Anyone else still getting last-minute holiday shopping done?

Seeing all of the Mall Santa’s around gave me an oddly eerie feeling this year. There’s a suspicious amount of uniformity among them.  The red coats, the white beards, “Ho Ho Ho” inflections,  the side of the head the hat folds toward (always to the right), even the color palette and circumference of the rosiness on their cheeks – I’m convinced this is no coincidence.

I have no doubt that this kind of synchronization of Santa’s “big helpers” could only be accomplished through coordinated video training, much like the kind frequently employed by organizations around the world using a video conferencing MCU.

Organizations from manufacturing to retail to education to medical to government have long been utilizing the power of multipoint video conferencing to quickly bring large groups of constituents up to speed.  It only makes sense that Old Saint Nick would look to the same technology to help standardize the Mall Santa industry.

With Sony’s HD Video Conferencing terminals and a High Definition MCU from Compunetix, organizations of all shapes and sizes can easily bring together kids from 1 to 92 (actually up to 3600 sites can join a call at CIF resolution with Compunetix’s scalable solutions), whether a multi-national enterprise from the North Pole or a local chestnut roaster with a national sales team.

So as you’re wrapping up that last bit of shopping and checking your list twice, be sure to let your local Mall Santa know his training paid off.

Happy Holidays from the Spire Global Family to yours.

-Jeremy

As video conferencing usage continues to explode, so does the variety of applications.

Inspired by a recent news story, the thought crossed my mind: what if Sony Video Conferencing could help fight crime? Far-fetched?  Perhaps not-- the result of this pondering follows.

7 Ways Sony Video Conferencing Can Save Your Stuff

1.       1080 High Definition 10x optical zoom PTZ camera

No need to squint, you’ll be able to pick “the perp” out of a lineup in no time. Even catch what brand of gloves they were wearing.

2.       Bright-Face Technology

Less-than-ideal lighting? Not a problem with Sony’s Bright-Face technology.  It provides optimum facial lighting for a brighter, clearer picture, down to the freckle.

3.       Memory Stick Recording

Easily record the live video or capture still images directly from the codec onto a Sony Memory stick.  Share by email, upload to YouTube, or take the media files directly to the police station.

4.       Multi-Point Calling

Need a witness? Connect with a neighbor or co-worker to watch the events unfurl by hosting a quick multi-point call.  Encourage your neighborhood watch headquarters to add a video conferencing system as well.

World Cup fever is EVERYWHERE -- the world’s most popular sport, on the world’s biggest stage. What has been so impressive in 2010, are the vast amounts of tools available to keep the World Cup community connected both on and off the field, and particularly the use of video conferencing systems.

Games aren’t just broadcast on TV and radio anymore – I can stream live HD footage on my computer at work or even on my cell phone. And the interactions between coaches, players and fans at the Cup matches in South Africa and on location in the home countries, has greatly improved the overall experience. According to ESPN, many of these moments and highlights have been broadcast using video conferencing equipment.