Two weeks ago, I used this blog to talk about videoconferencing solutions being deployed on portable platforms, namely tablets like the Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy. Every video vendor is rushing to offer a more portable video experience to extend the use cases they support and drive more value — and more business.  Mobility is a key information worker characteristic that video vendors are rushing to satisfy, and announcements over the last 24 hours bring two more requirements into focus:

• Usability. Yesterday (31 Oct., 2011), Dimension Data published a press release about their global, managed visual communications services.  They stressed the need to educate employees about how and when to use video — and their ability to assure availability and reliability — to increase adoption and thus the value of videoconferencing within an enterprise. Dimension Data will likely leverage elements of their Adoption Management Program (AMP) to educate users and drive adoption, while relying on their deep capabilities in delivering managed interoperable services across the unified communications and collaboration market to deliver reliability.
• Interoperability. Today (1 Nov., 2011) Teliris announced Lentaris, a software-based platform for connecting distributed, heterogeneous video endpoints. Lentaris will be deployed across Teliris' Infinet (their built-for-telepresence global network) first, enabling existing Teliris customers to connect to most standards-based video endpoints. Teliris also reaffirmed their support for the Open Video Communications Consortium (OVCC), a collection of service providers dedicated to enabling multivendor videoconferencing as part of the announcement.

Video vendors take note — these are market levers that will drive your success:

1. Supporting information workers within the processes and activities of their daily collaborations with capabilities like mobility, and business process integration.
2. Driving awareness, adoption, and value by making video easy and natural to use, including scheduling meetings, connecting endpoints, and managing infrastructure.
3. Connecting more endpoints by enabling interoperability between independent vendors, across separate networks, and among independent user organizations.