Education Technology Review

Aethra's Electra wins Award

2009-01-10T23:49:00.000-08:00

ELECTRA AWARDED AS THE MOST INNOVATIVE VIDEOCONFERENCING PRODUCT
OF YEAR 2008!!

Aethra‘s Electra High Definition Videoconferencing roll-about solution is chosen as our —Most Innovative Videoconferencing Product of the Year 2008“; with its superb HD codec and beautiful Italian design, it is a major breakthrough in videoconferencing room system design
5 January 2009. Aethra‘s Electra High Definition Videoconferencing solution is chosen as Telepresence and Videoconferencing Insight‘s —Most Innovative Videoconferencing Product of the Year 2008“.
Aethra‘s Electra High definition Videoconferencing is a top of the range solution offering a superb HD video codec, HD camera and 50“ plasma or LCD screen to display Full High Definition (1920x1080resolution) video. It is the only solution of its kind to offer an integrated MCU capable of connecting 9 separate locations. Each Electra is a unique and exclusive ”work of design technology‘ and part of a numbered series.
Aethra Electra was designed by leading Italian industrial architect Michele De Lucchi. Electra is the epitome of style and elegance; its minimalist form creates a sense of refined luxury while providing state-of-the-art video communication services. With a natural leather finish available in a palette of sophisticated colours, Electra complements and enriches any space where it is located. (See picture above)
At the launch of the Aethra Electra in April 2008, Elena Viezzoli, Vice President of Aethra, explained; —We are sure that we have passed the point where just technology is good enough for business applications. Since the market is growing in terms of global competition it was mandatory to create a unique selling point that could differentiate our products from all the others, our products have to be immediately recognized by everyone.... Our new vision of videoconferencing is therefore ”beyond technology‘; technology is the essence, and our intention is to exalt this essence with a unique design-based approach, focusing on the different aspects of what customers are looking for. In addition to internationally renowned Italian style, customers also clearly want a greater emphasis on simplicity, in order to make sophisticated technology more accessible. Our new solution is a ”must have‘ top-end system driving the evolution of videoconferencing towards a fabulous life-style concept“.
Aethra Electra places the large screen and codec on an attractive, light-weight, roll-about stand for meeting rooms of any size. With a natural leather finish available in Sorrento Lime, White Ivory, Grey Pearl, Amaranto, Navy or Ebony, Electra combines materials of excellence with a palette of sophisticated colours to complement or enrich any location. It is so beautiful, everyone will want to have this elegant piece of furniture in their office or meeting room.

The Aethra Electra HD codec provides superb video quality at 768 kbps on IP and can run at up to 4 Mbps over IP. Aethra Electra offers the best-in-class HD audio quality with support for both 14 kHz codecs (ITU and ISO) and provides full Audio SuperWideband during connections with any other videoconferencing system. Electra delivers rich, full-duplex sound with echo cancellation and automatic noise suppression
Electra offers connectivity options. Electra also supports HD video at 768 kbps over ISDN BRI and connections up to 2 Mbps over ISDN PRI, or over leased lines (X.21, V.35, RS449, G.703).
The Aethra Electra‘s built-in mixed mode MCU, with its Continuous Presence feature, can connect up to 9 sites for immersive, true-to-life collaboration sessions. Attention to detail includes the ergonomic and flexible design, which provides space for additional audio/video devices such as a VCR or Blue-Ray recorder.
Electra has a sister videoconferencing system the Aethra Athena. Athena is another exclusive design created by Michele De Lucchi. Athena is flexible, light-weight and versatile roll-about which can offer two screens. Athena is available in a variety of versions according to the size of the monitor and type of integrated codec (SD or HD) so that it can satisfy the particular requirements of each client, from the selection of set tops and monitors, to the choice of materials and colours. But it is Aethra Electra which is top of the range of these new stylish Aethra products.
When we interviewed Aethra‘s CEO Viezzoli last month, he told us: —The new products that we launched in 2008 underline our belief that we have passed the point where just technology is good enough for business applications. Because of this we intend to keep on working with internationally renowned Italian industrial designers, such as Michele De Lucchi and Paolo Villa with the aim of providing the market with a line of products that continue to offer clients a unique stylish alternative to technologically-similar products.“
That is why Aethra‘s Electra High Definition Videoconferencing solution is a path-breaking innovation and why it is chosen as Telepresence and Videoconferencing Insight‘s —Most Innovative Videoconferencing Product of the Year 2008“.
About Telepresence and Videoconferencing Insight Newsletter
Telepresence and Videoconferencing Insight is a well established newsletter for the user of Telepresence, videoconferencing and video-enabled unified communication systems. It has reported on the industry from a user perspective since May 1996. It is published on Wednesday of each week at www.vcinsight.com and www.tpandvc-insight.com.
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Newsletter content comprises: User application case studies, CEO interviews, equipment news, news from the channel and systems integrators, news from conference service providers, and other industry news. It is accessible free of charge thanks to generous support from sponsoring companies including: Aethra, Cisco, EyeNetwork, RADVISION, and Sony.
The web site contains a reference data bank of 400 user applications in 25 user vertical categories such as manufacturing industry, financial services, hospitals, telemedicine and education. Many of these cover the use of Telepresence and High Definition videoconferencing systems. Potential users of Telepresence and videoconferencing are invited to examine these case studies in order better understand the benefits of using videoconferencing for themselves.
About Aethra®
Aethra (www.aethra.com), a leader in the global telecommunications market, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of high-performance products including video communication solutions, audio conference systems, networking test equipment and products for ISDN and xDSL networks, as well as multi-conference audio-video-data service management. These exceptional products have distinguished Aethra as a leader in the telecommunications industry worldwide, reflecting its expertise in bringing cutting-edge communications technologies to the market: for FY 2006, Aethra‘s turnover reached $114 million. Aethra is currently present in 65 countries with its own network of partners and sister companies and has offices in Milan, Rome, Miami Sao Paulo, Mexico City, London, Madrid, Paris, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and New Delhi.
Founded in 1972, Aethra received the international award —Videoconferencing Company of the Year 2006“ in this its 35th year in the telecommunications industry.

