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Integrating UC Solutions to Boost Your Business [47:49]

Find out what you need to know when setting up a video conferencing solution for clients.

It's one thing to offer unified communication (UC) solutions to your customers' technology framework, but it's another to understand the "trip-ups" and "gotchas" that can crop up when actually implementing your UC & collaboration solutions. Become an expert in an area where few VARs seem to venture. Join Bill Hersh, D&H Solutions Coordinator, as he discusses UC solution strategies and implements UC solution featuring Logitech's new GROUP video conferencing system. And don't forget to stick around for the live Q&A! If you are selling Microsoft Office365™ with Skype® for Business or Lync®, Cisco WebEx™ or Jabber solutions, this is a natural-attach option for improving your customers' business while growing your business at the same time.

Resources

D&H Resources:

Downloadable Resources:

Logitech Resources:

Webcast Q&A

If the PC doesn't need a lot power, would an Intel® Compute Stick or something cheap like that work?
We recommend a more robust PC for video conferencing, typically something with a Core i5 and at least 4GB of RAM.

Is there a UC video conferencing application for the classroom?
If you are asking about a specific software application, none that I am aware of. If you are asking if video conferencing can be used in the classroom, that answer is an unequivocal 'Yes'. There are a number of well-documented scenarios where teachers are using video conferencing to greatly expand their classroom environment. You can find one of them here.

With the Skype® for Business, does the distance user need Skype® for Business? What if all they have is regular Skype®?
Skype for Business and Skype are interchangeable for viewing functionality; Skype for Business provides additional security, recording, and management capabilities that Skype does not offer.

Beyond Skype® for Business, are there any other recommendations on applications to use with these?
Logitech GROUP works with the following applications:

Skype
Skype for Business
BlueJeans
broadsoft
lifesize
vidyo
zoom
Cisco Jabber
Cisco Webex

Can you list all of the equipment that you showcased today?
Today, we showed the Logitech BCC950, the Logitech ConferenceCam Connect, Logitech GROUP, and the Intel NUC.

If adding video conferencing is so easy, why aren't more VARs doing it?
Because change is hard. When you want to contact somebody, what do you do? You either pick up a phone, send an email or send a text. Video conferencing requires some new habits. The thing is, these habits are really easy to create, but you (as the VAR) have to work with the end-user to start these habits and fix them in place. It's really no different than using IM in business, all that we've added is the face-to-face component.

If I recommend video-conferencing, why wouldn't I just recommend a web-cam for everyone?
There's no reason that you couldn't; as a matter of fact, as long as you're using headsets to limit the aggregate ambient noise, that's a great idea. That being said, one of the key values of a meeting is the collaborative value of bouncing ideas off of each other in a fairly random manner. This is easier to do in an open meeting room, as opposed to having all meetings become virtual only. For this reason, we recommend helping your customers implement huddle rooms and meeting rooms, in addition to individual single-person cameras.

What is the value of video conferencing over a phone call?
The face-to-face factor. Up to 80% of the meaning absorbed from a face-to-face communication is in body language and facial expression, with the remainder being mostly tone of voice, with a small percentage of that meaning actually coming from the words used. This is why e-mail is so much less effective than a phone call, and why a face-to-face meeting can often resolves differences and confusion caused by either e-mail/IM or telephone conversation. Video conferencing gives participants the benefits of a face-to-face meeting without the associated travel budget, reservation hassles, and loss of time. You can more info on this from our previous UC webcast: Business Collaboration: Unleash Productivity with Real-Time Communication Solutions

Besides the initial installation, what is my revenue opportunity with video conferencing?
The first opportunity is in selling video conferencing to your customers. The second opportunity is in consulting and partnering with other local VARs; this field is growing rapidly and many VARs will not take the time to build their own practices prior to getting some customer opportunities of their own. Being the local expert is a lucrative business model at times like that. The third opportunity is in training, both your customers and potentially other VARs. Video conferencing isn't difficult, but, like any other technology, there are a lot of features that will only be used once the new user is comfortable with the product. Helping customers get up to speed and become more efficient can also be a lucrative business model.

Do I have to use Office365 with Logitech video conferencing products?
No, you do not, there are a number of services that Logi UC products are certified for. We typically recommend O365 because A) there are a lot of businesses using O365 already, so it's a low-hanging opportunity and B) we are most familiar with O365 and find the value prop to be among the best for both the VAR and the end-user. If you'd like a list of other services, we'll have that with the printed Q&A once the webcast is posted on-demand.

Still Have Questions?

Feel free to contact the Solutions Lab team at solutionslab@dandh.com or contact Solutions Lab team members individually at their contact information below: