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.

Popularity: 46% [?]

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.™.

Popularity: 44% [?]

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: 52% [?]

If you’re interested in working in the videoconferencing industry, look no further… Face to Face Live, Inc.™ is now hiring! From the Careers page on our corporate site:

POSITION TITLE: Sales Partner
RESPONSIBLE TO: CEO, Face to Face Live, Inc.
STATUS: Full-time
COMPENSATION / RATE: Salary + Commission

Overview

Face to Face Live, Inc.™, an emergent videoconferencing solution provider (VSP) dedicated to delivering superior high-definition telepresence solutions to businesses and organizations in any industry or endeavor, is seeking highly motivated and dedicated Sales Partners.

Face to Face Live’s Sales Partners operate from self-sustaining business locations around the United States and beyond, and are supported by a world class team of technology and administrative professionals in the company’s corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Face to Face Live (F2FL) Sales Partners are responsible for all sales-related activities in assigned channels or regions. If you are serious about sales and videoconference-related technologies and are ready to get paid, then we want to hear from you.

Note: Gray hair foxes are welcomed to apply!

For more information, including how to apply for this job, please visit the Face to Face Live Careers page.

Popularity: 62% [?]

Here’s something that should make you think twice about your company or organization’s business travel budget and strategy. According to a press release issued just this morning, Continental Airlines says it is eliminating about 3,000 jobs, or 6.7% of its staff, and grounding 67 aircraft in an attempt to cut costs amid rocketing oil and fuel prices. As a result, Continental says it will need fewer employees worldwide to support the reduced flight schedule.

Specifically, Continental says it will reduce the size of its fleet by removing the least efficient aircraft from its network. To accomplish this, Continental is accelerating the retirement of its Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 fleets. In the first six months of 2008, the airline removed six older aircraft from service. It says it will retire an additional 67 Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 aircraft, with 37 of these additional retirements occurring in 2008 and 30 in 2009.

From Continental Airlines:

Dear Co-worker:

We’ve always said that you deserve open, honest and direct communication. This letter and the attached employee bulletin and Q&A are part of that commitment.

The airline industry is in a crisis. Its business model doesn’t work with the current price of fuel and the existing level of capacity in the marketplace. We need to make changes in response.

While there have been several successful fare increases, those increases haven’t been sufficient to cover the rising cost of fuel. As fares increase, fewer customers will fly. As fewer customers fly, we will need to reduce our capacity to match the reduced demand. As we reduce our capacity, we will need fewer employees to operate the airline. Although these changes will be painful, we must adapt to the reality of today’s market to successfully navigate these difficult times.

The attached employee bulletin and Q&A outline some of the steps we are taking to address this industry crisis. The situation for all airlines is serious, and the actions we are announcing today are necessary to secure our future. We regret the loss of jobs caused by this crisis, and we will do our best to minimize furloughs and involuntary terminations.

These actions will help Continental survive this crisis. You have our ongoing commitment to keep you informed as the industry evolves and adapts to these unprecedented challenges. It is important that we all keep our focus on working together during these difficult times.

Larry Kellner
Chairman & CEO, Continental Airlines, Inc.

Jeffery Smisek
President, Continental Airlines, Inc.

When you’re in business or running an organization, you know that expenditures are necessary to achieve your goals. You probably have purchased computer equipment, a phone system, Web hosting services, and perhaps even vehicles for your business or organization. All of these expenses are the cost of doing business. They allow you to generate revenue or run your organization.

With today’s announcement from Continental Airlines, the same is true about videoconferencing. Some people look at the price tag and all they see is the expense. However, when evaluating the cost of a videoconferencing system, you also need to consider the potential benefits to your bottom line, including the following:

• Savings in travel costs: If personnel often have to travel long distances to meet with colleagues, clients, and associates, the savings on travel alone is usually sufficient to more than cover the cost of a high-quality videoconferencing system.

• Savings in travel time: With videoconferencing, the most travel you’ll ever be required to do is to walk to the videoconferencing room. And if the system is installed in your office, you don’t even have to travel that far. No more driving to and from airports, dealing with flight delays and long flights, and spending nights in hotel rooms.

