HD Now an Affordable Option for SMBs!

In the rapidly innovative world of communication technology there is one thing that is certain: tomorrow’s price will be less than today’s.  Whether it is the recent 30% drop in the price of HDTV sets or the decline in the price of bandwidth, today’s technology will be more affordable in the days to come than it is today. 

What a business could not afford yesterday they will be able to afford today.  And in today’s highly competitive marketplace, it is imperative that the business stay on the cusp of innovative communications technology or risk losing their market share in their respective industries. 

The good news for businesses is that the innovative communication technology of HD is now an affordable and real solution.  The small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) that dominate most of the local marketplace have struggled to keep up with their larger better-funded national and global competitors.  However, the technology of HD telepresence is not just for the global conglomerates that comprise the Fortune 100; HD telepresence is now affordable to SMBs willing to embrace the communication tools of tomorrow.

In Stephen Lawson’s October 15^th article in PCWorld, “New Conferencing Options Light Up,” describes the entrance into the telepresence market, largely dominated by Cisco, of the LifeSize telepresence systems.  Rather than shelling out $300,000 for the Cisco TelePresence studio plus special furniture and lighting, small and medium-sized companies are looking at Lifesize’s $49,000 that does not require any specialized hardware to make it run well.  Talk about an innovative shift within the marketplace!

The big winner in all of this is of course the end users.  As the video conferencing companies continue to innovate, the prices will go down and be more accessible for the already strapped budgets of smaller companies.  This allows for smaller companies to obtain cutting edge communications technologies without the budget-busting affects.  

For Stephen Lawson’s full article, see online at: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/152333/new_conferencing_options_light_up.html

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Al Smith, CEO of Face to Face Live, continues to be a strong figure in helping disadvantaged and troubled youth across the nation to become the leaders of tomorrow.  For many years, Al’s commitment has ranged from sponsoring youth to attend summer Kanakuk Kamps (www.kanakuk.com), to sponsoring troubled teens through Doulos Ministries (a Christian organization which provides a structured learning and living environment for troubled teens to overcome addiction to become the leaders of tomorrow).    

Last month, Al Smith worked with Kids Across America to help to bring over fifty inner-city St. Louis youth to a sports camp located in Missouri.  KAA has found success in helping disadvantaged youth within St. Louis to overcome their life situations to achieve personal success by exposing them to the great outdoors.  Hopefully, Al Smith’s example will help others to look for ways in which to help the leaders of tomorrow.

Part of what drives Face to Face Live is a concern for people to connect in lasting personal ways, even over great distances.  Video Conferencing is simply a tool to achieve that end.  We are proud to be a part of a Al’s greater vision to bring about lasting change for the disadvantaged and troubled youth of today.

Popularity: 38% [?]

On September 17, the typical response at the IT Summit in Phoenix, AZ to first experiencing LifeSize HD videoconferencing was, “Unbelievable!”  It was such a shock to the system that many felt that the live conferencing either was a recording or was staged.  In reality, it was a simple connection between Phoenix and the Face to Face Live headquarters in north Scottsdale.  The next day the corporate office received an order to buy three systems.  Truly, businesses and organizations are finding out that they cannot remain on the cusp of their industry without HD video conferencing.

The amazing part was that most of the attendees of the conference were executives and IT network engineers from local government entities looking for solutions for their long term networking, records management, security and software challenges.  For many of the participants, their previous experience with video conferencing was via webcams or standard definition video conferencing platforms.  It was amazing to see their reactions as we demonstrated the ease of use in switching between a/v inputs (PowerPoint, Document Camera, DVD, Secondary Camera), dual streaming presentations, and bringing in and out multiple participants without having to hang-up and redial.  Obviously, after experiencing the quality, flexibility, and effectiveness of the HD LifeSize experience, they were hungry for more and many scheduled their own private demonstration at our corporate headquarters here in Scottsdale.

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What are we to make of the current economic crisis?  First, it was Bear Stearns.  Then it was Fannie and Freddy.  Now it is AIG and Lehman Brothers.  It seems like timeless American companies are being timed out.  Even our esteemed presidential candidates are silent in what it will take to provide stability to the economic market.

Interestingly, into this economic uncertainty come the rapidly falling crude oil prices.  Crude oil is now down almost $60 a barrel from just two months ago.  This should create an upturn in spending as consumers, whose budgets were pinched tightly two months ago, open up their pocket books and wallets as gas costs have fallen.  The economic forecast should be rosy, right?  The answer simply is no – the drop in oil price has only lead to a more topsy-turvy economic situation. 

