Desktop video conferencing deployments are still limited
While over half of organizations are using desktop video conferencing, deployments tend to be limited in both number of end-points and usage, Nemertes finds. Rather than replacing voice, desktop video is most often used to augment other video conferencing systems, or enable home or mobile worker or those unable to get to a video conferencing room to participate in a video session comprised primarily of room-based users. Rarely have we found companies that are making investments in desktop video as a general-purpose application available to large numbers of users. Many of those who have conducted desktop video conferencing pilots tell us that applications went unused.
Troubleshooting desktop video problems is problematic as quality of video is often dependent on available PC resources. IT managers responsible for video require insight into overall application performance and must monitor issues such as CPU utilization. Those adopting desktop virtualization are likely to find that their virtualized desktop strategy didn’t account for the need to process video on the PC. Quality of desktop video, while improving, isn’t nearly as room-based as telepresence systems, meaning that the typical business case of using video to replace in-person travel doesn’t apply to the desktop. IT managers often tell Nemertes that poor quality desktop video is perceived as a collaboration obstacle rather enhancement. It doesn’t take more than a few poor quality video conferences to turn users off to the technology.