• Improved efficiency and productivity: By being able to consult with key personnel and outside experts at a moment’s notice, you can perform your daily tasks much more productively and even collaborate remotely with colleagues.

The bottom line is this: Today’s announcement from Continental Airlines should give all of us reason to pause and think twice about business travel budgets and strategy. Other airlines are sure to follow in Continental’s footsteps, and when they do, rest assured that those of here at Face to Face Live, Inc. will be here to make sure you arrive at your videoconferencing destination on time, anytime!

Popularity: 100% [?]

If you’re interested in knowing what business professionals generally think about videoconferencing, look no further than a new report from Nancy Jamison and Blair Pleasant of Unified Communications Strategies (UCS).

According to UCS’s blog, Nancy and Blair interviewed business professionals who use unified communications-like technologies, including videoconferencing, in their day-to-day jobs. Their findings, which are detailed in “UC End User Productivity Study” (available here via PDF) reveal an absolute love affair with unified communications and videoconferencing in particular.

From “UC End User Productivity Study“:

The Growing Value of Video

Though we did not single out every UC feature in our survey, surprisingly, we received numerous comments on the value of video, even if most respondents are just starting to use it. Those that had implemented video as part of their UC solution found that it helped to build relationships, to work better as a virtual team, and to cut down on the time and expense of business travel. Specific comments included:

• “The video was most surprising. It is better quality than I expected, easier to use, and really makes a difference in relationships.”
  
• “Not only can remote people interact with people in the main office, we all get to see them. People joke and around more and build relationships faster with remote people thanks to video conferencing. Also all of our company meetings are recorded now so people who missed can go back and watch the meeting (And fast forward through the dull parts!).”
  
• “Video has made remote people seem more a part of the team and I feel closer to them.”
  
• “Ever since we put in video conferencing, I’ve used it a lot more. It cut my travel in half and I’m much happier.”
  
• “Videoconferencing lets us reduce the amount of time spent on planes, and we can
  accomplish some of the same benefits by doing videoconferencing and saving a tremendous amount of money.”
  
• “For me the video component will be massive. Often times, especially if I’m talking with my staff, the face-to-face communications is so important in building manager-employee relationship. IMs and emails can get misconstrued, as can voice messages. Visual communication is 60% of the message. For building trust and camaraderie with my team, video will be key.”
  
• “We have video conferencing which saves wear and tear from traveling. It makes my distributed teams more efficient.”

As an aside, if you’re confused by the term “unified communications,” don’t feel bad. Some say it’s just a buzz phrase while others swear it’s here to stay. Basically, “unified communication” describes the integration of disparate communications systems, media, devices and applications. Said differently (thanks to the folks at UCstrategies), unified communications is communications integrated to optimize business processes.

Regardless of the longevity of “unified communications” as a descriptor for the marriage between communications devices and systems, videoconferencing–when it works and works well–is appreciated by nearly everyone who comes face-to-face with a system of their own.

Popularity: 69% [?]

Reuters is the latest major news gather & reporting organization to weigh in on videoconferencing. In a widely distributed article published earlier today, Reuters’ Helen Chernikoff reports that as companies reduce or eliminate travel budgets in the face of higher travel costs and a softening economy, they’re “increasingly adopting technology that enables employees to collaborate face-to-face without boarding a plane.”

From Reuters:

As part of an effort to cut travel costs by 10 percent, staffing services company Manpower Inc has ramped up use of its video conference equipment in the last couple of months, said Allan McKisson, a vice president of human resources at Manpower.

“It used to be, when you can video conference, do it. Now it’s do video conference first, or maybe don’t have the meeting,” said McKisson, who must approve his direct reports’ travel requests.

In companywide e-mails, office furniture maker Herman Miller Inc has encouraged employees to use video conferencing in addition to conference calls and car-pooling to cut operating costs, spokeswoman Susan Koole said.

All very encouraging news, as is this:

But for customers who must buy the equipment, such savings don’t come cheap. News Corp has sprung for some of Polycom’s priciest systems, which cost between $299,000 and $700,000. They feature life-sized screens, surround sound and operators — so tech-challenged executives don’t need to even flip a switch. Less expensive alternatives cost between $30,000 and $45,000 and desktop systems start at about $10,000.

