New, simple video conferencing equipment in HD quality can provide reductions in time, travel expenses and environmental impact.

2011.08.11 | Marianne Gammelgaard

Travelling is an important activity at Business and Social Sciences due to the international profile of the main academic area, and because it is important that our researchers go out into the world to develop research projects and networks. Travels are also one of the major entries in the purchase accounts, and furthermore, the Sustainable Campus project has worked out that the CO² emissions of the employees’ air, train and car travels in 2010 were 1124.1 tons. Therefore, the travel category makes it worth considering how to reduce CO² emissions, as well as how to save money.

As a result, Business and Social Sciences has bought new video communication equipment in HD quality, which makes it possible to gather people from all over the world in a so-called virtual environment. This can be done in connection with small meetings, but also lectures and conferences with many participants.

Easily accessible
Everyone can use the conference equipment, and it does not require much training or the participation in any kind of course. You can either use your own computer, a webcam or the AV Section’s equipment with a 65” touch screen. This new, simple equipment should help spread the use of video conferencing.

- The new equipment will help reduce the costs of and the time spent on travelling. This means that it will also contribute to a reduction in CO² emissions. Greater efficiency and knowledge sharing are also some of the advantages of the new equipment, says Henrik Thomsen from the AV Section.

Electronic blackboard
The equipment can also be used in connection with lectures. The large touch screen allows you to write directly on the PowerPoint slides, save notes and show films and photos in an incredibly simple way. At the same time, the presentation is reflected in the projector, which means that the students in other lecture halls are able take part as well. This makes it possible to teach larger classes in several lecture halls at the same time.

The lecture hall equipment will initially be implemented at Fuglesangs Allé, where it will be tested in week 35, and it is expected to be ready for use later this summer.

Got an idea?

If you have an idea of how employees can reduce their travel footprint, send an e-mail to sustainablecampus@asb.dk.

• Read more about Sustainable Campus
• Read the article “Green activities to proceed at Business and Social Sciences”

FACT GUIDE
The various opportunities for video conferencing:

Meetings
Using your own computer:

• The programme Adobe Connect can be used for meetings with the participation of up to three people.
• Adobe Connect is of much higher quality than Skype and other programmes.
• The programme has many functions and can be adapted to the specific situation.
• You need a webcam and a headset
• The other participants must also use the programme
• Free of charge for all employees

In the conference room:

• Special video equipment is available
• The room must be booked in advance (D5 and D6 at Fuglesangs Allé or the Dean’s conference room at Bartholins Allé)
• The equipment will be prepared for use by people from the IT Department

In the future, it will be possible to book movable video conferencing equipment at Fuglesangs Allé instead of booking a room. The equipment will be set up in the room where the meeting will be held.

Streaming:
Streaming makes it possible to transmit a lecture delivered in a different place in the country to up to 1000 people.

Get started easily

If you are interested in using the equipment or getting an introduction to how your can hold meetings in front of your own computer, you can receive help and instruction from Henrik Thomsen from the AV Section.

Contact:

Henrik Thomsen
AV Section, Fuglesangs Allé
E-mail: hthomsen@asb.dk
Tel.: +45 89488933

Søren Staunsager
IT Department, Bartholins Allé
E-mail: sst@sam.au.dk
Tel.: +45 89421533