[November 1, 2004]

Avaya Delivers Video Over IP to Your Desktop

BY JOHANNE TORRES

Avaya Inc. (quote - news - alert) just announced it’s going into video. The company released an IP-based video telephony (news - alert) solution that makes desktop videoconferencing (news - alert) as simple as a phone call. Avaya says the new offering integrates broadcast-quality video and office phone functionality into a single, easy-to-use interface, enabling business users to initiate videoconferences on their PC or laptop.

The new Avaya Video Telephony Solution, Desktop Edition, lets office and home-based employees, as well as remote and mobile workers, can simply log onto the business network and make video calls that can be transferred, muted, or placed on hold as you would with a phone call. Videoconferencing through your desktop can be initiated by just dialing the phone number of the person you need to reach, instead of having to search for IP numbers as with most video apps. These videoconferences can be held over broadband or wireless LAN (WLAN) connections.

"With its easy-to-use interface, affordable pricing and impressive video quality, the Avaya Video Telephony Solution makes it easier to introduce desktop videoconferencing into our company," said Peter Schwei, Charter Steel's telecommunications supervisor. "This adds a visual dimension to communications, helping us improve collaboration between our Wisconsin-based headquarters and Cleveland manufacturing plant, while reducing travel costs. It can also play a key role in the multi-year construction of a new steel mill in Cleveland, which requires daily interaction between the mill's technical staff and headquarters."

Avaya’s IP-based video offering delivers higher resolution video, offering broadcast-quality images at 30 frames per second and significantly reducing jitter and lag issues typical of Web-cam apps. Avaya is using Polycom’s ViaVideo II camera and microphone, which features an internal processor and compression algorithms that transmits continuous, clear video images without taxing a computer's performance, letting users utilize multiple apps at once, while retaining high-quality videoconferencing.

"Communicating more effectively is necessary for enterprises to remain competitive in today's global economy," said Brent Kelly, senior analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research. "By incorporating video into everyday workflow tools already on the desktop -- like a soft phone, instant messaging and presence -- enterprises can realize significant improvements in how they plan, coordinate and execute. Integrating Avaya's highly-regarded IP telephony products with Polycom's market-leading video systems gives enterprises a rich and compelling communications solution."

The Avaya Video Telephony Solution currently available and is sold by Avaya with joint marketing from the two companies. Avaya will also continue to expand its sales of Polycom conferencing products beyond North America direct sales channels to include North America indirect channels, as well as global markets.