Video Conference Solutions
Save time, money and increase productivity
Although there may appear to be a huge number of products from many video conferencing manufacturers, in general terms all video conferencing equipment falls into one of three categories.
Below we have tried to detail this in a brief and effective manner.
The Personal or Single User Video Conferencing System
The single user video conferencing system usually takes the form of a personal video phone or a web camera connected to a PC/Laptop. These systems are highly flexible, cost effective and provide instant connection to home workers or people who travel quite regularly.
The Group Video Conferencing System
The group video conferencing systems are undoubtedly the most popular business tool and have seen widespread deployment across diverse organisations from SME to large multi-national users. Comprising a Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera and one or multiple large screens (depending on room size and meeting requirements) these video conferencing systems are ideal for groups of 1-20 people meeting at each location.
Video Conferencing
Telepresence is a generic term used to describe specialist video conferencing deployments where face-to-face contact with multiple life sized users is required. Giving the most natural video conferencing experience they require custom made rooms dedicated to video meetings.
Using our consultative approach Vdotcom will guide you through the selection process and help you identify the optimum video conferencing solution.
Video Conferencing Software gives the user the ability to make conference calls without having to think about what hardware to go for. There are numerous different software brands available each with different functionality and interfaces, from basic one to one calls, multipoint conferencing, file sharing and HD video.
Basic software is available for free such as Skype; however for more complex functionality and security software is available to buy such as Nefsis. VC software will function with a PC, webcam and internet connection, which makes it extremely versatile.
High Definition video conferencing provides users with clear and crisp video quality whilst keeping audio synchronised, which is integral to providing a high quality video conferencing. HD conferencing requires all end point users to have HD compatibility in order to take advantage of the HD experience.
High Definition conferencing is a fantastic tool to have when transmitting content such as schematics, plans, maps, photographs, Powerpoint presentations as it provides clarity. This makes HD video conferencing an extremely versatile communication tool as it allows users to clearly transfer a wide range of information with enough detail to allow users to make informed decisions.
With over 20 years of experience in developing and providing video conferencing solutions, Sony offers a wide variety of VC systems to cater for any user requirement and budget, whether it's for one to one calls or large conferences.
With products available in both Standard and High Definition Sony's products can be broken down into two main categories each having their own unique benefits dependant on your requirements:
Personal - These systems offer the user audio, video and data sharing capabilities in one simple and compact desktop unit. By integrating the camera into the unit and the ability to act as PC monitor, these types of systems are great for saving space. These systems are ideal when working remotely from home or for one to one calls from the office.
Group - Ideal for conference/meeting rooms, these systems use Multipoint Control Units (MCU) which allows cameras, microphones, screens and other VC equipment to connect to one central point. This allows the system to be configured to the user's requirements such as number of participants and the size of the room. High end systems allow greater functionality such as multipoint conferencing, high quality audio and data sharing.
Polycom are one of the market leaders in unified communications. They have a broad range of solutions for every size of business and budget. Polycom's vision is to deliver unified communications everywhere on any device.
The Business Case
Speed of Business
We find that Video conferencing dramatically increases the speed of decision making, allowing diverse teams to meet more regularly and spontaneously thus giving access to remote resources which would otherwise not be available. But this is not just about internal meetings as all video conferencing equipment is standards based you can also meet with customers, suppliers and other partners as easily as dialling a telephone. Whether it's for project status updates, brainstorms or crisis management meetings, organisations can get the right people talking together - wherever they are in the world.
Video conferencing versus travel
Across a wide range of industries and market sector, video conferencing increases productivity and streamlines decision-making while lowering organisations' operational costs. Perhaps it's most obvious benefit is the savings this type of solution delivers through reduced traveling costs, without the need to board a plane or drive to even the shortest meetings, organisations can make their travel budgets work harder for them.
As well as delivering tangible cost reductions, this also contributes dramatically to employee well-being. With less time lost during the working day and outside office hours due to travel, organisations can promote a healthier work-life balance while improving staff productivity and motivation.
Environmental issues
Video conferencing is a greener alternative to travel by air or road - a factor that's particularly relevant in the context of modern attitudes to corporate social responsibility. By eliminating the need for staff members to step into a car, train or aeroplane for the shortest meeting, videoconferencing delivers immediate reductions that can be used elsewhere with any organisation.
Audio Visual Solutions
