State Video Action Team

With the results of the OTM Video Services RFP around the corner, plans for the new video network will soon need to be in place. Mike Abbiatti, Associate Commissioner for Information and Learning Technology, will convene the Video Network Action Team (VNAT) on Friday 15 July in Alexandria in order to make important choices, and to move forward with the new video network strategy, design, and deployment. The VNAT will meet regularly over the next year to ensure that the new statewide interactive video network is up and running by September 2006. There are some exciting potentials to be realized.The VNAT will be made of a mix of technical and administrative representatives. The mission of the group is to create a diagram, assumptions, and a cost structure. The first meeting will be on July 15 in Alexandria at the Learning Center of Rapides Parish (9:30am-3:30pm). During this meeting the mission, basic assumptions, regulations, and resources will be explored. This interactive network will serve educational institutions (K20), research institutions, and governmental agencies.

Says Abbiatti, “We have a tremendous opportunity to create the type of network we need to move forward. The keys will be affordability and scalability. I anticipate some other user communities joining us to create a truly statewide resource. LONI also may have some utility as we progress.” LONI is the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative which is part of the National Lambda Rail (www.nlr.net).

The new network will be seen as a utility or a tool with quality of service rather than a unique technology. Also part of the process will be the conversion from H.320 to H.323. Contact Mike at abbiatti@bormail.regents.state.la.us to be added to the listserv.