by PGH Networks | | Blog
Aged care provider Feros Care has seen a quick return on its investment in a new video conferencing suite, estimating that its new solution has paid for itself in 13 months mainly through a reduction in travel and accommodation expenses for care staff.
Feros Care, which is also providing telehealth services over its new LifeSize system, predicts that when multi-party conferences, desktop-to-desktop and mobile-to-desktop conferences are included, the system will have paid itself off within three to six months.
The company, which provides residential, day and respite care as well in-home respite and community care services in Queensland and NSW, is also now able to offer an easy way for its residential clients to video conference with family and friends through Skype.
While many companies offering proprietary systems disapprove of Skype, the capability to interact with it was one of the main reasons Feros Care chose the LifeSize suite in the first place.
Last year, Feros Care purchased seven LifeSize room-based systems and a LifeSize Passport device, which allows users to make point to point video conferences from anywhere.
Feros Care also bought 100 licences to LifeSize’s ClearSee system, which lets remote working staff to dial into the room-based units from their laptops or mobile devices.
Feros Care’s IT and communications manager Glenn Payne told an analysts’ briefing recently that while staff communications was a major reason for purchasing a dedicated video conferencing system, the organisation also wanted to explore the use of telehealth for better resident and client care.
Mr Payne said that before introducing video conferencing, Feros Care was trying to run a centralised business without using centralised collaborative tools.
“We would spend a lot of time hiring venues and going to meetings as we don’t have a traditional office structure,” Mr Payne said. “We only have six offices and we have a lot of staff who work from home. What that means for Feros Care was that we weren’t getting that communication out to staff. They were very isolated out there and they weren’t feeling a part of the organisation.”
The not-for-profit was spending large amounts of money in accommodation and travel costs for staff coming in for monthly meetings, as well as when new staff were being interviewed and recruited.
Mr Payne said the organisation decided it needed to invest in using video conferencing to communicate with staff, but also to investigate telehealth applications, particularly through some of the trials that the former federal government was funding for the NBN.
Thirteen months later, Mr Payne said the use of video conferencing had changed pretty much everything Feros Care does in terms of procedures and processes. “We don’t have to have staff meetings where everyone has to come in. We do them all by VC.”
He said the company estimated it would need to be doing 18 site-to-site conferences every month – which have an average cost of $403.22 – to achieve its forecast return on investment, but staff have taken to the technology so well that they are doing about 60 site-to-site VCs a month.
“What that doesn’t include is our desktop-to-desktop VCs,” he said. “We have now just about chalked up 7000 desktop-to-desktop video conferences, and it has changed the way we work.”
In addition to using it for staff communication, Feros Care is undertaking two federally funded trials, one of which was funded under the NBN-enabled Telehealth Pilots Program and which is due to report next year.
Called the My Health Clinic at Home project and aimed at seniors with chronic illnesses living in Coffs Harbour, this $2.8 million pilot is looking at new ways to use the NBN in healthcare. It involves using a touchscreen device with in-built video camera and peripheral devices to monitor health and wellness at home.
The trial includes in-home monitoring of vital signs and general wellness., self-management education about health conditions and in-home video conferencing with doctors, nurses and friends and family.
“We now have over 100 tablets in people’s homes that we are now managing via one telehealth nurse back in Coolangatta,” Mr Payne said. “Every day we have interaction with these clients ajd they seem to love it. A lot of these people are home ridden and can’t get out so it helps with the social isolation.”
One of the aims of the project is to see if it is financially sustainable in the long term. While the results won’t be released until next year, Mr Payne said Feros Care’s statistics are showing that it is a viable solution simply in terms of time saved for nurses having to travel to each home.
The other project is called the Technology Enabled Multidisciplinary Care Advisory Service (TEMCAS) pilot, which is using wireless and high-definition devices at three of Feros Care’s residential aged care facilities in northern NSW. The devices are not only allowing residents to do bedside video consultations with a nurse and a remote doctor, but also to Skype with family and friends.
