Frost & Sullivan Research Rates LifeSize Communications Highest Among HD Video Communications Providers Serving the Healthcare Market

LONDON, June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent research in the global healthcare market, Frost & Sullivan has presented LifeSize with the 2010 Global Visual Collaboration Price Performance Value Leadership Award. Among competitors, Frost & Sullivan named LifeSize HD video communications solutions the most effective for healthcare providers, with the highest overall rating for price competitiveness, features, ease-of-use and service.

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The rapid evolution in the global healthcare market is placing a premium on visual communication technologies that can improve accessibility to medical care, as well as help mitigate the growing financial cost of healthcare delivery. LifeSize HD video communications solutions require as little as 768 Kbps to deliver 720p HD video with full-motion 30 frames per second, enabling even medical facilities with poorly developed network infrastructures to access the advantages of high quality video communication solutions. The flexibility of LifeSize's systems makes them easily adaptable to cart-based applications or to be used as field units. Seamless interoperability with unified communications platforms such as Avaya Aura also extends the value of LifeSize HD video communications systems with the ability to connect to mainstream collaboration tools and medical monitoring devices. And, with pricing as low as one-third the cost of competitors, LifeSize HD video solutions are an achievable investment for a broader array of medical facilities.

"The rising interest and importance of video communications systems within the healthcare industry is leading to increased competition among equipment vendors to secure a stake in the telemedicine market," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Iwona Petruczynik. "LifeSize's innovative feature set, simple operation and high quality HD performance results in one of the most appealing solutions for healthcare professionals. At the same time, LifeSize's undeniable price effectiveness allows visual communication systems to be more widely implemented, which can greatly expand the reach of telemedicine, enable remote-based medical education, and indirectly reduce hospital costs."

In addition to price-performance leadership, with a focus on lowest total cost of ownership, LifeSize's service and support programs were rated as excellent. Service and support programs are an especially critical requirement for healthcare providers, where timely troubleshooting can sometimes mean someone's life. LifeSize's help desk, Global Deployment Program, and professional services remove excessive installation costs, promote improved productivity and facilitate the customer's immediate return on investment. LifeSize delivers its services and support programs via a global network of certified partners.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan