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Carousel Industries Launches 'Simplicity Video' Cloud-Based Conferencing Service

Written by Jeff Owen | Jan 23, 2015 5:00:00 AM
Cloud-Based Managed Private Cloud (MPC) Solution is First to Offer Seamless Integration of Distributed Architecture, Application Integration and Enhanced Video Services Exeter, RI January 20, 2015 -- Carousel Industries, a leader in unified communications, managed services, data solutions and visual communications, announced that it has launched Simplicity Video: a new cloud-based video conferencing solution designed for SMB and enterprise customers. Simplicity Video, available exclusively through Carousel Industries, was developed in cooperation with Pexip®, a leading innovator in scalable, distributed video software and consists of two separate offerings: Public Video Cloud (PVC) and Managed Private Cloud (MPC). Simplicity is a fully scalable, multipoint video solution designed to deliver a 'no-hassle' conferencing experience to organizations operating across a range of verticals including finance, insurance, education, medical, retail, government and other markets. Simplicity Video Cloud leverages Carousel Industries' uniquely combined expertise in videoconferencing, network infrastructure and unified communications. The Simplicity Video MPC offering is the first of its kind on the market, providing an Opex-based 'pay as you grow' multipoint conferencing solution that seamlessly integrates into clients' existing networking environments. "Simplicity Video takes multi-point videoconferencing to a new level, while making it exceptionally easy to use and consume for nearly any size organization," commented Bill Thompson, VP Video Services, Carousel Industries. "By using Simplicity Video — which can be hosted either by Carousel or on the customer premises — SMB and enterprises can now integrate videoconferencing into the core of their IT environment, enabling a richer communications experience and deeper brand engagement for employees, customers and partners." “We are very excited to be working with Carousel Industries, a company with both a strong reputation and documented expertise in IT and collaboration technologies," said Aasmund Fodstad, Pexip Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Since Pexip Infinity can be consumed in a multitude of ways and represents the next generation of video, audio and web collaboration platforms, it is important to have a partner that fully understands its potential, and how it can transform businesses’ working culture. Carousel Industries is the perfect match for this." With two distinct service offerings, Simplicity Video is able to accommodate companies requiring a 'one-size fits all' utility-based solution, or a bespoke, turnkey solution that leverages the latest innovations from Microsoft Lync or other unified communications platforms: "Our public cloud offering combines a premium, cloud-based video conferencing service with exceptionally flexible commercial terms. Meanwhile, our on-premise MPC offering can provide more advanced elements such as distributed architecture, application integration and branded, video-enabled websites — this is currently not available on the market and can help companies deliver a more productive, seamless customer experience." The Simplicity Video public offering is a 'one-size fits all' multi-tenant video bridging solution that allows customers to host a cloud-based, reservation-less videoconference, anytime or anywhere. The solution, which is deployed from Carousel's own co-location in Dallas, provides a resilient, fully virtualized network along with seamless WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications) capabilities — along with very flexible terms and conditions that work within an Opex based consumption model. Simplicity Video MPC, meanwhile, effectively brings Carousel's managed services expertise to the cloud and is able to leverage 'next gen' capabilities such as video enabled corporate websites, video contact centers and seamless integration with complex unified communications infrastructures. Simplicity Video MPC, which is delivered on a scalable, Opex-based model, consists of three primary dimensions:
  • Distributed Architecture: Carousel is able to leverage a distributed architecture, helping realize cost savings through more efficient network routing — either regionally or globally — depending on the end-users' customer footprint.
  • Application Integration: Carousel is able to integrate customers' existing unified communications solutions, such as a Microsoft Lync environment, making it possible to integrate features such as presence, IM and custom made avatars into a web conferencing environment for a more collaborative and intuitive communication experience.
  • Enhanced video services: Through its Simplicity Video MPC, Carousel is able to power next-gen, video-enabled websites and contact centers, enabling employees, customers and partners to interact in a company's native web environment — without having to click on a third party link to join a web conference.
For companies that already have an existing video collaboration capability, one of the most compelling elements of Simplicity Video is its 'pay as you grow' Opex consumption model: "By using Simplicity Video, customers can access a deeper range of features and functionality than what they are used to in a traditional Capex-based solution, while paving the way for future roadmap implementations." Thompson says. Both PVC and MPC are available in a 'use only what you need' framework, helping enterprises achieve maximum productivity within a flexible cost model. "Video enabled websites are going to be the new battleground for enterprises who want to attract and retain new customers, as well as provide excellent video-based customer service," Thompson concluded. "As virtual lobbies and storefronts become more and more prevalent among product and services based companies, it will be increasingly important for companies to provide fully interactive, web based video environments where they can engage customers and partners. With Simplicity Video, Carousel Industries is helping them pave the way to accomplish this." To learn more about Carousel's Simplicity Video, please visit http://www.carouselindustries.com/solutions/simplicity-cloud/simplicity-video