“Thirteen months ago we wouldn’t have been able to go for those tenders and would have been relying on third parties,” Mr Payne said. “It is now being adapted into our everyday business. With our staff, there is a new word now that we use which is ClearSee, as in ‘I’ll ClearSee you’. There is a whole new language that is coming out with this.
“We’ve also got some new business down in Tasmania because of the NBN. As we don’t have a care manager in Tasmania, we are actually running a care manager from Victoria all via video conferencing and that wouldn’t have been possible for us 12 months ago.”
LifeSize’s country manager for Australia and New Zealand, Gerry Forsythe, said that while video conferencing works perfectly well over ADSL2+, a lot more will be possible with high-speed broadband.
Mr Forsythe said he believed telehealth would really come to the fore when clinicians were able to transfer patient records and images immediately.
Feros Care was one of several aged and community care organisations that were using LifeSize’s products. Others include RSL LifeCare and the Salvation Army, along with Bendigo Health and Mater Health Services North Queensland.
Mr Forsythe said one of LifeSize’s partners was also talking with a not-for-profit that helps visually impaired people. LifeSize is able to record video conferences, and it also integrates with Microsoft’s Lync, which has capabilities for the visually impaired built in.
LifeSize’s international vice president, Andreas Wienold, said the company was also very keen on WebRTC, the browser-based standard for real-time communications that is stirring a lot of interest in the telehealth community.
LifeSize has created a WebRTC app for those wanting to try out the new technology, which allows users to make video calls through a web camera and internet connection.
by PGH Networks | | Blog
The LifeSize Unity Series combines best-in-class HD video, audio and presentation capabilities in a brilliantly optimized, integrated solution. Everything you need to conduct a high quality HD video conference comes packaged within the sleek, all-in-one solution, which is simple to deploy and intuitive to use. With a choice of solutions that help facilitate effective collaboration sessions for anyone, in any size meeting room, the LifeSize Unity Series comprises the LifeSize Unity 50 (24” display), the LifeSize Unity 500 (40” display), the LifeSize Unity 1000 (single 55” display) and the LifeSize Unity 2000 (dual 55” displays).
Featuring name-based dialing, presence and search, the LifeSize Unity solutions ensure enthusiastic adoption of video conferencing through an intuitive, easy-to-use experience. Spend your valuable time collaborating, rather than learning complicated menus and commands.
LifeSize Unity Series offers HD video conferencing, crystal-clear audio-only calls and optimized presentation features so you can build stronger relationships with customers, partners and colleagues.
LifeSize Unity solutions were built with simplicity in mind. Each system can be set up by anyone with no IT assistance.
Each LifeSize Unity solution is easy to order and comes complete with everything you need to operate it, helping you eliminate the time spent trying to figure out which components to order and ensuring global consistency of your video conferencing deployment.
Because all LifeSize Unity solutions offer a fully integrated HD video, audio and presentation solution, which can be easily moved around for use in different rooms within your organization, your investment in your video conferencing solution will be significantly less than average. And with minimal IT support and facilities resources required, the LifeSize Unity solution offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional telepresence systems.
