Conferencing

Videoconference Room Connectivity provides connectivity for interactive video in specialized meeting rooms. This service offering includes the following: 

• Videoconference endpoint device connections to the Minnesota Network for Enterprise Telecommunications (MNET).
• Endpoint devices include computers and gateways in agency conference rooms equipped with videoconferencing capability.
  • Initial implementation of videoconference connections may be treated as a managed work effort and charged separately.
• Ongoing network access for connected endpoint devices.
• Support for connectivity issues related to endpoint devices.
• Access to a videoconference room scheduling system that allows the agency to include each videoconference room in a directory that includes conference room details such as equipment capabilities, coordinator information, room access, and capacity. The videoconference room scheduling system may be used by agency staff to view availability and reserve videoconference rooms.

Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTRs) uses the Microsoft Teams platform combined with Microsoft-certified audio and visual devices in a conference room setting to allow people working in the office and people working remotely to meet with video/audio, share screens and whiteboards, etc. This service offering includes device connectivity, software and configuration. Rates and support for this service are currently under development.

Conferencing Professional Services includes the following: 

• MNIT staff support to help design videoconference rooms. This ensures the systems and equipment procured from vendors will function within the state’s technical environment, and will meet agency needs from an operational and support perspective. 
• Assistance on an as-needed basis for work efforts outside of normal support due to their size, scope, timing, or complexity

See MNIT’s Service Level Matrix for service level objectives related to incident resolution. 

• MNIT maintains contracts with multiple videoconference equipment vendors. Agencies are encouraged to use these vendors for procuring equipment. 
• Visit the Office of State Procurement website (requires log in) for information about the current set of vendors.

• The agency purchases or leases, installs, maintains, and supports all videoconferencing equipment for conference rooms and Microsoft Teams Rooms.
• The agency purchases and tracks licenses for all videoconferencing system software, except Microsoft Teams Rooms licenses (see MNIT Responsibilities).