensing.

Scale your business quickly:  Office 365 grows with you—adding a new user is as simple as buying an additional license.

Which plan should I choose?

There are three subscriptions available for small to medium size businesses that offer all of the features outlined above and more. You can consult with your IT provider or use Microsoft’s “Help me choose” tool to see which plan is the best fit for your business.

Want to learn more? Download the Microsoft Office 365 booklet below!