To further enhance its position within the unified communications (UC) industry, Siemens Enterprise (News - Alert) Communications has just unveiled OpenScape Desktop Videoconferencing as a new addition to the OpenScape UC Suite, making it less complex and more cost-effective for enterprises to be able to utilize videoconferencing on every desktop within the organization.

New, highly powerful security and management updates have also been incorporated in the updated suite in order for an easier transition for companies that are beginning to use multimedia SIP platforms based on next-generation architecture. In addition, OpenScape Desktop Videoconferencing has been seamlessly integrated with video-enabled OpenScape UC clients.

According to a press release, some of the new functions provided by this videoconferencing service include IPv6 support and SDES security, increased analog device support options for the OpenScape Session Border Controller, seamless integration within OpenScape UC Application including ad-hoc or scheduled conferences, video presence user status and one-number service for video endpoints, multi-party conference views, support for enhanced audio streams as well as high definition video and SIP interoperability with LifeSize, Polycom, Radvision and Cisco (News - Alert) endpoints.

By implementing OpenScape's architecture into business operations, it can help to lower the total cost of ownership of UCC solutions, while simultaneously providing multiple options for various types of deployment including on-premise, hybrid and cloud.

"Videoconferencing is clearly moving beyond high-end conference room systems towards ubiquitous video solutions with desktop video conferencing nearing its tipping point for widespread adoption," says Melissa Fremeijer, senior research analyst at IDC (News - Alert), in a statement. "Vendors are committed to a roadmap that offers video as part of a unified communications, presence enabled platform which enables companies to increase business productivity, accelerate decision making, bring new products and services to market more quickly, thus delivering a tangible competitive advantage."

As traditional stand-alone video systems launched by telecom vendors can only be utilized within a conference room or by certain users, OpenScape Desktop Videoconferencing is software-based and does not need any additional hardware servers, appliances or any other devices. Instead, this product enables enterprise-grade visual collaboration from every desktop with only either a web camera or laptop that comes complete with a webcam.

"By delivering OpenScape Desktop Videoconferencing as an integrated capability of the OpenScape UC Server, it's now easier and more affordable for organizations to deploy video-enabled UC across the enterprise and manage it in a centralized, cost-effective manner," said Chris Hummel, CMO and President, North America, Siemens Enterprise Communications. "Additionally, the security, management and deployment option updates we've added to OpenScape UC Suite ensure that we continue to deliver the most complete UC solution to address our customers' business needs."

OpenScape Desktop Videoconferencing is slated for a release date sometime in September 2011.

Right now at ITEXPO (News - Alert) West 2011, which is taking from place from September 13-15 and is the conference of the year for everything related to communications and technology, Siemens Enterprise Communications is a Gold Sponsor. If you are interested in highly innovative unified communications products, be sure to check out the company at Booth # 908.

Siemens Enterprise Communications is a Gold sponsor of ITEXPO West 2011. Happening now in Austin, TX, ITEXPO is the world’s premier IP communications event. Visit Siemens Enterprise Communications in booth #908. Don’t wait. Register now.   Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO… follow us on Twitter.