Business video is fundamentally transforming the way organisations communicate, collaborate, educate, and protect people and assets. Enhanced productivity, better collaboration and a reduction in travel and associated expenditure are great advantages for any business. Unfortunately, not every business is ready to invest in the infrastructure needed to run these solutions or the skills needed to keep them in tip-top shape.
Systems integrator Dimension Data and IP service provider Internet Solutions (IS) are collaborating on a new service offering that will make video communication available as a service, accessible on demand via either IP or ISDN connections as a pay-per-use offering or on a prepaid basis. Clients will no longer need to spend exorbitant amounts to reap the rewards that video communication offers, and will be assured of top-end service provision and quality end product - every time.
This breakthrough project is combining the talents of two proven South African technology specialists into a single offering. The solution will be solidly anchored on the IS IP network, which is currently the largest and most mature network in Africa. Serving literally thousands of companies, it will provide a stable, reliable platform for service delivery. This will be complemented by Dimension Data's consulting and business enablement expertise, accumulated from the provision of video services to many of Africa's high-profile enterprises.
Unlike bureau services of old, which were limited and cumbersome, the new managed video service will extend advanced video services right into the organisation. “Although our network is Cisco based, it is compatible with most major brands, enabling companies to leverage existing investments,” says IS' Communication Services Innovation & Technology, Hayden Lamberti. “For added peace of mind, clients will have the option of endpoint and room-readiness assessments to ensure seamless integration with the managed bridge infrastructure.”
According to Greg Hatfield, General Manager for Dimension Data Cloud Services, the hosted video offering will go far beyond the provision of a conferencing bridge. “We (Dimension Data and IS) will be offering a selection of value-added services as well. Over and above multipoint videoconferencing, we'll be providing audio conferencing, point-to-point calls, convenient concierge services for effortless conferencing, intuitive directory services and handy self-service portals for monitoring and online reporting.”
Of particular interest to users will be the 'white glove' concierge service. “Research shows that one of the biggest inhibitors to the adoption of video technology has nothing to do with technology at all - it's behavioural. Some users may not yet be comfortable with the process and are slow to adopt, or avoid videoconferencing altogether,” explains Hatfield. “Our concierge service effectively walks you through the entire booking, set-up and log on procedure to build user confidence. The concierge will handle pre-testing and will also monitor sessions and intervene if necessary. Should there ever be technical issues that they cannot solve, they will escalate this on your behalf.”
“The service is focusing initially on intra-company communications,” says Lamberti, “but inter-company interactions will also be possible. The design allows subscribers to the service to conference with non-subscribers, and an ISDN gateway provides the facility through which IP and ISDN systems can communicate, helping maximise use of existing investments and promoting intercompany connectivity.”
Closing the loop on the end-to-end service is the option of including premier monitoring, management and maintenance, optional site-based services and provisioning of equipment if required.
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