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.

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 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 »

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.

Do you know the carbon footprint produced by the day to day operations of your business? Would you like to know how to reduce your impact on the environment and save money at the same time? AVI-SPL and TANDBERG have partnered to provide a handy tool to help you do just that. A new Business Advantage Calculator tool will provide you with solutions that you can use to build a business case for reducing costs, cutting CO2 emissions, and improving productivity for your organization.

Today, videoconferencing technology (VTC) is more popular than ever. It is an efficient, money-saving and environmentally-friendly technology for distance communications. TANDBERG and AVI-SPL have teamed up to help you determine the right VTC solutions for your business. click here .

For a free customized analysis, click here.