Telepresence Options - Industry Press Releases

TANDBERG Announces 2007 Americas Channel Partner Award Winners

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:12:01 -0500

NEW YORK, NY -- 07/07/08 -- TANDBERG (OSLO: TAA), a leading global provider of telepresence, high-definition (HD) video conferencing and mobile video solutions, announced the company's 2007 Americas Channel Partner Award Winners at their annual Partner Summit which was held June 16-17, 2008 in Las Vegas.

The 2007 Americas Channel Partner Awards recognize TANDBERG partners that have demonstrated outstanding sales performance and delivered superior solutions to their customers during the past year. Partners receiving Awards have excelled in delivering high-quality service offerings and have met the training and certification requirements as part of the new enVision Partner Program.

"We are proud to recognize these top performing partners with the 2007 Channel Partner Awards," said Paul Cantwell, Vice President of Channels, TANDBERG. "The companies we have recognized provide high levels of customer satisfaction and product support that customers demand."

The 2007 Americas Channel Partner Award Winners are:

-- Platinum Partner of the Year - Wire One Communications, Inc.
-- Premier Partner of the Year - Information Transport Solutions, Inc.
-- MVAR of the Year - KBZ Communications, Inc.
-- AV Integrator of the Year - Audio Visual Innovations, Inc.
-- Federal Partner of the Year - CritiCom
-- Managed Services Provider of the Year - IVCi LLC
-- Video Conferencing Provider of the Year - Providea
-- Top Growth Partner of the Year - OneVision Solutions
-- CALA Partner of the Year - Evoluciona Comunicaciones
-- Canada Partner of the Year - CBCI Telecom Canada

Last Fall, TANDBERG announced its new enVision Partner Program which creates globally standardized online and in-class training for its value-added resellers, consultants and integrators. TANDBERG provides enVision Program Partners with access to new tools that foster collaboration with other certified TANDBERG Partners outside of their own areas of specialization for improved service to mutual customers.

About TANDBERG

TANDBERG is a leading global provider of telepresence, high-definition video conferencing and mobile video products and services with dual headquarters in New York and Norway. TANDBERG designs, develops and markets systems and software for video, voice and data. The company provides sales, support and value-added services in more than 90 countries worldwide. TANDBERG is publicly traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker TAA.OL. Please visit www.tandberg.com for more information.

TANDBERG is a trademark or registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries.

Contact:
Barnaby Meadows
TANDBERG
+1 703.272.2132

Marcel Goldstein
Ogilvy for TANDBERG
+1 202.729.4188

[via EarthTimes.org]

Tata Communications Launches Telepresence Services Worldwide

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:02:16 -0500

First Provider to Launch Public and Private Cisco TelePresence Rooms Internationally

SINGAPORE -- Tata Communications (NYSE: TCL) announced the launch of its Telepresence services, the first ever offering to deliver both private and public Cisco TelePresence rooms to businesses across the world. This groundbreaking service will enable a broader ecosystem of connected rooms for enterprises and their partners.

Tata Network Map

Telepresence provides life-like, high definition conferencing facilities with superior audio, video and environmental qualities to provide a viable alternative to traditional face-to-face meetings. Businesses can achieve substantial cost savings through reducing travel while accelerating productivity, and improving long-distance collaboration and decision making In addition, they can significantly increase employee satisfaction with this "smart technology" by enabling executives to have meetings in the comfort of their own offices. Telepresence also promotes environmental benefits, such as decreased CO2 emission from reduction in travel.

"Tata Communications is committed to offering its worldwide customers innovative, cost-effective and efficient ways to conduct their business," said Vinod Kumar, President, Global Data and Mobility Solutions, Tata Communications. "Through our unique combined public and private room model, we are bringing our customers access to a unique "in-person" experience to enhance their global real-time collaboration."

Tata Communications' complete portfolio of Cisco-certified TelePresence network and managed services offers companies a reliable, highly secure and easy-to-use facility. Tata Communications' global network and carrier relationships will allow it to grow Cisco TelePresence interconnections. Tata Communications lowers costs of implementation of its Telepresence Exchange Services for customers by offering managed infrastructure in the network cloud. The Telepresence managed service includes a concierge service that takes care of reservations, scheduling, customer support, monitoring, management, reporting and billing capabilities, making it easy for customers to deploy and manage a highly effective collaboration tool.

