• Two perimeter screens for daily messaging
• Two mobile video conferencing solutions to communicate with offices in the USA
• All-hands-area room presentation and video conferencing solution
• Training room presentation equipment
• Sales area presentation and video conferencing solutions
• Screens and input plates in five conference rooms to allow for seamless connectivity when used with the mobile video conferencing solutions

Videonations were able to supply and install solutions for each requirement.

Two perimeter screens – Two Samsung LCD displays were mounted for crystal clear, daily messaging in the sales area.

Two mobile video conferencing solutions – A combination of Samsung LED displays, LifeSize video conferencing systems, and mobile carts allowed us to deliver easily transportable solutions.

All-hands-area – Using LifeSize video conferencing equipment with dual cameras, as well as NEC Projectors, DA Lite Contour Electrol projection screens, Polycom sound structure, Crestron control equipment, Revolabs wireless audio devices, Extron and Kramer signal management equipment, we were able to deliver a dual screen, highly collaborative video communication and presentation solution.

Training Room - Using a Casio laser projector, projection screen and Extron signal management equipment we were able to deliver a high quality presentation solution.

Five Conference Rooms – Using Extron input plates and Samsung LED displays we were able to deliver a plug and play dual screen video conferencing solution.

Videonations were tasked with implementing video conferencing systems into Scotworks offices in Glasgow, Sydney, and New Jersey.

The Glasgow and Sydney offices required mobile video conferencing solutions that allowed for quick and easy transportation between rooms, whilst the New Jersey office required a fixed room based solution. Videonations installation team were able to deliver the required solutions using Radvision XT1000′s along with flat screen displays, wall brackets and mobile carts.

To video enable Scotworks remaining offices, Videonations supplied high definition web cameras and Scopia Desktop video conferencing software to allow individuals in offices across the world to take part in multi-party video calls, as well communicate with other sites at the click of a button.

Boasting partnerships with MICHELE, Zodiac, Relic, Emporio Armani, DKNY, Armani Exchange, Michael Kors, Diesel, Burberry, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Adidas, Skagan, and Karl Lagerfeld, and with commitment to fostering creativity and delivering the best in design at the core of their business model, Fossil quickly recognised how video conferencing could enhance communication within the organisation.

The first install was Fossil’s office in Bangalore where we installed a Polycom HDX 8000 with dual 50 inch displays along with the Polycom Touch Control. The ability to communicate with multiple offices and share data was a must-have for Fossil, which made the HDX 8000 the ideal choice. Ensuring ease of use, the Polycom Touch Control was introduced, making the experience seamless every time.

With no time to stop, from Bangalore we traveled to Fossil’s Singapore office installing the same solution.

With a few days to explore in Singapore the engineers spent some time visiting the Fort Siloso War Museum. Fort Siloso was a coast artillery battery, one of twelve coast artillery batteries which made up ‘Fortress Singapore’ at the start of World War Two.

With the sight seeing over we moved onto Kuala Lumpur, then to Tapei to install Polycom HDX 8000′s, dual 50 inch displays and the Polycom Touch Control.

Our final install of the Polycom solution was at Fossil’s office in Tokyo, bringing an end to an enjoyable two weeks of installations.

Video Conferencing Improves Productivity

Face to face communication is proven to be far more productive than a telephone conversation, however when a face to face meeting requires one or more participants to travel to attend, it can quickly have an impact on how productive those individual are. Employees are far less productive when traveling than when in the office, however the productive nature of a face to face meeting is a must-have in business. One of the benefits of video conferencing technology is how it delivers high definition face to face communication directly into a meeting room or workspace, helping to improve the productiveness of meeting participants. All participants are able to react and respond from seeing the facial expressions of others, something than cannot be achieved in an audio conference. Presentations and content can be shared and discussed in the same call, improving communication and collaboration, resulting in faster decision making. When the call has ended individuals can get straight back to work, maintaining their productiveness. This improvement of productivity is one of the main benefits of video conferencing.

Video Conferencing Reduces Travel Expenditure

Travel is a necessity for all businesses. It is important to realise that video conferencing technology is not designed to completely replace business travel, however it is a proven alternative as well as a communication enhancement. When high definition, face to face communication is available at the push of a button, it’s not difficult to recognize the benefits of video conferencing and the impact the technology can have on your travel expenditure. Flight, fuel and accommodation costs are a large expense for any business, video conferencing can quickly reduce this expense by delivering face to face communication directly to meeting room, boardroom or workspace. With no travel required when participating in a video conference, the business travel expenditure sees a positive reduction.