Why on Earth would we label the fact that Polycom’s videoconferencing systems cost an ungodly $10,000, $30,000, $299,000, and $700,000 encouraging? Quite simply because LifeSize Communication’s high-definition videoconferencing systems–as offered by Face to Face Live (that’s us)–cost significantly less (in many cases, you can pick up the versatile LifeSize Express system for under $6,000, or rent the same system without spending any money upfront).

The high end systems are nice if you can afford them, but even so, for businesses truly interested in cutting costs, increasing ROI, and making a positive environmental impact through videoconferencing, there’s only one way to go… for the same amount of money News Corp reportedly spent on its one Polycom system, we could have outfitted more 100 different offices throughout the company with jaw-dropping high-definition videoconferencing systems that would have enabled more business success stories than you can a stick at.

Popularity: 71% [?]

Securities trading and management firm Weeden & Co. is known for many things. The Weeden family’s involvement in the securities industry, according its website, spans generations and can be traced back to the early 1900s, when Frank Weeden, the son of a sea captain, signed on as the first salesman for a new San Francisco brokerage firm formed by Charles Blyth and Dean Witter. With that type of pedigree, people tend to take notice when you make bold predictions like those made by Weeden & Co. senior energy analyst Charles T. Maxwell, who recently predicted American’s may soon be paying $12 or more for a gallon of gasoline.

Educated at Princeton and Oxford, Maxwell entered the oil industry in 1957 and worked for a major international oil company for 12 years. His background has been in four traditional sectors of the industry—producing, refining, transportation, and marketing. In 1968, he shifted to Wall Street, where since 1972, in polls taken by Institutional Investor magazine, Maxwell has consistently ranked among the Nation’s top oil analysts.

What does all of this have to videoconferencing? Good question. Nowadays, whether you believe in the science surrounding it or not, everyone seems to be talking about global warming. From the conference room to the board room and in every office and cubical in between, all of us are being asked to reduce, reuse, recycle, and produce stronger results while expending fewer resources. Before you know it, your business or organization’s “carbon footprint” will be judged right alongside its balance sheet and profit and loss statement.

If you believe Charles Maxwell’s predictions about the rising price of gasoline (or if you believe the ‘talking heads’ who reference Maxwell on cable television shows like CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box‘), then perhaps it’s time to give videoconferencing another look (especially the high definition videoconferencing solutions from LifeSize, which are expertly managed by us–Face to Face Live, Inc.). If, however, you think Maxwell and his fellow analysts and pundits are full of hot air, that’s okay… just don’t let that stop you from analyzing the clear ROI afforded by a reliable high definition videoconferencing solution.

Popularity: 58% [?]

Each spring, people from all over the world partake in a ritual so excruciating that some participants actually faint, or worse—throw up—during the process itself. Similar to participating in an IRONMAN Triathlon, defending a Doctoral/PhD dissertation in front of some of the smartest people in your field may in fact be easier said than done. While each PhD candidate looks for any edge they can get during the agonizing process, future letter holders of academic letters have found that what they say is actually less important than how they say it!

Noted communications guru and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at UCLA, Albert Mehrabian, discovered way back in 1971 that people communicate best through body language. According to Mehrabian, effective communication requires a careful combination of three elements, best summed up as the “7%-38%-55% Rule”:

• 7% – Oral content (what you say)
• 38% – Vocal (tone, intonation, and volume)
• 55% – Body language (non-verbal communication)

This means 93% of all communication is lost when you can neither hear nor see the person you are communicating with (i.e., emails and text messages are some of the least efficient means of communication). With phone calls, you miss a staggering 55% of the message!

To maximize business communication effectiveness and efficiency, businesses of all shapes and sizes really should consider embracing technologies that allows for the best communication possible. This is the world in which our company (Face to Face Live) exists; at the cusp of one of the most innovative business communication solutions in recent history. With videoconferencing and telepresence solutions like those available today, you can finally have an affordable face-to-face communications experience, anywhere in the world.

Remember, they just don’t award a PhD to anyone. Be smart. Join the videoconferencing revolution today!

Popularity: 62% [?]