Firstly, our services will work with any built-in camera or microphone on your computer, however, there is a wide range of peripheral devices for audio & video that will extend the quality of your overall meeting experience.  

Typically, audio video devices built-in to your computer are not the greatest quality.  Although most USB compatible devices will work, the list below will provide you with some recommendations to get started.  

The list has been divided into two sections, desktop peripherals, which are for personal use & conference room peripherals, for providing audio visual to mid - larger rooms.

Desktop Peripherals for video conferencing

HD Video USB Webcams:

Logitech Webcams

Description - These webcam models will offer HD quality images with the C920 & C615 capable of 1080p.  Although, these webcams have built-in microphones, we do recommend a seperate USB microphone for optimal audio.  The C920 does offer a dual mic, which would be the best option if your looking for an all-in-one solution.

Price Range - $40-$100

Freetalk Webcams

Description - Everyman HD is the webcam model offered by Freetalk, offering HD video at 720p quality. 

MSRP Price - $60

Microsoft HD Webcams

Description - Microsoft's lifecam models offer quality up to 1080p (Studio model).  The Cinema & Studio models offer a wide angle lens with the ability to zoom.  

Price Range - $40-$100

USB Microphones:

Jabra Speak 510

Description - This model is a USB desktop microphone.  It's compact and east to travel with.  It could be used for personal use or support a small group.

MSRP Price - $150

Clearone Chat 150

Description - The Chat 150 offers full duplex audio with 3 built-in microphones.  The device is compact and easy to take with you.  This device could also provide good quality audio from a small meeting room.

MSRP Price - $400

Logitech Mobile Speakerphone P710e

Description - A USB Speakerphone for your mobile or tablet.  This is an ideal option if your joining meetings from your mobile device. The P710E will allow you to stand your mobile or tablet upright and connects into the audio source for an improved audio experience. 

Price - $170

Plantronics Calisto 620

Description - The Calisto 620 is a wireless desktop speakerphone.  No chords necessary as the device will connect to your computer via bluetooth. Includes an echo cancelling microphone with full duplex audio.

Price - $150

Jabra Biz 2400 Series

Description - A noise cancelling headset.  Offers superior audio quality.  An ideal solution for noisy environments.

MSRP Price - $220

Conference Room Peripherals for Video Conferencing

HD Video Conference Room Cameras:

Logitech Conference Cams

Description - Logitech offers a few options, the CC3000e designed for mid sized groups, & the BCC950 designed for small groups or rooms.  Both solutions are capable of 1080p quality and 30 fps (framer per second).  

Price - $250 for the BCC950 & $1000 for the CC3000e

Huddlecam HD Cameras

Description - The Huddlecam models are pan, tilt & zoom (PTZ) cameras designed for conference rooms of all sizes. 

Price Range - TBD

VDO360 Cameras

Description - The VDO360 video camera's are PTZ cameras designed for the conference room.  The excel with offering useful features and control for the end user. 

Price - TBD

Vaddio Clearview USB Camera

Description - The Vaddio Clearview HD PTZ cameras are designed for conference rooms of all sizes.  Various models offered, depending on room requirements.

Price Range - TBD

Conference Room Microphones:

Phoenix Quattro3 MT301

Description - The Phoenix Quattro3 is a USB high end conference room microphone that can accommodate rooms of all sizes.  For mid to large size rooms, multiple Quattro3's can be daisy chained together to accommodate.  

MSRP Price - $600

Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker Array Microphone 

Description - The voice tracker array microphone is capable picking up audio from 30+ feet in any conference room.  The device can be wall or ceiling mounted. 

Price Range - TBD

Yamaha PJP-20UR

Description - The Yahama echo cancelling microphone can be used with small groups or multiple devices can be connected to extend it's range.  It's reccomended range is 1.5 meters in any direction from the device.

MSRP Price - $500

Revolabs Fusion Wireless Microphones

Description - The Revolabs Fusion is a wireless microphone system for mid-large size conference rooms.  With no wires, you can strategically place the wireless microphones to achieve audio coverage across your entire room. 

Price Range - TBD

A meeting room can be an individual room that you create for a specific type of meeting or more general reflecting a departmental purpose.  For example, a weekly sales or executive meeting, or dedicated meeting space for departments like HR or IT.  Meeting rooms are a simple way to persistently keep a meeting active, which could be linked to various aspects of your operations.  