Comparison Table
| Features |
LifeSize Unity 50 |
LifeSize Unity 500 |
LifeSize Unity 1000 |
LifeSize Unity 2000 |
| Setting |
Ideal for executive offices, small workspaces, home offices |
Ideal for executive offices and small meeting rooms |
Ideal for large meeting spaces |
Ideal for boardrooms and large conference rooms |
| Display |
1080p HD 24″ LED-LCD display |
1080p 40″ high-contrast edge-lit LED HD display |
Single 1080p 55″ high-contrast edge-lit LED HD display |
Twin 1080p 55″ high-contrast edge-lit LED HD displays |
| Audio |
High-performance, high-output speakers for rich, crystal-clear audio |
Active, professional-studio-grade loudspeaker system |
Active, professional-studio-grade loudspeaker system |
Active, professional-studio-grade loudspeaker system |
HD
Resolution |
True HD quality 720p30 |
Full HD quality 1920x1080p30; 1280x720p60 |
Full HD quality 1920x1080p30; 1280x720p60 |
Full HD quality 1920x1080p30; 1280x720p60 |
| System |
LifeSize Passport |
LifeSize Express 220 |
LifeSize Express 220 or LifeSize Room 220 |
LifeSize Express 220 or LifeSize Room 220 |
| Phone |
N/A |
LifeSize Phone,2nd Generation |
LifeSize Phone,2nd Generation |
LifeSize Phone,2nd Generation |
| Assembly |
Two cables to plug in |
Set up by anyone; no IT assistance required |
Set up by anyone; no IT assistance required |
Set up by anyone; no IT assistance required |
LifeSize Virtual Link
LifeSize Virtual Link enables you to share content from your computer during HD video calls without the need for a wired connection.Traditional data sharing during an HD video call is enabled over a DVI cable connection to your desktop or laptop. With LifeSize Virtual Link, you can share data during your HD video call from any LifeSize Unity 50, LifeSize Passport, LifeSize Passport Connect and LGExecutive, powered by LifeSize, without the interruption of swapping out DVI cables during your call.Any LifeSize user with a Windows PC or Mac can download the free LifeSize Virtual Link application and seamlessly share his or her desktop with remote participants through video calls from the LifeSize Unity 50, LifeSize Passport, LifeSize Passport Connect or LGExecutive, powered by LifeSize. The presenters do not even have to be in the same room as the video endpoint in order to share content over the network.
Simply complete the LifeSize Virtual Link Download form below to access your free download.
LifeSize Virtual Link’s clean and simple UI allows you to search for endpoints on your network and organize your favorites for recurring meetings. You can even view the status of each endpoint before starting your presentation.
[su_youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq8OlEiceaE”]
by PGH Networks | | Blog
About the Passport Series
The LifeSize Passport series of solutions brings the highest quality in HD video conferencing to the palm of your hand. Ideal for individual offices, teleworkers and collaboration rooms, LifeSize Passport solutions enable you to stay connected anywhere, anytime. Easy to set up, connect and use, LifeSize Passport solutions have users communicating face to face with their colleagues, partners and customers who are also using LifeSize solutions.
LifeSize Passport’s small form factor makes it the ideal True HD video conferencing system for the small meeting room or personal or home office. You can deploy video conferencing capabilities on a large scale to your employees who are working from remote offices at minimal expense. And with Skype™ interoperability, people worldwide on Skype will now be accessible from the LifeSize Passport directory, letting you connect to them with just one click. Collaborate via high quality, reliable video from any LifeSize Passport to any Skype-enabled PC and connect over audio to any mobile devices running Skype.
With LifeSize Passport you get true HD video quality—720p30—for natural, realistic interactions at only 1 Mbps over any Internet connection.
LifeSize Passport offers the flexibility of anywhere access in the palm of your hand. Natural, realistic interactions can occur over any Internet connection, and data, presentations and other content can be shared via LifeSize Virtual Link. Users can easily record and replay video messages via LifeSize UVC Video Center.
LifeSize Passport is qualified by Skype™ to work on the Skype platform. Individual offices, teleworkers and small to medium-sized businesses can stay connected easily with anyone using Skype around the world. People worldwide on Skype will now be accessible from the LifeSize Passport directory, letting you connect with just one click. Collaborate via high quality, reliable video and audio from LifeSize Passport to any Skype-enabled PC or Mac. Scalable and ready to grow with an organization as the need arises, LifeSize Passport is officially Microsoft® qualified with Microsoft® Office Communications Server 2007 R2™ and fully interoperable with Microsoft® Lync™. LifeSize Passport has also received official Avaya® DevConnect Tested status, confirming that the solution offers comprehensive support for any and all Avaya Aura devices and infrastructure.
LifeSize Passport Connect
The LifeSize Passport Connect is a revolutionary HD video system optimized for cloud-based solutions. Shattering price barriers to broad adoption, it vastly simplifies deployment and user experience, minimizing total cost of ownership. LifeSize Passport Connect accelerates universal video collaboration and is ideal for telecommuters and remote offices.
