Avistar suite enables on-the-road video meetings

New video conferencing software is easier to manage and deploy

Video conferencing software specialist Avistar has unveiled a major update to its flagship desktop communication suite designed to make it easier for mobile workers to use video capabilities.

The new AvistarVOS v8.8 suite features new functionality capable of detecting the network bandwidth available to an end user in any location and automatically adjusting the parameters of each video call to optimise call quality and avoid the use of unnecessary band width, the company said. It also tests end-to-end connectivity before a call is placed and detects network blockages that could stop the call being completed.

John Carlson, vice president of marketing at Avistar, said the upgrades would make it easier for mobile workers to take advantage of one-to-one video calls and video conferencing. "It means that if you are sitting in a Starbucks or a hotel room with lower bandwidth than you get in the office and still need to make a call the software will automatically optimise the call," he said. "Our aim is to make it easier for people to use video so they are not only using scheduled video conferences but are also able to easily use it for ad hoc communication or meetings."

Avistar has also moved to make it easier for IT administrators to manage the deployment of the technology with the launch of a new web-based administration tool that manages user access to the collaboration suite, audits all administrator activity and provides users with a one-click support icon that allows them to quickly notify the help desk of problems.

Carlson said that the new release comes as the video conferencing software market approaches a major tipping point in its corporate adoption. "We now have 14,000 desktop suites deployed primarily at financial services companies, such as UBS and Deutsche Bank, and the market is growing at between 40 and 50 percent a year," he said. "YouTube has led to an explosion in the public consciousness around online video and more and more businesses are realising video can help enable the remote working employees are demanding while also limiting costly corporate travel."