Creating a meeting room

When you create a meeting room, the following options are available:

• Topic - Give the room a name
• Join before host - do you want to allow participants to join the room prior to the hosts arrival
• Meeting Type - start meeting as screen share (video off), or video meeting (video on)
• Add notes - meeting room description displayed on start page (more on this feature below)
• Password - set a password to your meeting room

Meeting Start Page

With meeting rooms, the URL generated will navigate your participants to a starting page prior to joining the meeting.  This intermediary step, provides the attendee with further information about the meeting they are about to join.  For example, the meeting start page will display the following information:

• Meeting Host - yourself
• Company that you represent
• Meeting Topic
• Custom notes / description
• Start type of meeting (Screen Share or Video)
• Audio Options (voip, telephony or both)

The participant can then click on "Join Meeting" to enter your meeting room.  Our roadmap will continually develop this feature allowing you greater control over the information that is displayed, as well as, customization of the branding.   

Tips:

• By enabling join before host, other participants can join the meeting room and start a conversation prior to your arrival
• Create a group and attach to your meeting room.  If you need to add/remove participants, you can easily edit the group
• Meeting rooms can be linked throughout your business, for example: a dedicated room for IT or HR support, a external room for servicing clients

Update 16/12/2014: basic branding is now enabled for the meeting start pages, allowing you to display your company logo & customize the colour scheme.

1. Enable end-to-end 128-bit encryption
2. Add a password to your meetings
3. Enable wait-for-host to join
4. End the meeting 
5. Lock the meeting 
6. Chat with one participant or all
7. Mute audio or disable video for one or all participants
8. Remove participant
9. Enable/disable one or all participants to record
10. Temporarily pause screen sharing when a new window is opened

Enabling end-to-end encryption 

Your presentation content during an online meeting can be encrypted by enabling the advanced encryption standard (AES) 128-bit algorithm.  This feature is enabled at the user level within your account.  Once enabled, all meetings performed by the user will be AES encrypted.  

Note: Encryption can effect the performance of a meeting as it requires greater processing cycle at the end devices.  Typically, this can cause an impact with older devices and/or a limited connection to the internet.

Add encryption at the user level

To enable encryption, you can add this option when creating a new user or editing an existing user under the accounts tab.  

As the encryption is performed at the user level you can determine which user accounts require encryption, versus, some services that will require the entire account to be encrypted for the feature to work.

Password secure your meetings

Enabling a password can add an additional layer of security to your online meetings.  This option is set when scheduling a meeting.  When enabled, all participants will be promoted to enter the password prior to joining the meeting.  

Wait for host is enabled by default

All meetings by default will force all participants to wait for a host to join prior to allowing them to enter the meeting.  When scheduling a meeting, users will need to select "Enable join before host", if they want to allow participants to join prior to their arrival.

End a meeting

As a meeting host you have the option to end a meeting for all participants

Lock a meeting

Meeting hosts can lock a meeting, preventing any further participants from joining

Chat

Send a private message to one participant or to send it to all

Mute audio or disable video

As the host of the meeting, you have the ability to mute audio and disable video feeds for one or all participants.  

Remove participant from meeting

During a meeting, meeting hosts can remove a participant from the meeting.  The participant will be removed and cannot re-enter the meeting via the meeting link.

Enable or disable access to recording

Hosts can enable or disable access for users to record the meeting.  By default, users need to request permission to record.  All recordings are saved to the users desktop.  No recordings are stored on meeting servers.  

Pause screen sharing

When sharing your screen or desktop during a meeting you have the option to temporarily pause your screen share session.  This can be ideal for privacy reasons, if you need to pull up another screen, however, do not want this screen shared to the audience.  

What is a paid meeting?

Firstly, our paid meetings feature allows you to schedule a meeting and associate a charge.  A chargeable meeting could consist of a 1 to 1 lesson or coaching session, small group training, or a larger presentation style format.  When scheduling a paid meeting, you can set as a single event, or recurring series, which encompasses your meeting costs.  Lastly, paid meetings can also be integrated into your web presence, to easily schedule, charge & meet with your customers.

What is this Stripe thing?

Stripe is a payment processor, similar to PayPal, but better.  They charge a similar amount to most payment processors at 2.9% fee on the total plus a 30 cent per transaction charge (same as PayPal).  All payments from Stripe are automatically deposited into your bank account within 7 days of the transaction.  

Stripe Connect

With Stripe Connect, you can associate your Stripe account with Batipi, allowing you to create paid meetings.  Under our profile settings, you are presented with the option to Connect Stripe. If you have a Stripe account, then you will be directed to login & authorize our application, if not, there is a 1-page application that you will need to fill out.  With correct information, accounts will be approved & authorized on the spot.  

Stripe accounts are currently available in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, & Ireland.  An updated list can be seen here, for countries expected to be supported next by Stripe.

