Dell Signs on for Google Chromebox Video Collaboration Solution

Dell said it soon will offer a Google (GOOG) Chromebox video collaboration solution aimed at addressing the online meeting needs of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to connect teams, co-workers and customers.

The company confirmed it is developing a custom Chromebox solution to enable up to 15 participants to collaborate in a virtual meeting irrespective of geographic location or device. The Intel (INTC) Core i7-based hardware, which has a set-top style footprint, will include a high-definition camera, a combined microphone and speaker unit and a remote control to enable users to connect to a display in a conference room. Specs also include HDMI and DisplayPort, four USB 3.0 ports, and Ethernet along with dual band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi.

Google debuted the $999 Chromebox For Meetings system last week and said direct marketer CDW (CDW) and distributor Synnex (SNX) already were deploying the technology to facilitate meetings with customers and channel partners.

“We are excited to be working closely with Google on such an innovative solution that gives professionals the opportunity to connect, collaborate and meet face-to-face no matter where they are,” said Neil Hand, Dell Tablet Group vice president and general manager. “We are committed to enabling our customers to be productive and effective in any professional setting, and improve the office meeting experience.”

Dell didn’t specify an exact date when it will begin selling its Chromebox solution but the vendor did use the occasion to tout its relationship with the search giant, pointing to its education market-aimed Chromebook 11, Android tablets, and new Android-based Dell Wyse Cloud Connect device.

Caesar Sengupta, Google Product Management vice president, said in a blog post that Chromebox, which combines Google+ Hangouts and Google Apps under one roof, is managed from a web-based console, enabling quick meeting setups without dial-in codes, passcodes or leader PINs. The unit comes with a free year's worth of management and support but after that it will cost users $250 to continue. 

Sengupta said users can participate with laptops, tablets or smartphones and all that’s required is a Gmail account. Those with traditional videoconferencing systems can access a Vidyo tool to participate or others preferring telephones can dial a conference call number from UberConference, he said.

In addition to Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) is expected to follow suit with a Chromebox for Meetings unit of its own, Sengupta said. Google plans to rollout the Chromebox meeting technology in Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom later this year.

Asus rolled out a $179 Chromebox a week ago featuring three different processor types. The unit, which does not include the video collaboration solution, is slated to ship in March.