2009-01-10T21:51:00.000-08:00

2009-01-10T21:02:00.000-08:00

Gitex 2008

2009-01-10T20:54:00.000-08:00

2009-01-10T20:43:00.000-08:00

2009-01-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

Middle East initiatives in the Renewable Energy Sector

2009-01-10T20:21:00.000-08:00

Key energy ministers and Arab political figures gather to discuss renewable energy at the World Future Energy Summit

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 10^th January, 2009: It is now confirmed that the Egyptian Minister of Energy, HE Dr. Hassan Younes will be speaking at the Summit along with other key Arab figures. Dr. Hassan will be highlighting the new electricity law designed to encourage the development of renewable energy and to continue reforming the electricity sector.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Summit reflects Sheikh Khalifa’s commitment on addressing one of the world’s most pressing concerns: energy, the environment, and the sustainable use of vital natural resources.

A total of 3 Arab Energy Ministers and Arab Speakers are now expected to address top energy related issues including Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiya, Secretary-General, GCC, Sultan Al Jaber, CEO, Masdar Group, Samer Adham, Managing Director, Global Water Sustainability Center, H.E. Karim Kawar, Former Jordanian Ambassador to the US, and Chairman of EDAMA initiative for sustainable Energy.

The Summit will also present an exhibition area with 358 participating companies, of which 114 or 32% are registered from the Middle East.

Renewable energy has become a key topic in the Arab World, with evidence that the World Future Energy Summit is being held in the United Arab Emirates, a country known for its rich oil reserves.

Hosting the World Future Energy Summit in the United Arab Emirates has attracted other neighbouring countries from the Middle East to start looking at environmentally attractive resources. The Middle East region has abundant natural resources that make it a very appealing location for renewable energy and governments and experts are looking at leveraging its natural resources in the same way it has done with oil and gas.

Ambassador Kawar will be presenting the EDAMA Initiative for sustainable energy in Jordan which aims at assisting Jordan in its quest for less dependence on fossil fuels, conservation and protection of the environment.

According to Lionel Fretz from Carbon Capital Markets, Abu Dhabi has announced plans to spearhead a $7 billion CDM market in the region, and have realized significant investment in wind, solar and biofuels around the world, both in projects and early stage cleantech investment. Through major programmes like the UAE's Masdar Initiative and Abu Dhabi's agreement to develop low carbon technologies with the UK, the Middle East region is beginning to increase focus on solutions for today's climate challenges.

Clear examples of Arab initiatives that support the development of renewable energy technologies include the MASDAR initiative, International Renewable Energy Agency, and the Mediterranean Solar plan all of which are playing a leading role in engaging the world’s best minds and organizations to realize a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The World Future Energy Summit has attracted various Middle Eastern based organizations which expressed their keen interest in supporting the Summit and its initiative by sponsoring the event, including Etihad, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, Aldar, and CNBC Arabia.

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ABOUT THE WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT

The World Future Energy Summit held its inaugural event on 21-23 January 2008 in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The first summit in January brought together 11,272 attendees from 77 countries, 213 exhibitors from 23 countries, over 80 speakers and 423 international and regional media.

Hosted by Masdar, WFES 09 will be hosted in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is proudly supported by its principal sponsor, Credit Suisse and principal international media partner, TIME magazine.

Please visit the official website for additional information, www.WorldFutureEnergySummit.com

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2008-11-09T03:16:00.000-08:00

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