Managing Registrations & Payments

Notifications & Access

Any registrations to your paid meeting are logged under notifications within the dashboard.  You will see who has registered for the meeting (name & email).  After successful registration the paid guest user will be presented with a unique meeting code which can be copied to their calender.  

Managing Payments or Refunds

All transactions can easily be managed from your Stripe account dashboard.  If a guest user cannot make your meeting (and your allowing refunds), you can simply one-click refund this transaction within Stripe.  

Paid meetings can be an effective way to skip the in-person meeting, deliver your consultation online using the latest in HD video & audio conferencing.  Go to profile - stripe, under the Batipi dashboard to get started by connecting your Stripe account. If you do not have a Batipi account, you can sign-up here free.

Help article on this: Connecting your stripe account

As technology increases, the traditional ways people communicate has changed. Workers can now communicate much easier than they were previously able to do. Now all it takes is just a few clicks and you're instantly connected to those you'd wish to talk with. Video conferencing has made collaboration between people and businesses much more easier. Instead of having to meet in person, or make long distance phone calls, those on the cutting edge, can just start a video conference and collaborate on any matter they need to. The best part is it's extremely easy to do without much cost.  All that's needed is an internet connection and a computer (of course your webcam helps too.) Now collaboration in the workplace has never been easier.  Say a business needs to call up another to analyze which strategic path the pair should make next, years ago, this would have either been a normal phone call or even a visit. However with video conferencing they'd be able to converse in hardly no time at all.

The people of yesteryear dreamed about this sort of technology as if it were science fiction, just as we do with flying cars. They never imagined that it would become a reality. Video conferencing also allows people to show charts and other documents, allowing for better collaboration between two companies. There are no limits on how much video conferencing can help improve business collaboration. Some programs even allow those who are conferencing to draw graphs and show the other person stuff right from their screens. Another plus to this is that it's much cheaper than flying in to collaborate or even paying for long distance phone calls (plus phone calls are less personable). Collaboration is a very important part of running a successful business, and for keeping business networks strong. By using video conferencing, it allows people to collaborate right from their own office, from their desk, or even mobile phone, which saves time and money. It's also much more personal than an email or a regular phone call, which can help strengthen the bond between two businesses. Seeing the person whom you are talking to is more important than most would think, just as body language is. Seeing who you are talking with, and being able to get your ideas out and show proof is very important. Video conferencing just makes all of this so much easier and quicker as well.

Many businesses would be lost without video conferencing, as it deeply enriches their collaboration between themselves and other businesses. This is why technology should always be utilized when it comes down to business. Collaboration is much easier when video conferencing is used, and it doesn't take away from the personal effect either. And since a video conference can be held at anytime, the ties between the collaborators will in turn be much stronger than previously. The future is here, and part of that future is it's technology. By using technology, including video conferencing, your business will be stronger and better than ever imagined.

Up until recently, having video conferencing capabilities in some meeting room was enough to meet the needs of most corporations. But as this tool becomes of daily use to many people around the globe, companies have found themselves needing to better manage their video products to sustain strategic initiatives. Enter a recent partnership between Vidyo and Kaltura, and the business owner will have at his or her disposal the technology necessary to manage all video needs in the company.

Kaltura MediaSpace

The VidyoReplay option will record and/or webcast your live video conferencing. Users can watch real-time feeds or recorded video through the web at their convenience. For some businesses this capability will be sufficient, and they may not need any additional features to fulfill their needs. However, others that rely more and more on video content will rejoice at the partnership with Kaltura.

Kaltura has been designed to help manage video content in terms of cataloguing, storing, searching and accessing information. The interface between VidyoReplay and Kaltura has been designed so the interaction between both platforms is virtually transparent to the user, but the results are impactful. Furthermore, this integration also includes linking with content management systems and/or learning management systems in existence within a company’s IT infrastructure. The end user of this integrated product will be able to easily and effectively access material, search the archives and share recordings with others.

The integrated solution between Kaltura and VidyoReplay will prove to be an invaluable tool for those on the go. Networks and devices using VidyoReplay already will benefit from Kaltura, a direct result of needs expressed by mobile users. By accessing the Kaltura MediaSpace, the user will be able to manage videos in a similar way to popular video sites. They will also be able to upload directly to apps such as Blackboard and SharePoint.

The best way to explain how this integration will impact your business is to bring it to the end-user’s level. For example, doctors will be able to access medical information from wherever they are, as well as consult with counterparts from around the globe. In this era of healthcare reform, having this capability translates into increasing access to healthcare for many underserved populations and potentially eliminate some of the barriers to healthcare. Others exploring the Vidyo-Kaltura option may also realize the cost-savings that could result from having improved video management capabilities.

