Special Focus:
CONFERENCING
From the June 2005 issue of Communications News
Global connections
The Global Meet Conferencing solution delivers local-access phone numbers in international locations to reduce company phone bills and broaden conference participation. The one local-number solution reduces the concerns of international participants about calling cards or having to deal with multiple numbers. Local toll access numbers are available in 22 countries, and in-country freephone (or toll-free) access from 33 countries allows customers to provide country-by-country access numbers at no cost to the participant–costs are only incurred by the leader of the conference call. Companies benefit from centralized accounting and billing for remote conference call usage by employees and all invited participants.
High-definition sharing
The HD5000 workgroup videoconferencing
solution, version 3.5, provides interoperability and high resolution for
live video, full-motion video and data sharing, as well as support for
dual-streaming video and data. Unlike simple standalone videoconferencing
systems, the unit can be used to display presentations, access the Internet
during meetings and display files from the corporate network. New features
include G.722.1 audio, H.263+/++ video, XGA resolution for live video and
data sharing, H.264 support at data rates up to 4 Mbps, and interlaced H.263
CIF resolution for full-motion video. Also included is H.239 support for
simultaneous streaming of video and data, H.235 encryption support, and
H.350 support, which provides uniformity and easier access to endpoints and
end-users in an LDAP environment.
VCON
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Instant content sharing
Designed as an upgrade solution for users of wired
SoundStation conference phones, QSX enables fast, ad hoc
content sharing for anyone in the conference call, without requiring special
software applications, on-going usage fees or document uploading. The small
appliance serves as a hub for the conference room, connecting the conference
phone, projector and Internet connection to enable high-quality, secure and
fast content-sharing capabilities without adding more clutter to the table.
The presenter connects simply with a VGA cable, enabling virtually any type
of computer content to be shown instantly and to show changes, or switch
applications, as the meeting progresses. An integrated Web viewer capability
allows participants in locations without QSX to see the presentation through
a standard browser.
Polycom
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Browser-based Web conferencing
e/pop Web Conferencing 4.1 adds enhancements that include the ability for conference hosts to easily start multiparty VoIP and videoconferencing sessions with two mouse clicks. The solution goes beyond one-to-one or one-to-many videoconferencing systems to allow up to 10 or more attendees to actively participate, with full video capabilities, in the conference. Features include audio and synchronous videoconferencing, remote control, plus complete desktop, application/document sharing and dynamic PowerPoint presentation sharing. Integration with Outlook allows for the distribution of conference and calendar invites from within the e/pop application. SSL3 and TLS are included as standard security features, as well as integration points for on-premise PKI.
WiredRed
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Advanced soft phone
The CONVERSip EP200 Multimedia Endpoint is a fully integrated Windows XP-based solution that adds advanced telephony functionality to every-day computers. The soft phone offers traditional telephony features, such as voice calling, park and retrieve, do not disturb, redial, conferencing and paging. Advanced functionality includes video calling, presence management, and corporate single and multiparty instant messaging. In addition, the EP200 monitors incoming, dialed and missed calls. The software-based solution’s built-in, secure corporate instant messaging feature does not rely on Internet-based consumer instant messaging services. The phone is fully operable with the Plantronics CS50-USB, a wireless headset for VoIP applications with remote ring detection and call answer/end, providing mobility and convenience up to 200 feet.
Comdial
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Desktop videophone
The BVP8759 set-top box videophone is designed
for affordable group conferencing. The system uses a TV as a videophone
display and a corded or cordless microphone connects the user’s voice to the
unit. The unit can be placed on top of a TV, desk or on a wall. The phone
operates in either the H.323 or SIP communication protocol and connects to a
broadband network via a router, ADSL modem or cable modem. The videophone’s
buttons operate the same as a cell phone’s, including the “send” and
“cancel” buttons. For hands-free operation, the phone has a built-in
microphone and speakerphone. Video and audio can also be recorded to
external devices, such as a VCR, through built-in video and audio
connectors.
Leadtek
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