Cisco Broadens TelePresence Portfolio with Personal and Large Group Endpoints

Cisco Systems announced two additional endpoints for Cisco (News - Alert) TelePresence, a meeting solution that combines video, audio and remote communication technologies over an IP network for a “face-to-face” experience. The new environments include a personal system (TelePresence System 500) and a large group system (TelePresence System 3200) that expand the TelePresence portfolio first introduced in 2006 as the TelePresence System 1000 (for small group meetings) and TelePresence System 3000 (for staff meetings or customer/partner collaborations).

 

Cisco TelePresence incorporates high definition video (1080p) and wideband spatial audio - innovative technologies that allow meeting participants to be located anywhere in the world, but see and hear others at the meeting as if they are actually present. Cisco TelePresence was designed not only as a complete system, but also around human-factors engineering so that the experience is as virtual as possible, according to Cisco.

 

Cisco TelePresence 500 ($33,900) is a complete, private office solution that includes a 37-inch display, camera, a microphone array, speakers and specially designed lighting. Alternatively, Cisco TelePresence 500 can function as a second monitor or as a digital sign. The second new offering, TelePresence 3200 ($340,000), builds on the earlier 6-person TelePresence 3000 environment, adding a second row of seating with table configurations that seat larger teams (12 or 18 participants). A $90,000 upgrade kit is available for Cisco TelePresence 3000 customers to upgrade to the 3200 model.

 

Both TelePresence Meeting 500 and 3200 are expected to ship in third quarter 2008. The Cisco TelePresence Advanced Technology Provider (ATP (News - Alert)) Program is available to assist partners in delivering a high quality experience to customers.

 

TelecomTactics Takeaway:

 

Video telepresence is a rapidly growing market and important to today’s global business environment as it provides alternative to travel and an effective means of facilitating communication among colleagues and customers. Cisco adds two additional endpoints for its Cisco TelePresence meeting solution, including a personal system (TelePresence System 500; $33,900) and a large group system (TelePresence System 3200; $340,000) which builds on the earlier 6-person TelePresence 3000 environment, adding a second row of seating with table configurations that seat larger teams (12 or 18 participants).

 

A $90,000 upgrade kit is available for current Cisco TelePresence 3000 customers to upgrade to the 3200 model. The new endpoints expand the TelePresence portfolio first introduced in 2006 as the TelePresence System 1000 (for small group meetings) and TelePresence System 3000 (for staff meetings or customer/partner collaborations). Cisco also improves the multipoint capability to support up to 48 sites.