Frequently Asked Questions
Listed here are some of the common questions and concerns that we have heard often over the years. Please let use know if there is something that you think needs to be here through our Contact Us form, or Contact Us if you have further questions.
1. What is telepresence?
Telepresence is an often over-used term. It refers to creating an immersive environment that mimics actually being at the other location. With true telepresence, lighting, room layout and decor, furniture are all very similar. Paired with high quality HD video solutions, this creates an environment that immerses the participants in the experience.
2. What does "standards-based video" mean?
Standards-based video refers to a set of common standards that are used to make video calls regardless of which company made the equipment that you are using. Imagine if you picked up your Verizon Samsung phone, and the only people that you could call were others with Verizon Samsung phones. Or you tried to call someone from your home on your GE cordless phone and you could only call other GE phones. I think you get the picture.
In addition to the standards, as a rule many standards-based equipment has video compression technology, security and management features and content sharing capabilities that make the euipment more effective as a viable alternative to actually being there, and doing so securely.
3. "I'm not sure I could operate the system, is there special training that I will need to have?"
Video systems have come a long way, just like it seems that everything else it the technology space continues to do. As products become more complex, many vendors focus on exsuring that the "user friendly" qualities of the technology advances as well. No special training is needed to operate a standards-based system, no more so than any other device. In many cases, the controls are less complicated than most VCR or DVD remotes!
4. How is standards-based video different from things like "Skype" and "Facetime"?
As mentioned before, standards-based systems are the key element to interoperability. You don't have to worry about whether you can call a certain person at a certain location with a certain piece of equipment - you just ask for their number (thier IP address) and call, much like we do with a phone today. Also, the quality that comes from business-grade equipment is better suited to conducting business, instruction, meetings or what have you. The embedded security of many standards-based systems also sets them apart from consumer products such as Skype and Facetime.
5. As a business, why do I need standards-based video, can't I just use Skype?
Skype and other consumer products have had an enormous impact on the visual communications industry in a very good way. These have taken video and brought it home, where everyday people can SEE the difference that it makes to be face-to-face when communicating. It has helped to create new norms for the traditional way of natural communications - face-to-face. So why do we need to use anything but these consumer products to bring video to our business or organization?
Why do we need anything that we use for business? Why can't we just use what we use at home? Let's look at it another way - instead of using a copier in my office, I could take pictures on my phone and the print them out - instead of buying a lighted "OPEN" sign for my restaurant I could write it on a piece of paper and tape it in the window - instead of buying a cash register for my store, I could keep all of the money and receipts in a cookie tin.
Though these examples are a bit tongue-in-cheek, they illustrate a point - what works well at home may not always be what is best for your business. In visual communications are great, but to be fully effective, quality and security is key. Consumer systems leave much to be desired in the way of quality and security, as well as the interoperability of these options on a broad scale. Many industries with sensitive information must by law (and if not by law by prudence) have a certain level of security not available or even necessary in consumer targeted products. And let us not forget the image that you convey through the way you present yourself to the world. Quality HD business-grade equipment is a must for business, government and instructional applications on many levels.
6. Can I record my calls to view them later?
Yes. Not only can calls be recorded, there are endless opportunities for reuse, archiving and distribution, thanks to the many mobile platforms that are in common use today. The capability exists for calls to be streamed live, recorded, streamed on-demand, downloaded, archived and more, from the desktop or a wide variety of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers.
7. Can I use my iPod to join a video conference call while I'm out of the office?
Yes. The capability now exist to blend mobile standards-based software platforms with standards-based video endpoints and infrastructure to create truely all-inclusive video solutions. Calling into the telepresence suite in your office on a multi-site call with a contact in Hong Kong while you are in the airport across the country is now as simple as a touch screen!
8. Do I need special lines or long distance service to make video calls?
No. Much of what has kept wide-spread use of video at bay for so long was the requirement to have expensive recurring telecommunications services to conduct video calls. The adoption of H.323 video over IP standards, if you have a high-speed internet connection in your home or office, you pretty much have all of the ability to make standards-based video calls that you need.
9. How secure are my video calls? Can't someone hack-in and watch?
Very secure. 128 bit AES encryption is supported by most major video equipment vendors, and provides more than enough encryption to conduct secure business via video. AES 128 is HIPAA compliant and meets most military and federal government requirements as well.
10. Video sounds great, but the expense can be hard to swallow. Is it really effective, and can I expect a decent return on investment?
The effectiveness of visual communications is well documented accross multiple industries, and in addition to costs savings, allows maximized productivity that is otherwise spent sitting in planes, trains and automobiles. As for costs, innovative finance strategies and equipment leasing programs that have grown with the technology create new cost effective avenues for becoming video enabled. Businesses and government can now benefit from paying for the service, and not being stuck with obsolete equipment that becomes a liability. Tax savings can even further off-set the costs in this manner, allowing for deductable operating expenses as opposed to capital outlay.
Is there a decent return on investment? According to a recent Forrester Consulting study, a 392% five-year risk adjusted ROI can be realized using standards-based HD video. Even back in 2002, Wainhouse Research conducted a study** on the business case for video conferencing, looking at the benefits, costs, and risks associated wih the technology. The Wainhouse study found video to be a viable alternative to business travel when using "audio and video quality typical of state of the art systems"** and found cost savings and increased productivity substantial for fully integrated programs, using the technology as a "travel enhancer" as opposed to a replacement. At OikCom, we call that "High-Tech Meets High-Touch"
.(*Study utilized LifeSize HD video solution, View the full study here, **from the Wainhouse Research study "The Business Case For Videoconferencing", 2002 |
