NEWS Q1 2012

Strange New Allies

Skype'ing has become a completely ubiquitous verb/noun combination to describe what we use to call videoconferencing. A much needed retail piece of common language like texting, or googling that replaces the confusion we created with videoconferencing, video presence, immerse virtual parallel co-concurrent collaborative space. God spare us from our addiction to buzz words. For years the explanation that Skype is bad, and videoconferencing is good was good enough, now it is time to embrace the enemy.

Technology has recently allowed for hybrid bridging to connect a remote Skype user into a traditional corporate videoconference with standard H.323 equipment as well as faster telepresence facilities,  standard audio only participants pretty much anyone that needs to participate is invited.

• Skype users can share video without reducing the overall speed of the meeting.
  
• Skype and phone add-on users can be added on the fly.

Arrogance has always been an unfortunate aspect of our industry. We build really clever technology and demand that the marketplace meet our expectations. We create "walled gardens" of proprietary standards, and demand exorbitant fees to access what we have built. The Skype revolution was overdue. Now it is time for us to make life as inclusive as possible, and make our technology as inviting as possible.

ISDN: Is the End Near?
Since its introduction in 1984, ISDN has represented a curious mix of telephony capacity and confusion. Designed as small highly flexible, and affordable chunks of pure digital network, ISDN has always suffered as the "Rodney Dangerfield" of network. ISDN, dependent upon an always on “D Channel” shares many of the characteristics of T1, but it tends to be treated like a standard $40 phone line.

A $1500/mnth T1 deserves special handling, special rack space, and trained technicians that jump if the D Channel has a momentary loss of synch. The ISDN circuits installed 5 feet to the left get a beige biscuit for termination, and a sharpie marker for labeling, if they get labeled at all.

• Videoconferencing has suffered a reputation of poor reliability in the early days largely due to a dependence on poorly engineered, poorly installed, and usually neglected inexpensive ISDN circuits.
• Telephone companies, seldom provided much in the way of training on ISDN because of it’s rarity, and invisible contribution to the balance sheet.
• Making matters worse, videoconferencing compression typically needs 384K, requiring 3 separate ISDN circuits, each with it's own D Channel, that means triple the opportunity for trouble.
• From a Telephone Company point of view, users are constantly reporting trouble, trouble is always difficult to shoot, equipment gets blamed, trouble returns, client is unhappy. $40 monthly revenue goes quickly into the cost of support.
  

So, when you combine the high cost of trouble calls, with the non-existent revenue that ISDN BRI represents, it is hard to fault phone companies for their desire to run away from it. This represents an interesting scenario for the Public Videoconference Room industry that is still 80+ percent ISDN. On the one hand, it appears to be a major threat and on the other hand a significant opportunity.

Consider the major videoconference room owner networks, like Regus, and Federal Express (Read Kinkos) in a poor economy. The prospect of millions invested in upgrades, equipment and network has to be particularly unattractive, especially given the traditionally minor contribution that public videoconference room rentals make to their bottom line.

That means, the small independent videoconference room owner is suddenly in a better and at least more flexible position to supply services.

For those of you considering a Hi-Definition Offering, My advice is 12 months from now. There are changes in the works, marketing dollars will be spent. Demand will be higher and price will be lower. Much more on this as the landscape evolves.

Public Room Pricing:
Are You Priced Right in Your Market?
Are you leaving money on the table?
Time, and time again I see business flow to the room that is not the cheapest, not even the closest, but the room that has the nicest room photograph visible at www.Zhaa.com
Especially when it comes to corporate meetings, the decision maker is highly motivated to deliver a positive experience with the facility, and they are comforted by a very professional presentation, and that requires a quality well - lit photograph. As opposed to a broker making a decision for the client, which room will get the booking, we allow the client to browse, compare and book the room that best suites their needs.
If the client needs a recommendation, we have "The Wizard of Zhaa" that will take several weighted items in to account and make a best recommendation. Still the client can take that recommendation, or decide to go another direction. If you are receiving this email, you may want to try the Wizard for your self, and see where your room lands in the recommendation. All you need is a zip code to test this. If you need help, please request an evaluation and we can email you a tool to compare, price and presentation in your market Place.

Favorite Rooms:
Does Your Room Broker Play Favorites?
Are you getting black-listed for poor behavior by your regular Room Broker?
Rewards, in the form of frequent bookings are often provided rooms that demonstrate an eagerness to comply, or adapt to the demands of the Room Broker. Broker demands include conforming to a maximum or uniform pricing model. That is going to become more demanding soon.

DO IT YOUR SELF!
Responding to requests and changes that we see in the industry, we are expanding our offering, and support for your greater independence.

The very high visibility of StandByVideo, VideoconferenceRooms.com, Zhaa.com and all the industry relevant websites listed below deliver more eyes seeking videoconference services than any other site on the internet. That allows StandByVideo to book conferences into your rooms, and receive a Brokers Commission for the service we provide. We have learned that many of you would prefer to engage/manage the client directly, and avoid paying a Brokers Commission. In some cases the experienced client prefers the speed of the direct contact to the support of the Broker.

For you, we are announcing a change starting 1/1/2011 that will allow you to replace our 800# and contact information, with your own and eliminate the commission that we charge for bookings.
This Commission Free - Direct Listing is available for $339/year or $39/month - If you wish to change your account to this Direct Status, please give us a Call at 1-877-WhyTravel? (1-612-284-4573) or send an email to Admin@StandByVideo.com and a representative will contact you to help to set up your account.

Please keep in mind all the options that you have with StandByVideo:
You, and you alone set the price for your videoconference facilities. You can set your pricing low on a Monday, and high on Wednesday, very high on weekends, it is up to you.

The www.Zhaa.com model allows the market to dictate pricing, and the Room Owner has the controls.

Please Update your Videoconference Room Information - Click Here
If you are receiving this email, there is missing or incomplete information in your account.
Do you now offer IP?, Do you allow a 4-Hour Minimum Discount? Do you offer HD (High Definition)? Do you provide Court Reporter, Videographer or Translator Services? Do You offer Equipment, Network or Bridging Sales?

Lets get your information corrected, and get back to business!

StandByVideo, Inc.

International Videoconference Public Room Brokers
"Worlds Largest Free Database of Corporate Quality Videoconference Rooms"
P.O. Box 144
129 Main Street
Havenmakers Bld.
Louisville, NE 68037
+1-612-284-4573
Toll Free 1-877-WhyTravel?
www.StandByVideo.com
FAX YOUR INVOICE TO +01 866-738-9866

Dba:
www.PublicRoomRental.com
www.RemoteInterviews.com
www.RemoteDepositions.com
www.RentVideoconference.com
www.VideoconferenceRooms.com
www.VideoconferencingRooms.com
www.VideoconferenceInterviews.com
www.VideoconferenceDepositions.com
www.PublicVideoconferenceRooms.com
www.PublicVideoconferencingRooms.com
www.VideoconferenceRoomsAnywhere.com

1- 877-949-8728
Intnl +1 612.284.4573
e-mail: admin@standbyvideo.com