Information Services Newsletter
Video-conference Service Developments

IT User Services published recently a set of Web pages to assist University staff make best use of the video-conference service and also to help our local support teams to diagnose problems more efficiently.

 http://www.ulster.ac.uk/isd/itus/media/vc/

These pages include a directory of personal video-conferencing endpoints, self help information and a calendar showing availability of the main studios across the campuses. This will allow staff to check studio availability online. Our intention is to run this facility for a three-month trial period, from March 2004.

IT User Services has taken delivery of six Polycom ViaVideo CODECs, which will allow staff to participate in video-conference links from their desktops. For evaluation purposes, the machines will be available for loan to departments for agreed periods of time. Our department will deliver, configure, test and demonstrate the equipment. It is hoped that this will lead to a more widespread use of video-conferencing technology across the institution.

David Simpson