Stevenson Jacobs, a writer for the business arm of the Associated Press suggests, “US consumers and businesses [are] bracing for a protracted economic downturn that should guarantee more of the money-saving energy conservation measures…”

In the same article, James Cordier, president of Liberty Trading Group of Tampa, FL, predicts, “the economic slowdown is completely unavoidable now and people will be driving less, trucking less, and buying less…”

Both men describe a bleak picture for the future of the American economy.  However, this does not mean that companies cannot make substantial gains in their bottom line.  So the question becomes, how can businesses maximize their profit during these uncertain economic times?  The answer is quite simple: cut down on budget-guzzling expediters while maintaining core business objectives. 

However, the tougher question is how this is to be accomplished in the quickest, most cost-effective manner?  Thankfully, there is a simple SOLUTION: Video conferencing.

Video conferencing allows you to drastically cut down on business travel which historically comprised a large percentage of operating budgets for businesses.  Not only that, video conferencing speeds up business decisions and allows for products and services to go quickly from innovation to implementation.  With video conferencing, playing phone or email tag is obsolete as you can speak face-to-face with your team.  Businesses all over the world have been experiencing a radical drop in the number of meetings needed to bring a product or service to market. 

Trimming budgets while increasing efficiency and productivity seems like a great way to increase the all-important bottom line – profit.

Please contact Face-to-Face Live to find out more ways in which we can make your business profitable even during these tough economic times.

You can view Stevenson Jacobs’ article online: biz.yahoo.com/ap/080916/oil_prices.html

Popularity: 36% [?]

It looks like High Definition is not just for democrats (see August 12th blog on HD at the DNC), but is also for those who are Republican. The Republican National Convention used a 51’ x 30’ Hibino Chroma LED video wall by LG to display not only visual images and video feeds during speeches but also a live broadcasted video from President George Bush. President Bush actually seemed to be in the Xcel Energy Center.

Not only this, but LG supplied many flat screens monitors in the Hurricane Information Center within the convention so that participants could track Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf of Mexico. Obviously, in cases of crisis, up-to-date information is imperative in today’s world, and having the ability to view video in true color and sound only enhances the information.

As Maria Cino, president and CEO of the RNCC, commented on the impact of LG’s HD technology at the convention: “LG’s [HD] technology enhanced the overall experience of our convention.”

If HD screens can add value to the Republican Convention, just think how much added value HD technology can bring to the business sector.

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As if we needed another reason to avoid business travel.  A recent study done by the Ponemon Institute (a for-profit research organization which specializes in the privacy industry) noted that 12,000 laptop computers go missing weekly at United States Airports, with 67% of those computers never being reclaimed by their owner.  That is a whopping 804 laptops a week sitting around at airports waiting to be used by whomever!

The loss of the hardware is one thing; but the bigger issue is the loss of sensitive files that practically anyone can access.  Since roughly half of business travelers bring their laptops with them on the plane, you would think that they would at the very least password-protect them.  Unfortunately, the study also found that 65% of business travelers do not password-protect their computers. Consequently, all personal and corporate files are open and available to anyone who wishes to view them.  Talk about a security risk!

Owen Wild, professional blogger and business traveler at Inc.com, passes on some helpful hints to making sure your laptop survives the airport. 

1. Don’t bring it!
2. Keep your eye on it – according to the study over 40% of laptops are lost at the security checkpoint.
3. Lock it up.
4. Put it in a case.
5. Password-Protect it.

Even though these tips will help some absentminded business travels monitor their computer, they will by no means eradicate the issue.  The good news is that there is one last business travel tip that will protect your laptop 100% from absentminded employees and thieves…you guessed it, Video Conferencing.

Video Conferencing allows you to go to meetings without the costly hassle of airports – ergo you keep your laptop and its sensitive data files all to yourself!  With today’s affordable immersive HD video conferencing, you can truly do business throughout the world from the comfort of your own office or boardroom.  Now that is some GREAT news for business travelers.

You can view Owen Wild’s blog and the Ponemon Institute’s study article online at: http://blog.inc.com/business-travel/2008/09/tips_for_hanging_onto_that_lap.html

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It seems like everyone is going High Definition (HD) these days.  The Democratic National Party recently announced that the Denver-based DISH Network Corporation would be handling the live satellite feeds into the convention hall from off-site locations in HD for the upcoming Democratic National Convention.  What benefits will HD satellite feeds provide to the DNC convention experience? The answer to this is, quite a lot.

Charlie Ergen, Chairman, CEO and President of DISH Network says, “We are pleased to bring the many voices of Americans into the convention live utilizing our industry-leading technology to provide end-to-end HD broadcasts.”  Brook Colangelo, the Director of Technology for the DNCC agrees, “When we set out to make this convention more inclusive and accessible than ever before…we wanted to bring the voices of American people into the process, and DISH Network will help us do just that.”

Will HD achieve the personal results that they desire?  The answer to that question will have to wait.  However, what is answerable is the more and more people are viewing HD as THE PREFERRED method of distance communications.

This is true not just in broadcasting, but in inter and intra-business communications.  The trick is in finding a HD business video conferencing solution that is affordable.  The good news is that affordable HD video conferencing solutions are already here with the LifeSize HD video conferencing solutions provided by Face to Face Live.   

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The number of ways in which videoconferencing can be used is truly staggering, as evidenced by one western Pennsylvania county’s recent deployment. Allegheny County, PA, which is known more for its steel mills and love of the Pittsburgh Steelers than most anything else, now has one of the nation’s first videoconferencing programs specifically designated for its children’s court system.

The county’s videoconferencing technology, which was just secured through a unique public-private partnership, is aimed at reducing the trauma children experience when testifying in abuse and custody cases. By allowing children to testify from unique kid-friendly locations–such as a mobile child-friendly testimony unit–children no longer have to appear in front of those who have allegedly abused or neglected them or their siblings.

Clearly, the use of videoconferencing in child protection and custody matters is a best practice that’s worth noting. By improving court experiences for children, videoconferencing enables the expansion of the scope of participation outside of the justice and corrections systems to include all cases where children are impacted.

Kudos to Child Watch of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Children’s Court, and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services for having the insight to use videoconferencing in such a unique and profound way, as well for having our children’s best interests at heart.

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In Part I of this post, we brought to your attention a cottage industry worth noting: Drop-in Videoconferencing Services, like those offered by FedEx Kinko’s and VIT Worldwide Videoconferencing. In that post we started to explore whether these services are truly cost-effective and efficient for handing your face-to-face meeting and videoconferencing needs.

At FedEx Kinko’s, the price you pay for videoconferencing services depends on the type of videoconferencing service you need. For example (from FedEx Kinko’s website):

• Point-to-Point. Two videoconference locations, either FedEx Kinko’s to FedEx Kinko’s or FedEx Kinko’s to an outside location. Cost is $225.00 per hour per FedEx Kinko’s location.
• Point-to-Point with Conversion. Two videoconference locations, FedEx Kinko’s to outside location with conversion required. A conversion is the method used to connect incompatible equipment or networks with a FedEx Kinko’s location. Cost is $295.00 per hour per FedEx Kinko’s location.
• Multi-Point. Three or more videoconference locations. $265.00 per hour per FedEx Kinko’s location.
• Multi-Point with Conversion. Three or more videoconference locations, with conversion to a non-FedEx Kinko’s site required. A conversion is the method used to connect incompatible equipment or networks with a FedEx Kinko’s location. Cost is $335.00 per hour per FedEx Kinko’s location.

No matter how you slice it, FedEx Kinko’s drop-in videoconferencing services are very expensive. Throw on top of their standard fees the additional costs associated with bridging and recording, and you’re looking at a fairly substantial per hour fee.

At VIT Worldwide Videoconferencing–an innovative organization with 15 locations throughout the state of Vermont–businesses can expect to pay between $150.00 and $370.00 per hour, which is still a hefty price to pay for videoconferencing.

Here at Face to Face Live, Inc.™, we believe every business–regardless of size or industry–can have its own in-house high definition videoconferencing system at an affordable price. For around the same price FedEx Kinkos’ charges for just three hours of their videoconferencing services, we provide an entire month’s worth of in-house videoconferencing; and, our systems come with managed services that provide 24/7/365 customer support, user training, software upgrades, and more.

When you stop to think about, there’s a reason why you don’t run out to FedEx Kinko’s every time you need to make a photocopy. Why then would you choose to do the same for videoconferencing? You wouldn’t! Run the numbers and you quickly see that owning or renting a videoconferencing system of your own just makes more sense.

The bottom line on drop-in videoconferencing services (as we see them) is this: Using them takes more time, money, and effort then renting or owning a managed videoconferencing solution like the ones available from us–Face to Face Live, Inc.™.

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There’s an interesting little cottage industry popping up around the United States that’s worth noting. With the cost of gasoline and airline tickets soaring out of control, more businesses are turning to videoconferencing to hold meetings that once involved somewhat affordable travel. Now, community-based cable television-like services are getting in on the act by opening their studios to videoconferencing customers, but when you stop and do the math, do these services really make a lot of sense (i.e., cents and dollars)?

Take VIT for example. Billed as “Vermont’s largest public videoconferencing network,” VIT allows you to use one of their 15 statewide locations for holding videoconference meetings with people in different parts of the state or anywhere in the world where there’s a conforming connection available for your meeting. Sounds easy enough, right? And if money and time weren’t an object, services like those offered by VIT would be perfect.

Sadly, we do not work in a perfect world. The time, money and resources that are likely wasted using a drop-in service like VIT’s—when compared to renting or owning a new, technologically advanced and affordable high definition videoconferencing system of your own—can be astronomical. Tomorrow, in Part II of this post, we’ll explore the drop-in service phenomenon further, compare fixed costs, and take a deeper look at the convenience factor associated with drop-in videoconferencing centers versus having a videoconferencing system right in your own office or conference room.

Popularity: 93% [?]