Videoconferencing: Sony Outlines Vision for Future of Videoconferencing; Audio, Video and Data Collaboration in a Network Environment - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Nov 2, 1998

Two years after its launch into the videoconferencing market as a total systems provider, Sony Electronics outlined Monday its vision for the future of videoconferencing; namely, audio, video and data collaboration in a networked environment. According to Glenn Adamo, vice president of videoconferencing for Sony Electronics, Sony will foster this vision in the coming months with its plan to add more features to its award-winning TriniCom family of videoconferencing systems.

These enhancements will better demonstrate system capabilities over a variety of networking protocols, including frame relay and ISDN, and promote collaboration. As well, Sony plans to introduce a new mid-range set-top system and its next generation high-end rollabout. Adamo said Sony will continue its support of current and new industry standards including H.263, for improved video at 128 kbps, and H.323, for video sharing over a local area network. "Sony has already laid the foundation to achieve this vision. Now it is time to act upon it," Adamo said. "We have incorporated H.323 into our desktop product, and we are aggressively working with networking and cable companies to facilitate collaboration. This year, we added an in-house software development team to try to enhance videoconferencing product interaction with other applications." According to Adamo, in order for videoconferencing to succeed in mainstream businesses, the technology must evolve from its original premise as a tool used to alleviate distance restrictions, to being an integrated part of an organization's communications needs. "To achieve widespread acceptance, the focus of videoconferencing must become more three dimensional -- from conference to collaboration," Adamo said. "Collaboration is working together, not only in the content of the specific session, but integrating this exchange into the overall workflow before and after the meeting takes place." In order for that to happen, Adamo explained, the quality of videoconferencing, including the images, sound and data exchange, must foster easy interaction. "Anyone in the organization's enterprise should be able to use the system and initiate a session with minimal training and prior set-up," Adamo said. "People should be able to collaborate whenever and wherever they want, be it as individuals working at their desktop or notebook PCs, in small groups or even in larger theater style settings." Sony Videoconferencing Since entering the U.S. videoconferencing market with TriniCom systems in December 1995, Sony's innovative products have captured numerous industry awards. Once thought of as a solution only for large businesses, Sony's advanced technologies and practical approach has made affordable videoconferencing accessible to organizations of all types and sizes. With systems sold through authorized videoconferencing resellers, Adamo said that Sony has expanded its distribution network and increased shipments of its TriniCom family of videoconferencing systems four-fold in the past year. FMI: http://sony.com/professional, or 1-800/686-SONY.