Most people in an organization are not directly involved with the infrastructure that supports a company’s video capabilities. However, many everyday activities rely on everyone’s ability to webcast information and materials seamlessly and in real-time. The right kind of software and platform will become an asset to the organization. The partnership between Vidyo and Kaltura comes to fulfill precisely that void. Even if a business is at its infant stages and not needing much in terms of video content management, the option of having Vidyo and Kaltura interface allows the business owner to be ready for future growth.

Videoconferencing is not a thing of the future; it is happening now and it is happening quickly. Companies cannot afford to be left behind or to have archaic ways to manage their video content. They need to easily categorize, search and archive its video property so it becomes an asset and tool to improve performance of employees and of the business in general. Failure to pay close attention to your business’s growing needs in terms of video and video management can threaten a company’s sustainability. By engaging with industry leaders such as Vidyo and Kaltura, the business owner can rest assured that content will be managed effectively in a way his employees can easily access and operate.

This video posted to Kaltura's blog shows Vidyo's product manager discussing the integration with an attendee at a recent conference.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for example, uses a telepresence room to connect to ships at sea. This allows for live communication with ships crew and remotely operated vehicles. According to (NOAA) physical scientist Adam Skarke, “… if we’re going somewhere we’ve never been before, we don’t know what we’re going to find. We don’t have enough bunks to bring an expert for everything we find." When an expert in a certain field is needed, he or she can go to the telepresence room to assist in the operation. This video feed is also made available to the public.

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), has adopted telepresence on an enormous scale. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal: "Some 300 sessions a day can take place among the 20,000 scientists affiliated with CERN, though they work in institutes scattered around the globe."

As telepresence services have matured, businesses that were once reluctant to adopt the technology are now embracing it. Telepresence is not only getting more affordable, it is also becoming more immersive by adding features for better collaboration. Direct 2-way HD video and audio communication is now becoming standard, letting participants feel they are in a real face-to-face meeting with no video choppiness or time delays. Endpoint devices can be anything from smart phones, tablets or desktop computers, up to large room setups with multiple screens. People who not in the office can attend meetings from almost anywhere.

Why Vidyo is better and where they'll be leading tomorrow

Ofer Shapiro, the CEO and co-founder of Vidyo, stated that the company was honored by the recognition and that the company strives to continue to develop the best video solutions for its customers and partners. Vidyo credits its top video quality to its scalable video coding (SVC) architecture. In addition to other projects with its technology partners, Vidyo continues to work with Google to enhance video in the WebRTC. The WebRTC is an open-source project that will allow the web to operate with real time communication.

Poor quality and performance will leave users skeptical about using the technology

One of the challenges with introducing desktop video conferencing to an organization is encouraging active use amongst your employees.  The last thing you need to worry about is poor performance or quality during an online meeting.  In most cases, one or two bad experiences will frustrate staff and lead them back to traditional communication over the phone.  Unfortunately, they now miss out on the resounding impact that visual communication, such as, desktop video conferencing can have on your internal and external relationships.

One of the key components to the Vidyo technology that makes it so simple and effective is it's built-in SVC technology.  The SVC technology has been standard with Vidyo since it's start and has been continually developed and refined.  Many other traditional vendors in the telepresence market have made the switch to use SVC recently, however, still require extensive development to remotely match what Vidyo is doing today. 

This past century has seen emerging communications markets skip an entire generation of technology infrastructure, namely, the wired telephone system. Large portions of the population in countries like India and China now have cell phones in areas that never had traditional landlines. 

If these countries build a transportation infrastructure based on the model in the United States, the emissions could have a major impact on the climate. However, if they choose to skip a generation of infrastructure, emissions growth will be far more manageable. In an effort to do this very thing, China has been investing heavily in modern mass transit, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). They have surpassed the United States in both these areas and yet Americans cling to the outdated model. 

Paul Dickinson, as CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), used these words to rally his troops behind the telepresence revolution. As part of their ‘yes we can’ attitude the CDP conducted a comprehensive study examining the environmental and economic benefits of using telepresence in the short term, and after long-term, large-scale adoption of this technology. 

The CDP study piggybacked on the Smart 2020 Report that forecasts an emissions savings of 7.8 billion tons of CO2 by 2020 through the smart integration of ICT in the workplace, and personal space. In an effort to better quantify the environmental and financial impact of telepresence, the CDP collected data from 15 of the Global 500 companies that have already upgraded to the telepresence model. 

The CDP concluded that telepresence could avoid millions of tons of CO2. A single business with four telepresence rooms can reduce CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 400 passenger vehicles in the span of five years, 2,271 metric tons. Implementing telepresence throughout the US has the potential to reduce emissions by almost a million metric tons per year. 

Besides the environmental benefits, the CDP study also concluded that deployment of telepresence in businesses with annual revenues of more than $1 billion could see an economy wide financial benefit of $3.5 billion by 2020 and this is in the US alone. 

Avoid traffic headaches, start your first meeting via telepresence

Honk! Honk!  Beep! Beep!  Oh, the sounds of rush hour traffic.  A lot worse than usual, and you only have 30 minutes left to make that important meeting.  You left in plenty of time. Well, better call the team and let them know you will be late.  

Sound familiar?  It’s a very common occurrence and there is a solution.  A solution to make all morning meetings forever be on time.  Video conferencing from home.  Yes, that’s right.  Everyone sit down in your favorite comfy chair at home, turn on those laptops, connect to the video conferencing service, and have your favorite morning drink by your side (no alcohol please, or at least don’t make it obvious).  

Sounds wonderful.  But, there is a problem. There is a rumor that it is to expensive to setup video conferencing.  Or is it?  If your company is going to buy all the hardware, software and possible bandwidth increase required to setup video conferencing than, yes, it will be expensive.  And some companies prefer this way and have the funds to do it.  However, it is not written anywhere that you must do it this way.  There is an alternative.

There are businesses designed to service your video conferencing needs.  These businesses acquire all the needed hardware, software, and telecommunications connections (a.k.a. lots of bandwidth) required for a great video conferencing experience.   These video conferencing service companies will than share their investment and technology with you, at a fraction of the price it would have cost your business to do the entire setup internally.  In addition, they have the knowledge and experience to support and maintain these services.

There are a few ways you can implement video conferencing services.  It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing scenario. Here are some ideas:

• You can sign up for the service to do a proof of concept.  In other words, evaluate video conferencing as a new tool before deploying it company-wide.  The feedback you receive from a select group in your workforce, will be invaluable to helping deploy telepresence as a  communication tool company-wide. 
• If you decide to setup video conferencing in house, but don’t have the expertise to manage it, no problem.  Outsource the skill set from an expert in the video conferencing business.
• Sign up for the service and use it full time for your video conferencing communications needs.

Implementing video conferencing into your business doesn't need to be expensive or scarey.  Just find a video conferencing service provider to do all the expensive and hard stuff for you.  Which leaves you with only one serious decision.  Honk! Honk! Beep! Beep! first thing in the morning?  Or the restfulness of your favorite chair to get that morning meeting started on time, every time.

Batipi is a video conferencing service provider.  They offer cutting edge technology, cloud hosting, flexible pricing plans, and great customer service that includes a single point of contact.  Best of all their service can support connections from a PC, MAC, iPhone, iPad, or Android capable devices.

The magic of Vidyo is in its responsive design. With SVC extensions, video and audio automatically adjust quality and bandwidth depending on the characteristics of the device accessing the content. 

The partnership will serve as a great boost to WebRTC, Google's current protocol for responsive real time communication (RTC). Expectations are that the power of WebRTC and the expertise of Vidyo will create a sort of RTC dream team. Web-native content will be more responsive and app-like, giving the user a better real-time experience.

Those signed onto a telepresence service powered by Vidyo already understand the importance of the technology in video conferencing. Responsive design allows browser-to-browser and browser-to-server communications to give every participant in the video conference a quality experience, no matter where they are or what device they're using. Mobile and field players are better brought into the fold.

Organizations looking for a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to link team members and partners separated by satellite and field offices, can trust in clear communications with minimum technical glitches. Vidyo's responsive design minimizes clumsy load times and sporadic disconnections that interrupt important discussions and hinder productivity. They can do so without the cost and carbon footprint of extensive travel.

Google understands the power of Vidyo's technology, and we do, too. For more information about how Vidyo's telepresence technology can improve your video conferencing, contact us.

Save Money...period

Whether you are meeting with employees across the city, across the state, across the nation, or even internationally, people do not have to worry about the travel expenses associated with getting to the meeting. For companies with employees situated geographically far apart, food and hotel accommodations are also not an issue. Because people are participating in the meeting from their own locations, money can also be saved on office space. Also, not to mention the improved work efficiency of your staff relates to time saved, and most would agree, time equals money. 

Productive and happy employees

With business meetings involving people who have to fly or travel large distances productivity can be a real issue. The person will have less time to work on the project while traveling. Plus, travel makes people tired which results in them being less productive. With video meetings, employees can work up until the point of the meeting, and as soon as the meeting is over, everyone can get back to work. The people are not exhausted and can continue to be productive employees. Of course this does not refer to working longer hours, rather completing work tasks efficiently and more time is available for employees to manage their personal affairs.

