Ageless Passions by Karen Putz

Tag: VRS

  • Videophone Incompatibility–I’ve Had It!

    man on videophone

    I think videophones are the greatest invention since dark chocolate peanut butter cups, but today, I’ve had it.

    I had an interview set up this afternoon for my next book. The person called me using an ntouch by Sorenson. I used a Z-20 by ZVRS. We could not see each other.

    This is actually old news in the videophone industry and I’ve been aware of it for a while now. But today, I became rip-roaring mad. If you know me, it takes a lot to set me off. When I can’t run my business because of videophone incompatibility, it makes for one cranky entrepreneur.

    So I’ve had it. I’ve filed a complaint with the FCC, but my complaint is just one of many, many, many complaints that were filed with the FCC. It will take up to two weeks to submit my complaint to Sorenson and they have 30 days to address an answer to me.

    A call to the FCC confirmed that they’re aware of the issue and working to ensure that all videophones are compatible, but the slow pace of this fix is frustrating. The ntouch was released ONE YEAR ago this month. Prior to this, I could call a Sorenson videophone, but since the ntouch was released, it’s been a real problem. I still can’t leave an answering machine message when I call a Sorenson videophone. A call to Sorenson provided no answers as to when this compatibility issue will be fixed, just that they’re “aware of the problem and working to fix it.”

    Today, I couldn’t conduct business and we ended up turning to an alternative way to connect. That is totally uncalled for. Can you imagine Verizon and Sprint pulling this kind of thing off? If they so much as went one day where someone couldn’t make a call because of cell phone incompatibility, the media would be all over it.  Can you imagine an AT & T customer calling a T-mobile customer and not being able to access voice mail because of “incompatibility?”

    For crying out loud, (and we can’t even hear it) let’s get this incompatibility issue FIXED so we can go about the business of connecting with one another.

  • The Newest Trend: A Z-phone Party

    What better way to kick off a new job than to throw a party to show off some new toys? 

    On Saturday, I invited a few people over to see the new Z videophones from CSDVRS:

    In the photo below, Roberta explains her experience with the Z-150 that she uses at work.  With her previous videophone, she had difficulty with phone calls coming in.  The z-150 has firewall transversal technology which works well with complex network systems.

    Dennis O’Brien explained the various features and services that CSDVRS provides and also explained that Yes You Can use CSDVRS with other videophones.  We also covered the new 10-digit numbering system and why this number is important for 911 services.

    By the end of the night, people were saying this:

    If you work for the federal government, here’s some information on how you can obtain a Z videophone for your workplace:

    The Z™ Videophones from CSDVRS Now Available to Federal Employees

    Clearwater, FL [February 3, 2009] – CSDVRS, LLC, is now authorized to distribute its The Z™ 150 videophones to federal employees via the Department of Defense’s Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program (CAP). “This is an exciting step forward for federal employees who require high quality video that supports firewall traversal and encryption ability, such as The Z™ 150 for the purpose of secure visual communication.” said Chris Wagner, CSDVRS Vice President of Marketing. “Federal employees who are deaf or hard of hearing can now request The Z™ to be provided to them at no charge through CAP, which is a remarkable program that CSDVRS is proud to provide videophones for.”
     
    The Z™ 150 uses the same technology as some of the most advanced videoconferencing systems in the world, and was designed specifically for deaf and hard of hearing callers in partnership with world-renowned videoconferencing leader Tandberg. With a built-in 8.4-inch LCD screen and an easy-to-use keypad, federal employees can make calls with the touch of just a few buttons. The space-efficient videophone has a multitude of features, including incoming phone call flasher, call history, video/audio privacy, speakerphone/microphone capability, access to video remote interpreting services, and the ability to work with Internet firewalls commonly found in federal workplaces.
     
    CAP provides free assistive technology and services to people with disabilities, federal managers, supervisors, and information technology professionals. The program also increases access to information and works to remove barriers to employment opportunities by eliminating the costs of assistive technology and accommodation solutions. This is accomplished through partnerships with federal agencies and vendors such as CSDVRS.
     
     “In the federal government, fast and reliable connectivity is paramount,” Sean Belanger, CEO, CSDVRS stated. “CSDVRS works closely with our customers to deliver world-class, dependable video communication solutions, such as the Z-150 videophone that enhance operational efficiency and, ultimately, allow deaf and hard of hearing federal employees to communicate effectively in their workplace.”
     
