The Applied Learning Technologies Institute is currently evaluating several desktop video conference applications at the request of the Office of the President and the University Technology Office. The desired features of this application include the following

• easy to install and use
• software stable and mature
• high quality video
• ability to interface with existing h.323 systems
• ability to conduct multipoint conferences with audio and video
• application and document sharing

In addition, we have received requests from Colleges (business, engineering, nursing, education, CLAS), research groups (Az BioDesign, Prism) and administrative units (Student Affairs) who are interested in desktop conferencing. As a result, I have added several other features to the list of desired functionality.

• encrypted communication
• shared storage space
• instant messaging

Although desktop video conferencing applications have existed to various degrees for several years, the technology is today reaching a level of quality, reliability and usability for implementation as a viable part of the campus communications infrastructure. Attributable largely to increases in processor speed, and the development of better video and audio codecs, desktop conferencing has attained a near-production level quality of service.

Present evaluations have focused on mature commercial applications. We continue to stay abreast of the latest video collaboration technologies such as MSN, Yahoo, Google, and Skype Video, as well as others, but the scope of this evaluation centered on production-capable subset of commercial offerings. Open source solutions were also investigated, but none were sufficiently developed to ensure the required quality of service and ease of use.

Note: We have not assumed that one size fits all, although we have tried to keep an “enterprise” perspective when approaching potential solutions. In the absence of funding to deploy a central solution, the decision to adopt will remain with the department/college.

The following desktop conferencing applications have been reviewed:

• EasyshareVC
• Face-to-Face
• Marratech
• Sony/Glowpoint IVE
• Viack’s VIA3
• VRVS

The University Technology Office pilot project with Viack has concluded. At this time UTO is not centrally funding a desktop video conference solution. For more information regarding our research, please contact us directly.