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Case Study:

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Industry: Education
Scheduling: Microsoft Outlook Exchange
Meeting Platforms: Microsoft Teams and Zoom
Endpoints: Cisco

Partner: ET Group

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The Challenge

 

As a leading institute of technology, BCIT has been using video conferencing for more than three decades. Their video conferencing infrastructure has been SIP-based since the beginning, evolving from TANDBERG wheel carts and CRT monitors to today’s modern, sleek Cisco Webex devices.

The challenge has always been keeping video conferencing systems adaptable to the evolving landscape of meeting platforms. The pandemic accelerated this need, forcing BCIT to rapidly shift to Zoom as 3,000 staff members and 40,000 students transitioned overnight from in-person to virtual learning. Recently, BCIT made the strategic decision to standardize on Microsoft Teams, using  Outlook for scheduling meetings, rooms, and Teams sessions.

 

 

Evaluation of Interoperability Solutions

BCIT needed a solution that would enable seamless interoperability between their existing video systems and modern meeting platforms. Their key criteria were:

  • Preserving existing video conference devices across different generations

  • Interoperability with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and potentially more platforms

  • Ease of scheduling and starting video meetings with minimal user effort

  • Support for Teams Breakout Rooms to enhance collaboration

  • Compatibility with PowerPoint Live for seamless presentations

 

BCIT evaluated several interoperability solutions, including CVI and CRC. However, having to use multiple technologies to join different video meetings was not optimal. "That was a deal-breaker," says Douglas Woodley, Sr. Systems Analyst and Project Manager at BCIT 

Douglas Woodley:

“People book and manage their own meetings. It simply just works.”

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The Solution: Synergy SKY CONNECT

 

BCIT was impressed when they discovered Synergy SKY CONNECT, which enabled all their video conference devices with one-button-to-push access—not only for Teams but also for Zoom, Google Meet.

Since implementing CONNECT, the need for IT support has been minimal.

 

With Synergy SKY CONNECT, BCIT has successfully modernized its video conferencing experience, ensuring that staff and students can seamlessly connect, collaborate, and communicate across multiple platforms with ease.