Video Collaboration Benefits

Print
PDF

Using video collaboration helps reduce travel costs, travel times and your carbon footprint when working with a geographically dispersed group of people. ARCS eResearch Collaborative Services currently supports two video conferencing systems for the Australian research community: EVO@AU and Access Grid.

Services Overview
The EVO and Access Grid video collaboration systems enable people to visually communicate from different locations. The solutions are suited to both small- and large-format online meetings between individuals or groups.  Participants can collaborate from their desktop computers or from large rooms as their needs dictate. AeRO provides customer service assistance in all areas of video and audio collaboration.

Desktop Video Collaboration
EVO, the desktop collaboration solution, was winner of the 2009 “Internet 2 IDEA Award.” Its requirements are simple. Users simply need a desktop or laptop computer, a webcam for video transmission, and a microphone and speakers or a headset for audio; also, as EVO uses Jave webstart, the user's machine must have Sun Java installed.

Group Video Collaboration
The Access Grid video collaboration system is generally more suitable for group meetings. It uses room-based installations with large-format displays, multiple video cameras and echo-cancelling sound systems.

Communication Bridges
ARCS provides a facility that bridges EVO and Access Grid connections that enables users of either product to attend the same meeting. Additionally,  an IP-based phone bridge  enables people in low-bandwidth areas or without Internet access to attend meetings via a local phone call from almost anywhere in Australia.

Video Collaboration Features
In addition to standard video conferencing, ARCS’ solutions deliver a range of features and functions to enhance collaboration and interaction. Depending on the system chosen, users can benefit from:

  • High-definition video provides superior quality and visual information
  • Private or group instant messaging and availability status (e.g., away, busy)
  • Scheduled and ad-hoc meetings with permanent virtual “rooms” for regular meetings
  • Recording and playback of meetings
  • File transfer/sharing and desktop screen sharing
  • Shared application support (whiteboard, presentation, SharedOSG, SharedRasol, etc.)
  • Support for several standard video conferencing protocols. Compatible systems include H.323 such as Polycom and Tandberg, as well as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) clients
  • An integrated gateway that allows users to join a meeting via telephone
  • Automatic time zone adjustment and multi-language support (English, French, Slovak, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish and Chinese)
  • Firewall-friendly and support for Network Address Translation (NAT)
  • Low bandwidth requirements;
  • Security-enabled (video/audio) encryption
  • Password-protected "rooms”
  • High-definition video solutions compatible with Linux, Mac and Windows-based systems.

Advantages of ARCS' Video Collaboration Solutions
Flexibility – EVO, the desktop video collaboration service, enables users to speak one-on-one or in many-site connections. The software runs on average desktops and laptops – turning them into valuable collaboration systems.

Access Grid, the group video collaboration service, enables meeting participants to conduct large-scale virtual meetings. Access Grid allows users to enjoy big displays, multiple camera feeds and group-to-group communication. It also permits people to share data and applications. It is highly recommended that Access Grid nodes particpate in our Quality Assurance program. In addition, assistance can be provided on hardware recommendations, in addition to user support and training.

Reduction of travel time and expenses – Both EVO and Access Grid enable users to communicate with colleagues across the country to reduce the need for travel.

Convenient conferencing – The EVO and Access Grid systems can interface with each other, as well as H.323 or SIP teleconference systems. For example, a single user may be running EVO on a laptop while having a meeting with a roomful of colleagues across the country who are in a venue furnished with Access Grid or suitable Tandberg/Polycom (H.323-based) system.

Minimal cost – EVO is free to download and video conference calls use standard Internet connections. Access Grid also is free to download and use – but requires higher speed Internet access. Telephone conferencing is the cost of a local call for all capital cities (except Darwin) and most regional centres, making the system very cost effective.