Who, what, how, where, when?

Wherever inter-personal communication takes place, videoconferencing can play a hugely important role. The very combination of the speed of a telephone call with the power of the image guarantees a highly efficient way of sharing information, attending meetings etc..
This can be achieved in various ways using different techniques depending on your demands, requirements and objectives. It is also possible to digitally archive a videoconference session so that you can go back to it at any time to check exactly what the participants said, what agreements were reached and what action points were settled etc..
We're delighted to give you an overview of just what can be achieved with videoconferencing and who it's suitable for. Of course, the diagram below is simply an indication and lots of other variations are possible.

It's true. There's nothing we can do about it. Videoconferencing costs money. But we don't mind saying it. Videoconferencing costs money, but it also delivers a high return; including saving money and increasing productivity.
You will save so much money that you'll soon earn back your investment and enjoy an attractive return on investment.

Some of the benefits of videoconferencing include:

• Faster and better founded decision-making
• Accelerated product development and reduced time-to-market
• Easier to benefit from knowledge and skills in other locations
• Improved communication with colleagues, home workers
• Improved communication with customers and other external stakeholders
• Easier to penetrate new markets; attractive to new stakeholders
• Efficient use of available working hours; more declarable hours
• Better balance between work and private life for employees
• Increased employee satisfaction; greater loyalty and trust
• Big savings on travel and accommodation costs
• Save the environment with lower CO2emissions, lower petrol consumption and less pressure from traffic queues

It should now be clear. Videoconferencing is good for the environment and good for your bottom line. Only… saying it's good for your bottom line is quite different from proving it. But we can prove it to you too.

Do business responsibly: save the environment

Respect for the environment is very much in vogue. And that's good. The earth is heating up quickly because of the enormous levels of CO2 emissions, and all the damaging consequences of this require structural measures to limit damage to the environment. Several measures have been proposed: from developing alternative sources of energy to planting a tree for every car sold; all measures that are designed to reduce CO2 emissions.
Videoconferencing, too, offers an opportunity to reduce the burden on the environment. It limits the need to travel (by plane), which reduces CO2 emissions, fuel consumption falls and there are fewer traffic queues. More and more organisations are discovering and opting to use videoconferencing for these reasons alone. In addition, global research commissioned by TANDBERG, shows that organisations that actually do treat the environment seriously are judged better by the public and thus have a “competitive advantage” over companies that fail to do it. You won't just be helping the environment, you'll be benefiting too.

There is no “one single best videoconferencing solution” that is generally right in every situation. The best solution for your own situation is completely dependent on your needs and requirements. Of course, it makes a difference whether you want to hold a videoconference every day or once a month and whether you want to hold it between two branches or four etc..

BIS VideoConference advisers are specially schooled and trained to give you the right advice. They are up-to-date with the latest developments in videoconferencing products and technology, infrastructure and solutions integration. They will work with you to determine the configuration that best meets what you have in mind. And at BIS, we go a stage further. Our advisers think with you, make certain recommendations, and also advise you what not to do. The main objective in all this is advise you on, and implement, the most suitable videoconference solution for you.

Selection of the right videoconference depends on your response to the following questions:

• What sort of information do you want to exchange? (confidential information, product information, spreadsheets, multimedia,)
• Do you need to see and hear your colleagues from their office or from their home?
• Do you intend to have visual contact with financiers, partners, suppliers, customers and/or other stakeholders outside your firewall?
• How many different locations must be able to take part in a videoconference at any one time?
• How many different people per location must be able to take part in the videoconference?
• How many conversations need to be able to take place simultaneously?
• How important is it to you that image reproduction is very realistic such as with HD videoconferencing?
• What bandwidth is optimal for your communications objectives?
• Is your preference for a fully integrated system or would you prefer a set-top solution where you use existing monitors?
• Would you like to record your videoconferences or stream them for people that couldn't be there? e.g. an address from the CEO or a training session?
• How do you want to integrate your videoconference with your other communications tools such as Instant Messaging, agenda management, IP telephony, 3G mobile telephones and your existing videoconference solution(s)?
• How will you determine and report your return on investment (ROI)?

These and other questions help in making a comparison between different videoconference solutions based on important factors such as image and sound quality, reliability, ease of use, exchangeability and integration as well as ROI over the long term. These questions also help to determine what sort of network technology is best: IP, ISDN, private network or a combination.

Still not fully convinced of the benefits of videoconferencing? Would you prefer a trial to see what the benefits are for you? At BIS you can hire a completely equipped meeting room. This luxurious room is suitable for up to eight people.
Hirers can use professional audiovisual equipment such as a data/video projector with a projection screen, a plasma screen, an (interactive) whiteboard and a complete videoconference system. BIS will also take care of your catering before, during or after the meeting.