Practical advice from Purdue Pharma CIO Larry Pickett At Purdue Pharma, CIO Larry Pickett found the only issue he had with desktop video conferencing was that his vendor, Microsoft, had an instant messaging (IM) client that was built in and enabled by default, which goes against his company’s policy of banning IM. Disabling the client added complexity to installing the application across the enterprise, which could result in lower utilization of the tool than he had expected. More on CIo.com Seven Quick Tips for Videoconferencing Beginners A hosted SaaS model is the cheapest option but it has the lowest image quality because of bandwidth unreliability. An on-premise model relies on software installed on a company’s servers, creating a smoother video experience, but it can only involve internal users. A blended model is also an option, says Pickett, where you can choose the appropriate technology for a given meeting, such as one with both external and internal participants. Performance issues arise with certain solutions and can limit the experience. Since the SaaS model is hosted by a third party, the audio is bridged through a separate connection, creating a one- to two-second delay, which is “very annoying for users on the call,” says Pickett. The on-premises model through your company’s own network streams the audio and video together, fixing the synching issue. However, you can’t include outside callers. Just because you can implement this technology doesn’t mean you should. Pickett says CIOs should ask themselves: Will my employees use it? While the cost benefits of reduced travel are enticing, the savings won’t come to fruition unless your employees participate. Try a pilot first, assess the results, then roll it out completely. As a CIO, think carefully before providing this service because of the complexity of the infrastructure, software, training, bandwidth and support required, says Pickett. “The perception, fueled by the very simple, easy-to-use one-to-one video conferencing built into Macs, makes [desktop video conferencing] appear trivial,” he adds. Look first at how all the options will meet your business requirements and set expectations, he says. Related content brandpost From edge to cloud: The critical role of hardware in AI applications The rise of generative artificial intelligence By Broadcom Jun 06, 2023 5 mins Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence brandpost The new value calculator: Levers for business optimization Squeezing maximum value out of your data is not only about cost-savings—it’s time to create significant potential by transforming your competitive position. By Sandrine Ghosh Jun 06, 2023 5 mins Data Management brandpost The new wave of data observability Innovative ‘applied observability’ can detect issues and diagnose their root causes swiftly and effectively. By Sandrine Ghosh Jun 06, 2023 4 mins Data Management brandpost Let Business Needs Guide Your Winning Data Team With skill shortages continuing, IT leaders must optimize their data science team investment. Start with your organization’s key objectives. By Paul Gillin Jun 06, 2023 3 mins Business Intelligence Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe