VirtuaLync is an internet-based service designed for businesses that have invested in both conventional, high-end video conferencing facilities and Microsoft Lync, but are unable to bring them together in a seamless environment.
According to the analyst firm Ovum, last year 45% of European enterprises indicated that they would be extending deployment of Lync services. In the US, 70% of Fortune 500 companies say they are currently using Lync. However, many of these organisations have also invested in corporate video conferencing facilities. Says Dan Tanel, BCS Global chief technology officer (CTO): “Typically, each of these two platforms have been sold to a different parts of the same business, making it difficult for the customer to deliver a simple high quality user experience. The vendors have not helped the situation as they position costly solutions to connect the worlds together. This is where BCS can add value through a cost effective subscription based model connecting customers' Lync deployments or Office 365 to traditional video conferencing endpoints.”
The launch of VirtuaLync follows extensive field testing with excellent feedback from clients. The initial release enables Lync users to ‘meet’ boardroom video conference participants in the cloud with future releases that will support point-to-point calling.
“Video conferencing technology continues to evolve to the desktop and mobile devices There is still a strong need for the more formal style of video conferencing and businesses must continue to draw value from their investments in these systems. However if individuals in disparate locations can also join the call on their own devices, then the result will be more productive meetings, faster decision-making and enhanced overall communication,” concludes Tanel.