Discover Discover, a Global TANDBERG Publication
Welcome from Andy Miller, TANDBERG CEO
 The TANDBERG customer community is filled with imaginative leaders. Across 90 countries, users are finding new applications for video and contributing to their organizations' bottom line. "Discover," a quarterly global TANDBERG publication, provides a forum for sharing these success stories and offers an opportunity for us to learn from each other's experiences.
Each quarter, stories of customers with creative projects may inspire you to implement video in new ways. Information on new services and training programs will offer you a chance to make the most of your video use. Insight into the future of video technology and TANDBERG's product development activities will help guide your planning process.
Most importantly, "Discover" also offers you an opportunity to share your experiences. We are extremely proud of our customers' accomplishments and we are looking for ways to help you shine. Please use the contact information in this newsletter to let us know how we can better serve your needs, through product development, training, or other resources.
Together, we are entering the next phase of visual communication. All of us are leveraging new technologies to make video more accessible, finding new ways to integrate with other workplace tools, and realizing new benefits from video use. It's an exciting place to be and the strength of our community ensures our success.
Andy Miller
CEO, TANDBERG
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What's New?
Innovations designed to enhance your video experience
- Stream and archive your video content
- Video your office from your mobile phone
- Collaborate in real-time
- Enhance security, reliability and scalability
TANDBERG has recently introduced a number of technology innovations, all designed to enhance your video experience.
Stream and archive your video content
TANDBERG is pleased to announce the acquisition of Ectus Ltd, a New Zealand-based company providing streaming and archiving technology. The move positions TANDBERG to be the first company to deliver "anytime, anywhere" streaming and archiving of business-quality video.
The first product resulting from the acquisition will be a streaming and archiving server tightly integrated into the TANDBERG end-to-end video solution. By combining the server with TANDBERG’s Expressway™ solution for traversing network firewalls, video users can create content from a home, remote office and even a hotel room. Already proven in distance learning environments, the solution also enables video calls to be archived for security purposes and executives to lead live Town Hall meetings for later viewing by a broader audience. For more information, please see //products/streaming_archiving.jsp.
Video your office from your mobile phone
 On July 5th, TANDBERG announced its acquisition of Ivigo, a leading provider of interactive multimedia video applications and a developer of video services for 3G mobile phones. This acquisition is an opportunity to accelerate the TANDBERG vision of providing visual communication to everyone, everywhere. The Ivigo team has developed a video gateway that, combined with TANDBERG's Expressway™ technology for traversing network firewalls, allows 3G mobile phone users to reach any group or personal video system from anywhere.
Soon, you will be able to communicate and collaborate over video from your conference room, personal workspace, at the airport, or from home with the power of the TANDBERG solution. TANDBERG will be developing a 3G gateway specifically for the enterprise market. Plans call for it to be available in Q1 of 2006. For more information, please see //products/mobility.jsp.
Collaborate in real-time
At the July 13th Wainhouse Summit, TANDBERG introduced its latest integration with Microsoft. Microsoft and TANDBERG share the vision of a fully integrated, real-time collaboration environment. We have already worked together to integrate TAA with Microsoft Exchange and we now have tight integration with Microsoft Office Live Communications Server and Office Communicator.
With the combined solution, users can launch video calls from within Microsoft Office applications, using the Communicator interface. In addition, PC users can utilize Communicator as a software video codec and connect with TANDBERG's end-to-end solution. For more information, please see //products/collaboration.jsp.
Enhance security, reliability and scalability
TANDBERG also introduced a number of new features to add to our portfolio:
- Added a redundancy, or backup, feature to the border controller, gatekeeper and management suite (TMS) that automatically routes calls if the initial call is unsuccessful, thus improving reliability and dependability.
- Added another layer of security across our entire portfolio by providing H.235 authentication — a distinct username and password - to each video-communications system. This gives organizations control over who uses their network resources. For more info on TANDBERG's complete security solution, see //products/security.jsp.
- Enhanced the growth potential, or scalability, of our infrastructure by increasing the port count to 100 simultaneous calls from 20 for our border controller and gatekeeper. This means that a single network manages fewer devices but with more capacity.
- Added the TANDBERG MPS 200, a centralized product for the small-to-medium-sized enterprise, to our multipoint portfolio. It features up to two media blades and features a capacity of up to 32 units and 32 ports.
- Expanded the Cisco CallManager Portfolio - providing a range of systems that meet every customer's requirements - by integrating the hold, transfer and conferencing features at the desktop into the TANDBERG 2000 MXP and the TANDBERG 1500 MXP. TANDBERG's full portfolio for Cisco can be found at //products/video_telephony.jsp.
