The award-winning LifeSize® Express 220™ is an enhanced Full HD video communications system that is both affordable and scalable. Priced for broad deployment and uniquely flexible, the Express 220 is designed to enable companies to extend the reach of telepresence communications to any office or any size business. Ideal for small working groups, teams or individual knowledge workers who want to take communication over distance to the next level, LifeSize Express 220 has it all.

High-definition visual communications solution for conference rooms, classrooms and meeting places worldwide.

The clarity of Polycom HDX 8006 system enables users to interact over video freely and naturally, and with the HDX 8000 Series systems’ embedded multipoint and content-sharing capabilities, remote team members can quickly and easily be brought together collaborate on projects visually in this superior telepresence solution.

Key Features:

• High-definition video – Up to1920 x 1080 (1080p) video resolution or 1280 x720 (720p) resolution at 30 fps or 60 fps for excellent video quality at all data rates
• High-definition voice – Polycom Siren™ 22 and Polycom StereoSurround™ technology for powerful, superior room-filling audio performance

For media-rich group presentations, the Polycom HDX 8006 system enables users to display rich-media content and data easily, enhancing collaboration and audience participation. And utilizing Polycom HDX 8000 Series systems in tandem with Polycom’s unique People On Content™ collaboration technology allows presenters to insert their video images into projected content to explain key elements more clearly.

Click here for more product details. »

For more featured Polycom products, click here. »

In looking back, the news of an impending Cisco-TANDBERG acquisition broke on October 1, immediately shaking up the landscape of the video communications industry. After a little more than two months of negotiations, 91% of TANDBERG shareholders have now accepted Cisco’s offer, exceeding the 90% condition outlined for the deal to go through.

When the initial proposition was made, only 30% of shareholders were in favor of the $3B offer, with percentages jumping to 40% when the figures increased to approximately $3.4B in late November.

As the second largest producer of video conferencing equipment, TANDBERG has reported an increase in momentum since October, introducing new endpoints and infrastructure products. With the acquisition, Cisco will now have the leverage to successfully sell lower-cost products to a wide range of markets.

Among the industry feedback:

• “Tandberg has very strong sales partners in videoconferencing that Cisco will benefit from.” – Wainhouse Research
• “The merger of the two companies will likely create an unstoppable force…This acquisition validates that video communications is well on its way to becoming a key enterprise communications application all the way from desktop to telepresence.”  - Frost & Sullivan
• This development continues to validate that video communications is quickly becoming a critical application for companies, and is a key component of any enterprise’s Unified Communications strategy.  – Michael Brandofino, Executive Vice President of Video Communications and Unified Collaboration, AVI-SPL

What are your thoughts on the acquisition?

View AVI-SPL’s videoconferencing and audio conferencing solutions »

The financial badminton match between Cisco and TANDBERG seems to be drawing to a close. Cisco has once again revised its offer (which is now up to around $3.4B) to purchase the videoconferencing leader, placing the birdie back in TANDBERG shareholders’ court. In addition to increasing the cash offer, Cisco has also offered to increase the interest payable on the offer price to a rate of 3.00% from its previous offer of 1.75%. According to a news release by Cisco, “this revised offer represents Cisco’s final price for this transaction.”

A total of more than 30% of shareholders have pre-accepted this offer based on the new price. These, combined with the previously announced acceptances, push the total to more than 40% acceptance of the sale. The rest of TANDBERG’s shareholders have until Dec. 1 to make a final decision.

Like many others in the AV industry, we’ll be watching from the sidelines, waiting for the birdie to fall.

To read Cisco’s full release, click here.

Comments from AVI-SPL’s Mike Brandofino, executive vice president of VTC and unified collaborations:

The video industry received another jolt today with the announcement that LifeSize® is being acquired by Logitech®. The interesting thing about this move is that Logitech is traditionally viewed as a consumer products provider, issuing a clear indication that many in the business world feel video communications is nearing the tipping point for wide-scale adoption. LifeSize recently announced it added connectivity to Skype , which is a clear tie into the low-end consumer market. It isn’t too far reaching to see Logitech try to expand its offerings, moving upstream into the SMB space to provide consumers and businesses with a natural progression from low-end, low quality PC-based video to a full line of LifeSize products. Stay tuned, Polycom is the lone independent player in the space , it will be interesting to see for how long. >Click here, to read more about the acquisition. »

What are your thoughts on the Logitech-LifeSize deal?