"Cisco TelePresence is revolutionizing the communications universe, giving people the power to collaborate in ways that didn't even exist just a few short years ago," said Rajesh Chainani, vice president of Service Provider for Cisco India & SAARC. "Tata Communications has developed a highly innovative service offering that will add considerable value to its business and that of its customers. The Cisco TelePresence solution will help Tata Communications' clients improve existing business processes, speed time-to-market for developing new products and services, and help scale valuable resources."

Tata Communications has implemented Cisco TelePresence in several of its offices and that of other Tata Group companies in various geographies. Tata Communications is also making available Cisco TelePresence services at public rooms that businesses can rent on an hourly basis. This unique offering will not only create a larger network effect of interconnected rooms but also expand the market considerably to small and mid-sized businesses. The first phase of the public rooms are located at the Taj Hotels and in major business centers around the world including Mumbai, Bangalore, New York, Boston and London.

Tata Communications is also collaborating with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India's premier business association, to provide Cisco TelePresence services to Indian businesses with four public rooms at CII offices in New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Vikram Tiwathia, CIO of CII commented, "Telepresence will transform the way geographically-dispersed global teams work by offering a viable virtual meeting solution for all enterprises in India."

"This new flavour of telepresence is an interesting one. Tata Communications distinguishes itself from other flavours of Telepresence by the hosting element of the proposition, reducing the complexity on site and the cost to manage these applications," said David Molony, Principal Analyst at Ovum. "Equipment costs may still prohibitive for some enterprises, but Tata Communications is bringing a different business case to the table by introducing a hosted service, representing a new option for a more affordable managed telepresence solution."

For more information on Tata Communications Telepresence Exchange Services, visit www.tatacommunications.com/telepresence

About Tata Communications

Tata Communications Limited along with its global subsidiaries (Tata Communications) is a leading global provider of the new world of communications. The company leverages its Tata Global Network, vertical intelligence and leadership in emerging markets to deliver value-driven, globally managed solutions to the Fortune 1000 and midsized enterprises, service providers and consumers.

The Tata Communications portfolio includes transmission, IP, converged voice, mobility, managed network connectivity, hosted data center, communications solutions and business transformation services to global and Indian enterprises and service providers, as well as broadband and content services to Indian consumers. The Tata Global Network encompasses one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks, a Tier-1 IP network, connectivity to more than 200 countries across 300 PoPs, and more than 1 million square feet of data center space. Tata Communications serves its customers from its offices in 80 cities in 40 countries worldwide. Tata Communications has a strategic investment in South African operator Neotel, providing the company with a strong anchor to build an African footprint.

The number one global international wholesale voice operator and number one provider of international long distance, enterprise data and Internet services in India, the company was named "Best Wholesale Carrier" at the World Communications Awards in 2006 and was named the "Best Pan-Asian Wholesale Provider" at the 2007 Capacity Magazine Global Wholesale Telecommunications Awards for the second consecutive year.

Now the leading integrated provider to drive and deliver a new world of communications, Tata Communications became the unified global brand for VSNL, VSNL International, Teleglobe, Tata Indicom Enterprise Business Unit, and CIPRIS on February 13, 2008.

Tata Communications Ltd. is a part of the $29 billion Tata Group; it is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TCL).

[via Business Wire]

Telanetix Restructures Debt With $26.1 Million in Long-Term Financing

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:38:34 -0500

SEATTLE, July 1, 2008 -- Telanetix, Inc. (OTC BB: TNXI) a leading communications solutions provider of telepresence and voice over IP (VoIP) services, replaced all of its outstanding convertible debentures aggregating $10.8 million and all shares of its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock with a stated value of $15.3 million with six-year, interest only, non-amortizing debentures in an aggregate principal amount of $26.1 million.

"Our debenture holders recognize the value of our growing business and agreed to alter the terms of our debentures," said Doug Johnson, Telanetix's chief executive officer. "The new debt structure significantly lowers debt service requirements for the next six years. Extending the term, securing a fixed interest rate, and removing the ratchet provision for monthly payments made in common stock, will substantially reduce our cash requirements. This recapitalization, coupled with our successful consolidation of business units which is significantly reducing operating costs, positions us to allocate resources toward initiatives that drive growth and profitability."

Under the terms of the new debentures, the company has replaced the principal, interest and dividend payments of all of its existing debenture and preferred stock holders with interest only, six-year debentures in the aggregate amount of $26.1 million. The new instrument contains several beneficial features:

-- The interest rate is fixed at 12% replacing the 6% interest and dividend rate on the current debentures and preferred stock, and eliminating an escalating dividend rate structure, which could have grown to 18% under the previous preferred stock terms.

-- The company may elect to make, at its discretion, monthly interest payments in cash or, provided it meets certain equity conditions, common stock.

-- The new debentures remove the ratchet provisions associated with monthly payments made in common stock, while leaving the current conversion price of $1.25 unchanged. So if the company were to elect to make a payment in common stock at a time when the market price is below the conversion price, it will not cause a reset of the debenture conversion price.

-- Provided it complies with certain equity conditions, the company has the right to force conversion of the debenture when the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of its common stock exceeds 200% of the conversion price for 20 of 30 consecutive trading days, subject to a 4.99% ownership cap by each debenture holder.

-- The new debentures eliminate the company's Series A Preferred Stock and related default and penalty provisions.

A summary of the debt restructuring transaction and all of the attendant documents including the forms of security exchange agreement, the debenture, and the security agreement have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K on July 1, 2008 and may be viewed at http://www.sec.gov. For further information, contact Jim Blackman with PR Financial Marketing at (713) 256-0369, jim@prfmonline.com.

About Telanetix, Inc.

Telanetix is a leading communications solutions provider offering telepresence and voice over IP (VoIP) services to all business market segments. Telanetix solutions meet the real-world communications demands of its customers with an industry-leading value proposition. The company's telepresence offering, called Digital Presence(TM), creates fully immersive and interactive meeting environments that incorporate voice, video and data from multiple locations into a single environment. The company's Voice offerings, marketing under the "AccessLine" brand, give companies flexible calling solutions, a simpler installation experience, and a greater range of support options than traditional telecom providers. Additional information may be found at the Telanetix corporate website, http://www.telanetix.com

Vidyo and Digital Video Enterprises Partner to Expand Telepresence Options

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:55:57 -0500

Hackensack, NJ/Irvine, CA (June 18, 2008) - Vidyo, Inc., the first company to deliver personal telepresence, and Digital Video Enterprises (DVE), a leading telepresence solution provider, today announced that they will be partnering to provide new and existing customers a scalable video codec option that combines telepresence rooms with HD desktop video conferencing. In addition, DVE's Telepresence 50 systems for group conferencing and DVE's executive telepresence system for offices will integrate with a Scalable Video Coding (SVC) based infrastructure service supported by Vidyo technology.

The Vidyo Room Running 720p HD at 60 fps Over a Standard Internet Connection in a Digital Video Enteprises True Eye-Contact Telepresence-50 at InfoComm

"The Vidyo SVC technology is a breakthrough for video conferencing and allows DVE to reach a broader range of customers," said Jeff Machtig, Co-Founder of DVE. "By using VidyoTechnology, DVE will be able to offer its enterprise customers an infrastructure service offering for telepresence, which is something that we have not been able to do until now."

Vidyo is the first company to license technology and deliver products built upon an entirely new video conferencing architecture that utilizes the recently approved H.264/SVC video compression standard. It delivers unparalleled video quality over unreliable networks including the Internet. DVE's patented technologies have upgraded traditional video conferencing into an experience that truly simulates being there in person. This is achieved, in part, by optically concealed cameras positioned behind the images on the display screens that enable "direct eye contact" between conference participants.

"The partnership with DVE will enable customers to deploy VidyoConferencing that spans the true eye-to-eye contact telepresence integrated with HD desktop and room systems and work over converged IP networks," said Ofer Shapiro, Vidyo CEO. "We are excited to have a recognized innovator and leader in telepresence solutions select Vidyo to deliver a broad infrastructure service."

