LifeSize unveils cloud-based videoconferencing products to drive adoption

LifeSize has announced two new products and an acquisition as part of its efforts to drive the adoption of video conferencing systems by simplifying deployments.

Chief among the announcements is the LifeSize Connection tool that runs in the cloud so that organisations without the finances or IT expertise to deploy hardware and configure their networks can benefit from the technology.

Rafi Anuar, director of product management at LifeSize, told V3 that the company introduced the tool to promote the use of video systems at small and medium sized firms.

"The adoption of videoconferencing systems has been hindered by the complexity of deployments and the lack of IT skills in organisations, but the LifeSize Connection tool eliminates these issues," he said.

"It also allows users to email guest client invites to those not on the system for one-off video calls, and the system automatically provisions and utilises any in-built or attached webcams so firms of all sizes can make use of the technology."

LifeSize Connection costs £22 per user per month when deployed on desktop devices such as PCs or Macs, or £75 per user per month if running on a dedicated end point. Anuar explained that a dedicated unit requires more work and configuration by LifeSize.

To complement the cloud offering, LifeSize also unveiled a new endpoint called Passport Connect that offers 720p HD video quality and can run on the Connections system so that customers can deploy the endpoint in any location quickly and easily.

"Often endpoints have to be connected by inputting long IP addresses and require a lot of configuration, but again that's not practical for a lot of firms. With Passport Connect we have removed these issues and priced it at a very competitive level," Anuar said.

Passport Connect costs $1,500 as a single product and is compatible with Alcatel-Lucent, Avaya and Microsoft OCS and Lync, or $999 if bought alongside LifeSize Connection.

Finally, the firm announced the acquisition of Mirial to bring mobile capabilities to its products by incorporating technology that allows users of Android and iOS devices to make video calls.

Anuar said that Mirial's products will remain as they are but will now interoperate with the LifeSize technology. No information was given on the cost of the acquisition.