Add Video To Your IP Repertoire

For years, we've heard that's ‘it's coming.' With rising fuel costs, a global economy, and the need for accomplishing more with fewer resources, ‘it,' aka IP video conferencing, is here. Even though traditional video conferencing has been around for many years, IP video conferencing has several benefits over its predecessor that end users want and savvy VARs are learning how to deliver. Experts from four value-added distributor (VAD) companies weigh in on the latest trends surrounding this technology, and they offer advice to VARs that want to sell IP video conferencing solutions.

According to Frank Terence, category manager of vendor management at Ingram Micro, "Some people think IP video conferencing is solely about saving on travel costs, and as soon as energy costs come down, IP video conferencing sales will taper off. The fact is, not everyone has time to hop on a plane to attend a meeting in China or India." There's also the green initiative that many companies are embracing, which VARs can help address with IP video conferencing solutions. All these factors make good business sense, but one initially might wonder why traditional video conferencing is waning and IP video conferencing is taking a strong lead. "Standard resolution video is horrible to look at, and the audio quality is often poor," says Terence. "Even a low-end IP video conferencing solution offers a much better conferencing experience." According to Terence, the preference of the IP video conferencing experience is evident by the latest usage statistics. "Video conferencing is typically used only 5% to 10% of a company's work day. IP video conferencing solutions, on the other hand, are used nearly 100% throughout the day."