More People Can Participate

Company meetings can include the people who would otherwise not be able to make the meeting. Maybe your company has an employee either based internationally or who is currently working internationally. Through a video meeting, that employee can participate in a meeting he or she would otherwise miss. An investor or potential business contact living elsewhere can also come to the meeting when it is hosted virtually. Video meetings are also great for the mother who wants to work for your company but who lives across the country and is who reluctant to move because she really likes her kids’ school or her husband already has a great job where they currently live.

Video meetings are also appealing when the weather outside is bad. Whether a winter storm has made visibility almost zero, heavy flooding has made travel dangerous, or other weather-related issues make staying at home sound wonderful, a video meeting allows the meeting to still take place.  

Vidyo’s technology will automatically lower quality and bandwidth to a Smartphone with a weak 3G connection while automatically providing full quality streaming to desktop users of Google Fiber. Chee Chew, VP of Engineering at Google, said in a statement,

Vidyo has brought that same adaptive technology to video conferencing. Their VidyoRouter™ architecture monitors in real time the performance and capabilities of each endpoint device. By monitoring the underlying network, Vidyo’s technology adapts video streams instantaneously to optimize video communication. A more natural communication experience is delivered due to reduced end-to-end latency compared to traditional MCU-based solutions.

By finally capturing the technology that produces high-quality multi-party video Vidyo provides unmatched telepresence quality and multi-point video communications. This is an amazing tool for companies and business owners with employees scattered all over the city, the state and the world.

In-person meetings have always been a daily event in the world of business. However, with one out of every five people working from home and the expense involved in getting people to a central location, the typical meeting has become more and more costly. As evident by the growing use of video conferencing business professionals obviously see the benefits of the technology and are using it in increasing numbers.

Meeting face to face, whether it be with corporate stakeholders or an employee, has never been so painstakingly simple. No matter where you're located, and whether you're on a laptop, smart phone or tablet, you can harness the benefits of video conferencing and personal telepresence to improve your business communications right now. 

Why Would Your Business Even Need Video Conferencing? 

Before you decide to even learn the benefits of video conderencing and personal telepresence, you need to ask yourself why you really need it. Is it to allow executives who lack necessary time to meet virtually face to face to discuss issues and resolve problems?

Could you use video conferencing for face to face training, to answer questions or have discussions with new or potential employees? Do you need important face time with a potential client and want to bring together the key decision makers from their various locations?   If you could make use of the above key points, then you probably need an easy to use video conferencing tool that streams flawlessly in HD quality. 

DIY Or Outsource to a Provider? 

Now that you have an idea of the benefits and how your company can benefit from personal telepresence, it's time to decide whether you want to take the do it yourself route of putting extra pressure on your IT staff or utilize a service provider.

A few of the key benefits that come with outsourcing all of your video conferencing needs are:

• The most cost-effective benefit is that you never have to pay excessive amounts for video conferencing servers, most of which which will become outdated within a few years. 
• You gain access to a qualified, courteous customer support team that is able to resolve any issues or technical problems you may encounter. 
• You never have to hire extra employees or re-train within your IT staff.
• A turn-key solution that allows your business to immediately adopt a new communication tool and start conferencing. 

Many believe video conferencing is the future of the old-fashioned "corporate meeting", and they just might be right. Don't let the distance between employees get in the way of your company's productivity, take a leap forward and make the upgrade to using personal telepresence in your business today!

If it's an important business meeting, you may have to set up your room as meticulously as a director would framing a shot for a movie.

Lighting Considerations

When you're about to have a group video conference, how the room looks will make a huge impression on those viewing you. Private point-to-point video conferencing can sometimes be more casual if you know the other business associate well. But a group video conference for an important business deal has to show an impressive setting. That means gearing up the room with the best possible lighting.

While natural lighting might work in some cases, it's best to close all shades on surrounding windows. This prevents the sun from shining in unexpectedly and overpowering the lighting for the camera. Normal office lighting will keep your lighting consistent so those viewing can see you and your employees clearly at all times.

Consideration of Color on Clothing

With the acceptability of more casual clothing in some video conferences, it's still worth going with business casual to be safe. However, as part of the room setup, you have to pay more attention to the color of your clothes. Overly bright colors might not translate well on the camera. The same goes with camera contrast on deep black and white colors.

It's best to go with colors that are more neutral so they don't look distracting to those viewing you on a monitor.

Dealing with Sounds

Nothing is more annoying during a video conference than a sound in the background that distracts from hearing everyone properly. Make sure there isn't any construction sounds or music playing during your important video conference. Also, ask your employees not to tap their fingers or shuffle papers during the conference that the microphone might pick up.

