Businesses can now enjoy the productivity benefits of video communication without worrying about placing additional time and costs burdens on IT resources. This is through software from Dimension Data which simplifies the logistics of managing video conferencing.
"Through Polycom`s Global Management System 2.0, the interactive communication channel of video conferencing is more accessible to end users," says John Oliveira, product manager at Dimension Data Interactive Media.
"With the easy-to-use software, IT administrators can take remote control of a company`s videoconferencing capability, freeing up end users to concentrate on their presentation rather than the technology itself," he says.
Companies can either purchase the remote management software or outsource the management of their video conferencing solution to Dimension Data.
Dimension Data Interactive Media`s managed services, of which the Global Management System forms a part, enables businesses to focus on their core functions with the assurance that their technological issues are being handled professionally.
Global Management System 2.0 offers network administrators a host of new, industry-first options designed to simplify and streamline the management of Polycom`s ViewStation two-way video communications networks.
The software`s web-based, client-server architecture enables remote management of an entire ViewStation network through any standard browser, giving administrators the freedom to access and maintain the network from virtually anywhere in the world.
Designed to increase user satisfaction and decrease IT costs, the software includes zero-administration directory services. ViewStation systems automatically register with the directory service, virtually eliminating the manual administration of the directory.
This feature provides an enterprise-wide global directory that allows ViewStation users to dial any other video system in the world by name, greatly simplifying the calling process and promoting a positive experience for the end-user.
"With the directory service, users don`t have to remember ISDN numbers, they simply select another video system by name and automatically dial through," says Oliveira.
The names are stored in a centralised, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)-compliant address book, allowing the administrator to make changes without having to manually update each of the end-point units individually.
In addition, if the Global Management System 2.0 software detects a problem with a ViewStation system, sophisticated monitoring capabilities automatically notify the system administrator via a message to a text pager or cell phone. The administrator can use this information to access the network and remedy the problem through any standard browser from any location worldwide, or to call the user directly with the phone number provided in the message.
Version 2.0 is also capable of performing automatic ViewStation software updates. This feature enables attended or unattended updates of ViewStation software, and can be performed immediately or at any scheduled time. Systems administrators can choose between selective or mass software updates to ViewStation products in the network through user-selectable profiles.
"Although the Global Management System was built around Polycom video conferencing products, it can assist in managing video conferencing units in any network," concludes Oliveira.
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Dimension Data
Dimension Data is a leading global network services and i-Commerce solutions provider, focused on enabling enterprises, telecommunications service providers and new economy companies to communicate and transact effectively in an e-enabled environment.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Dimension Data is ranked in FTSE 100 and operates in over 30 countries on six continents. The Group has achieved a compound annual growth rate in US dollars of 78% in revenue and 38% in basic earnings per share over the past two years.
Polycom
Polycom, Inc., develops, manufactures and markets a full range of premium-quality, media-rich communication tools and network access solutions. Polycom`s integrated communication solutions enable business users to immediately realize the benefits of video, voice and data over rapidly growing converged networks.
For additional information visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.
Global Management System 2.0
Additional Features
The Call Detail Record feature of Global Management System 2.0 records the details of every ViewStation call into a database to be used later for customer or department bill-back, system expansion evaluation and the identification of consistent line problems.
The new software is also fully compliant with LDAP and Internet Locator Service (ILS), allowing seamless data interchange between address books from different server systems in enterprise network configurations. The software also features a simplified installation process and a more intuitive user interface for easier navigation, adding to the ease-of-use of the ViewStation video communications system.
Enhancements to the Global Management System software were driven by Polycom`s Ipriority Quality of Service (QOS) Initiative - a company-wide focus on ensuring high-quality transmission of business-critical communications over broadband networks. The version 2.0 software monitors packet loss to help improve audio and video quality.