The LifeSize Passport Connect is the first HD video system designed to work with cloud-based solutions, like LifeSize Connections, to provide seamless, real-time collaboration from the desktop to the meeting room. Together with LifeSize Connections, the LifeSize Passport Connect delivers a cloud-optimized video collaboration experience that keeps teleworkers and remote offices connected with meeting rooms in a simple-to-use, simple-to-deploy video collaboration solution.
The LifeSize Passport Connect is easy to set up, with only four cables to connect, and features auto-provisioning and seamless firewall traversal to promote rapid deployment.
The LifeSize Passport Connect user interface is intuitively designed with simple name-based dialing and search functionality, enabling instant communication for broad adoption.
LifeSize and Logitech collaborate to offer best-in-class camera technology with the highest quality HD video.
LGExecutive, powered by LifeSize
LGExecutive, powered by LifeSize, combines LifeSize HD video communications technology with an LG® monitor designed to maximize productivity, resulting in a video conferencing solution that is smart, simple and streamlined.
The LGExecutive brings the quality you’ve come to expect from a LifeSize HD video conferencing solution to a streamlined, simple, single unit that won’t take up any additional real estate in your office. Striving for display quality that matched LifeSize’s industry-leading video conferencing standards, LifeSize chose a 24-inch LG monitor that offers natural interaction right at your desk.
Enjoy an immersive HD video communications experience from your desk with a simple deployment—plug in a few cables and you are ready to go. The LGExecutive combines a video endpoint, camera, microphone and display to seamlessly connect with your existing video conferencing systems at the click of a mouse.
For executives and employees who need a system that will adjust to their needs, the LGExecutive streamlines daily activities like never before. Users can participate in an HD video call with colleagues, share presentations and data via LifeSize Virtual Link during the call, and then switch back to their PCs to finish their work. LGExecutive even transforms into a recording and playback device with LifeSize UVC Video Center when important messages must be shared both live and on demand.
The LGExecutive is interoperable with LifeSize Connections, enabling you to connect from a Mac or PC to a conference room.
LifeSize Virtual Link
LifeSize Virtual Link enables you to share content from your computer during HD video calls without the need for a wired connection.
Traditional data sharing during an HD video call is enabled over a DVI cable connection to your desktop or laptop. With LifeSize Virtual Link, you can share data during your HD video call from any LifeSize Unity 50, LifeSize Passport, LifeSize Passport Connect and LGExecutive, powered by LifeSize, without the interruption of swapping out DVI cables during your call.
Any LifeSize user with a Windows PC or Mac can download the free LifeSize Virtual Link application and seamlessly share his or her desktop with remote participants through video calls from the LifeSize Unity 50, LifeSize Passport, LifeSize Passport Connect or LGExecutive, powered by LifeSize. The presenters do not even have to be in the same room as the video endpoint in order to share content over the network.
Simply complete the LifeSize Virtual Link Download form below to access your free download.
LifeSize Virtual Link’s clean and simple UI allows you to search for endpoints on your network and organize your favorites for recurring meetings. You can even view the status of each endpoint before starting your presentation.
[su_youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxyxJvih1C8″]
by PGH Networks | | Blog
The Life Size 220 Series, including Life Size Room 220, Life Size Team 220 and Life Size Express 220, offers the next generation of full HD video communications. With scalable options that bring a high quality, user-friendly experience to individuals and organizations alike, the 220 Series has shown millions of users what video communication is meant to be.
The Life Size 220 Series boasts the highest available resolution, best motion handling and least latency on the high definition video conferencing market today. Life Size pioneered HD video communication and has never stopped innovating. Our 220 Series of video conferencing solutions offers natural, realistic interaction like you’ve never experienced over video before.
Not only does the Life Size 220 Series of products offer the highest quality video conferencing experience available, but all Life Size 220 products were designed with simplicity in mind and are intuitive to use. When interaction and data sharing must happen in real time, rest assured that a Life Size 220 product will enable collaboration simply and quickly.
All products in the Life Size 220 Series are interoperable with Microsoft® Lync™. The 220 Series is also interoperable with Life Size Connections, enabling you to connect from a Mac or PC to a meeting room or conference room.
