Q&A with Tom Toperczer of Nefsis - Page 2

VSM: How is Nefsis different from competing solutions?

TT: You don’t get load-balancing, fail-over, and scalability from on-site MCUs, and video routers and gateways. Of course, VSM readers are already sold on virtualization, so I’ll mention some other differences. One big difference is multipoint HD to desktops and rooms, not just one or the other. Nefsis supports desktop and room-based audio and video peripherals. Another big difference is built-in, advanced collaboration tools. These go way beyond H.239 desktop sharing and include document sharing, including enhancements for PDF and PowerPoint files, annotation over live applications, sharing a movie file, recording a conference in standard file formats, and handouts, just to name a few.

Saving the best for last, I should mention that Nefsis does not require guaranteed bandwidth. Nefsis video coding and automated bandwidth throttling work on a per-connection basis, and provide the best video conferencing experience possible without requiring major network upgrades. IT managers that want to guarantee HD quality to boardrooms and specific desktops can do so, same as with room-based solutions, but fixed bandwidth and matching feeds-and-speeds are no longer requirements.

VSM: Should IT managers care?

TT: Yes, if not done carefully, a video conferencing application can consume way too much time and money. A good solution should address all key factors for success, including ease of use; secure accessibility for desktops and rooms, internal employees, and external customer participants; built-in collaboration tools for productive meetings; HD video quality; and low financial risk. Missing even just one of these factors may require add-ons and retrofits as more people start video conferencing.

VSM: Are there any other thoughts you’d like to share with VSM’s readers?

TT: The growing ubiquity of HD video in all walks of life is a megatrend. Add to that the increasing cost and hassle of business travel and there’s no question multipoint video conferencing will be in more demand. The historical approach, video routers and MCUs, is at an extreme disadvantage in this environment: when one runs out of ports, an expansion requires another major IT project. Today, there are strategic, virtualized service alternatives such as Nefsis with built-in scalability. An expansion is one phone call to increase a license count and plugging in a few more video peripherals at the new location, that’s it.