Bringing the world closer: TANDBERG technology enhances global business dealings.

An executive in Mexico City arrives to work and immediately sits in on a business meeting with his Bolivian counterparts from La Paz, only they are thousands of miles away!

An increasing number of similar business meetings are taking place around Latin America and the world, and TANDBERG is leading the way. TANDBERG, a global provider of visual communication products and services, began a campaign to take more of the share of the Latin American market, one that is growing rapidly though still in its infancy.

TANDBERG executives now claim a 42.7 percent share of the worldwide market for visual communications, and they say Mexican and Latin American corporations are growing markets that will benefit greatly from their video technology products and services.

"Mexico is a fast growing market, but it is still a very young market," confirmed Adriana Olmedo of Burson-Martsteller Mexico.

TANDBERG aims to replicate natural business settings anywhere in the world through its visual communication and video conferencing tools, enabling businesses to make decisions faster and more effectively.

According to Hakon Dahle, TANDBERG's chief technologist, his company's products aim to facilitate and expedite point-to-point business interactions, which will enable companies to instantly contact customers, suppliers, or partners over flexible networks, even those hundreds or thousands of miles away.

We are providing "productivity enhancement tools," ones that will "improve the way corporations conduct business," said Daniel Johansson, TANDBERG's regional director for Latin America. "We offer industry leading products so corporations can improve their productivity. We (TANDBERG) are focused on and dedicated to this Mexican market."

Helping Dealmakers

Dahle stressed that TANDBERG's videoconferencing technology will increase productivity and save corporations time and money by cutting back the hassles and costs that come with business travel across the country or around the world.

"You can reach the person you need to talk to immediately, without having to travel across town or across the world," he said.

Johansson said the videoconferencing technology would be a boost to both national and international dealings. He believes that TANDBERG's technology will aid those corporations who ask themselves, "How do we increase productivity, how do we cut costs, how do we increase revenue?"

TANDBERG products cut down on downtime, reduce travel costs, and help corporations stay in contact with key officials or experts.

Dahle added technology would not be limited to businesses, but that opportunities for TANDBERG technology would also be beneficial in education. Virtual field trips, special lecturers, and advanced courses would be available to students in the most remote locations.

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"Better education can be offered to students through video technology. Several universities here in Mexico are already using our technology."

TANDBERG's wide range of video-conferencing products includes units ranging from small cameras upon television or computer monitors in a small personal office, to a 67-inch television monitor to be employed in larger boardrooms. The price range for the products start at USD$2,500 and reach USD$60,000.

Johansson deflected the initial high cost of the products by stating that the use of video technology does not include any additional maintenance or monthly costs. He testified, "the more you use it, the better it gets. I personally can't live without it."

The Bottom Line

There are no additional costs for the video units because the technology runs off of normal DSL Internet lines. "All you need is a video unit, a DSL Internet line, and a power source for our video technology," remarked Dahle.

Johansson cited telemedicine, government, finance, education, service providers, and manufacturing as the major sectors that have benefited from videoconferencing technology.

In regards to network security, TANDBERG employs Advanced Encryption Standard technology, improving upon the Digital Encryption Standard, created in the 1970s and used in communications and e-commerce.

This highly developed encryption technology provides protection against data loss or thefts, ensuring that point to point conferences are not open to unwanted eavesdropping.

TANDBERG products also offer CD quality audio and optimum picture quality on all their products.

Oscar Gutierrez is an intern with BUSINESS MEXICO.