About the Videolinq Network
Videolinq is the name given to the organisational unit that administers the extensive TAFE Queensland Videoconferencing Network and videostreaming facility. Videolinq incorporates twelve of the thirteen TAFE Queensland Institutes and comprises 61 room videoconferencing sites and 10 desktop units, located in TAFE Queensland and associated premises across the state. Please view our location map for the geographic location of sites and bridges across Queensland and Videolinq Room Index for details of each individual network room, relevant contact personnel and contact numbers.
The Network utilises a Polycom MGC 100 Videoconferencing Bridge located in Brisbane. The Polycom MGC 100 has 48 IP (Internet Protocol) and 15 ISDN port capacities with 24 Port transcoding and 'Continuous Presence' functionality. The transcoding functionality provides seamless connection of videoconferencing endpoints with different network speeds. The Videolinq Network transmits IP at 384 Kbps per second and ISDN at 128 Kbps per second. Continuous Presence enhances the videoconferencing experience by allowing users to view multiple sites on the screen.
Videolinq maintains a videostreaming capability at the Mackay office in Central Qld that comprises stand alone production and server equipment powered by a 2000 Kb megalink.
The Videolinq Taskforce is the strategic management arm of the Videolinq Network and is made up of the Institute Directors from member Institutes. Carol Webb, the Director of Brisbane North Institute of TAFE, heads the Taskforce in the role of Videolinq Chairperson.
The Videolinq Taskforce consists of the following member TAFE Queensland Institutes:
Barrier Reef
- Bremer
- Brisbane North
- Central Queensland
- Gold Coast
- Metropolitan South
- Mount Isa
- SkillsTech Australia
- Southern Queensland
- Sunshine Coast
- Tropical North Queensland
- Wide Bay
The Videolinq office is physically located in the Mackay College, Central Queensland Institute. It is responsible for the day to day operations of the state-wide base and coordinates the network activities of the member institutes. As of the 20th June 2005 Videolinq joined the TAFE Operations Directorate as a member within the Business Systems and Performance unit and reports to the Executive Consultant of that unit.
Videolinq Network
The Network consists of Polycom and Tandberg videoconferencing units and uses a Polycom multipoint bridge (MCU).
Institute networks are maintained by a series of established personnel (management structure) who take responsibility for the provision of internal network services. Each institute provides an Institute Manager drawn from the institute executive who is responsible for the overall administration of the internal institute network. The Institute Program Coordinator position coordinates the educational and training needs of the institute. Institute educational staff fill these positions. Institute Site Coordinator and Site Coordinator positions are responsible for the operational aspects of the institute network and of the individual sites.
Videolinq TAFE Queensland is in a partnership with Integrated Vision Pty Ltd which supplies network facility management services as per a Government Information Technology Contract (GITC). Integrated Vision (Qld) has offices at the Mincom Centre in Brisbane and is affiliated with the national company of the same name which has offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Additional service providers include JPL Media (videostreaming application and server support).
Videolinq draws on long term associate, Carol Daunt from LearnTel Ltd for educational and training support and is a member of the Teleconnections Group.