Tuning in to videoconferencing - trend watch

There is no topping the value of a face-to-face meeting, a handshake, or the chance to chat in the hallway with a prospect or colleague. But as the cost of business travel escalates and professionals find themselves with less time for traveling to and from business meetings in remote locations, videoconferencing has become an increasingly attractive option. Although not a total replacement for travel, it's an acceptable way to conduct meetings and make presentations.

Once clunky and expensive, videoconferencing systems can save time and other resources for businesses of all sizes, especially with the growth of broadband communications.

Internet-Based Systems

James G. Rank, director of product management and planning for VTEL Products Corp., says Internet-based videoconferencing has opened up new possibilities for all kinds of organizations. "Until a few years ago, videoconferencing occurred over special telephone lines called Integrated Services Digital Network or ISDN," Bank says. "This was not available everywhere, and it could be expensive. But now videoconferencing can occur around the world over the public Internet or over private intranets."

"About 75 percent of current customer requests are related to IP videoconferencing," says John Antanaitis, senior product manager for video communications for Polycom. He notes that managed IP services are delivering broadcast-quality images at a fraction of the cost of ISDN services, and developments in this area are leading to converged applications for integrating different elements of conferencing into a single user experience.

"With the advent of videoconferencing using IP and the availability of affordable systems, even small businesses with employees working out of home offices can use videoconferencing to communicate and collaborate with co-workers, customers, vendors, and partners," says Rank. "Using collaboration tools in a videoconference can save lots of time and money since many business trips can be avoided."

Improved Technology

Early videoconferencing systems were difficult to operate, suffered from erratic transmission quality, and were expensive. But costs have dropped, and the technology has been enhanced significantly, according to Antanaitis.

Those who have not used this technology recently may be surprised at both its ease of use and overall quality. Vendors claim that anyone who can use a TV remote control can operate a videoconferencing system. Current systems are designed to be flexible in interacting with equipment located elsewhere while providing good video and audio quality.

"Today's systems provide TV-quality images with no delay," he says, "and prices start at around $500 for a business-quality desktop system to $4,000 for a business quality room system." At the same time, improvements have been made in ease of use and management. "End-to-end solutions give administrators the tools they need to effectively deploy and manage the technology on their network while making it simple and telephone-like to use," adds Antanaitis.

Potential users can choose from a variety of systems including highly portable ones. For example, VTEL's Vista MX media station provides videoconferencing capabilities through an integrated PC for use by individuals or small groups. In addition to the computer itself, key system components include a LAN connection, videoconferencing software and collaboration tools, an integrated pan-tilt-zoom video camera, an omni-directional microphone, and a wireless hand-held remote control. The portable system is easily set up, and it offers wireless LAN capability.

Sow's 1600IP system supports communication with IP and ISDN-based systems. This small "set top" system features a built in Memory Stick port allowing users to save charts, diagrams, photos, or other media and incorporate them into conferences. Documents and other materials shared in this way can then be stored and edited later on a PC. The system has built in dual connectivity and includes a dockable camera, integrated microphone, and a built-in Web browser for maintenance and control.

For more advanced needs, the MediaPOINTE SystemTwo from Advanced Media Design serves multiple participants in a workgroup conferencing environment while being more affordable than high-end systems. This system supports computers, electronic whiteboards, and a variety of audiovisual sources. Its scalable operating platform can be configured to support needs ranging from a single executive conference to large scale multi-media presentations. The system allows for displaying media sources of raining types on a full screen, in multiple windows on the screen, or on multiple screens. Information can be annotated or stored in a number of formats.

Addressing high-end needs, Polycom's Executive Collection includes four different systems offering large plasma displays, high-fidelity audio systems, and attractive furniture designs. The Executive Collection Dual 61 is an installed room system that includes two 61-inch high resolution displays, while other systems in this line feature 50-inch displays. Both built-in and freestanding versions are available.

These and other systems demonstrate a growing concern for flexibility in using various kinds of external media, according to Stephen Villoria, president and CEO of Advanced Media Design. "Just as presenters rely on rich media like DVD, whiteboards, and software presentation tools for face-to-face meetings, they also need the same media formats integrated into their conferencing environment."

Future Focus

Ongoing developments in this area bode well for the future, according to industry insiders. "As with everything high-tech, videoconferencing products will continue to deliver more capabilities at affordable prices," says Rank. "This will include more features, better audio and video quality, and new display devices such as flat-panel LCD and plasma monitors."

Villoria predicts videoconferencing technology will proliferate through standardization. "What Windows did for the PC, platforms like MediaPOINTE will do for conferencing," he says. "Instead of companies investing in custom integrated AV and presentation systems and a myriad of dissimilar video conferencing units, standard network-based solutions will tie everything together."

Mark Rowh (rnarkrowh@usit.net) is on OfficeSOLUTlONS contributing editor based in Dublin, Va.

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