LifeSize Communications, an innovator in high-definition (HD) video communications, announced on Monday that its HD video conference and telepresence solutions had been selected by one of the world’s largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions, National Geographic.

 

Under the terms of this new agreement, National Geographic will use LifeSize (News - Alert) HD video conference and telepresence solutions to connect the Society's offices and reduce the environmental impact of inter-office air travel.

 

According to National Geographic's Manager of Presentation Facilities, Eddie Dornack, they selected LifeSize because they delivered a true-to-life video experience that is an effective travel replacement.

 

"Our goal is to inspire people to care about the planet, and our environmental principles are of the upmost importance to the scores of writers, producers, editors, photographers, and staff members who make the Society what it is today. LifeSize helps us meet our operational needs in an environmentally friendly way,” explained Dornack.

 

"LifeSize is honored to be chosen by the National Geographic Society, an institution whose work is known around the world for uncompromising quality," stated Craig Malloy, CEO, LifeSize Communications. "We believe that HD video conferencing has the power to change the way people live and work, and that it can have a positive impact on the planet by reducing the energy consumption and pollution of unnecessary air travel."

 

In the past, the Society had used video conferencing systems as a way to communicate internally with colleagues in field offices, but the technology was negatively perceived around the office. The video systems were not updated and took up too much space, and the poor quality left them almost completely unused. After watching demonstrations of different video manufacturer's products, the video conferencing equipment by LifeSize became the clear solution for the Society.

 

"The quality of the LifeSize systems simply blew the other guys away, even at low bandwidths like 384k," Dornack said. "People expect Tom Brokaw, Nightly News-like calls. If it doesn't have that level of quality, no one will use it. This is like you're sitting in the same room with the person on the other side."

 

National Geographic deployed a combination of more than 15 LifeSize Room, LifeSize Team MP and LifeSize Express systems across the globe, with plans to increase the number of LifeSize endpoints over the coming months. The LifeSize Networker product was also chosenfor seamless ISDN to IP connectivity in those locations using ISDN connections.

 

"The next phase of implementation will be a set of portable systems in cases, which will be shipped to photographers and editors working on stories in remote locations. As long as they have internet connectivity, they can easily share images and data and collaborate real-time with colleagues back in the U.S. Being green is more important to us than money or travel savings, and HD video is a green technology. LifeSize was a win, win, win situation for us,” said Dornack.

 

A complete case study detailing National Geographic's implementation of LifeSize high definition video can be found at: http://www.lifesize.com/solutions/case_studies.

 

National Geographic was established in 1888 and its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The Society currently reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and six other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; school publishing and children's education programs; interactive media; and merchandise.

 

LifeSize is the first company to develop and deliver high-definition (HD) video communications products. Founded in 2003 by industry veterans and named "Videoconferencing Company of the Year" in 2007 by Videoconferencing Insight. LifeSize's solutions combine exceptional quality, user simplicity and administrator manageability to make video communications a productive, true-to-life experience. LifeSize is headquartered in Austin, Texas with subsidiaries in Europe and Asia Pacific, and a network of channel partners reaching more than 80 countries.