Calling Shillong

IIM-Shillong, located remotely in the hilly terrains of the North-east, was
in the need of incorporating videoconferencing solutions which was at par with
global standards.

The institute opted to select Vennfer, the software based videoconferencing
solution from Intellisys, rather than the normal hardware based lab portal.

"We had videoconferencing platform based on Polycom, but platform
compatibility issues were there. Since Vennfer promised flexibility of
operations with ease-of-use, we decided to go for it," says Parthav Roy
Chowdhury, incharge, IT, IIM-S.

Why Vennfer?

One of the key reasons why IIM-S decided to go for Vennfer is that it
facilitated videoconferencing between users from multi-point locations spanning
boardrooms, meeting rooms, desktops, and mobiles simultaneously in one single
screen. At the same time, while conferencing on-the-go, users could share Word,
Powerpoint, Excel, Internet Browser, Adobe, whiteboard, Instant Messaging, and
other applications in real-time.

Commenting on this, Saumen Chakraborty, CEO, Intellisys says, "These features
were previously unheard of in the realm of the global videoconferencing market.
And since IIM-S was specific they wanted a global standard for their
communication needs, we thought Vennfer was the ideal solution for them."

Vennfer enables real-time audio, video, and data communication over LAN, WAN
(leased lines, VSATs, VPNs), broadband and data cards by using TCP/IP
multi-casting technology for many-to-many, multi-party videoconferencing.

"IIM-S is placed remotely, and the institute required the solution primarily
for two reasons. Firstly, they needed access to virtual classrooms globally
which would facilitate providing lectures to students who were unable to attend
the classes physically. Secondly, since some professors were unable to come down
to the institute due to poor access, the institute wanted these professors to
conduct the class virtually," says Satish Choudhary of Techniche Consulting
Services (TCS).

The institute opted to buy six licenses of Vennfer, and is currently using it
to connect the system to classrooms and its students. "Primarily, we selected
the solution for our students while conducting classes. However, soon we found
its use in the internal meetings as well, and are using it for the same purpose.
The usage of the product is quite simple, and only a broadband connection with a
webcam is needed to conduct the conference," Roy Choudhary adds.

Since the deployment was concentrated on software in the existing IT frame,
there was no need for the institute to opt for additional IT hardware purchases.
Another reason why IIM-S selected Vennfer, besides this price advantage, was
also because of the low bandwidth it consumed.

A Happy IIM

The total project was estimated at Rs 8 lakh, and it has transformed the
campus into a brilliant reference point on how videoconferencing can be deployed
with minimal technical hassles.

Although, it took around three months time for the institute to understand
the operational mode of the software and override the integrated firewall system
in the embedded OS and servers, the IT team in IIM-S was quick enough to
implement the solution soon after the deployment.

Vennfer claimes that it saved between 50-65% of the total capital cost of
acquisition as compared to any traditional hardware based videoconferencing
system for IIM-S along with saving 40-60% of the recurring bandwidth cost as
compared to any traditional hardware based videoconferencing system.

Satisfied with the deployment and the success of the application, Roy
Choudhury is considering additional licenses in case there is a further need for
expansion.

Avishek Rakshit/DQ Week

maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in