Yorktel sharpens focus on cloud video services
If your interest in cloud services centers less on how to rethink your productivity or enterprise applications framework and more on layering in social software such as unified communications (UC) or videoconferencing, you should take a look at Yorktel.
Based in Eatontown, N.J., the 25-year-old company boasts an extensive array of services centered on deploying and implementing all sorts of video technologies. Its lengthy certification credentials list includes status with Cisco, Tandberg, Polycom, AMX, Crestron, Nortel/Avaya, Vidyo and Microsoft. But it is extending its on-premise expertise into the cloud.
In March, the company launched a suite of cloud videoconferencing services called VideoCloud that is meant to help with interconnectivity between disparate video and UC platforms. In particular, VideoCloud supports full integration with Microsoft Lync and Office 365.
What does that mean? For a start, the service will enable companies that are using Lync clients to connect to videoconferencing systems from Cisco, Polycom, Avaya (Radvision) and Lifesize.
"Our proven approach to video-managed services liberates customers from having to support multiple communications platforms and security protocols by instead choosing a single partner and solution for a cohesive, customized user experience," said Ron Gaboury, CEO of the integrator and managed service provider (MSP).
There are three levels of service:
- VideoCloud Virtual Meeting Room: A reservation-less, on-demand service that works with H.232 or SIP-compliant desktop, room, or mobile videoconferencing clients.
- VideoCloud Managed Conferencing Service: A managed offering that includes bridging, call control and multipoint conferencing. Features include proactive monitoring, incident management, and performance to specific service level agreements (SLAs).
- VideoCloud B2B Service: Similar to the other managed offering, it adds more security for hosting external, inter-company video meetings.