Online meetings have become a part of everyday schedules. Virtual collaboration is preferred over real-world engagements. These digital trends are only set to grow as 3’I’s – Intelligence, Immersive experiences, and Integration – drive conferencing and collaboration technologies, observed industry experts who addressed A&T’s Video Conferencing and Collaboration Conclave - South Zone, held in Bengaluru on August 3, 2023.
The conclave was organised to provide a platform for users to share their experiences with virtual technologies and to keep themselves abreast of emerging AV solutions. The highlight of the conclave was the launch of A&T’s Astra Pro – a revolutionary new touch-based video production system that records and live streams lectures and surgeries at the click of a button. About 150 professionals from user industries took part in the event.
Mr Bharat Gera, Founder, Human Centric Healthcare Ecosystem, observed that the potential of telemedicine is growing. As AI and robotics make inroads in the healthcare sector, doctors can even do head-to-toe ‘physical’ examinations remotely. He also said that virtual technologies offer a great scope for training medical students, as surgeries can be live streamed, and students can interact with surgeons in real time. But privacy concerns have to be addressed to speed up tech adoption in healthcare.
Mr Thomas Dal, Dean, Strate School of Design said that the emergence of ‘phygital’ classrooms has made it possible for students to interact with teachers from across the world. The advent of AR and VR can help students get hands-on and immersive experiences, as the element of ‘touch and feel’ is important for teaching subjects like design.
Mr MB Sam, Revenue Growth Coach, CUSP Services, said that video collaboration solutions ensured business continuity during the pandemic, and are continuing to thrive and grow with the acceptance of hybrid mode of working. Technology is becoming increasingly smart. For instance, AI can ‘scan’ online participants and provide ‘sentiment analysis’, which will be valuable in negotiations and closing sales. With metaverse, online meetings offer unparalleled immersive experiences. But the biggest concern is data security.
Mr Edzil Deniz, Director, 3CDN Workplace Tech said that there is a noticeable upward trend in corporate budgets for video conferencing solutions. Large conference and boardrooms now boast of the latest AV equipment and acoustic fences. The video conferencing applications also provide a seamless experience for the users by eliminating the need for the participants to toggle between different software.
Mr. Ashwin Desai, MD, A&T Video Networks unveiled A&T’s product roadmap for 2023-24. The product portfolio included a new range of web cameras, video soundbars, PTZ cameras, professional PTZ cameras, and speaker phones. He said that video content consumption is growing by leaps and bounds. As for the future trend, 3D content (powered by AR & VR) has the potential to be a game changer in sectors like education, research, engineering, and healthcare, and 3D video conferences will make ‘holoportation’ a reality.