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Looking for Some "Constant Care?"
TANDBERG's Service Portfolio can provide you with just that
TANDBERG's portfolio of Constant Care Services provides customers with service excellence from decision to deployment and beyond.
Delivered through our authorized partner network, Constant Care facilitates the purchase, installation and use of your visual communication systems, whether you are purchasing your first TANDBERG video units or expanding your network to include infrastructure and software products.
The portfolio consists of the following programs, offered globally: Core Services, Installation Services, Training Services, Global Deployment, Professional Services, and Finance Services.
Picking and choosing from the services that best suit your needs, you will enjoy benefits that include:
 Guaranteed investment protection, including regular software upgrades, product repairs and skilled technical support, provided through a Core Service agreement.
Guaranteed software upgrades ensure that you are benefiting from the rapid pace of TANDBERG's technology development. Through the agreement, an owner of a TANDBERG group system purchased in 2001 will have received over 450 software enhancements to date!
Launch TANDBERG's Core Services video to learn more.
- Immediate use of your systems through expert Installation, ensuring rapid return on investment
- High quality Training based on TANDBERG University's comprehensive range of courses
- Seamless implementation of visual communication solutions anywhere in the world through Global Deployment
- Expert consultancy help through Professional Services, ensuring rapid adoption and maximum utilization of your visual communication solutions
"The personalized service that Amway received through TANDBERG's Professional Services program ensured a perfect start to our visual communications experience," says Wolfgang Schwarzenberger of Amway, one of the numerous customers that have benefited from TANDBERG's Constant Care portfolio.
"With a carefully planned implementation from audit to training, TANDBERG's product expert made sure that we were able to start using our MCU and TMS systems straight away, meaning that we have been able to make the most of our investment. In addition, our in-house resources are now fully equipped with the necessary knowledge to manage the systems."
Make sure you get the full benefit of a service agreement. Register your system(s) with TANDBERG online or by returning the registration card shipped with the products.
For more information on how Constant Care can meet your company's needs, contact constantcare@tandberg.com — for customers in EMEA and APAC, constantcare@tandberg.com — for customers in the Americas, or see //services/index.jsp
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 Behind the Scenes
Q&A with TANDBERG thought leaders
Each quarter, "Discover" will interview one of our key staff members. In this issue, Hakon Dahle, TANDBERG's Chief Technologist, offers some insight into TANDBERG's technology organization and the future of video use.
What are your team's responsibilities?
The office of the Chief Technologist is responsible for determining the long-range technical direction of the company. We manage the technology side of M&A activities and we identify and coordinate work with strategic partners such as Cisco, Microsoft, and Smart.
How were you involved with acquisitions such as Ridgeway and Ivigo?
It usually takes a few months to research and visit companies that have the right technology. We want to make sure they are the best fit, with good technology and good corporate culture. Together with R&D we work through the technical due diligence and the intellectual property issues. Once the acquisition is completed, integrating the technologies and bringing product to market takes several months. With Ridgeway, we acquired the company in late May and we released our Expressway product in January - a quick turnaround in only seven months - including testing and verification.
How do the technology teams within TANDBERG use video to get their jobs done?
I use video every day to meet with my coworkers around the world.
A great example of how a group is using TANDBERG technology is our R&D team. They have a "virtual watercooler," which is a permanent multipoint conference they call "Hackers Corner."
Imagine someone can be in the middle of working on something and has a question. They can pop their head up to ask, "Does anyone know this?" People can answer even from multiple locations. It's like working in an office with windows for walls. Of course, sometimes you want to close the shades and you can. No one will be offended if you disconnect or turn the camera away when you need to. This setup can work particularly well for software development teams that are in different locations - we have a number of clients that use this technology for exactly that.
How do you integrate what you hear at a customer meeting into the product development process?
Whenever we visit with key customers we share our product roadmap and get feedback. We may meet with their CTO, the people leading the project, sometimes the CEO, and some of the end-users. We do a lot of listening and learning. If we hear from customers that maybe our idea is not quite what they need - and that does happen - we try to integrate what they say into our development process. This happened with encryption, for example. That feature came out of a discussion we had with an aerospace customer.
How much of your time are you on the road?
I've been traveling to customer meetings, sales kickoffs, strategic partners, and other TANDBERG offices. I spend a lot of time in airports and hotels.
This week I spent 70 hours on a plane! I live in both the U.S. and in Oslo, although I think during 2005 I have spent less than two months in Oslo. I have a watch with two time zones - one that's always set to Oslo time and one that I set to wherever I am - and that helps me adjust.
