As more companies deploy technology to allow employees to take advantage of video communications, IT managers should think about implementing a total solution that will deliver the capabilities required by everyone in the enterprise, on a consistent, manageable platform. Just as companies wouldnt focus on telephone handsets before deploying the platform and networks to support them, they shouldnt focus on videoconferencing endpoints when it comes to implementing videoconferencing technology. Instead, they should deploy a total solution that lays down a foundational platform for management, control and performance. That, in turn, will support whatever features and endpoints they, and their end users, need.That requires a platform that enables management, network control and firewall traversal. Once they have this platform in place, companies can layer on the features and capabilities that their employees require, including conferencing (using Multipoint Control Units, or MCUs) to connect multiple audio and video sites in one or more meetings; gateways for seamless voice and video connectivity between IP and ISDN networks, with complete feature transparency and performance; and archiving and recording, for easy content management and compliance. With the right infrastructure, IT managers can then deploy the endpoints best suited for a specific application, while ensuring interoperability from any vendoran especially important consideration as employees spend more time collaborating with partners and customers from different organizations, whose technology they dont control.For more on why deploying a platform is key to video conferencing success, please join me for a Webinar on the topic on Tuesday, March 18 at 2pm ET.