Presenting Information

During a video conference, you'll likely be presenting materials that show information your business associates want to know. We recommend to use a built-in feature that will share your screen with remote participants, as it is too difficult for remote viewers to see your "in-room" presentation materials.  As well, have all the materials ready to present during the meeting so there won't be wasted time finding what you need.

A final part of your setup should involve a plan to move the camera around the room during the meeting to provide variety. Just like in a movie, a video conference can look overly static with the camera staying in one place the entire time.

With these things in mind, visit us or read our blog to see what Vidyo can do in making your video conferences truly satisfying business experiences.

But they haven't.

Oddly enough, people are reluctant about the technology. In his many years of telecommuting, one worker observed how rare video conferencing had been used, and he lamented how much more efficient and human his work experience could have been if businesses were more open to video conferencing. He also noted that 2012 saw 27 million simultaneous video conferencing sessions on Skype between personal, non-business users. The business world, he felt, is far behind the rest of society.

A part of the problem is the proliferation of myths about video conferencing. The following tall tales about the technology need to be busted in the business community:

1. Videoconferencing is so complex that only a business with an IT staff can manage it.

That might have been true years ago, but not anymore. Recent products have consolidated tasks and features into all-in-one systems that are intuitive, user-friendly and do not require a genius to operate or set up. The technology continues to advance, and every year brings a new wave of products that become easier to manage. Some of the best all-in-one systems are the HDTV products that combine everything -- including the computer technology -- into one thin, portable HDTV.

2. Videoconferencing costs too much.

The price gets lower every year. Companies can find high-quality products that will outfit a room with video conferencing for less than a grand. In addition, third-party companies can host your telepresence for an affordable price, which eliminates the need to purchase expensive in-house assets such as servers.

3. The new equipment has to match the company's old video equipment.

Companies who build conference technology understand that clients don't want to spend loads of money replacing everything from the ground up if they don't have to. That's why most newer video conferencing systems are designed to fit right into older video components that might already exist in your board room.

With each new year of advancement in conferencing technology, there are fewer excuses to not move more communications into the video conferencing arena. The value of real-time face-to-face connections will quickly become apparent, especially after you see how affordable and manageable the technology has become.

Learn more about our pricing for hosted telepresence.  If your company is new to using this technology, start by enabling a select group of users at your organization.  If successful, they will become an invaluable resource to you when introducing the technology to the whole company. 

But while you're still physically seen through our video call service, what should you ultimately wear when talking with an important business associate? And should the setting where you hold your teleconference be in a conservative location? There might be acceptance now of being seen in places unimaginable a few years ago.

What Should You Wear During a Video Call?

There may be a tendency to want to dress more casually, depending on the work environment of a particular company. What happens, though, if you hold an important business meeting on Vidyo and those associates are wearing suits? It's probably a good idea to at least dress up a little so you're not caught wearing t-shirts and shorts during an important business deal.

Regardless, you should obviously look into the style of that other company and see what their general clothing choices are before making a decision.

As far as the differences between the genders, Radvision found in studies that women are more apt to dress in business attire than men. Males who get away with shorts in teleconferencing should take heed.

What's the Best Location for a Video Call?

It might seem incomprehensible that 10% of employees polled in the above Radvision study say that the bathroom is an acceptable place to be seen during a teleconference. While that might show that the acceptance of comfort has hit a high point in the video meeting format, should that really become the standard?                                                   

A better setting might be teleconferencing by a pool that was deemed acceptable by 35% of those studied. In fact, a relaxed pool setting could possibly help in closing a business deal to show that business doesn't have to be so buttoned down. The good news about video calls is any kind of setting can ultimately be altered by merely moving to a certain location in the room or setting up a particular backdrop.

Even if the bathroom ultimately becomes an acceptable part of video call protocol, it's unlikely someone will show a certain amenity in that bathroom as part of their physical background.

Leaving a large footprint wouldn't be a bad thing if you were Robert Wadlow, the Giant of Illinois. When you're 8' 11.1" tall with a foot that's 17 inches long and a shoe size of 37AA, it's kind of expected.  Just ask the world's tallest living man and the man who currently holds the record for having the largest foot. They'll tell you.

But as everyone knows, the footprints humans leave behind and the ones businesses leave behind are two different things. Both may leave impressions on the Earth, but only one will vanish without leaving a trace. The other can leave traces that will last a lifetime. Because of that, many businesses today are looking for ways they can make their footprints smaller; and one of the ways they're finding is with video conferencing.

