|
 | 
Apr-21-2008Cisco, AT&T; Look To Expand High-End Video-Conference System(topic overview)
CONTENTS:
SOURCES
FIND OUT MORE ON THIS SUBJECT
Of course, conferencing also serves to create a "greener" footprint, helping address another growing concern -- the effect travel has on the environment. To further capitalize on its global IP networking and VPN services, AT&T; has announced it is leveraging Cisco's ( News - Alert ) conferencing expertise to offer what will be the first fully managed Cisco Telepresence solution -- AT&T; Telepresence Solution. Cisco's telepresence enables customers to quickly and easily engage in a collaborative video conference experience, which the key being "experience," as it offers the capability to bring other parties into a meeting, almost as though they are sitting at the same table. It is not a desktop video calling solution using a $20 video camera from Radio Shack. Leveraging its network and global reach, AT&T; now brings life-size high-definition video along with special audio to its business customers, creating the experience of being in the same room with other parties, whether they are down the street or half way across the globe. "The AT&T; Telepresence ( News - Alert ) Solution is the latest example of how we're helping enterprises to improve 'business velocity' by enabling them to move quicker and make better business decisions," said Ronald E. Spears, AT&T; group president of Global Business Services. "Customers can take advantage of the power of the AT&T; network and our expertise in providing world-class services to enjoy the multitude of benefits of this fully immersive collaboration technology." [1] The solution also includes a concierge service that works in conjunction with many common business calendaring applications, including Microsoft ( News - Alert ) Exchange and Lotus Notes, as well as the capability to engage videoconferences with a single button. It includes AT&T-owned; Cisco equipment, as well as installation, monitoring, management of the platform, network provisioning, help desk support, and on-site maintenance as required. Importantly, this is not a case of AT&T; merely pushing a new solution to its customers -- it has already deployed the solution in 11 of its own offices, and plans to expand that presence globally. "We're already seeing tremendous value from the ability to bring our management team together for face to face meetings on a regular basis, even though they are scattered across the country," said Spears.[1]
While still a niche business, telepresence represents Cisco's fastest-growing business ever in emerging technology, according to Marthin De Beer, senior vice president of the emerging tech group. It's estimated that by 2011 the installed base of video-conferencing rooms will be 144,000, according to Dawson. In comparison, the number of desktop units - using Web cams and existing monitors - will reach 1.5 million, he said. AT&T; hopes to grow the business further by pushing the service onto its own suppliers and customers, increasing the base and inducing a viral interest in telepresence.[2] Cisco likes it because it can also sell more networking gear to support it. AT&T;, meanwhile, is attracted to telepresence because it requires another service that locks in their business customers. "It does look like we're finally getting to the point where video-conferencing is able to deliver what it promised," said Jan Dawson, an analyst at research firm Ovum, adding that it allows both companies to increase the number of potential customers.[2]
Pricing has not been announced. Cisco officials believe this will provide another way to bring TelePresence to enterprise customers, especially those who might not want to pay for their own equipment or go through the trouble of setting up and managing the system. "Coming to market with both a managed solution and an inter-company dimension, it opens up the world for communication outside your company," said Chris Coles, vice president/general manager of Cisco's TelePresence Exchange business unit.[3] As its business customers continue to look for ways to conserve financial resources and, in this case, AT&T; ( News - Alert ) is on a continuing mission to offer new and exciting ways for them to benefit from the latest IP Communications technologies.[1] Few will argue there is no substitute for in-person communication, but the simple fact is that today's schedules and travel costs simply do not make that a feasible alternative in every instance. By providing the next best alternative, AT&T; is ensuring its business customers the ability to conduct business as effectively as possible, while meeting their budgeting and scheduling requirements in the process.[1]
In a business environment that moves faster than any before, the ability to quickly and efficiently communicate with customers and colleagues is essential -- in many cases, executives almost need to be in many places at once. With the AT&T; Telepresence Solution, they can.[1] Now it's getting some help from AT&T;, which is providing a fully managed TelePresence service called AT&T; TelePresence Solution.[3] The AT&T; Telepresence Solution will be available in 23 countries in the second half of the year, with additional rollouts planned for 2009.[1] The enhanced virtual presence enabled by the AT&T; Telepresence Solution serves to provide the perception of togetherness, which leads to increased collaboration.[1]
The way it works is AT&T; will lease the TelePresence equipment to users and take over the installation, maintenance, management of the application, service and repair. They'll also provision the application so customers can talk to other TelePresence rooms in different companies.[3] Right now, TelePresence conferences happen usually within one company's private network. Using AT&T;'s expertise and network resources, it can bridge TelePresence rooms across two firms, allowing one company to talk to its suppliers, partners and customers through TelePresence.[3]
"Inter-company is the operative word," said Joe Lueckenhoff, senior vice president of product management for AT&T.; "It allows companies to talk between themselves now." It's a big move for Cisco's telepresence product, which played a large part in the networking titan's bid to resonate more with consumers. Its telepresence room was featured on such TV shows as "24."[2] More importantly, the carrier will allow every Cisco telepresence room to connect with each other, even if AT&T; isn't running the service.[2]
Cisco has sold about 500 TelePresence room suites to about 125 customers worldwide, Coles said.[3]
Customers will be offered the choice of one- or three-screen options, based on Cisco's Telepresence 1000 and 3000 solutions.[1] The three-screen system, in particular, allows multiple parties to be joined in a session with the felling of sitting at the same conference table. With the Cisco Telepresence MultiPoint Switch, as many as 48 locations can be supported on a single call, making this an ideal solution for dispersed organizations. In a multi-party call, Cisco's voice activated switching shows active speakers, so all parties know exactly who is engaging them.[1]
Video conferencing also enables face to face communication without the having to spend time commuting, allowing for greater productivity while still offering the opportunity for an in-person experience. [1]
SOURCES
1. AT&T; Launches Telepresence Solution with Cisco
2. Cisco, AT&T; Look To Expand High-End Video-Conference System
3. The Technology Chronicles : Cisco's TelePresence gets a boost from AT&T;
GENERATE A MULTI-SOURCE SUMMARY ON THIS SUBJECT:
Please WAIT 10-20 sec for the new window to open...
You might want to EDIT the default search query below:
Get more info on Cisco, AT&T; Look To Expand High-End Video-Conference System by using the iResearch Reporter tool from Power Text Solutions.
 |
|  |
|
