Dive Brief:

• Cisco announced Tuesday the launch of its own collaborative white board, the Cisco Spark Board.

• The Spark Board is an "all-in-one" digital whiteboard that serves as a projector, whiteboard and audio-video conferencing tool built around the company’s cloud-based Spark service, according to Cisco.

• It enables collaborative whiteboard-style note taking, meeting scheduling and video conferencing. The Spark Board also includes a 4K camera and a 12 microphone array featuring on-board VoiceTrack technology.

Dive Insight:

Microsoft and Google have tried to make team collaboration easier, a space where currently only a few companies produce a range of devices. Google introduced Jamboard, a digital, cloud-based whiteboard, in October. And Microsoft began shipping a similar product, called Microsoft Surface Hub, earlier last year. Now Cisco wants in on the fun, too.

"We are creating a global, worldwide network of workspaces, which you can access from anywhere," according to Cisco’s press release. "As you approach, the board will recognize and greet you. No Bluetooth or special Wi-Fi or network connection required. You control it all from your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile phone."

Cisco says the Spark Board is the first video-capable device it’s shipped that's only connected to the cloud. The company is also emphasizing security for its collaboration space, something Cisco has continued to tout as it has bolstered its security solutions.