Everyone knows evolution in technology is a mind-blurring constant – step away for a few months or a year and you can find yourself in the dust in everything from the enterprise desktop to the mobile workforce and all points in between.  But every now and then there comes a real game changer.  Something that completely changes the field, revolutionizing industries, sometimes crippling incumbent manufacturers and service providers; consider the impact of Microsoft and Dell on mainframe computing (where are DEC, WANG and Sperry now?), or the impact of VoIP on legacy voice giant’s like Nortel.

I submit that we are recognizing a similar “quantum” shift in technology in the HD Video conferencing world, led in large part by the innovators at LifeSize video.  And it seems the elegant simplicity and affordability of their scalable HD Video codes was just the beginning.  With the recent release of LifeSize Video Center, tenured solution providers like LiquidSpoke are absolutely inundated with new ways to change “business as usual” for just about any industry.  The potential and brilliance of Video Center’s on-demand recording, streaming and playback of HD video is a real “you’ve got to see it to believe it” scenario.  Which leads us to the question: “how will your industry use this game changer to revolutionize your business, reducing expense, increasing productivity, revolutionizing service levels and dare I say it, increasing revenue and profit margins?”

Let’s consider some of the options, and open the door for what will no doubt be many more suggestions and ideas.

Distance Learning is an obvious application.  Higher education will likely lead the way, with some very interesting verticals to follow – like trade associations tasked with regulatory mandated continuing education.  In the case of the latter, educators, students and employers are intrigued by the potential of huge cost savings through reduced travel, and a significant decrease in the time away from the workplace to obtain and maintain certifications.  We are even exploring options to integrate digital voice verification technology to ensure remote participants are who they say they are.

The ability to record and share HD video streams on-the-fly has equipped executives, professionals and sales teams with a highly personalized way to send invites, collaborate or say thanks for your time – goodbye text-email, hello HD video mail.

Larger enterprises are allowing remote staff by the hundreds (even thousands) to not just listen in to company-wide calls, but to visually observe and hear speakers and their presentations.  And for those who couldn’t make it, secure on-demand playback from anywhere, anytime.

I have pondered the thought of attorney’s who spend all day on planes to take a single deposition, expanding their reach from one a day to five or more, as the deposed visit regional offices and participate in “recorded” HD video depositions with lower cost legal assistance, facilitating far-end identity verification and other legal requirements.  I am curious as to the value and viability of these HD recorded depositions in the courtroom.  It would seem the ability to observe the deponent’s facial expressions, tones and mannerisms could provide far more perspective than a written transcript – though I suppose it depends which side of the courtroom you’re sitting in.

I have recently had some very promising discussions with folks in the real estate industry who are contemplating the feasibility of using this technology in a way that will totally revolutionize the virtual open house.  Static pictures and video were a great improvement for the remote house hunter.  But imagine the ability to ask your agent to go back to the kitchen, or zoom in on the tile, fixtures, fence, trees or neighbors.

These types of video technologies and applications have been around for some time.  What makes Video Center a game changer is the absolute simplicity, scalability, HD quality and affordable cost.  Previous technology in this space has been largely cost prohibitive for most, immensely difficult and complex (for administrators and users), far from scalable, and quality was typically a real factor for many reasons that could (again) only be addressed by spending more money for dedicated bandwidth.  LifeSize’s better mouse trap is better all the way around and provides more users, in more industries with more access – opening the door for these and countless other ways to justify and benefit from using LifeSize HD video in your organization and industry.

Please let us know your thoughts, experiences, ideas and suggestions.  We look forward to every opportunity to work with our manufacturers, partners and customers to find new and exciting ways to leverage this game changing technology.