BCCS Services

Video Conferencing

The Illinois Videoconferencing Network

The Illinois Videoconferencing Network was built in 1991 to provide videoconferencing services to governmental agencies throughout the State. The network originally consisted of two CMS sites, one each in Springfield and Chicago. Today the IVN is conveniently available at 180 state agencies and approximately 100 educational locations. IVN Directory Lookup

What is Videoconferencing?

Videoconferencing is an effective way to hold meetings and share information and ideas without having to travel. Videoconferencing is two-way interaction between two or more sites located in distant locations. Through the use of this technology, remote sites can see, hear, and interact in meetings and training sessions without the inconveniences associated with travel. In a videoconference meeting, you can also show and see documents, drawings, slides, transparencies, computer images and more, all in real time. The CMS videoconferencing facilities in Springfield and Chicago provide you the opportunity to videoconference with rooms full of people, each in different locations or with individuals from their own desktop systems. You can videoconference with sites across the city, across the state, across the country or around the world.

Why use Videoconferencing?

Reduce Travel Costs
With videoconferencing, it's possible to conduct staff meetings, training and budget reviews with staff located in remote sites without ever leaving the city. This eliminates travel expenses such as transportation, hotels, and meals.

Increase Staff Productivity
Time spent on the road between meeting sites can be better directed toward increasing staff productivity.

Make Faster, Better Decisions
Because the cost to conduct a videoconference does not increase if you add more people to your meeting, all key staff members can participate without the worry of exorbitant travel costs.

Increase Team Building
Videoconferencing is an excellent way to apprise staff in distant locations of the day-to-day operations of the organization.

Videoconferencing Applications
Videoconferencing technology provides a convenient and economical solution to organizing and conducting meetings. Videoconferencing applications continue to increase as the technology's benefits are explored. Some of the applications include:

Meetings
Staff meetings
Budget reviews
Bidder's conferences
Crisis Management
Board and committee meetings
Strategic planning
Review of technical plans, maps, and documents

Education
Distance learning
Training
Administrative reviews

Medical
Remote patient diagnostics
Case consultation
Medical classes

Legal System
Court arraignments
Trials
Depositions
Judicial hearings

Interviewing

Public Forums

Multi-Site Training