Video Conferencing Basics

Introduction to Video Conferencing

Any new technology follows a business implementation curve that has become an industry expectation.

As the new technology develops, the acceptance and quality are low, and the expense and difficulty are high.  As the quality increases and the expense decrease we see a large swell in acceptance and popularity.  Cell phones are a prime example of this phenomenon.  So the question becomes, where is video conferencing on this timeline/curve?

Since 2000, the modern video conference system has become somewhat common place.  It was still plagued by unreliability of the hardware, or codec, which has the responsibility of encoding voice, video and data and decoding the same signal from a compatible far end codec.  During this same period, IP connectivity was completely unpredictable, so it was always recommended to use ISDN lines, just as you would use a phone line to make a phone call.

ISDN lines and long distance charges continued to make these calls cost prohibitive, and the quality was good, not great.

Fast forward to today…

Today’s HD Systems:  Polycom – Tandberg – Life-size

High Definition Systems:

• 720p video resolution for clear crisp images (1080p is on the horizon)
• High quality audio reproduction
• Advances in hardware and firmware, enable better encoding and decoding
• High quality computer image sharing to far side
• Backward compatible with legacy systems

Connectivity:

• Cost effective wide bandwidth availability and improved internet connections
• As an option – Priority connectivity to guarantee mission critical calls at additional cost
• MPLS and Quality of Service options can be deployed within current networks with firewalls

NOTE:  ISDN lines are being phased out by most companies.  On the rare occasions that you need to connect with someone using ISDN, I would recommend a conference service provider that can connect your IP system to the far side by means of a bridge and ISDN gateway at a metered rate.

Product Evaluation – Ease of Use

Any new technology is only as good as the implementation into standard business functions.

It must be easy to use, and the philosophy behind its use must be companywide and from the top down.

In my experience, the most valued systems became part of the normal meeting policy.  To accomplish this, they must be as easy to use as a telephone.  They should be easily integrated into the normal meeting, by the touch of a button.  As a rule, if the audio visual system, including the video conferencing, takes longer than 5 minutes to set up, it will be more of a distraction than an asset.

This bad experience can be avoided.  The team responsible for deploying new technology must include:  Senior level management, IT department, Training and/or Marketing (the most common presenters) and partnership with a reliable audio visual systems integrator.  This team must work together to completely understand the way your company functions and a clear picture of its strengths and weaknesses.  This team should strive to develop long range goals for the technology, so that components implemented today will fit in with long term solutions that will become part of your company’s culture.

Return on Investment

Today’s company understands that ROI means more than just money spent.  In addition to spending money more wisely, a company must look at productivity as well.  How much more efficient and effective can your company be, by employing current technology.

Frequent Corporate travel is not just expensive; it often creates undue stress and can lower quality of life, and employee satisfaction index, causing increased loss of productivity.   Can this technology improve the current work environment?

Not to be left out, video conferencing is quickly becoming the technology choice of companies concerned with their carbon footprint and have marketed this feature as a way of “going green”.

For any questions or collaborative information please contact:  www.theProMediaGroup.com