Video Conferencing Saves Time

In addition to improving productivity and reducing travel expenditure, another benefit of video conferencing is the time saved. As the need to travel is reduced, and decisions are made quickly and more efficiently, businesses soon recover what was once lost time. This saved time not only benefits businesses, but also offers improved quality of life for traveling employees. However when travel is a necessity for employees within an organisation, video conferencing can save them time as well as enhance the way they communicate. When reporting back to base over video whilst sharing content can be achieved at the push of a button, remote and on the road workers find they spend less time traveling to and from the office.

The benefits of video conferencing cannot be ignored, but as mentioned earlier video conferencing technology is not intended to be a replacement for business travel. It is an alternative way to communicate, an enhancement, and when used correctly it can be the more productive and efficient choice.

Print less

• Use as little paper as possible.
• Make back-up copies of important information and store them on a external hard drive.
• Set your printer to double sided printing.

Recycling

• Position recycling bins around the business for paper, cans, bottles etc.
• Recycle or trade in old electronic equipment.

Reduce Travel

• Reduce business travel by implementing video conferencing equipment and software.
• Read video conferencing vs travel for more information.
• Implement a home working strategy, read Productive home working on the rise.

Turn off when not in use

• Does your business operate 24/7? Turn of computers, lights, and other electronic equipment at the end of a working day.
• Implement energy saving appliances and light bulbs.

These are just a few of the ways to reduce carbon footprint at work. For more information related to video conferencing solutions please get in touch.

Using a combination of LifeSize video conferencing equipment, LCD Displays, projectors and projection screens, Videonations were able to deliver high definition video communication and data sharing to boardrooms and meeting rooms in Essence’s London office.

In addition to video conferencing, Essence also had a requirement for digital displays to be situated around the office, including the reception area, for internal communication and digital advertising purposes.

The installation of video conferencing into the London office has led to Essence deploying video to their New York office, improving communication and collaboration within the organisation.

Ensuring the equipment was able to seamlessly integrate into the design of The Emirates stadium, the two fifty two inch screens and video conferencing camera were recess mounted to hide all cabling and deliver a flush appearance, whilst the codec was positioned in an AV cabinet hidden from view.

The team at The Emirates quickly recognised the benefits of using the video conferencing system. As well as using the equipment for employee training the system is also used to communicate with the owners of the football club.

Please feel free to browse our range of video conferencing solutions

Mobility

Last year not only did the Apple iPad 2 enhance the browsing experience of the user, but proved to be a fully functional video communication device. By supplying workers with tablet devices, businesses will be allowing their employees to communicate over video whilst being mobile. In 2011 Roche Pharmaceuticals issued 17,000 Apple iPad 2s to their employees for video communication.

Value

Andy Miller, CEO of Polycom, stated the value of unified communications will move from return on investment to business continuity and productivity, and is no longer about return on investment vs travel. Video conferencing is now seen as a critical business tool.

Interoperability

Although interoperability has come a long way in recent years, there are still outstanding issues which need to be addressed to allow all systems from the leading suppliers to communicate with one another. No doubt 2012 will bring further developments in improving interoperability.

Our engineers spent one week in Zimbabwe during November 2011 installing video conferencing equipment, and even managed to squeeze in some site seeing.

	All aboard Kenya Airways  Engineers, Andrew Ormrod and Dave Cadman, set off on their journey to install a video conferencing system at the University of Zimbabwe.
In flight over Africa  After three flights their journey sees them approaching Zimbabwe. The extra leg room helped the guys during the long journey.
	Driving to Zimbabwe University  After settling in at their accommodation, Andrew and Dave set off on their drive to the university whilst taking in the surroundings.
University Security  The security guards at the university were scary looking, but allowed for fast and trouble-free access.
	Installation of projector  Andrew and Dave get straight to work and begin installing the projector in the lecture theatre.
Installation of video conferencing system  The video conferencing system and remaining equipment is then installed and testing begins.
	Happy team at Zimbabwe University  The team at the university see the system in action and are very excited by the potential benefits it will bring.
Time for some site seeing  After the successful install the engineers do some site seeing. Dave Cadman checks out the friendly, toothy neighbours.
	Site seeing cont…  Continuing with the site seeing, Andrew Ormrod checks out the less-toothy neighbours, whilst wearing pink shorts!

Video conferencing can be divided into two main categories:

Point to Point video conferencing definition

Point to point video conferencing is when two locations simultaneously communicate over video. This can be two individuals in their own work-spaces, or two groups of people in meeting rooms.

Multipoint video conferencing definition

Multipoint video conferencing is when three or more locations simultaneously communicate with each other over video. This can be three or more individuals in their own work-spaces, or dispersed groups of people across the globe.

To enhance the meeting experience, users can share presentations, media and data.

From desktop solutions to meeting room and boardroom solutions, there are video conferencing systems designed to meet the requirement’s of any business.