SONY AIM TO SHAKE UP VIDEOCONFERENCING MARKET

SONY have launched a new system which claims to addresses the main factors holding back further adoption of videoconferencing.
In many European markets, investment costs, cost of ownership and ease-of-use are cited as holding back the widespread adoption of videoconferencing systems. However, to get around these problems the new Sony Contact 1600 automates the administrative and operational functions associated with videoconferencing such as scheduling, booking meeting rooms, reminding participants to attend, system activation and remote management.
Eric Siereveld, Senior Manager, VideoNetworking at Sony Broadcast & Professional Europe, said: “Most organisations know that videoconferencing make excellent business sense, but until recently they have perceived most video systems to be either too expensive or too complicated to use. The Sony Contact 1600 addresses these issues and ensures that for the price of a powerful laptop, high-quality videoconferencing is possible with the most straightforward, intuitive system ever seen on the market.”
Another feature of the Sony Contact 1600 is its integration into the corporate computer network.
The new, optional Sony Smart Management Solutions software co-ordinates many of the tasks associated with managing network videoconference equipment.
In addition, the software gives corporations the flexibility to continuously monitor and diagnose the use of the equipment and physically control units via the web.