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Author
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Topic: Is Conferencing Usage on the Rise?
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AndyN
Wainhouse Research Posts: 345
From: Sarasota FL USA
Since: Jul 2000
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posted 07 April 2003 12:21 PM
   
In WRB V4 #15 Andrew asks, with economics and world events dictating travel cut-backs (and vendors pre-announcing lower earnings), is conferencing usage on the rise?Feel free to click on 'reply' to comment on trends you're observing in audio, video, and web conferencing usage.
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hlapointe
Member Posts: 29
From: Shawnee Mission. KS, USA
Since: Oct 2002
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posted 09 April 2003 02:49 PM
Andy, you must be in a contemplative mood or something.Videoconferencing is certainly on the rise, at least at our company. What I am not certain about is whether the effects of 9/11 or our changing corporate structure or the fact that our top management has become a video champion of sorts is a leading factor in our increased usage. I feel pretty confident that all three are contributing factors. I believe the economics of providing and operating video services is also a contributing factor. I've watched our usage jump 200% annually since 2000, my usage budget go from less than $250K in 2000 to a projected $1.5MM this year, The number of sites and rooms in our network has also doubled over that time. So... Yeah, I'd have to say the video is ON The RISE!! ------------------
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WahooWilly
Member Posts: 7
From:
Since: Apr 2003
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posted 10 April 2003 12:55 AM
Howard-OK. You have piqued my interest. Your usage is up 200% since 2000. Are you running IP or ISDN? Discuss.(does anybody remember that SNL skit). Our moderators on this board and many industry pundits would have us believe IP convergence and/or IP overlay networks are the future. I'm not so sure. Your company would seem to be a prime candidate for this move. Have you considered it ,or made the move. Discuss. I sometimes wonder if ISDN isnt getting so inexpensive and reliable that it will stem the IP need (in video). Wahoo IP: Logged |
WahooWilly
Member Posts: 7
From:
Since: Apr 2003
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posted 10 April 2003 01:29 AM
Howard-Answered my own question...saw your post in another topic forum. And as I surmised the ISDN cost and hassle factor of switching is problematic. Is your IP on your own network or a service provider? WW
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hlapointe
Member Posts: 29
From: Shawnee Mission. KS, USA
Since: Oct 2002
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posted 10 April 2003 08:04 AM
Currently our video network is all ISDN. We are in the process of moving toward IP using our own IP network primarily for calls between the U.S. and Europe. Based on what I'm seeing I believe I can cut my usage costs in half by switching my European calls to IP. In spite of what the pundits say ISDN, for us, has been relatively inexpensive ( a 384K call between, say, St. Louis, Mo and New York is less than $24.00 an hour) and has been extremely reliable. We also had some bad experiences in the early days of IP video which led us to put it on the back burner, so to speak. These three factors have led me to take a systematic, go slow approach to using IP. We are wrapping up a series of comprehensive tests including tests designed to gauge customer reaction and satisfaction. Yes, we do treat our users like real customers.This whole ISDN vs IP thing really gets me. Both are important components in the telecommunications world. We run one the the world's largest VPNs and we also make extensive use of ISDN on a global basis and in fact ISDN is a key extension of our VPN. The three keys to successfully using ISDN are the same as they are for any telecommunications system: 1) good network design, 2) efficient use of premise equipment and 3) effective management of carriers and service providers. IP: Logged |
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