Wireless Video Conferencing - How The Smithsonian Went Wireless

Nestled modestly along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) goes about its daily business of finding solutions to grand environmental challenges that the world faces in the 21st century. SERC is the Nation's leading research and education center dedicated to understanding ecological processes that sustain life on both land and the ocean. Over 70 percent of the world's population lives in the coastal zone, which includes the Earth's most biologically productive ecosystems, supports the majority of the world's fisheries and provides vast reserves of oil, gas and other non-living resources. The SERC Campus serves as a central campus for exploring the environment with other research that extends throughout the world. SERC educators provide rich content to the public based on their research through distance learning, web-based programs and on-site visits.

Recently, the institution concluded that they could improve their ability to research the environment with the help of a technological upgrade. "What we really needed was a wireless, mobile video conferencing solution so that we could bring the unit wherever our subject matter was," said SERC director of education Mark Haddon. SERCรขโ�ฌโ�ขs research projects are comprised of a variety of outdoor studies, which include shoreline and marine life research. "We wanted to maintain the integrity of the program, which focuses on learning about Science outdoors, so we were particularly interested in bringing the students right to the scene of the research, for maximum impact and an enhanced educational experience," said Haddon. "The only way we could visualize this type of format was through video conferencing, but we were unsure about what would be involved from a product standpoint. We tried to set it up by using one of our old systems but it wasnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt practical. A wireless, mobile solution is what was needed but we didnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt know if such a system was available so we contacted our vendor IVCi and they configured and installed our Mobile Video Interactive Companion II (MVIC II). We use the system out in the water, specifically, on the boat and on the shore to study marine life; things like shells, crabs, plant life, etc. We also have future plans to begin extending our studies into the forest."

The MVIC II is a mobile, wireless video conferencing system that provides two-way, high-end quality and performance in a compact wireless mobile offering. The MVIC II can act as a stand-alone video conferencing system or work as an extension to existing video systems. The MVIC II system that was configured for SERC can be rolled about the campus freely and uses a Polycom unit as the video codec.

Even before the wireless video conferencing installation, SERC had always relied on technology to improve the way they worked and shared knowledge with other institutions. "We are, in essence, a content provider to schools that have invested in video conferencing technologies, continued Haddon. " It gives students from these schools the ability to visit the Smithsonian and learn all about different types of life forms found throughout our environment, without leaving their classrooms. The fact is that many school districts are looking for content providers with good equipment because it justifies usage and encourages more schools to get involved in video conferencing. Video conferencing has developed into an excellent way for schools to provide quality education for their students, regardless of where the subject matter is located."

SERC has been using video conferencing for ten years but the wireless feature opens up a new world of possibilities. "The great thing about our current usage of this technology is that we really have access to true 360 degree video conferencing," said Haddon. "We have the unobstructed ability to share what we see and hear in real time. Iรขโ�ฌโ�ขve never heard of anyone anywhere with this type of application."

Recent improvements by equipment manufacturers and enhancements to related technologies, such as IP networks, have made video conferencing more reliable and affordable. As a long-time user of video conferencing systems, Haddon is very pleased with the changes. "Thereรขโ�ฌโ�ขs no question that the technology has gotten much better, said Haddon. "We no longer experience the types of connection problems we used to encounter. At one time, video conferencing was a very unreliable way to meet. Those issues are gone." Added Haddon, "Weรขโ�ฌโ�ขve also learned that it is very important to work with companies that are highly knowledgeable in this technical area. Itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs a specialized technology; therefore, you should only seek out specialists with the right experience and industry certifications."

Copyright ร�ยฉ Harold German, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

For many years, Harold German has been recognized as a knowledgeable source for information on corporate branding methodologies. Mr. German is a renowned author and contributor, with appearances in noted international publications such as The Economist, and on news stations such as CNN. Mr. German is a former director of IVCi, LLC, is the director of marketing at Innovative Stone, and is proprietor of Wainscoting Long Island.

Video Conferencing - How Law Firms Can Benefit

Video conferencing has been used by law firms for many years, but only until recently has it become affordable for even the smallest of firms. Equipment that cost tens of thousands of dollars only a few years ago, can be purchased for a fraction of that cost today. The products have become more reliable, easier to use, more compact, even portable, and their capabilities and features have been enhanced drastically. Popular thinking seems to indicate that now is the time to get your firm started with video conferencing, but not surprisingly, many firms encounter unnecessary technical obstacles and set backs due to poor planning. The following are important points you should keep in mind before getting started with video conferencing:

How you will use the technology
For many law firms, video conferencing is first used as a way to reduce traveling for internal meetings between practices located in different cities. But there are other factors to consider. How far are the courthouses your firm serves? Do they allow video depositions or other video-based communication for legal procedures? If the addition of video conferencing will save many, or all, of your attorneys significant amounts of time in commuting and improve the productivity of their work day, then video conferencing will definitely help to grow your practice.

The resources youรขโ�ฌโ�ขll needed
IP (Internet Protocol) networks are superior to ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). If you have 384 kilobytes of bandwidth available to and from each video conferencing device, you should be able to enjoy a good quality video call. Realize however, that if your network is shared with other resources, it may compromise the quality of your conferences. A dedicated network specifically for video conferencing, or a managed IP video network like IVCiรขโ�ฌโ�ขs IntelliNet, would ensure the best user experience.

Once you define your network, you need someone to manage it. Although your firmรขโ�ฌโ�ขs technical staff may be able to manage your conferencing network, there are more efficient ways to ensure steady and healthy performance of your video conferences. Some conferencing providers perform รขโ�ฌห�managed servicesรขโ�ฌโ�ข that take all of the work out of your hands. Do a search in Google for "managed conferencing services" and youรขโ�ฌโ�ขll find a list of companies that will allow you to reap all of the benefits of video conferencing while eliminating your need to purchase expensive network equipment and hire additional support staff.

The following are steps you can take to be ready for your video conferencing implementation:

Talk with your attorneys and identify those individuals who are ready to reap immediate benefits from the technology; those who would be ready and willing to start using video conferencing right away.

Once you define the extent of usage, you can calculate the amount of time that your attorneys will be freed up to work on other cases. In many instances, the time saved adds up to dozens of hours per month, per attorney. With more time available, they can work on additional cases, thus growing the practice.

Video conferencing is best executed in phases. Features that satisfy the most important needs of the practice should be implemented in the first phase. Define what you need, find out what it costs and budget for that phase. As need and demand grow, you can budget for future implementations as they arise. Always work with conferencing providers that create scalable solutions.

Do some simple math. Once you define how much usage your firm will have, you can compare that figure to your budget. Itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs as easy as that.

Copyright ร�ยฉ Harold German, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

For many years, Harold German has been recognized as a knowledgeable source for information on corporate branding methodologies. Mr. German is a renowned author and contributor, with appearances in noted international publications such as The Economist, and on news stations such as CNN. Mr. German is a former director of IVCi, LLC, is the director of marketing at Innovative Stone, and is proprietor of Wainscoting Long Island.