March 3, 2003 (Computerworld) --
Dow Chemical has nearly completed the rollout of IP videoconferencing to 500 offices worldwide using Polycom iPower units, and it plans to eliminate 125 ISDN-based systems. Chris Duncan, global leader for e-communication technology, spoke with Computerworld's Robert L. Mitchell about how the project is working out.
Why did you pursue IP videoconferencing? One reason was the reliability of ISDN. Those 125 sites were in 40 countries, and because of the questionable reliability of ISDN, it was never fully accepted beyond an executive tool. It didn't become part of the culture. We wanted to find a way to expand the endpoints, and video over IP seemed to make a lot of sense.
What's the payback? IP is significantly less money [than ISDN]. If we're going from the States to Pacific [Rim countries, it costs] probably 75% less. We're using the same bandwidth we use for everything else. We've allocated certain percentages of our [wide-area network] bandwidth to video only. It's the same pipe, but we've segmented the network. We have three-quarters of our deployment done. We're in 18 or 19 countries now.
Chris Duncan, global leader for e-communication technology at Dow Chemical
How does the quality compare with that of ISDN? We had been running our IDSN at 128K bit/sec. Some of that was due to cost. When we decided to upgrade with the new iPower systems, we decided that we had to improve not only the reliability but also the picture quality. We're running 384K bit/sec. It's a minimum of three times better. There is some jerkiness in 384K bit/sec., but it's not as annoying.
Why not use audioconferencing? You really need to have some face-to-face to read the body language to see what's going on. If we can avoid one trip per month per room, the entire system pays for itself.
How are users accepting videoconferencing? We haven't seen a notable reduction [in travel] yet. The harder part is the cultural change. People are comfortable meeting face to face. When you put a monitor in between, you have to focus on the cultural changes. There are certain etiquettes that are different. And if your call goes down for two minutes, you have to understand that the meeting still saved you 30 hours [of travel].
"As the economy heads south, there are plenty of boneheaded CEOs and clueless government officials to blame. Looking at the..."
Read more...
"This pilot fish works at a telco that provides DSL hardware access to ISPs. Total number of users: in the..."
Read more... Read more Networking posts or See all Blogs
If you're like our 7,000 survey respondents, your paycheck this year has been flattened and your bonus obliterated. We offer 12 ways to plump up your paycheck.
By helping Intel with loosened 'Vista Capable' requirements, Microsoft 'severely damaged' its credibility, said an HP exec in a newly unsealed Feb. 2006 e-mail.
Learn-Fast Guide: Software as a Service is Growing Up
Download this Computerworld Executive Briefing, a $195 value, for free! Compliments of Akamai. (Source: Computerworld) SaaS is here to stay as an application delivery channel. You will be using it, but will you do so wisely? This Learn-Fast Guide will prepare you for software delivered over the Web. From security issues to contract negotiations, there's a lot to consider ... and a lot to gain. Download this executive briefing
From Laggard to Leader: Transforming the Data Center
From Laggard to Leader: Transforming the Data Center Register for this complimentary webcast today! Go to the webcast
Grappling with Application Management
Get this white paper now! (Source: Dell) Managing applications is a big business challenge today. When applications must be updated, installed or migrated, companies must ensure disruptions are minimized to keep users productive throughout the process. Dell provides services that can help every step of the way. Download this white paper
White Papers
Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services.
Companies today are realizing that competitive advantage is harder to sustain when based solely on gains in productivity and cost efficiency. The focus is shifting to invest more in business optimization initiatives which rely on trusted information to develop new insights that deliver better business results. But how can this be done efficiently in a business environment across multiple applications and processes. The answer is an Information Agenda - an innovative approach to transforming business information into a strategic asset for competitive advantage.
Accelerate your pursuit of perfection For almost 80 years, Kodak has been helping banks, insurance companies, healthcare providers, government agencies and other businesses produce billions of document images. So Kodak is uniquely positioned to know and deliver–what customers want: easy-to-use scanners that output the best possible image quality. Download this white paper now!
See your link here
Subscribe to
Computerworld 
or
Other Networking and Internet Stories
Download this Computerworld Executive Briefing, a $195 value, for free! Compliments of Akamai. 
From Laggard to Leader: Transforming the Data Center
Get this white paper now!
Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services. 
For almost 80 years, Kodak has been helping banks, insurance companies, healthcare providers, government agencies and other businesses produce billions of document images. So Kodak is uniquely positioned to know and deliver–what customers want: easy-to-use scanners that output the best possible image quality. 
Computerworld