Click here to learn more about videoconferencing from AVI-SPL. »

As the cost-saving reputation of videoconferencing (VTC) technology grows, more organizations are curious to know if they’re receiving the maximum benefit. Noted business research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan addresses concerns with a new informational video, especially designed to help you make the most of your videoconferencing investment.

The online resource breaks down the 5 assessment steps you need to take. Be sure to check out the video and ask yourself the following key questions:

• Are you measuring the current adoption rate within your organization?
• Have you determined how and when your employees are using VTC technology?
• Has your organization successfully overcome user resistance?
• Have you promoted the use of unified collaboration technology through your corporate messaging?
• What steps have you taken to expand your collaborative technology reach?

To view the video, click here ».

By Michael Brandofino
Executive Vice President of Video Communications and Unified Collaboration
AVI-SPL

And then there were two. Today’s news about Cisco’s acquisition of TANDBERG should come as no surprise to those familiar with the video communications industry. Cisco’s leap into the video space with the launch of its Telepresence platform a few years ago was a clear statement that video communications was the target of future growth for Cisco. However, it was clear that while Cisco introduced a competitive high-end system, they lacked a full range of products to compete effectively against Polycom and TANDBERG . This acquisition effectively leaves two major players who make up approximately 90% of the market with a handful of others making up the rest.

This development continues to validate that video communications is quickly becoming a critical application for companies and is a key component of any enterprise’s Unified Communications strategy. AVI-SPL is positioned well to capitalize on these developments, as we have strong relationships with both Cisco, TANDBERG and Polycom. We continue to invest in training and certifications so we can be at the forefront of technology and will help our customer navigate through the changes in the market, and the potential changes in technology stemming from the acquisition of TANDBERG by Cisco.

Click here to read more on this $3 billion acquisition. »

For featured TANDBERG products, click here. »

>For more information on videoconferencing services, click here. »

Alert! It has come to our attention that there is a computer virus named Green AV (”Green AntiVirus”) circulating on the internet. AVI-SPL in not affiliated with or affected by the Green AV hoax. All references to Green AV on any of AVI-SPL’s websites is relevant to the Green Audio Visual industry.

In his article, “Videoconferencing helps companies cut travel costs,” USA Today reporter Roger Yu profiles the cost savings being brought to law firm Lathrop & Gage. With 11 offices and 300 attorneys, Chief Information Officer Ben Weinberger estimates that he’ll only need to travel once this year to each office, versus the typical 25 times a year. He’s now relying on the six dedicated videoconference rooms set up in the main headquarters, with HD cameras, monitors and software provided by Polycom.

Substantial industry growth:

In 2008, the global videoconferencing market grew 24% to $2.4 billion, according to Roopam Jain, a technology analyst at Frost & Sullivan. The firm forecasts the market will more than double, to reach $5.7 billion by 2013.

Commentary by unified collaboration leaders TANDBERG and Polycom:

Recent tech breakthroughs have helped to loosen business customers’ purse strings, says Rick Snyder, president of TANDBERG ’s Americas operation. Internet bandwidth is more plentiful and affordable. HD cameras can cost less than $200. More sophisticated chips can compress HD images with crisper resolution. Some vendors can help clients better manage internal computer networks so that video gets priority. “The movement to HD has raised the bar,” Snyder says.

With costs falling, smaller businesses are being courted with systems that cost less than $10,000. Polycom and TANDBERG have introduced products featuring 32- to 52-inch monitors and HD cameras that can be installed in boardrooms or on PCs.

Click here to read the complete article. »

Recognition highlights outstanding customer service, ability to provide complete end-to-end video communications solutions

TAMPA, FL, June 23, 2009 – Leading audio and video communications provider AVI-SPL was recently named “Integrator of the Year” by Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM), the global leader in telepresence, video and voice communications solutions. Announced last week during the Infocomm 2009 conference and expo in Orlando, Fla., Polycom’s award recognizes AVI-SPL for outstanding customer service, highlighting the company’s ability to create innovative solutions that support the unique needs of a diverse range of markets, including the corporate, education and government sectors.

Click here to read the complete press release »

Click here to view featured Polycom products »

By Margaret Cashill | Tampa Bay Business Journal

Published on December 5, 2008

If you have only seen video teleconferencing technology in the movies, chances are you will see your image on a monitor sooner than you think.

As the economy contracts, businesses and government agencies are curtailing travel. AVI-SPL Inc. facilitates face-to-face interaction between associates in different cities by designing, installing and servicing video teleconferencing equipment and other collaborative technologies.

Click here for the complete article »