Video Conferencing

Video conferencing (sometimes called visual collaboration) is where two or more locations are able to interact via two-way simultaneous video and audio transmissions.

This can be as simple as a communication between two people in separate office based locations, or involve multiple locations with groups of people in larger rooms (e.g. Boardrooms) at each location.

As well as the audio visual communication between persons in multiple locations, video conferencing can be used to share documents, whiteboard information, and computer displays.

The core technology enables digital compression of audio & video streams in real time. The compressed data is then transmitted through a digital network – usually IP but occasionally ISDN. In addition to the coder/decoder that supplies the compression, a video conferencing system requires: a video camera or webcam; a video output such as a projector, flat screen or computer monitor; an audio input e.g. microphone; audio output – usually speakers associated with the display device; and digital network, LAN or public network for the data transfer.

Few organisations in today’s economy are sitting on piles of cash with no spending limits or constraints. If you are considering the installation of a video conferencing system, chances are you’re working on a limited budget and are carefully weighing up the costs and benefits of progressing the project. In fact potential cost savings are likely to be the main reason you are considering the exercise. Perhaps you’ve already worked out the costs of travel and time that will be saved by video conferencing instead.

Even if your decisions are based more on improved team collaboration/productivity or reducing the ‘carbon footprint’ of your organisation, you will still be weighing the costs of implementing such a system, against the benefits that will be received.

You may wish to purchase a video conferencing system outright, or perhaps keep it within the company’s operational budget by setting up a lease arrangement. Either way we are happy to discuss your actual needs and suggest some possible systems that would meet those needs, and fit your budget!