Hard to believe, but the very first video call was made on AT&T’s “Picturephone” prototype from the World’s Fair in New York 55 years ago in 1964! The caller could not only hear the voice on the other end but could also see the face!
So, from those early days… cumbersome, bulky and expensive software, difficult to use with blurred vision due to the slow transmission rates of images (1 frame in 2 seconds)…we fast forward over the decades to today’s highly sophisticated cloud based video conferencing options.
No longer the sole domain of large corporations, the latest technology is equally at home in both small and medium sized businesses. Another huge step forward in terms of cost and overall improved efficiencies is the non proprietary nature of the equipment. Advanced audio and video experiences can be attained on various non brand specific and aligned collaborations. Designed to integrate seamlessly with different server platforms.
No longer the sole domain of large corporations, the latest technology is equally at home in both small and medium sized businesses. Another huge step forward in terms of cost and overall improved efficiencies is the non proprietary nature of the equipment. Advanced audio and video experiences can be attained on various non brand specific and aligned collaborations. Designed to integrate seamlessly with different server platforms.
One of our key partners is this dynamic space is Yealink, a major player in the dynamic telecommunications industry in South Africa and globally. They offer a full range of video, audio and collaboration unified solutions, combined with state of the art terminal solutions with high quality features providing excellent user experience aligned with both ease of use and optimal cost structures.
The costly days of flying company executives to meetings both locally and internationally are, if not gone already, are rapidly becoming more the exception rather than the rule.
Video conferencing allows for faster decision making, more frequent interaction plus of course the “biggie”, massive savings on flight and accommodation costs.
Yealink’s one stop solution includes meeting room sized options, along with video phones, desktop video and VC Softclient software for “on the go” mobile technology this allows for participants to join via their mobile devices from anywhere at anytime. Huddle room solutions become increasingly critical for smaller operations or a team/discipline specific environment, it’s an area of VC connectivity that we pay particular attention to. A huddle room is normally interpreted as an area with limited space availability, typically accommodating up to 6 attendees. Popular with branch offices our huddle room solutions addresses the following logistical issues:
- limited space
- tight budgets
- lack of dedicated on site IT support
- relatively weak network infrastructure
- the need for a video camera with a wide angle field of view
Yealink has developed a solution specific all in one conferencing model, namely its VC 200 option…user friendly, easy and rapid set up and take down, high definition, up and running within 3 minutes. Project, sales and product development meetings are all ideal vehicles for this technology.
For larger gatherings of up to about 30, there is the VC 500. Capping of the offering is the VC 800 aimed at large gatherings of up to 250!
Yealink is able to provide a solution to whatever your needs might be.
Other areas of use include doctor/patient interaction, teacher/student interventions to identify just a couple.
Activate is fully aware of the key role that video conferencing plays in all types of organisations. Able to fully cater for both small and large companies who are positioned to take full advantage of the huge steps taken in this key area of telecommunications.
Activates commitment is to help its clients make the most of their unified communications experience and to embrace the advantages of trouble free collaboration.
So, from it’s very beginnings video conferencing has moved forward massively in terms of flexibility, pricing, user compatibility, need specific and the use of non proprietary equipment in terms of total set up.
Talk to us here at Activate, we are ideally positioned to audit your current situation and to advise you on the most practical way to “build for purpose” the ideal video conferencing solution for your business.