How have advances in video technology changed the industry?
Ten years ago, visual communications was connecting two meeting rooms over ISDN or leased lines. Today, the visual communications landscape is much more diverse - with the availability of IP networks and wireless technologies driving the growth.
Lots of different devices are used - 3G phones, PCs, desktop video phones, set-tops and group systems, and portable systems. And, they operate on different networks (ISDN - IP - Satellite - 3G) and different protocols (H.320 - H.323 - SIP in multiple flavors - H.324M). Clearly the field of visual communications is becoming more complex every day. We focus on being able to connect any device on any network using any protocol - and doing this better than anyone else in this industry.
What new video innovations do you see coming our way?
I think mobility is going to be huge. Recently, we had a multipoint call with me in a hotel in South Africa on my 3G phone, TAA's EVP in Oregon, our CMO in Reston, our EMEA President in Oslo, and APAC President in a hotel in Korea on a 150. This will happen more and more as 3G and 4G networks become a reality.
As video gets more into digital signage and kiosk applications, we'll see a lot more personalization. The content you receive and your features and settings will all relate to you.
A lot of the most interesting uses are going to come from niche vertical applications. We'll see more ruggedization for devices used by police and fire departments, for example. Or, on campuses or office buildings, instead of alarm phones, we'll see more interactive video surveillance.
Whether it's one-on-one or multipoint applications, it is clear that video is going to be used very differently from any regular phone call.
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Setting the Pace for Technology Advancement
Spotlight on TANDBERG customer Vodafone
Vodafone, a network operator active in more than 29 countries, represents superior expertise in mobile telephony. Innovation is the key to its corporate culture. Vodafone helped develop and introduce Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology, and as early as 2002 the Group started a mobile portal — called Vodafone Live! — allowing access to the interactive multimedia world anytime, anywhere. Vodafone was also the first operator, in February 2004, to launch UMTS commercially. The company's success story is also reflected in its turnover. Among network operators, Vodafone has a leading position worldwide.
"Thanks to our employees, we are flexible and fast when it comes to establishing new technology in the market," says Dr. Armin Hessler, Director of Global Web Enablement at Vodafone. "Our customers expect advanced technology from us along with service to match. Naturally, we also have the same attitude towards our business partners: We like to be able to rely on our partners."
"It's the quality that counts"
Vodafone has been using video communication systems for many years. "Since we are always setting trends with the services we offer, extending far beyond mobile telephony, we were quick to welcome video communication," recalls Dr. Hessler. "However, our initial euphoria soon faded. The quality of transmission and the user-friendliness of the systems initially left something to be desired."
In 2004 Vodafone began a comprehensive offensive to use video communication systems internally. First, accurate statistics were compiled throughout the company and audits were carried out. Systems from different providers were then road tested in pilot studies.
"Ultimately, it is the quality of the video systems that counts," explains Dr. Hessler. "We were convinced by a number of features on the TANDBERG systems, including their reliability and user-friendliness."
Since 2004, Vodafone has replaced all its systems worldwide with new TANDBERG systems. The systems installed in medium and large conference rooms are now in use much of the day, garnering positive reviews. But internal studies show that Vodafone employees are particularly pleased with TANDBERG's office systems - those designed for video meetings of two to four people. Video calls of this kind are connected within two seconds and are of excellent audio quality.
In-house standards established for video communication
 In Vodafone's certified video communication rooms, users find information columns created in collaboration with the company's marketing department. These columns make visual communication easy by providing all the information that users may need to set up a conference. Clearly and descriptively, the columns provide ISDN and IP numbers as well as suggested rules of conduct (like switching the microphone on and off and positioning the camera ideally). Feedback sheets enable employees to communicate both positive and negative experiences immediately. "We never settle for what we have achieved," explains Dr. Hessler. "We're always aiming to improve. This also applies to the implementation of our videoconferencing systems."
The information columns, of which there are currently 50 worldwide, have helped Vodafone establish an internal standard for video communications. "We would like to convey to our employees that they are in a certified videoconference room equipped with ultra-modern technology, and that the entire room was optimally outfitted to meet the needs of the user," comments Dr. Hessler.
In addition to the group systems, numerous single systems, such as the TANDBERG 1500 MXP and the TANDBERG 1000 MXP, are also in use at Vodafone, particularly at senior management levels.
Training ensures smooth introduction of video technology
Technical support has simplified the introduction of videoconferencing technology at Vodafone. Supported by excellent hardware, technical support services are available from TANDBERG in various combinations.