    Federal employees may request for a Z-150 by visiting www.tricare.mil/cap     <http://www.tricare.mil/cap> or e-mail z150@csdvrs.com for more information. More information about CSDVRS products and services may also be found at www.csdvrs.com.
     
    About CSDVRS
    CSDVRS, a video relay services provider, launched its inaugural service to the nation in 2000. By 2001, CSDVRS became the nation’s only 24/7 provider, and also was the first to offer Spanish VRS, video mail and personal 800 numbers. CSDVRS was developed by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals based on feedback from the nation’s deaf and hard of hearing community. While other providers have followed our lead, CSDVRS is dedicated to that same spirit of innovation and commitment to excellence that took VRS from a dream to reality, by becoming the nation’s premier VRS provider.

  • Yes, You Can! Win $1,000 with the Z and CSDVRS!


    Hello. Our theme for today is Yes, you can! You may be wondering why. With 10 digit numbers now all across the country some people are wondering what to do about that 10 digit number. If you are a VP 100 or VP 200 user you should call Sorenson and get your local 10 digit phone number. You can still use CSDVRS! All you have to do is dial CSDVRS.TV! Maybe you have heard rumors about losing features if you use our service. That is not the case. You will still keep all your features and can still be able to use our service. When calling CSDVRS you will be connected to the most phenomenal interpreters out there!

    See the captioned video here (I couldn’t embed it for some reason):  Yes You Can!


    Yes, You Can! Sweepstakes

    CSDVRS is giving ONE lucky winner $1,000 CASH to be drawn on Monday, March 23, 2009.
    How do you sign up? It’s easy! All you have to do to enter is fill out an online contest entry form! Once you’ve completed the entry form, your name will automatically be entered into the drawing – and the best part is you only need to fill out the entry form once!
    It’s that easy!

    You can enter the contest by clicking here . Yes, You Can!
    Click here for contest rules and eligibility.
     
     
     
     

     

     

    For more information contact:

    blue ball logo CSDVRS launched its inaugural video relay services (VRS) in 2000. By 2001, CSDVRS was the nation’s only 24-hours-a-day provider, and also the first to offer Spanish VRS, video mail and personal 800 numbers. CSDVRS was developed by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. While other providers have followed our lead, CSDVRS is dedicated to the same spirit of innovation and commitment to excellence that took VRS from a dream to reality, and has become the nation’s premier VRS provider.

  • Back Home Again…and, Onward with the Z-Phones!

    I’m back!

    Lori and Karen

    Last week Tuesday, I headed down to Clearwater, Florida, to meet the Z-Team from CSDVRS.  It turned out to be an overwhelming, intense, exciting, fun, brain-jamming week.  I teamed up with Lori Koch from South Dakota, who took the position of Assistant Director of Sales.  The two of us spent three days getting to know all the employees and soaking up the nuts and bolts of our jobs.  Lori did a much better job of remembering who was who, but she had a head start, as she knew nearly half of the employees from her former job.

    On Sunday, the Sales Managers from all over flew in and there were even more names to place with faces.  On Monday night, we played a fun, team-building activity and then headed over to an employee’s house for dinner and a swim.  We fired up the Z-340 videophones and took turns using them.  I called home and connected with my kids.  It was so neat to walk around in the backyard and introduce everyone to my family, including the ones in the pool.  Wi-fi access rocks!

    I was able to test out the new Z-100 software for PCs on my laptop at the airport.  I called my mother-in-law and chatted with her using VCO (Voice Carry Over, using my own voice to speak directly).  Just before boarding, I talked with CSDVRS Outreach Specialist, Dennis O’Brien (whom you might remember from his Obama vote) via my built-in laptop webcam.  I closed the laptop to board, but once I sat down, I called him again.  You should have seen the look on his face when he realized that I was calling from the airplane before take-off.

    The year ahead promises to be an exciting one with the Z-Team and I look forward to connecting with deaf and hard of hearing customers from all over.   I will be covering Illinois and Wisconsin, plus nationwide with those who use VCO.  I’m teaming up with Mike Finneran and Hope Turpin on the nationwide level.

    I will be hiring Outreach Specialists in Illinois and Wisconsin and looking for VCO and Spanish Outreach Specialists as well. 

    For more information about the Z products or to learn more about our services, I would be happy to chat with you. If you, or someone you know is struggling with phone access at work or at home, let me know.  I will help work to find a solution to your phone needs.

    kputz@csdvrs.com

    VP: karenputz.myvp.tv

    Voice callers can reach me at: 888-657-8492

    Twitter:  DeafMom