The combined solution from Vidyo and DVE can be seen at the InfoComm Conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Central Hall 3, June 18th-20th and Booth C3066.

About Vidyo, Inc

Vidyo, Inc., headquartered in Hackensack, NJ, is making personal telepresence a reality. Comprised of some of the industry's best engineers, Vidyo has developed the first new video conferencing architecture in decades. Vidyo enables people to communicate effectively by using HD quality video from wherever they happen to be. VidyoConferencing is easy and affordable to use by anyone whenever they want, and deploys simply over any IP network. Leveraging Vidyo's unique intellectual property built upon the new H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) standard, Vidyo delivers the industry's best resilience and lowest latency video conferencing over converged IP networks. Vidyo's technology for OEMs and end-to-end product solutions for organizations are able to support point-to-point and multi-point connections that include a variety of different platforms ranging from Mac & Windows desktops to dedicated room solutions. Learn more at www.vidyo.com.

About DVE

Digital Video Enterprises, Inc. is the world's leader in True Telepresence conferencing. Traditional videoconferencing has been proven to be a poor communication medium, because of the unnatural and awkward experience it provides. DVE's patented technologies have transformed the mediocrity of traditional videoconferencing into an experience that truly simulates being there in person. This is achieved, in part, by optically concealed cameras behind the images on the display screens. Coupled with next generation hardware and software that provide true DVD and HD quality images, the experience finally fulfills the promise of effective visual collaboration. These unique experiences are defined by DVE as "True Telepresence" and represent an entire new medium for human communication over distance. DVE's technologies have been deployed around the globe by leaders in the entertainment industry, financial sector, healthcare, K-12, higher education, and major corporations. For additional Information call (949) 347-9166 or visit the DVE website at www.DVEtelepresence.com.

Contact:

Benita Kenn

Director, Public Relations

650-906-3638

WBS Connect Secures $3.5 Million of Credit from Silicon Valley Bank for Continued Expansion

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:37:06 -0500

WBS Connect, a Colorado-based global technology services company, today announced it has secured $3.5 million in new capital through credit facilities with Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a leading provider of diversified financial services to companies in the technology, life science, private equity and premium wine industries.

Denver, CO June 28, 2008 -- WBS Connect, a Colorado-based global technology services company, today announced it has secured $3.5 million in new capital through credit facilities with Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a leading provider of diversified financial services to companies in the technology, life science, private equity and premium wine industries. The credit facility will be used as additional working capital in support of WBS Connect's aggressive growth strategy and objectives. It will allow WBS Connect to continue its expansion of a worldwide network footprint, further enabling businesses to connect to their world. Currently, WBS Connect has an extensive technology framework built throughout North America, Europe, and Asia and the company is working to expand its presence in South America and the Middle East.

"SVB has been dedicated to high-growth technology companies like WBS Connect for 25 years," said Ryan Incorvaia with Silicon Valley Bank. "The company has a driven management team and we're proud of its success to date. We're excited to be WBS Connect's financial partner and we look forward to continuing to provide the company with the resources it needs to achieve its goals."

Through its network platform and partnerships with tier 1 global carriers, WBS Connect delivers IP transit, transport, Content Delivery Network (CDN) services, data center colocation services, and expert network consulting services. The company also recently announced that it is now offering telepresence and high-definition video conferencing services over its worldwide carrier-class, IP network. This will allow businesses to communicate seamlessly with remote offices, partners and vendors, even when groups are on different private networks. The company continues to transform the industry with technology innovation and unprecedented service delivery and as a result it has achieved consistent yearly revenue growth in the triple digits.

"It's a fact that today's global-facing businesses require IP transit connectivity, high-definition communication capabilities and other premium network services to be competitive," said Scott Charter, managing partner of WBS Connect "We feel WBS Connect is uniquely positioned to support this wave of growth and with additional funding and continued innovation from our team, we can better anticipate our customers' needs and deliver technology solutions above and beyond their expectations."

About Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Bank is the premier commercial bank for emerging, growth and mature companies in the technology, life science, private equity and premium wine industries. SVB provides a comprehensive suite of financing solutions, treasury management, corporate investment and international banking services to its clients worldwide. Through its focus on specialized markets and extensive knowledge of the people and business issues driving them, Silicon Valley Bank provides a level of service and partnership that measurably impacts its clients' success. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., the company serves clients around the world through 27 U.S. offices and five international operations. Silicon Valley Bank is a member of global financial services firm SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB), with SVB Analytics, SVB Capital, SVB Global and SVB Private Client Services. More information on the company can be found at www.svb.com.

Silicon Valley Bank is the California bank subsidiary and the commercial banking operation of SVB Financial Group. Banking services are provided by Silicon Valley Bank, a member of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. SVB Private Client Services is a division of Silicon Valley Bank. SVB Financial Group is also a member of the Federal Reserve.

About WBS Connect

WBS Connect is a privately-held provider of worldwide technology services. The company leverages multi-gigabit commitments with IP transit carriers to offer direct connections in the United States, Europe and Asia. WBS Connect also offers colocation, storage, and expert managed network services. WBS Connect has a presence in carrier neutral data centers in Amsterdam, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, NYC, Seattle, and Toronto. For more information visit: www.wbsconnect.com.

[via PRWeb]

York Telecom Awarded Polycom Telepresence Certified Plus Status

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:22:58 -0500

York Telecom, Polycom Helping Customers Leverage Telepresence to Improve Productivity, Accelerate Decision Making, and Reduce Carbon Emissions and Costs Associated With Travel

York Telecom, a leading provider of visual communication services and solutions for government and commercial customers, today announced that it has been awarded Polycom Telepresence Certified Plus Partner status from Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM), the world's leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions. York Telecom is delivering complete telepresence solutions along with managed telepresence services (Video Network Operation Center (VNOC)), and implementation and maintenance services for Polycom RealPresence(TM) Experience (RPX(TM)) and Polycom Telepresence Experience (TM) (TPX(TM)) immersive telepresence solutions, and flexible Polycom HDX room and personal telepresence solutions, which together represent the broadest portfolio of fully interoperable, standards-based telepresence solutions available.

"Telepresence gives customers an edge in today's global business environment through improved productivity, accelerated decision making, better collaboration among dispersed teams, customers and partners, and through its ability to lower carbon emissions and costs associated with travel," said Ron Gaboury, president and chief operating officer at York Telecom. "Through our comprehensive offering of Polycom standards-based solutions and services, York Telecom can help customers of all sizes reap the benefits of telepresence, whether they are new to visual communications, or looking for a pragmatic migration path from traditional video conferencing."

Polycom telepresence solutions enable people to collaborate more effectively across distances, working face to face with coworkers, customers and partners in different locations as effectively and productively as if they were in the same room. Polycom telepresence solutions deliver a superior visual communications experience through UltimateHD(TM) -- HD video, HD voice and simultaneous HD content-sharing capabilities that deliver clear, natural, life-like interaction. Based on open standards, Polycom telepresence solutions work seamlessly with the full range of Polycom visual communications solutions from the desktop to immersive telepresence suite, allowing organizations to connect their entire knowledge network. The solutions also integrate with the unified communication networks that customers have today, and interoperate at the highest possible quality (including HD) with standards-based video conferencing solutions from other manufactures, and the more than 1.5 million standards-based video conferencing systems in use today around the world.

"Telepresence addresses some of the significant economic, geographic and environmental factors that businesses face today and in the foreseeable future," said Youssef Saleh, vice president and general manager, Telepresence and Vertical Solutions, Polycom. "York Telecom is able to deliver Polycom's industry-leading telepresence solutions in conjunction with comprehensive VNOC services that help companies every step of the way, including network design planning, deployment, use and ongoing support and maintenance. The standards-based solutions offer greater business value and ROI over proprietary solutions in the market by providing a broader range of interoperable systems for different application, space and budget requirements and enabling easy connections between organizations with customers and partners."