Equipped for the future with first-class infrastructure
Vodafone realized early on that transmission via Internet protocol has clear advantages over conventional ISDN technology, and the configuration of an appropriate infrastructure was forcefully pursued. Products such as the TANDBERG MPS and the TANDBERG MCU help in controlling a number of simultaneous conferences; the TANDBERG Management Suite (TMS), a web-based application for administrators, now simplifies the administration, maintenance and planning of the entire video network at Vodafone. In order to facilitate video communication via IP through existing firewalls, Vodafone also invested in the TANDBERG Expressway solution. "This bridging of firewalls is crucial to us at Vodafone, as we want an open communications system that takes all security requirements into account," explains Dr. Hessler.
However, Vodafone would not be Vodafone if the company didn't think one step ahead. Therefore, its next step will be the connection between UMTS mobile telephony and video communication. A 3G Gateway developed by TANDBERG is an important component in this concept, allowing seamless integration of IP infrastructure and 3G mobile networks. In the future, therefore, video communication may graduate from its current in-house role at Vodafone to a broader role that actually generates income.
Visual communication eases global project work
Close contact between employees is of critical importance for a company with a global presence. At Vodafone, many project teams are composed of employees based in different countries. The members of such project teams used to have to travel frequently. "The decision to use video meeting systems has benefited our employees' quality of life," says Dr. Hessler. "Instead of spending the evening waiting at the airport for a flight home after a meeting, they can go home and spend time with their families."
Vodafone's skills centres in Newbury, Düsseldorf, Milan and Lisbon are all major users of video communication. Increasingly, so too are the company's many international subsidiaries. "Of course, visual communication does not replace a face-to-face meeting 100 percent, but by transmitting gestures and facial expressions so clearly, it does come very close," says Dr. Hessler.
Costly time-consuming travel is reduced
Visual communication is now expected to become a true alternative to travel among Vodafone's many sites.
"Prior to the introduction of videoconferencing systems, a business case was created," says Dr. Hessler. "From this we predicted that the travel costs of our company in the next three years would fall globally by around 30 percent. After just one year, the acquisition costs for the systems have already been recouped."
And in TANDBERG, he adds, Vodafone has found a true partner. "The Norwegian company is not only a renowned manufacturer of superior video communication systems, but also a customer-oriented company providing excellent service."
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Implemented Video in a Unique Way?
These award programs give you a chance to shine
The TANDBERG customer community is full of individuals and organizations who demonstrate leadership and creativity in technology implementation. These award programs recognize your success in achieving Return on Investment, designing unique applications, and realizing the benefits of visual communication. Bookmark these pages - it's never too early to start planning for next year!
We are happy to help with nominations and the award application process. Please let us know if you are interested in applying. Contact discover@tandberg.com.
InfoWorld 100
Honors 100 organizations that use technology in creative ways in order to meet their business goals. This award, judged by the editorial staff of InfoWorld magazine, offers a great way to demonstrate your use of multiple collaboration tools. Open to all types of organizations from around the world. More information at www.infoworld.com/awards/.
The Tech Museum Awards
Honors those who are "applying technology to profoundly improve the human condition in the categories of education, equality, environment, health, and economic development." Individuals, for-profit companies, and not-for-profit organizations from all over the world are eligible to apply. More information at www.techawards.thetech.org.
Best Use of Technology Award
Part of the National Business Awards program, this award is presented to the organization that can "best demonstrate that it has effectively used business technology to create a significant and exploitable competitive or operational advantage in any business area including revenue, improved quality and/or customer convenience." Any enterprise with an office in the United Kingdom is eligible for the award, regardless of headquarters location. Next year, the program will be expanded to all European entrants. More information at www.thenationalbusinessawards.com.
Ziff Davis Baseline ROI Awards
Awards program managed by Baseline magazine. The awards honor American companies whose deployments of specific information systems achieve positive bottom-line financial and business results. More information at www.baselineroi.com.
CNET Networks UK Technology Awards
Recognizes innovation, application, and excellence in technology and business for projects taking place in the U.K. Categories include Public Sector Technology Project of the Year, Financial Services Technology Project of the Year, and CIO of the Year. More information at www.cnetnetworks.co.uk/awards/.
CIO 100
CIO Asia's CIO 100 program highlights companies in the region that "have used technology to derive the highest strategic value and yielded the greatest returns for their businesses." More information at www.cio-asia.com.
ACT Intergovernmental Solutions Awards
Recognizes government programs that utilize emerging technologies in innovative ways, involve intergovernmental activities, are transferable, create organizational change, and demonstrate sustainable, measurable results. They are open to U.S. Federal agencies and state and local governments. More information at www.actgov.com.
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