Interactive Video (METNET)
The METNET interactive video network is both a technology and a methodology, which uses compressed video transported over IP Local and Wide Area networks, the Internet Cloud and digital telephone lines to provide a reliable platform for distance learning, state agency training, meetings, hearings, and many other uses.
METNET has 13 "general access" video conference suites (classrooms or smaller venues), meaning these can be scheduled by any state agency, university, approved state governement contractor/user as available (See Sites listing).
The METNET system serves the State of Montana: Higher education, OPI, state agencies, county-city government, military, judicial, telepsych, approved non-profit corporations, and agency approved contractors or other users doing business for that agency. (MCA 20-32-101) All use must conform to STATE STATUTE.
METNET service includes teamwork alliances with other providers in Montana, including Eastern Montana Telemedicine Network (EMTN), Montana Partners in Health Telemedicine Network (PHTN), REACH Telemedicine Network, and Vision Net, plus several international service providers.
Perhaps most important: METNET is the support staff, site coordinators and site technicians, and an ethic of high quality service.
METNET Video is really a service provider, in that, we are a small business within state government: serving customers by providing information, full video conference services, including setup and coordination, vendor interface, conference confirmations, conference and network management, and billing services (using the state's telecom billing system), as well as system/room design assistance, maintenance, and training.
- METNET Video was created in 1992 to serve educational and state agency needs
- Originally intended to serve K-12 and universities' needs, METNET has evolved to serve higher ed courseware, OPI administrative uses, and state agency training and meeting needs
- METNET uses a scheduling and billing system which was "in house created" to interface to state's billing package
- METNET maintains a large local, US and international video site and vendor database
- METNET Video's primary section operates using 3.3 FTE's
