Why a Managed Service is So Important for Video Users

September 2nd, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Cloud Services | Video Conferencing - (0 Comments)

If your business has invested in a video conferencing system, chances are you have considered a managed or cloud service to ensure a successful user experience. Studies have shown that companies that use a managed service to manage, schedule, and monitor their video conferencing systems enjoy an improved user experience and return on investment.

A recent study by Wainhouse research called Video Conferencing Managed Services outlined the benefits of a managed service:

Enterprises considering (or already using) a videoconferencing managed service provider to manage and enhance their rich media communications environment should focus on five deliverable and measureable benefits:

  • Increased asset utilization: Conferencing investments provide a return only when they are used. Hence, we believe a major goal of any vMSP program should be to drive additional utilization.
  • Faster and more complete deployments: An MSP experienced in installing, debugging, and delivering conferencing services can, and should, shorten the “time-to-benefits” for its customers.
  • Improved budgeting and cost control: A comprehensive vMSP program should provide the end user with a clear understanding of what his costs will be, and how they may or may not change over the life of the contract.
  • 24 x 7 support and protection from staff turn-over: Providing qualified and experienced internal staff to support the “follow the sun” operations of an internal conferencing service can be very challenging. For vMSPs, however, this is a core part of their business offering and value-add. As such, they are structured and optimized to provide this service in a cost-effective way.
  • Improved conferencing management: Conferencing should be managed like any other service or department within the enterprise. Key requirements include clear service level agreements, detailed usage and performance reports, and a single point of accountability. vMSPs offer a wide range of assistance in this area ranging from turnkey management to specific support elements designed to augment and support customers’ internal management team.

Contact IVCi at info@ivci.com for information aboout our newly expanded managed services offering.

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IVCi Featured in CRN

August 9th, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Cloud Services | IVCi - (0 Comments)

Cloud Video Startup Blue Jeans Network Taps First

VAR Partner

 

Now that the word is out about Blue Jeans Network, a much buzzed-about videoconferencing startup, it’s time for the company to start building a channel presence.

Founded in 2009, Blue Jeans Network emerged from stealth mode in late June and confirmed commercial availability of its any(ware) video conferencing service. Blue Jeans had launched field trials earlier in the year to build buzz from an early subscriber base, but according to Stu Aaron, chief commercial officer, it has now begun full-bore recruitment of VAR and service provider partners.

On Tuesday, Blue Jeans confirmed a partnership with IVCi, a well-known Hauppage, N.Y.-based solution provider and videoconferencing specialist.

Read more:

http://www.crn.com/news/networking/231300475/cloud-video-startup-blue-jeans-network-taps-first-var-partner.htm

 

 

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IVCi Introduces the Desktop Experience

August 9th, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Cloud Services | IVCi - (0 Comments)

IVCi has just announced a new partnership with Blue Jeans Network to connect consumer desktop video, such as Skype and Google Talk, with business class offerings from Polycom and Cisco.

This service, called the Desktop Experience, is powered by the Blue Jeans Network, and allows IVCi’s team of managed video experience (MVE)  professionals to securely connect consumer desktop video solutions as part of the standard MVE meeting process. 

Main points:

  • The Desktop Experience is truly device agnostic, allowing for support of numerous consumer based systems as well as mobile devices such as iPad and iPhone.
  • Business level video can be joined with multiple business and consumer desktop solutions, allowing even more participants to join business critical video meetings.
  • This service is cost effective and scalable. 
  • Video conferencing rooms stay secure while road warriors and mobile users connect with their preferred application or device.

More here:

http://www.ivci.com/ivci-introduces-the-desktop-experience.html

 

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Why You Need Cloud-Based Services

April 7th, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Cloud Services - (0 Comments)

Interesting WSJ article about the growing popularity of cloud computing and cloud-based services. This business model reminds us of our managed services offering – why invest in all of the infrastructure, personnel, and expertise that are required to successfully manage your own multipoint video calls when a company like IVCi can do this for you – from the cloud?

Excerpt:  With cloud computing you can mobilize IT resources quickly so that “you’re able to more rapidly deploy infrastructure and applications and to scale-up horizontally. That ability to be able to rapidly provision is really meaningful in terms of expediting speed to market.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704739504576067461795827534.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_Below_Video

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SMB Takes Infrastructure to the Cloud

April 4th, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Cloud Services - (0 Comments)

Investing in a video conferencing solution presents immediate opportunities to improve communication within an organization. But what happens after installation can make all of the difference in how often people use the equipment – and the ROI that follows.

For example, we have a client who purchased several video conferencing systems for their medium-sized business. With eight systems installed, the company decided the costs of investing in infrastructure would be prohibitive – so they chose to simply purchase the hardware and connect it to IVCi’s cloud. Our client is now experiencing successful video calls and as a result using their equipment more often. They do not have to worry about managing the calls themselves – by using IVCi’s cloud-based service (our people, technology, and experience) they are free from the burden and cost of connecting and managing their own video meetings. All meeting participants simply show up to the conference room and the calls are already up and running! Smart idea, right?

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