As a Polycom Telepresence Certified Plus Partner, York Telecom has access to the entire Polycom telepresence demonstration network and sales, marketing and service support from Polycom. The program allows York Telecom to resell Polycom telepresence solutions ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction. By leveraging the York Telecom VNOC service, customers simply walk into meeting rooms to find their scheduled calls already up and running. The VNOC service manages all telepresence conferences which can include other video conferencing endpoints to provide the most effective, widely accessible and high-quality experience possible.

As part of this certification, York Telecom completed Polycom's Telepresence VNOC (Video Network Operations Center) Provider Program, which provides a comprehensive review of the extensive capabilities required to provide managed services on telepresence, above and beyond those required for traditional video conferencing.

About Polycom

Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations. Polycom delivers the broadest array of high definition telepresence video, wired and wireless voice, and content solutions so people can enjoy the best communications, whether from a real-time collaborative interaction or on-demand streamed video experience. Spanning from the desktop to the industry's only immersive telepresence suite, Polycom's high quality collaboration and communications solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Based on open standards, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony and presence-based networks. With innovative market-driving technologies, a compelling vision for next generation visual communications, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations to gain a competitive advantage with proven and trusted communication solutions. For additional information, call 800-POLYCOM or visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.

About York Telecom

York Telecom is a leading provider of visual communication services and solutions for Government, Education, Medical and Global 5000 companies. Founded in 1985, the company is headquartered in Eatontown, New Jersey. The company offers total managed conferencing services, consulting, integration and operational services, professional video production and postproduction for visual communication solutions such as Videoconferencing, Streaming Media, Video on Demand, Custom Media Studio and Room Design and Multimedia Network Management. York Telecom has worldwide branch offices, a multi-lingual VNOC and help desk and a worldwide integration, production and support force. For more information, visit York Telecom online at www.yorktel.com or email at info@yorktel.com.

Polycom and the Polycom logo and registered trademarks and RealPresence, RPX, Polycom Telepresence Experience, TPX and UltimateHD are trademarks of Polycom, Inc. in the U.S. and various countries. (C)2008, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contacts:
Tess Flohr
York Telecom Corporation
240-898-2400

Kevin Young
Polycom, Inc.
925-924-5706

[via CNNMoney]

BT Conferencing Launches BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:24:01 -0500

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - BT today announced the launch of its fully-managed immersive video solution, BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence. BT One Source combines Cisco's immersive high-definition technology with BT Conferencing's comprehensive management services to provide customers with an easy-to-use, reliable and cost-effective immersive video conferencing solution.

With businesses focusing on reducing travel costs and lowering CO2 emissions, an increasing number are looking to utilize video conferencing and TelePresence services. Cisco's TelePresence solution combines life-size high definition video, spatial audio and a specially designed interactive environment to create the feeling of being in the same room as participants in remote locations.

BT's One Source services provide users with a single partner for all of their Cisco TelePresence and video conferencing needs. Customers have the ability to choose a mix of services specific to their requirements, providing them with a tailored solution. This, coupled with the support provided by BT's extensive global IP network across more than 170 countries, ensures quality of service for every conference.

Key features of BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence include:

- Design and provisioning: which includes hardware procurement, room readiness and network path assessments
- Detailed room configuration design and set up
- Global Project Management
- Optional IP overlay network
- Proactive device and network monitoring
- 24x7 Help Desk support
- Hosting services for CTMS switch, TelePresence Manager and Cisco Communications Manager
- Automated Call scheduling and launching tools
- Support for TelePresence interoperability with traditional video conferencing devices
- Producer assisted TelePresence calls

Jeff Prestel, General Manager of BT Conferencing's Video Business Unit, comments: "In today's business environment connecting the right people at the right time is the key to building successful relationships. Video and TelePresence is taking conferencing to the next level, and One Source simplifies this solution for customers."

The launch of BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence follows BT's recent acquisition of Wire One Communications, a market leader in video communications, which was the first company to launch and implement a managed concierge service for Cisco TelePresence.

BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence is currently available in the US and will be commercially available in Europe and Asia-Pacific shortly.

