Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. Telecommunication Systems Division

Video Collaboration

Using technology to restore the human factor in e-business—and bring new productivity and cost savings in the process

From a PC in at the main office, the IT manager supervises installation of a sensitive new piece of equipment at a remote data center. The retail buyer gets an interactive, customized preview of next season’s merchandise via a high-definition monitor on her workstation. Using video-based distance learning, the training coordinator extends the reach of educational programs to all company locations, including work-at-home staff. The specialist at the regional teaching hospital consults on a difficult case by viewing live video feed at the same time digital diagnostic images are transmitted.

If you think of videoconferencing simply as having “talking heads” attached to a voice call, it’s time to take another look. The technology has improved so markedly—and the costs have dropped so much—that videoconferencing is proving in for a wide variety of serious business applications.

A videoconference enables users in two or more locations to interact via simultaneous two-way video and audio transmission. The videoconferencing session can also be used to share documents, text messages, chat, computer applications and whiteboards.

Distance learning, telemedicine, product demos, training programs, video arraignment, remote supervision… anywhere collaboration is needed in a visual environment, videoconferencing offers a powerful, low-cost option.

The Business Advantages of Video Collaboration
The benefits of videoconferencing are enormous. Organizations can reduce travel costs without sacrificing the personal nature of business interactions. You can reach wider audiences with face-to-face contact and a naturally interactive experience. Support new levels of collaboration and teamwork among staff in different geographies.

Time Saved, Time Gained
Video collaboration takes productivity to a new level by allowing remote workers to see, hear, interact and collaborate on projects together, no matter where they are physically located.

Bring important customers, clients and staff specialists together in multimedia sessions that enable everyone to use their time more effectively.

When evaluating videoconferencing solutions, look beyond video. Today you can blend many types of communication to more closely emulate the in-person experience and enhance productivity. For instance, you can share your Windows® desktop, applications or documents. You and other user(s) can discuss and edit materials together, while talking on the phone independently of the video feed. You can also send and receive text messages and related documents and images during the session.

Video As Easy As Voice
In the past, videoconferencing systems were cumbersome, so they were not widely used. Today’s video communication and collaboration solutions are about as easy to use as a traditional telephone. You can simply select conference participants from a list, and if they’re available, you’re on.

With a friendly interface, users can see, hear and interact with each other without having to click a mouse or push a button to start or stop their video communication. Video calls can be managed with many of the same functions users have come to expect of voice calls. You can forward, transfer, park and put a video call on hold, just as you can with a voice call.

Lower Costs, Less Out-Of-Office Time
Videoconferencing can take the place of face-to-face meetings and therefore can dramatically reduce the need for business travel. Staff members have more time to devote to their work, instead of sitting in airplanes, taxis, restaurants and hotel rooms. While reducing stress for employees, the organization reduces costs and advances its “green” initiatives.

Get The Advantages of Toshiba Video Collaboration For Your Organization

On the network side…
You can get professional quality video with the communications system you probably already have. Toshiba IP business communication systems—from the Strata CIX40 for small businesses to the Strata CIX1200 for large enterprises—can all support IP-based video collaboration.

A Toshiba Strata Media Application Server (MAS) or MicroMAS—the same server that supports your voice mail, automatic call distribution and other applications—provides the behind-the-scenes intelligence for the video application as well. The video application is already on the server; you only have to activate it by license.

With up to 8 ports in a compact, table-top unit, the Strata MicroMAS makes sophisticated video communication surprisingly affordable. As video collaboration proves its merits, you can expand as needed. Each Strata MAS serves up to 32 ports in only 2U of rack space. Multiple Strata CIX nodes can be linked via Strata Net to extend the reach of video services across the enterprise.

On the user side…
You need a video camera or webcam for video input; a computer monitor, television or projector for video output; microphones for audio input; and speakers for audio output—and of course, a LAN or Internet connection.

Business-quality cameras and video displays are priced right, easy to find and easy to use. For instance, the Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 or QuickCam for Notebooks Pro can be found at most any computer products retailer.

Toshiba laptop and desktop computers running various editions of Windows XP provide smooth, clear display of streaming video with voice. The device just needs sufficient processing capacity, a video card, client software for the video application and the software to perform as an IP soft phone.

Toshiba Strata digital telephones, Strata IP telephones and SoftIPT soft phones can be used to support voice, chat and texting during collaboration sessions.

To configure and manage the system…
Administrators use the intuitive, Web-based Toshiba VCSManager to configure the video server, set profiles and quality of service (QoS) settings, monitor system use and more. All of these functions can be managed locally or remotely over the network from anywhere.

With travel costs spiraling up as technology costs decline, telecommunications-based multimedia services never looked better. Get the advantages of intuitive video collaboration for your organization.

Contact an Authorized Dealer for more information