Radvision Looks To SImplify Videoconferencing

The Invision appliance integrates a gateway, a gatekeeper and a multipoint control unit (MCU) into a single 1U box, said David Sokolic, vice president of marketing at Radvision, Glen Rock, N.J.

The systems also include centralized, Web-based tools to track and manage ongoing calls and conferences as well as IP bandwidth consumption and ISDN use.

"To date, videoconferencing network devices have been sold as what I call 'science projects',kits with a chassis and a bunch of cards you plug into it," Sokolic said. "With our new line, we anticipate it will be much easier for resellers to assimilate the technology and sell the stuff."

The introduction of a simplified videoconferencing solution is essential to spur the technology's move into the mainstream, Sokolic said.

Added Dean Gonteski, vice president of solutions at York Telecom, a voice, video and data integrator in Eatontown, N.J.: "The price point allows us to go after a midmarket or small-market customer looking to move into video but who can't spend the money to acquire the separate pieces."

The system would also be a good fit for enterprises looking to deploy videoconferencing solutions to a particular division or geographic region, Gonteski said.

"With four or five configurations, we can meet 80 percent of the market's needs," Sokolic said.

Invision 100, available now in four SMB models, starts at $39,950. Invision 410, targeted at enterprises, is slated to ship next quarter starting at $135,000.

The simplicity and lower price of Radvision's appliances could attract fresh clients, said Joe Gagan, senior analyst at Yankee Group. "People who have videoconferencing in place have been using it more in the past year, but new conferencing sales have not been up as much as people thought they would be after Sept. 11," he said.