About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc's revenue was 20,704 million pounds sterling with profit before taxation and specific items of 2,506 million pounds.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

About BT Conferencing

BT Conferencing was established more than 20 years ago and is now one of the leading global providers of audio, video and web collaboration services. Year on year growth has seen the company out-perform the conferencing industry expectation and with its extensive global portfolio, is now one of the largest conferencing providers in the UK and Europe with current reach in more than 70 countries. BT Conferencing is based in the USA, EMEA and Asia Pacific and specialises in the delivery of reliable, robust and innovative conferencing solutions and product hardware to some of the largest companies in the world. The company offers tailor-made solutions to customers, whether they are small SMEs or major global businesses. With businesses now juggling to increase productivity, being more environmentally aware and at the same time looking to improve the work-life balance of its employees, conferencing and collaboration services provide a cost effective and time saving solution.

For more information visit www.bt.com/conferencing

Teliris Brings Touch to Telepresence with Introduction of Immersive Collaboration

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:43:37 -0500

Company Pioneers First Multi-Touch Surface Collaboration Environment for Telepresence

InfoComm, Las Vegas , N.V. - June 18, 2008 - Teliris, the leading provider of immersive telepresence solutions, announced today the first-ever multi-touch surface computing based collaboration solution and interactive virtual flip chart and whiteboard for telepresence, designed specifically for immersive collaboration business use.

Teliris COO Steven Gage slides a virtual document to Telepresence Options publisher Howard Lichtman

The revolutionary Teliris InterACT TouchTable(TM) and Teliris InterACT TouchWall(TM), allows for documents, video, audio, presentations and a wide range of other content to be instantaneously shared and manipulated across any number of locations, naturally and easily, as if participants are in the same room. Additionally, the Teliris InterACT Easel(TM) enables users to create, share and edit content in real-time on a virtual flipchart/whiteboard, extending the natural experience of face-to-face collaboration to any number of locations and users.

Additionally, the Teliris InterACT Easel(TM) enables users to create, share and edit content in real-time on a virtual flipchart/whiteboard, extending the natural experience of face-to-face collaboration to any number of locations and users.

Teliris CEO/CTO Marc Trachtenberg demonstrates the InterACT TouchTable

The two new multi-touch offerings, which are the first to provide the collaboration tools necessary to extend the telepresence experience beyond the audio and visual senses, features a unique gesture recognition algorithm that allows users to interact naturally with intuitive motions and that requires no user training.

"This is collaboration without boundaries, a complete departure from the current tools that exist. It's a completely new approach to collaboration that sets the stage for how companies will continue to use telepresence to naturally and effectively meet across any distance," said Marc Trachtenberg, Teliris CEO and co-founder. "This level of innovation further solidifies Teliris as the thought leader ahead of Cisco, HP, Polycom and Tandberg."

Marc Trachtenberg stands in front of the InterACT Easel

Telepresence delivers a truly immersive environment with video and audio - now Teliris delivers the collaboration tools to fully replicate the true dynamics of a face-to-face meeting," continues Trachtenberg. "This will change the way people think about what telepresence can deliver and multiplies the value they can realize by deploying this solution.

Teliris' expanded fifth generation portfolio, including its newly introduced Teliris Personal Telepresence and the Teliris Express Telepresence products, is built on the core of Teliris' world-renowned VirtuaLive telepresence technology that provides the most natural, immersive, and intimate meeting environment available. The solutions are packaged with a fully managed service including a 99-plus percent reliability guarantee.

The Teliris InterACT TouchTable is available in multiple, two-person multi-touch segments that are fully integrated into Teliris Telepresence conference tables. Teliris InterACT TouchWall(TM) is available as a 110" diagonal large format vertical multi-touch segment wall. Customers can assemble any number of segments together to form larger tables or walls.

Teliris InterACT TouchTable(TM), Teliris InterACT TouchWall(TM) and Teliris InterACT Easel(TM) are available for order immediately.

About Teliris:

Founded in 2001, Teliris implements the world's most widely deployed fully managed telepresence solutions, realistically replicating the human dynamics of an in-person meeting. Teliris has deployments in over 26 countries with the largest installed base of Global 1000 companies, including Lazard, Pearson plc, GlaxoSmithKline, Qualcomm and Royal Bank of Scotland , XChanging and Merck among others. Headquartered in New York and London , the company delivers the most immersive and natural virtual meeting experience with end-to-end integration and an unparalleled 99%+ availability guarantee. For further information regarding Teliris, visit the company's web site at www.teliris.com or email Teliris at info@teliris.com.