As the pioneer of HD video communication, Life Size continues to strive to bring HD video conferencing to the mainstream. With offerings that cost roughly one-third the purchase price of competitive solutions and even more savings throughout the life cycles of the products, the Life Size 220 Series of video conferencing solutions boasts an effective return on your investment.
Life Size Room 220
The Life Size Room 220 is a Full HD video conferencing system ideal for collaborating with up to eight total participants in any size meeting room. You can see the most active four speakers at any one time or can choose to focus on the primary speaker. With options for a dual or third camera and dual display, you can view different room angles with a simple switch and view data on one display while seeing all eight participants on other display. And because the Life Size Room offers connections for additional video devices, you can use it in any working environment.
The most powerful HD video conferencing solution available, the Life Size Room 220 simply feels like being there, whether you’re in a small office or a large conference room. When paired with the Life Size Phone, codec and Camera 10X, Room 220 is the most full-featured HD video conferencing solution available today.
The Life Size Room 220 is a Full HD video conferencing system ideal for collaborating with up to eight total participants in any size meeting room. You can see the most active four speakers at any one time or can choose to focus on the primary speaker. With options for a dual or third camera and dual display, you can view different room angles with a simple switch and view data on one display while seeing all eight participants on other display. And because the Life Size Room offers connections for additional video devices, you can use it in any working environment.
The most powerful HD video conferencing solution available, the Life Size Room 220 simply feels like being there, whether you’re in a small office or a large conference room. When paired with the Life Size Phone, codec and Camera 10X, Room 220 is the most full-featured HD video conferencing solution available today.
Experience unparalleled ease of use and flexibility for work groups with dual HD display and camera support, digital input and output connections, an embedded 8-way, full HD multipoint control unit (MCU) and dual microphones.
Life Size Room 220i
The Life Size Room 220i offers the same features and benefits as the Life Size Room 220 in a secure rack-mounted hardware format. It supports HD 1080p30 video and HD 720p60 and has an embedded 8-way continuous-presence 1080p30/720p60 multipoint bridge with voice-activated switching that enables users to see four visible sites at one time. Now, you can set up your Life Size HD video conferencing solution securely in your existing rack or podium.
A total conference room solution, the Life Size Room 220i includes the rack-mounted video system, a remote control, the Life Size Camera 10x and the Life Size Phone.
The Life Size Room 220i was designed to securely fit industry-standard server racks, credenza racks or podiums, enabling fast, simple setup by system integrators.
A premium cooling system regulates the temperature for optimum performance, while locking rear input and output connectors ensure secure and reliable installation—so you never have to worry about cables coming unplugged.
The Life Size Room 220i was designed to easily integrate with custom third-party solutions, including AV equipment, helping to maximize the investment in your existing video conferencing solution.
Managing and maintaining your HD video conferencing equipment should be quick and easy. With Life Size Room 220i, you’re able to simply reset the system and quickly view the system status. Use the remote control and front IR display to swiftly manage the system—no more searching for and seeking the controls, because they’re all conveniently located on the front of the system.
Life Size Express 220
Life Size Express 220 is a Full HD video communications system that was designed to be scalable and affordable and to fit anywhere you may have a video communication need. Ideal for small working groups, teams or individual knowledge workers who want to take communication over distance to the next level, the Life Size Express 220 is a complete HD video conferencing solution.
With Life Size Express 220, you not only get full HD video quality for natural, realistic interactions at the lowest possible bandwidth, you also benefit from crisp, crystal clear data sharing and an all new digital I/O with full HD support. As with other Life Size 220 solutions, Life Size Express 220 also boasts the best motion handling and least latency on the high definition market today.
The Life Size Express 220 offers flexibility for any situation, providing support for dual high definition displays, Full HD camera and phone or microphone options.
Life Size Express 220 has received official Avaya® DevConnect Tested status, confirming that the solution offers comprehensive support for any and all Avaya Aura devices and infrastructure.
[su_youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCNFQleZnEY”]
