Ch. 8
Implementing Communications-Driven and Group Decision Support Systems

Interactive video can be supported by Microsoft’s NetMeeting software on LANs and potentially the Internet and by a number of other software programs. We can also use dedicated videoconferencing systems from a number of vendors to support same time and different place meetings. Intel’s TeamStation provides high-quality audio/video/data conferencing for small groups or individuals. Managers can conduct a meeting at up to 30 frames per second (fps). Approximately 24 frame per second (fps) is considered full-motion video. The most important factor to consider in choosing between video conferencing systems is the quality of the audio. Out-of-sync and poor quality audio is unacceptable. TeamStation audio seems to provide rich and full synchronized sound for participants. Microsoft NetMeeting is fully integrated into the simple user interface of TeamStation for data sharing.

Interactive video and Web-based tools can potentially speed up the dissemination of knowledge while reducing time and other costs for meetings. However, this mode of sharing knowledge and making decisions presents significant challenges when there is insufficient network bandwidth. In the United States many organizations can use 384 Kbps ISDN today with TeamStation and a LAN Intranet or the Internet when the infrastructure is ready for the additional traffic load. The high-quality 384 Kbps version of TeamStation provides excellent video and audio quality. During meetings managers have access to computer-based resources and Web-based materials.