Video or no?

If global businesses aren’t using videoconferencing to replace expensive business travel, it’s not because the tools aren’t available to them. There has been a veritable explosion of video technology over the last six months, as hardware and software vendors look to make it possible for businesses to easily and even casually incorporate video into their collaborative processes.

Much of that effort is focused on getting service providers to offer video as part of a managed service. Companies such as Cisco, Polycom, Tandberg and LifeSize are touting end-to-end video systems, while other such as IOCOM offer a software-based approach that works with any hardware end point.

Some service providers, such as BT, are reporting an uptick in sales, as businesses look to tie together far-flung locations with videoconferencing.

But if video is to become an ongoing part of the global communications and collaboration landscape, service providers are going to have to step up to what the new capabilities are for integrating desktop and mobile end points into a broader approach to collaboration.

Tandberg, which last week released its new Tandberg E20 video IP phone, is promoting what it calls “The New Way of Working” — doing more with less, supporting productivity, making greener choices — with the idea that more businesses can be engaged in using video as part of their collaboration, said Mike Roussey, product marketing manager. “It’s what companies are looking for, and the desk appliance is one way to provide access for everyone,” he said.

Service providers are beginning to embrace this approach to incorporating video into what they sell to businesses, but there is a long way to go before knowledge workers routinely sit down to either a desktop videophone or a video on their PC for the purpose of collaboration. We are just witnessing the beginning of this trend, but whether it has long legs or is a flash in the “go green, cut costs” pan remains to be seen.

E-mail me at cwilson3@telephonyonline.com.