Cloud Services Accelerate Telepresence Adoption in Public Sector

April 25th, 2012 | Posted by Lisa Avvocato in Cloud Services | Education | Government | Healthcare | Telepresence - (0 Comments)

The Center for Digital Government has issued a brief detailing the use of cloud-based video collaboration in the public sector.  Many organizations are switching to the cloud not only for the cost savings, but for the realistic and efficient interactions video conferencing provides.  In fact, “about a quarter of government institutions in North America, Europe and Asia are already using the cloud, with another 36 percent investigating its use.”

The cloud offers an open a platform in which users can connect anytime, anywhere, with anyone, on any device.  Organizations no longer have to worry about differences in equipment; or the various platforms and networks citizens or other agencies are using. Cloud services allow for successful visual collaboration in a secure, reliable, consistent and easy to use manner; providing endless applications and benefits.

As a result, educators can easily bring engaging activities to the classroom; military personnel can report time-sensitive situations from the field so decisions can be made in real-time and healthcare experts can consult with patients thousands of miles away.  Cloud video extends an organization’s reach beyond previous geographical barriers allowing users to collaborate and make decisions quickly.

By utilizing video-as-a-service, public sector organizations can also avoid the upfront capital expenditures and management challenges associated with visual collaboration technologies.  Agencies can begin collaborating with colleagues, citizens and other agencies immediately; creating value and ROI almost instantaneously.   For example, Oakland County, Michigan’s judicial video program uses video conduct attorney-client meetings, arraignment hearings and telemedicine services.  This program has saved the county an estimated $38.4 million since its implementation four years ago.

Cloud video services provide an effective alternative; especially in a time where cost savings and increased communication are at a premium.

Additional Resources:
Video Collaboration Cloud

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The New Nonprofit

April 20th, 2012 | Posted by Adam Kaiser in Use Cases | Video Conferencing - (0 Comments)

Nonprofit organizations are essential to the U.S. economy, contributing 5.4% to the GDP. According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, there are over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations based in the United States, each with its own unique mission. Like publicly traded or for-profit entities, the bottom line for nonprofits is the same: the organization must operate with optimal efficiency and achieve its stated goals with the highest return to the stakeholders.

To achieve its goals, a nonprofit must address the following challenges that are often present:

  • Locating sources of funding.
  • Marketing the mission and what the nonprofit stands for.
  • Unifying geographically dispersed stakeholders within the organization.
  • Reducing travel related time and costs.

One way to effectively address these issues is with unified communications (UC) and visual collaboration solutions. UC technology combined with cloud-based services can provide nonprofits with the tools they need to communicate effectively, increase the productivity of the staff, and get their message out to more people, all while reducing travel related time and expenses.

Now that the benefits of UC solutions can be enjoyed without the upfront capital expenditures that had been prohibitive for many nonprofit organizations in the past, there has never been a better time for nonprofits to implement these systems to help reach their mission and further their cause.

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A Communication Secret Top Sales Professionals Know

February 29th, 2012 | Posted by Adam Kaiser in Use Cases | Video Conferencing - (0 Comments)

Top sales people know the secret to success lies in building relationships with their clients. However, in today’s competitive business environment, customers have the ability to research and learn about almost any solution, often before a sales person has a chance to start a conversation. So what is the value that sales professionals can bring to the customer’s buying cycle, and how do they get the opportunity to demonstrate this value in the information age?
The answer lies in the role a sales professional must now play – the role of consultant, trusted adviser, and industry expert. By truly understanding the client’s unique needs – identifying their goals, objectives, and processes, a sales person may begin the process of relationship building. This process requires time, persistence, and many face-to-face discussions.

Video Conferencing Delivers Efficient Face-to-Face Communication
Since relationships can only flourish with personal, one-to-one communication, sales professionals may face certain challenges when attempting to meet in-person with their customers. For example, a sales territory may span the length of several states. How does the sales person efficiently meet face-to-face with multiple clients who may be miles away, without investing heavily in time and money on travel? In addition, to assist with technical and other questions that may lie outside of a sales person’s area of expertise, a subject matter expert may be called in to talk with the client. How can this be easily accomplished when the expert is located in another part of the country or overseas?

Successful sales professionals address these challenges with video conferencing and unified communications (UC) technology. Visual collaboration, when supported by a cloud-based managed service, produces measurable results that can be realized almost immediately with travel saved and increased productivity. It allows sales people to more easily meet in-person with customers, maintain relationships with sales managers and vendors, and attend manufacturer or sales related training sessions. It is an efficient way for sales professionals to reach sales goals each quarter, while also making time for family and friends amidst a hectic schedule.

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The Essential Role of Human Resources

February 22nd, 2012 | Posted by Adam Kaiser in Use Cases | Video Conferencing - (0 Comments)

The human resources department plays a vital role in the success of any organization. HR professionals must recruit, hire, and retain a company’s greatest asset – its employees. HR managers wear many hats within the organization – benefits administrator, corporate morale booster, strategic adviser, to name a few.  But at the heart of every function an HR manager must perform is communication; the ability to communicate effectively on a one-to-one and one-to-many basis.

Video Conferencing Expedites Human Resources Functions

Video conferencing solutions provide companies a competitive advantage by facilitating face-to-face communication among remote parties. Human resources departments are now using this powerful technology to expedite many aspects of the department’s functions:

  • Hiring – Visual communication reduces the time it takes to hire personnel by allowing the discussion and sharing of information in real time instead of relying on e-mail or voice-only conferences.
  • Interviewing – Video provides visual cues that provide valuable information about candidates during the qualification process.
  • Recruiting – Instead of being limited to local job candidates, video extends the reach of the interviewing process, making the geographical pool of candidates almost limitless.
  • Cost reduction – Candidates can interview from a local video conferencing location (laptop, iPad, telepresence suite) to save time and travel costs.
  • Corporate culture enrichment – Enhanced employee communication results in increased information sharing and improved productivity. In many cases, work/life balance is improved (e.g., salespeople can make customer calls from home instead of through travel).
  • Support and training – Unified communication tools, such as streaming video for training sessions, can be used to reach many more employees – simultaneously.

 

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Cisco: New Product Turns Any Flat Panel Display Into TelePresence System

December 12th, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Cisco | Telepresence - (0 Comments)
Cisco Telepresence SX20

Cisco Telepresence SX20

New from Cisco! The Cisco TelePresence SX20 Quick Set easily turns any flat panel display into a flexible, powerful and sleek TelePresence system. Includes high definition video quality, multiparty conferencing and three different camera options to accommodate various room sizes and configurations – all at a value price.

Here is a quick snapshot of SX20 product benefits:
• Creates a powerful telepresence system with any flat panel display.
• Only telepresence quick set to offer built-in individually transcoded multipoint conferencing with ability for users to add three additional participants to a call.
• Designed for flexibility with three camera choices (2.5x, 4x and 12x) and a dual-display option to accommodate small-to-medium rooms.
• Enables high-definition 1080p60 video quality and 1080p15 content sharing.
• Sleek, compact, highly flexible design with new wall mount for easy and discreet mounting.
• Best price performance among other telepresence quick set products on the market.

 

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