Caribbean Today News

Effective Virtual Conferencing Requires Reliable Equipment

Stephen Bricknell, BVD International Founder

We have seen advancements in the way we conduct business, engage students, and use technology to do both over the last decade. However, in this pandemic, we have seen more businesses and educational institutions embrace virtually meetings and video conferencing to combat the effects of home isolation and inability to travel over the last year and a half.

As the Caribbean prepares to resume classes for the new academic year, many countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Jamaica, are experimenting with a hybrid environment. The ministries of education, teachers, and even students recognize that managing in this environment will be difficult, but with the right technology, stakeholders can be assured that it will be a success.

Choosing the right platform and AV system is critical to this success. There are numerous possibilities in remote settings for using the internet video conferencing technologies. Fast and stable internet, and audio and video equipment are important for online videoconferencing. Some people can quickly get sidetracked by badly functioning equipment or lose interest in the presentation or meeting.

Stephen Bricknell, a South African-born entrepreneur looking for a new and dynamic market to develop business for his vendors, founded BVD International Inc. four years ago. While Barbados is a popular vacation spot for many, it is also the headquarters of BVD International, a distributor of professional audio and video products. BVD distributes a number of global brands, including Kramer Electronics, a leading player and pioneer in the professional audio and video industry with over four decades of experience.​

Understanding the dynamics of the Caribbean region’s small islands, BVD operates though a distribution channel which involves an eco-system of integrators to effectively service end-users. BVD has systems integrators on most of the Caribbean islands.

BVD products and services are only available through carefully selected, qualified systems integrators, to ensure that local service and support is readily available to end users, irrespective of where in the Caribbean they are located.

According to Bricknell, this model works well and provides system integrators with ground support in the Caribbean. He confirms that, while integrators may purchase multiple products for the solution, BVD acts as a single point of contact to facilitate the process. He admits to having a high level of product knowledge and provides technical support, having previously run a successful business in the audio and video industry in South Africa.

As schools resume classes in this new hybrid environment, BVD and Kramer recommend the VIA Campus² to help students adjust.

The VIA Campus² is compatible with the most popular operating systems, including IOS and Android, and features an intuitive user interface. This system has a 4K output, high-quality video streaming, and is, of course, designed for video conferencing. VIA Campus² supports third-party conferencing and office apps that you’ve become accustomed to or used in the last year, such as Microsoft Office®, Teams®, Zoom®, and GoToMeeting® amongst others.

Because security is critical in business and even more so in the classroom, this system includes robust security features.

If you’re wondering how scalable this system is, the solution can accommodate any size collaboration or meeting space. As a result, it is the ideal solution for everything from small classrooms to large exhibition halls.

To engage with BVD International Inc. and learn more about this system or other suitable solutions for your business or to find a systems integrator near you, send an email to info@bvd-int.com