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Description

The purpose of this brick is to define the technologies that provide conferencing capabilities to the NIH.  This capability allows more than two locations to interact via video or audio transmissions simultaneously.  It also includes web conferencing, which refers to a service that allows conferencing events to be shared with remote locations.  It does not include the end-point device that provides the voice communication (e.g. the hand-set), which is described in the Unified Communications Endpoint Brick.

Tactical

(0-2 years)

Audio Conferencing:
  • Avaya Aura
  • Cisco Jabber
  • Microsoft Lync
  • Google Talk/ Google Voice and Skype*

Video Conferencing:

  • Adobe Connect *
  • Cisco Jabber
  • Microsoft Lync

Web Conferencing:

  • Adobe Connect *
  • Cisco Webex *
  • Microsoft Lync

Strategic

(2-5 years)

  • TBD - NIH will continue to track their ability to move to an integrated conferencing capability support of an Enterprise Unified Communications strategy. 

Retirement

(To be eliminated)

  • None

Containment

(No new development

  • ​Cisco Movi
  • Citrix GotoMeeting
  • Polycom (software)
  • Microsoft Communicator Third party service providers (e.g. PGI and Meeting One) (Blackberry is not contained)

Baseline

(Today)

Audio Conferencing:
  • Adobe Connect
  • Avaya (misc. help desk implementations, voice solutions)
  • Cisoco Movi
  • Google Talk
  • MeetingOne AudioOne Conference
  • Microsoft Communicator
  • PGi Ready Conference
  • Skype

Video Conferencing:

  • Adobe Connect 
  • Cisco Movi
  • Polycom RealPresence
Web Conferencing:
  • Adobe Connect 
  • Cisco Webex
  • Citrix GotoMeeting 
  • Microsoft Communicator/Live Meeting 

Emerging

(To track)

  • No​ne

Comments

  • Tactical deployments for Audio Conferencing include Cisco Jabber and Microsoft Lync which are currently being deployed as pilots within the NIH.  Cisco Jabber and Microsoft Lync are considered market leaders in the Unified Communications domain.  In addition, these products leverage existing NIH investments into Cisco and Microsoft.  Tactical deployments will also include Skype to support international communications due to its ease of use and ability to reduce long-distance telephone charges.   PGI Ready Conference and MeetingOne are also considered Tactical for deployments where they are needed along with Adobe Connect.   Avaya is considered tactical for audio conferencing
  • Tactical deployments for Video Conferencing include Cisco Jabber, Microsoft Lync, and Adobe Connect which are currently deployed within the NIH.  All of these products are considered market leaders in the Unified Communications domain and can leverage existing NIH investments into Cisco, Microsoft, and Adobe.
  • Tactical deployments for Web Conferencing include Cisco Jabber, Microsoft Lync, and Adobe Connect which are currently deployed within the NIH.   All of these products are considered market leaders in the Unified Communications domain and leverage existing NIH investments into Cisco, Microsoft, and Adobe. 
  • Strategic deployments are to be determined.   The NIH will continue to track the ability to move to an Enterprise Unified Communications strategy, which will be based on the strategic direction of the Voice capability.
  • Containment of Polycom software that supports Conferencing.   Polycom products are also described in the Unified Communications End Point Brick separate from this software.
  • Containment also includes Citrix GotoMeeting – while it is used at the NIH for conferencing with participants hosted outside, it is contained within the NIH install base.
  • Cisco Movi is placed in containment as the product is being replaced by Cisco Jabber after the acquisition of Tandberg.
  • Microsoft Communicator is being limited as it has been replaced by Microsoft Lync.
   
*Not part of a unified communication solution

Time Table

This architecture definition approved on: February 28, 2012

The next review is scheduled in: TBD