"Interoperability" isn't a word that trips lightly off the tongue – but it's an important concept in the world of digital transformation.

The situation is this: more and more businesses are on board with the benefits of extended reality (XR). They're convinced that equipping staff with headsets, smart glasses and other wearables can make workflows faster, more efficient and more collaborative.

But all too often, XR isn't compatible with their existing software stacks. Deployment is at the expense of processes that are familiar, trusted and effective. Even the most open-minded technician might raise an eyebrow when faced with rebuilding their systems from scratch.

However, things are changing. We're entering a period of technological development where interoperability is the order of the day.

Here at SimplyVideo, we want our XR-enhanced remote collaboration platform to fit snugly into existing infrastructures. We want to make it work with you as well as for you.

That's why it natively integrates with Google Meet (among other platforms). Put simply, that means you can install SimplyVideo on your smart glasses and connect to Google Meet calls.

But before we get into the nuts and bolts of this integration – and how it can help your enterprise – you may be wondering: what's the big fuss about interoperability, anyway?

Why is interoperability important?

Imagine you wanted to buy a new shelving unit for your living room. You've got your eye on one model in particular – but when you look it up online, you see there's a catch.

To set up this shelving unit, you have to get your walls replaced. As if that's not bad enough, you have to replace those walls, brick by brick, with materials provided by the brand that produced the shelving unit.

No one would blame you for saying "pass" and taking your custom elsewhere. But in the world of digital transformation, this is sometimes what's asked of enterprises.

In the case of remote collaboration software like SimplyVideo, it would be absurd to ask businesses to rip up their existing software ecosystem just to support it – no matter how versatile and transformative it is.

It's natural, then, that companies are looking for solutions that are interoperable with existing mainstream software solutions – the Microsoft Teamses and Google Meets of this world.

This is one of our priorities at SimplyVideo. We want to remove all the barriers to adoption and deployment that we can – so we've worked hard to make our software compatible with industry-leading systems.

How does SimplyVideo integrate with Google Meet?

Does your enterprise use Google Meet on a day-to-day basis? Then you'll be well aware of both its benefits and shortcomings.

If you're reading this blog, then you're curious about what XR can do for you. But Google Meet isn't, really.

Like other videoconferencing solutions, Google Meet is about conducting business face-to-face in spite of geographical barriers. It's not about virtual worlds (virtual reality) or even the real world overlaid with virtual objects (augmented reality).

This means that if you want to use Google Meet on XR devices, you need a solution that can bridge the gap – and SimplyVideo is one such solution.

All you have to do is open up the SimplyVideo app on your smart glasses and connect seamlessly to office staff via Google Meet.

This has one overriding advantage for your enterprise.

The truth of the matter is that deploying XR in an organisation is hard. Whatever its benefits, the process of deployment is at least as difficult as changing physical premises or getting everyone on board with this year's Secret Santa.

You want to make the process as smooth as possible – not least to avoid downtime.

There are ways to do this. You can work around existing deadlines and commitments. You can start training staff in advance.

But none of this will help very much if you then have to dig up your software ecosystem and plant an entirely new one – all to support a new piece of software or hardware. It's like tearing up the carpet and then eating the floorboards, just for good measure.

SimplyVideo's integration with Google Meet means that enterprises can have the best of both worlds without any extensive rethinking of their systems.

Thanks to its Google Meet integration, enterprises can leverage SimplyVideo's limited-bandwidth video streaming capabilities without any unnecessary upheaval.

Integration, not substitution

There are three key reasons why this interoperability is so beneficial.

The first is financial. You're probably paying a subscription fee for Google Meet's premium features already – so you don't want to complicate matters by replacing it altogether.

Second, the platform you use – be it Google Meet, Teams or anything else – is woven tightly into your infrastructure. If you ditch and switch, it's not as simple as getting a new office chair or set of lanyards. You have to rethink your workflows – and that means disruption.

And finally, you need to think of your staff. Your teams need to be comfortable with the software they're using. If you find yourself in a situation where deploying an XR solution means substantial retraining, you're looking at a huge and unwanted redirection of time, energy and resources.

SimplyVideo and Google infrastructure

SimplyVideo doesn't only integrate with Google Meet. It can also work seamlessly alongside other Google solutions – a further example of SimplyVideo's dedication to interoperability.

Do your staff use Google Chrome? You can quickly and painlessly join calls from your browser via the SimplyVideo web app.

Calls can be scheduled directly into your Google Calendar app – so you don't need to manually transfer any information to sync up your existing schedules and new XR solution.

And finally, if staff are using Android devices, they can join any call using the SimplyVideo app.

The bottom line

Integrating SimplyVideo into your existing workflows and infrastructure is as easy as pie. It means that you can ring the changes and embrace your new software solution without any major restructuring – something that will be welcomed by staff, technicians and management alike.

Interested in exploring SimplyVideo's XR-enhanced remote expert video collaboration features? Sign up today for a free 30-day trial.