Behind every Ash Cloud there is a silver lining!

JANET(UK) provides a welcome alternative to those unable to fly to meetings

19 APRIL 2010: With the whole business world drawn to a halt over the recent eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland, you don’t have to miss that important meeting, as JANET(UK) has the perfect solution at your fingertips – JANET Video Services.

The JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS)  enables videoconferences to take place worldwide, both quickly and simply using its booking service. This service provides a secure, centrally managed and supported service to UK schools, colleges, universities and government bodies. New features added to the service last year include recording or streaming a conference and JVCS Desktop, which enables registered users to invite one or more guests to a videoconference using only a Windows PC.  For further details see JVCS

The Access Grid Support Centre (AGSC) also offers a booking service and provides a secure, managed and supported service for the UK educational and research communities. Using a suite of products which offer flexible solutions to support teaching and research projects with these communities, users have access to collaboration tools, such as desktop sharing and presentation software.  For further details see AGSC

All JANET Video Services have experienced a significant increase in the number of users over the last few years, not only for teaching and learning but also to connect individuals whose geographical locations may make meetings either time- consuming or costly.

A pilot project set up and supported by the Access Grid and aiming to increase the number of courses offered in mathematics, is now in its third year of a full programme of postgraduate lectures covering all areas of the subject.  The original 14 partner universities have increased to 19 with more wishing to join.  Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council the MAGIC project broadcasts maths lectures to postgraduate students based at all of the partner sites.

Bristol-based University of the West of England has been using the JANET Videoconferencing Service (JVCS) to effectively interview potential PhD research candidates from around the globe, enabling candidates in far away places an opportunity for consideration as well as broadening the addressable market for new research talent.

So you can see that not only can videoconferencing save on travel, personnel time and cost (there is no cost to JANET connected sites for these services), you can also reduce your carbon footprint! So what are you waiting for?

To find out more about JANET Video Services visit http://www.ja.net/services/video