Manchester, UK – 9 Sept 2009 – Not-for-profit organisations across the globe are turning to technology to help effectively distribute services and resources to those in need. For Barnardo’s, one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, HD (high definition) videoconferencing systems from LifeSize Communications are enabling smarter, more cost-effective collaboration, allowing Barnardo’s to focus even more resource on its charitable mission.
Barnardo’s relies on more than 6,500 employees and 11,000 volunteers to run over 400 projects aimed at caring for the UK’s most vulnerable young people, making personal, real-time communication a critical capability. With the cost of routine travel growing increasingly, Barnardo’s sought a communications tool that could reduce travel expenses while maintaining the experience and productivity of in-person meetings.
Barnardo’s engaged with leading UK videoconferencing integrator Videonations to help them understand the technology and its merits. Following a period of consultation and demonstration where Richard Madden, Videonations’ Project Manager and Paul Panton, Telecommunications Manager at Barnardo’s reviewed various videoconferencing offerings, Barnardo’s opted for an organisation-wide roll out of LifeSize high definition (HD) videoconferencing and interactive solutions. Paul Panton says, “Why send an email when you can share a presentation and talk over the report face-to-face? With the LifeSize technology, everyone knows where you stand.”
Videonations enabled Barnardo’s to deploy 14 LifeSize systems at its headquarters and regional/national centers, including LifeSize® Express™, LifeSize® Team MP™ and LifeSize® Room™ systems, all of which are seamlessly managed using LifeSize® Control™ management software. Videonations also integrated interactive whiteboards within the training and conference facility. As well as consulting, supplying and installing the equipment, Videonations also hosts a fully managed ‘Virtual Meeting Room’ service for Barnardo’s via an in-house HD MCU (multipoint conferencing unit). With ISDN gateway capability, Barnardo’s are able to benefit from multisite meetings with internal as well as external participants.
Paul Panton adds, “It’s been a pleasure working with such a knowledgeable and friendly team at Videonations. We chose LifeSize because the systems are easy to use and give you incredible quality. All the staff who have used the system absolutely love it, particularly because it’s simple to use and very intuitive.”
Since incorporating HD videoconferencing, the organisation has significantly reduced travel related to daily departmental meetings, employee interviews and training sessions. LifeSize HD videoconferencing also has improved Barnardo’s collaboration with regional partners, including the British Red Cross, as well as helped it extend its global reach and influence. In June 2009, Barnardo’s partnered with The University of California, Berkley in a joint child protection initiative that connected Barnardo’s leaders with involving University students and researchers via LifeSize HD videoconferencing.
Complementing the ease-of-use of the LifeSize systems, Barnardo’s promotes the consistent and effective use of its LifeSize systems through regular video conferencing clinics. These informal sessions give employees the opportunity to experience the technology for themselves, ask specific questions and become comfortable using the systems. IT staff have even personalized the home screen on all of the LifeSize units with the Barnardo’s strapline, “Believe in Children.” Taken together, these proactive measures allowed even skeptical users to quickly make the transition to video and Barnardo’s is planning to deploy more systems across its network.
“The work of the world’s not-for-profit organisations has the ability to change the world for the better, making it even more important for every dollar available to stretch as far as possible,” said Colin Buechler, senior vice president of Marketing at LifeSize Communications. “Especially in times of budgetary pressure, leading organizations like Barnardo’s have always turned to new, innovative solutions in order to keep moving forward and fulfill their charitable missions. This is just one example of what LifeSize envisions as the potential of HD video conferencing – the opportunity to not only save precious financial resources, but also promote world-changing ideas through better communication.”
