EXPERT CORNER: What to look for when investing in a Telepresence solution

You’ve identified the business need for a telepresence or video conferencing solution, but how do you distinguish between the different offerings on the market. Here are some tips.

First, identify who the key players are in the market; we work with Polycom and Avaya. The difference between vendor solutions is significant, and focuses on the quality of the application together with how these solutions can be networked and integrated with existing applications & infrastructure. But that’s not all. There are a host of other considerations including how easy the solution is to use, its features and capability, reliability, security and of course price.

So what do you look for when selecting a telepresence solution? Well, here are my top tips:

1) Delivery of a measurable ROI

The solution you invest in must deliver an ROI. If the cost benefits are small, then don’t invest too heavily. But if you can see savings will be significant, then it’s worth spending a little more.

2) The application of the solution

Make sure you’re clear how the solution will be used now and in the future. With this defined, you can identify the solution that meets your current needs and how it could deliver more value in the future by helping you innovate and grow. Understand the technology roadmap to know how you could gain greater returns in years two and three.

3) Align with your business and IT strategy

What is your business and IT strategy, when working with vendors? If you have a strategy to work with a limited number of vendors, then the solution they offer should provide the greatest levels of integration and security for your business. A trusted partner should also know your business enabling the solution to become more effective, quicker.

4) Network capabilities

When delivering video across a network, you need to ensure the network has the capability to deliver this media as intended without impacting on other business applications.

5) Implementation of the solution

Consider the physical space required for the solution and identify who will manage the project internally both during and post implementation. Make sure they are given the time to deliver it. In addition, assess the resources offered by the vendor or systems integrator in delivering this technology across your locations.