However with the cost, delays, hassle and exhaustion of business travel, not to mention the increasing importance on reducing the corporate ‘carbon footprint’ enterprises are challenged with reducing expenses, increasing productivity and committing to environmentally friendly corporate conduct.
OpenScape Video is the first single-vendor, unified videoconferencing solution for everyone in the enterprise. Integrating High Definition video, PC-based video and voice-only end-points into a Unified Communications network, OpenScape Video enhances enterprise-wide collaboration while reducing travel costs and carbon emissions.
The first single-vendor videoconferencing solution for everyone
In the past, video conferencing was available only to a select few (usually executive-level as these systems were very expensive) on specific endpoints (a videoconference system). This limited both the number of people across the enterprise who could communicate this way, and the physical location of where they had to be to participate in the meeting.
With Siemens OpenScape Video, now, any level of employee is able to participate in a videoconference. OpenScape Video endpoints are affordable, so investment in videoconferencing is a viable option to enable all levels of the enterprise to use. OpenScape Video can connect to existing third-party video endpoints, leveraging existing legacy videoconferencing investments. Familiar devices such as a mobile/desk phone or a client on the PC can be used to participate in the conference enabling mobile workers and those on the go without access to videoconferencing equipment can still participate in the full meeting or be brought in on an ad-hoc basis.
Why high definition video matters
Participating in a HD video call is productive, comfortable, and almost like being there. Participants appear ‘normal’ size, facial expressions can be clearly seen, audio is clear and in synch with the movements on screen. Further, each member can absorb all the non-verbal communication cues often missed in email messages or audio conference calls.
HD provides more pixels on each image (1280 pixels x 720 lines) and more pixels mean better colour depth (900,000 pixels vs. 100,000 – such as with QCIF, 4CIF or CIF). As a result, the image scales without resolution loss. This eliminates “meeting fatigue” (difficulty clearly seeing/hearing other participants) so common in previous videoconferencing offerings.
OpenScape Video’s endpoints handle an extensive list of resolutions, allowing all users to get the best video for their available bandwidth – eliminating the lowest common denominator (LCD) resolution disappointment.
OpenScape Video and Unified Communications
OpenScape Video when deployed with the OpenScape Unified Communications Server and OpenScape Voice, delivers the benefits of unified video conferencing – one network, one numbering system and as easy to use as dialing a phone. , Participants are able to dial a phone number (or internal extension) not an IP address – to set up a video call. This is an intuitive, easy way make videoconferencing across the enterprise as easy as dial-tone.
With the OpenScape UC application and its presence capabilities, just as desktop and mobile phones, Instant Messenger and e-mail addresses are associated with a person on the enterprise directory, so now is the option to initiate a videoconference.