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18 technology


Video conferencing – It just works ... finally


In my early twenties I was seduced, on a weekly basis, by the excitement that lay ahead in the nightclubs on offer at the time, writes Kevin Wilson of AuDeo Systems


So, revved up by this excitement and convincing myself “it will be better this week”, I presented myself to the doorman in my best clobber and sweetest smelling cologne, handed over a large percentage of my weekly wages and made my entrance. I was greeted with a deafening thump, which, I am convinced, has ruined my hearing and an unwelcoming queue for the bar where, for an unreasonable cost, I could purchase a watered-down version of the drink I rather fancied. Very soon, after being unable to converse with anyone and use my well-rehearsed chat-up lines, I was on my way home again, sober and somewhat poorer than when I went in.


I have been in the video conferencing industry for nearly 20 years and my nightclub experience is very similar to my video conference experience. For many years I have tried hard to sell a product that was difficult to use, expensive and largely unreliable. The expectation of productivity, efficiency, cost savings and a wonderful work/life balance, I am embarrassed to say – remained largely unfulfilled.


caller ID, I can choose to take the call or not. And the important thing is – it just works. The global telephony providers sort out the rules of engagement, we don’t need to worry and the handset providers only need to provide the bare minimum of functionality regarding the “phone” element. The mobile handset is far more than just a phone but can only make a call if there is a connection and a service provider.


Now, thanks to changes in technology and delivery, we can come good on those promises and live happily ever after – maybe. Well, you have heard the story of the boy who cried wolf? Companies just don’t believe you when you say “It just works, it’s easy, it’s great value for money, it’s easy to expand and deploy”, because they’ve heard it all before and I sympathise.


But, like all good evangelists, I believe in what I’m saying, I believe in the technology and moreover I believe that in the future we will all video conference as part of our everyday business and personal lives; the kids are already doing it.


Plus, as an old timer that I am, I feel it my responsibility to help create the workplace that our future employees will want, demand and need. So here goes ...


We are all comfortable with technology these days, especially telephones. Whether it be landline or mobile, we can dial a number and connect to another person somewhere around the world. No advanced scheduling, no complex dial plans, just a simple number connected to a simple point. If that point is a company, I can be put on hold, transferred or even be allowed to leave a recorded message. On many phones a missed call will also appear. With


What I have just described is the “nirvana” of video conferencing that we haven’t delivered. It is this lack of delivery that has often relegated the video conferencing equipment to the gadget scrap heap or left in the corner of a meeting room to gather dust ... but wait, it’s true, you don’t have to believe me I can prove it this time.


The founders of a relatively unknown British company, StarLeaf, are pioneers in the video conferencing industry. Their knowledge, skill and expertise has allowed them to design a family of solutions, fully integrated with their own cloud service that works just like the telephony network we all know and love and they are taking the market by storm.


They are beating the giants of the industry like Cisco, Polycom and Avaya and I predict will be a major player in this industry within three years.


My company has partnered with StarLeaf and fully believe it’s the best decision we’ve ever made. It delivers on all the hopes and promises we have given over the years. AuDeo has invested in the partnership and is now incredibly busy showing and demonstrating the solutions to a wide range of users and customers. Whether you are a “video conferencing virgin” or a seasoned (or cynical) campaigner, the StarLeaf solution could deliver you the returns you’ve always dreamed of.


It's video, it's visual, you’ve got to see it ... have a demonstration and see for yourself.


Details: Kevin Wilson kevin.wilson@audeo.co.uk 0843-659-6860 www.audeo.co.uk


www.businessmag.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – SEPTEMBER 2015


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