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I L T A W H I T E P A P E R | T E C H S O L U T I O N S 12 meant to avoid belatedly realizing a system was built and will never get used. Finally, and perhaps most practically, the answers to these questions will help determine the system's complexity and cost implications and guard against underestimating the investment needed to implement the desired VC solution. Complexity and Cost Implications As with most technolo implementations, the complexity and cost implications are closely intertwined and highly correlated. Do not let this dissuade the decision your firm has made to procure a VC system. A sweet spot exists that marries low-maintenance and support with high user adoption, and likely leverages current firm infrastructure with modern and services. Across the landscape of many industries and firms there are varying degrees of complexity in VC systems – by and large most implementations fall into one of three following classes or categories: • Basic: usually includes a web-based or software-based application running through a desktop or laptop computer. These systems utilize built-in or off the shelf (USB) cameras combined with microphone and external audio devices, controlled by a standalone "conferencing computer" attached to a screen or projector. Other options in this category might include video-enabled IP phones. Though somewhat rudimentary, these options can be successful by offering quick deployments with low upfront costs. These implementations are risky and could misrepresent the firm because their quality or success cannot be assured. These systems offer very little quality of service guarantees and are subject to system and networking resources – calls can exhibit high degrees of variability in quality and have the potential to give bad impressions if calls drop. This class of VC system can be rolled-out to all employees and firm locations, in standard and consistent implementations. Their high flexibility makes them ideal for firms that have not settled on a particular solution and can be used to demonstrate a use case for better systems. • Hybrid: involve the use of a single device with integrated microphones, speakers, and a camera. Meeting services like Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex have gained popularity in this space because they leverage a firm's current unified communications. The devices used in this class of VC system integrate with currently- installed flat-panel displays or screens. A handful of manufacturers offer screens, cameras, and whiteboards available as part of a package. Hybrid systems minimize the number of separate components deployed in a meeting space – a main appliance controls how calls are joined in a meeting. A touchscreen or tablet allow controls the focus, volume, dialing, and answering of video calls. By and large, many firms have found these systems (often with slight modifications) beneficial. Though costly up front – yet significantly economical compared to fully-customized offerings – these systems integrate well in many locations and do not require architects and multiple vendors for implementation. These conferencing bundles are preferred

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