Video conferencing is exactly what it sounds like - holding a conference via video options with attendees being in various locations instead of face-to-face in one place. Many businesses are finding that using this method for some of their meetings not only saves them money, but makes them more eco-friendly as well. How? Well, let's take a look and see.

Fewer Carbon Emissions

According to one study, a conference can be responsible for creating more than a ton of carbon dioxide per attendee. How? Between the fossil fuel used to fly the plane that brought the attendee, the fossil fuel used for the attendee to get to and from the airport and around town, and the fossil fuel used to create the electricity for the attendee's hotel room - let's just say it all adds up quickly. Obviously, with a video conference, the need for so much travel is eliminated. The result? The meeting's footprint begins to shrink. 

Less Waste for the Landfill

According to some statistics, the paper making industry around the world uses about 4 billion trees each year with every person in the United States using 749 lbs of it. A lot of that paper eventually winds up in landfills. Traditional conferences are often a part of that scene. Papers get printed and used for a bit and then get thrown away at the end or when the attendee gets home. A video conference eliminates some of those paper needs, meaning less trash for the landfill and a need for a few less trees to be cut. The result? The meeting's footprint shrinks even more. 

More Involvement with Green

Eco-friendly factors like fewer carbon emissions and less waste may be the biggest and most direct green advantages to video conferencing, but they aren't the only ones. Less travel and fewer printouts also mean less money being spent overall on the conference. How is that green? Well, less money spent on a conference means more money available for making the company greener. Efforts here could offset the conference's remaining footprint even more. The result? A footprint that so small, you might need a magnifying glass to see it.

The bill, titled "Cut the Waste, Stay in Place Act of 2013," and introduced by Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, (R-Pa.), would call on the director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop a plan to reduce the federal government’s travel expenditures by as much as 50 percent by 2017. 

Specifically, the bill calls on the use of video conferencing to achieve a significant budget cut. Writers of the bill claim the following three benefits to adopting this new measure:

1. Video conferencing has been under-utilized thus far, and therefore its full potential has not been completely realized.
2. The move from hardware-based software to browser-based software makes video conferencing technology less expensive and more accessible to more parties.
3. Video conferencing enhances communication, improves problem-solving, reduces carbon footprints, facilitates better collaboration, and shortens project time periods, among many other benefits.

This new bill builds on previous orders issued via the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, which already calls for agencies to reduce travel expenditures by 30 percent compared to 2010 levels. Under the umbrella of previous initiatives, many agencies have already made motions toward collaborative technology.

NASA is one such agency. It saved $21 million in fiscal 2012 by replacing travel with video conferencing when it was possible. The Naval Safety & Environmental Training Center has successfully used video conferencing for better training programs--providing video-based education to over 10,000 government civilians and Navy personnel all over the world. The Center also adapted its mission-critical U.S. Navy Safety Professional Development, replacing its San Diego conference with a video broadcast. This adaptation reduced a potential $1.5 million travel tab to less than $100,000.

The budget saving advantages of video conferencing are undeniable, and the U.S. government agrees. Real-time communication benefits are realized while maintaining a responsible hold on expenditures.

Simply stated, the email regulation encourages employees to talk more and write less. 

Ferrari is not the only company to recognize the importance of direct communication and restructure the workplace to facilitate it. Atos, a global technology firm, announced a zero email initiative in 2011 with plans to phase out email--and adopt replacement tools such as video conferencing--completely by 2014. Atos chief executive, Thierry Breton, had estimated that barely 10% of the 200 internal emails employees received per day were useful. In fact, Breton likened email to "pollution" in an otherwise productive day. 

Less typing means more talking!

In a March 2013 update on the changes, The Connected Business reported ongoing and significant success. Since 2011, Atos employees have trimmed email and adopted more cloud-based collaboration tools that facilitate real-time communication. The IT firm expects to see complete obsoletion of internal emails by the end of 2013, with the eventual goal of zero emails--internal and external--in 2014.

The move away from email and toward more collaborative communication technology started much earlier. Consider a study published by Wainhouse Research in 2005, The Business Case for Video Conferencing. In this study, authors Andrew W. Davis and Ira M. Weinstein stated that although email had at one time been an important technological development and served its users well, by 2005, it had become so day-to-day that it was bothersome. Everyone used email for everything, whether it was of value or not. The study suggests, even eight years ago, that a natural evolution was nudging us away from email toward more advanced real-time communication technology.

The authors of the Wainhouse study reported what we, Atos, and Ferrari know now: that real-time communication like video conferencing, cuts email clutter, increases productivity, improves problem solving, and adds purpose to our interactions. The trend will only continue. Are you on board with the right tools?