How to build a DIY Teams Panel

Question

Hello!
I was sent here from StackOverflow via Microsoft Answers by a MSFT with my question:

I found some articles explaining quite nicely how to build and set up your own Teams Rooms device based on a simple computer with some peripherals.

I'd now like to take it one step further, and also build my own "Teams Panels" device.
"Teams Panels" is what Microsoft calls touch display devices, that are supposed to be hanging outside of the meeting room, showing info about the status of the room. More info here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/devices/teams-panels

By "Teams Panels" I do NOT mean the touch display device INSIDE the Meeting room, providing control elements for the current meeting. Those are part of the Teams Rooms DIY-setup itself.

While Microsoft does offer certified devices for Teams Panels, I can absolutely not see myself spending a 4-figure-amount for a 7 inch touch display, that does nothing but display the rooms status - for 10+ rooms. 200 bucks is the absolute max for this.

Has anyone ever attempted to set up a Teams Panels device, and could provide some guidance how to set this up?

Or, to be some more precise on the questions in my head:
In the Microsoft Doc they say, that Teams Panels devices log in with the same account as the Teams Rooms Resource account running on the Teams Rooms device.
If it uses the same account, does it actually need to be a seperate physical device registered in Teams - or could it maybe be just another display attached to the actual Teams Rooms device, which is used to run the whole Teams Rooms setup?
If it DOES need to be a separate device, I understand it needs to be installed with the Teams Rooms software - but how do I assign the role of a Teams Panel to it, and how to assign it to a room?

Please note: This is to set up a test case. Wether it's feasible or not to roll this out into production will depend on how the test case works out.

After my original Post, I found some more Info, but nothing definitive yet:

Yes, it needs to be a separate device, apparently as of current actually an Android device. On the device, a Teams Rooms App is required, and inside of this, there seems to be a Teams Panels App, which then, when logged in with the room credentials, seems to automatically turn the device into a panel. Most of this is guesswork from info bits and pieces I found around the internet, so the margin for error is quite high.

Thanks for any input, Marco

Answer 1

You can do it with an old laptop using the app "Teams Room System Software"
BUT you need a "certified panel" (or search for a workaround...)

1. download the software
2. search for a workaround (like xml file)
3. start Teams Room

You can use, like in my case, the free license "Microsoft Teams Rooms Basic" but dual screen is not supported (only in the PRO version, for 40$/month!!!!).
I don't know why Microsoft doesn't give an official ISO (lite Windows 10 or 11) for this and allows to use only specific webcam systems (and skipping the certified panel), this doesn't help small companies.

ps: the surface pro 8 is not a certified panel... really? You can use an old surface but not a new surface......