VCON is a green technology that saves on travel costs while staying connected

What are the trends that you are seeing in the converged solution
platforms?

The transition in the market has already started from early adopters to the
now widespread adoption of converged telecom. On the voice front, we see a shift
towards VoIP. We are also seeing data networks moving in the direction of voice
networks. At present the focus is on converged services especially at the
consumer level. Future convergence will not be limited to service integration
delivered by CSPs and their partners but will encompass the full spectrum of
services consumed by the user. For CSPs, convergence focuses primarily on
services and mobility. Ubiquitous technology is transforming physical
communications into Internet based virtual interactions, and the game-based
Second Life is now spreading to the corporate world. In the coming years, these
trends will accelerate due to the emergence of new models, new capabilities and
rapid innovation at the edge of convergence.

Dayal Hemrajani

How has your recent tie up with Emblaze VCON helped the business in the
slowdown?

The major area of concentration it brings is video conferencing, a product
that is cost-effective and therefore ideal for adoption in times of recession.
Besides the normal video conferencing Emblaze VCON also comes with special
interactive multi-task solutions for the growing education and training sector.
Other innovative solutions are aimed at the corporate, hospitality and BFSI
sector that are immune to recession.

Videoconferencing has not picked up as it should have. What are the
reasons?

In most of the cases the product available to the enterprises are codec
based products which limit videoconferencing to a room-based activity making it
expensive. This also restricts the usage to select few and also restricts the
company while expanding their conferencing infrastructure. SMEs have also been
slow in embracing VCON solutions in their everyday office use. They need a
single box solution which manufacturers have not been able to provide at price
points that lower the entry barrier.

Enterprises think it to be expensive. So what should be done?

Emblaze VCON will aggressively promote the shift from room-based video
conferencing to desktop-based activity. We have solutions that are a combination
of codec based endpoints and software-based clients. The HO may have the codec,
while the branch personnel will have the software client on their desktops. This
will reduce the cost and enable more people on conferencing platform.

Sunny Sen

sunnys@cybermedia.co.in