How do you find a missing train? Follow the tracks… Or better still use Video instead!

[Andrew Graley (andrewg)]

When you work in the communications industry and you use videoconferencing every day like I do, it is often easy to forget how valuable time is, and how difficult it can be for companies to defy distance and take time to travel to meetings.  I was recently reminded just how valuable time is and of the inconveniences, frustrations and annoyances related to travelling to a meeting.

No two days are the same for me in my position as an industry specialist at Polycom.  In any week I will host briefings at one of our Executive Experience Centres, I will work with customers on projects that will benefit patients, I discuss trends and my experiences with journalists – you get the picture.

This week, I facilitated a workshop session with executives from a healthcare organisation to help them understand the art of the possible and to get them up to speed on what a UC solution in healthcare might look like.  These sessions are designed so that they might learn from other projects that have already been successfully established and to consider if they could use the same model to help with change, face challenges or even to innovate their service or product.

Unfortunately on this day the UK rail system conspired to thwart my well laid plans and as a consequence one of our key visitors was unable to attend due to a problem with the rail system.  And it wasn’t an insignificant journey either – a two and a half hour one way trip.  When the rail system in England is working, it’s almost transparent and works very well. When there is a problem, it can be hugely frustrating.  And I’m sure it’s not good for your health either, raising your blood pressure (but that’s a topic for another day.)

However, not all was lost!  Thanks to a virtual meeting room on the Polycom RealPresence Platform, our stranded visitor was able to use CloudAXIS from his web browser and take part in the workshop; no special software, no locating a meeting room with a video conference unit that was free for four hours – just a PC with a web cam, microphone and speakers.  The workshop went ahead as planned and we shared our presentations, discussions about improving services to patients, and even took him along on the Executive Experience Centre Solution Tour without missing a minute.  A real life example of how the Polycom platform can help our customers Defy Distance.

I did feel guilty at lunchtime though; we had some rather lovely strawberry tarts.

If you are interested to learn how Polycom can help you Defy Distance and would like to run an application discovery workshop, please feel free to contact me directly or ask your Polycom account manager for more information.