Ingram Micro Hosting VC ‘Boot Camp’ for HP Videoconferencing

Ingram Micro and Hewlett-Packard are teaming up to push HP’s Visual Collaboration videoconferencing solutions, for which Ingram Micro will be the first authorized distributor. VARs working with Ingram now also are able to go to “boot camp” for training on the new products. Here’s the scoop …

If high-definition videoconferencing is your thing but you’re not too keen on Cisco’s Telepresence, check out HP’s software-based videoconferencing solutions, which are based on Scalable Video Coding. The offerings, which launched in late 2010 as cost-effective and easily deployable solutions, include a desktop client, room-systems and more.

But HP wanted to get it out into the channel and into as many hands as possible; hence, its partnership with Ingram Micro. Lace up your boots, Private — VAR Boot Camp clicks off in Plano, Texas; Buffalo, N.Y.; and Cupertino, Calif., in February 2011. More about the training can be found at the HP VC Expressway, available on HP’s Partner Portal, or through Ingram Micro.

But you probably want to know what you’re getting trained on:

• HP Visual Collaboration Desktop: software client for all users on their own PCs and notebooks.
• HP Visual Collaboration Executive Desktop: a bundled, touchscreen solution with an HP TouchSmart PC preloaded with HP Visual Collaboration software. The package, slated for a June 2011 availability, will come with a camera and headset accessories.
• HP Visual Collaboration Room 100 and Room 220: high-quality video for multipurpose conference rooms.
• HP Visual Collaboration Portal: a preconfigured and installed HP ProLiant DL360 server which allows IT administrators to manage remote configurations, authentication and licensing of components in the system.
• HP Visual Collaboration Router: optimized for streaming media and featuring both H.323 and SIP protocols.
• HP Visual Collaboration Gateway: a “migration path” for businesses with legacy videoconferencing solutions.

All of this can also be accessed through HP’s PartnerOne program, and is set to include “attractive” incentives and benefits, according to the company. VARs can also provide installation, maintenance and help-desk services for the HP Visual Collaboration suite after their training, adding to the value and level of services VARs could potentially profit from. Check out the press release here.

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