Collaboration Management Suite (CMGS)

What this discontinued management software did

The Barco Collaboration Management Suite (CMGS) was a central management application for ClickShare and wePresent wireless presentation units. It let an IT or facilities team see every unit an organisation had deployed, rather than visiting each meeting room to check it. Barco has discontinued CMGS, and it reached end of life at the end of 2019. Organisations that still run it should plan a move, and buyers comparing it with current options should look at its successor.

Key facts that shaped its role

• Health and status monitoring showed whether each unit was online, offline or disconnected from the network.
• Scheduled software updates could be sent from one central point to units in other buildings or locations.
• User management let administrators assign usage rights to match responsibility, so a facility manager could see all units while a room user saw only the units assigned to them.
• Clone configuration and remote wallpaper installation reduced repetitive setup on each device.

CMGS required a gateway installed in the company's IT network. The software runs on Linux on an AMD64 or Intel 64 processor. Its successor is managed through the XMS Cloud Management Platform, with two gateway options: the XMS Virtual Edge, a free software download in OVA format, and the XMS Edge, a hardware appliance acting as a single gateway to the cloud. The manufacturer states both offer the same functionality and level of security.

Where a CMGS-managed estate fits in Qatar

A ministry in Doha with meeting rooms spread across several floors, or a school in Lusail with presentation units in classrooms and staff rooms, needs one view of which units are online before a meeting starts. A hotel in West Bay, or a logistics firm with offices in the Industrial Area and Mesaieed, faces the same problem across its sites. In each case, the team needs to know which units are reachable without walking between rooms.

What to plan if you still run CMGS

Start by listing every ClickShare and wePresent unit, its location and the network it connects to, then confirm which units still need central monitoring. Because CMGS is end of life, plan a move to the XMS Cloud Management Platform for the install base. Check whether your IT team can install and maintain a gateway, and decide whether an XMS Virtual Edge or an XMS Edge suits each site. Large deployments in government or public bodies often need a purchase order or tender process, so allow time for internal approvals.

Replacement and next steps

SmartRooms Qatar can review your current units and gateway setup, arrange a free site survey where network planning is needed, and prepare a quotation for a current equivalent or a compatible replacement. Quotations are usually issued within one working day. Request a quote and tell us how many sites and units you manage, so we can match the proposal to your environment.