CONTACT:

Shanley Stern Gravel
917-515-4548
shanley.gravel@teliris.com

Jasmine Lyons
917-692-4624
jlyons@cooperkatz.com

Teliris Announces Telepresence Installs for Seven Additional Global 2000 Companies

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:20:26 -0500

New Customers Include New York Stock Exchange, Aviva, Philip Morris and British American Tobacco

InfoComm 2008, Las Vegas , N.V. - June 18, 2008 - Teliris, the leading provider of immersive telepresence solutions, reaffirmed today its continuing lead in paying customer deployments by announcing seven additional Global 2000 customers.

The new Teliris Telepresence rooms will meet the demands of four new companies and three current customers that are adding fourth and fifth rounds of Teliris Telepresence rooms. New Teliris customers include the New York Stock Exchange, Aviva, Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco. Current customers increasing their telepresence capacity include Sony Ericsson and Merck, both on their fourth round of rooms, and GlaxoSmithKline, now on its fifth round of rooms.

These clients evaluated several other telepresence solutions including Cisco Telepresence, HP Halo, Polycom RPX/TPX and Tandberg Experia and selected Teliris' suite of fifth-generation solutions.

"Teliris' Telepresence continues to play a fundamental role in a wide range of companies, as evidenced by our new clients and from our longtime customers. This is proof of the value and ROI that telepresence provides," said Marc Trachtenberg, Teliris CEO and co-founder. "More and more companies are choosing Teliris for its natural, realistic and easy-to-use meeting experience. Now, existing and future clients can take advantage of the first-ever multi-touch surface computing capability solely for business use that allows users to extend the telepresence experience beyond simply video and audio by sharing, passing, editing and manipulating both digital and physical content."

"Whether it's increased collaborative decision making, accelerating product development cycles, closing deals or significantly cutting travel costs and reducing their carbon footprint, Teliris provides companies with a significant competitive advantage," said Martyn Lewis, CBE, Teliris European Chairman.

Teliris deploys a broad range of immersive virtual telepresence solutions including Teliris Personal Telepresence(TM), Teliris Express Telepresence(TM), Teliris Custom Telepresence(TM) as well as the renowned Teliris VirtuaLive(TM) Telepresence. All four are built on the core of Teliris' world-renowned Teliris Telepresence technology that provides the most natural, immersive, and intimate meeting environment available. The solutions are packaged with a fully managed service including a 99+ percent reliability guarantee.

About Teliris:

Founded in 2001, Teliris implements the world's most widely deployed fully managed telepresence solutions, realistically replicating the human dynamics of an in-person meeting. Teliris has deployments in over 26 countries with the largest installed base of Global 1000 companies, including Lazard, Pearson plc, GlaxoSmithKline, Qualcomm and Royal Bank of Scotland , XChanging and Merck among others. Headquartered in New York and London , the company delivers the most immersive and natural virtual meeting experience with end-to-end integration and an unparalleled 99%+ availability guarantee. For further information regarding Teliris, visit the company's web site at www.teliris.com or email Teliris at info@teliris.com.

HP and TANDBERG Expand Video Collaboration Alliance

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:25:14 -0500

LAS VEGAS, June 18, 2008 - HP and TANDBERG today announced an expansion of their alliance to broaden the interoperability between telepresence and standards-based videoconference technologies.

Working under their existing joint development agreement, the companies plan to jointly develop a new generation of offerings that deliver unparalleled managed telepresence and high-definition (HD) videoconferencing. In addition:

HP will invest in expanding managed services capabilities to support technologies from immersive telepresence solutions to standards-based HD videoconferencing endpoints and video network equipment on the HP Halo Video Exchange Network.

HP will continue to develop and offer immersive telepresence solutions.

TANDBERG will develop additional telepresence endpoint configurations, including immersive, instant and personal telepresence solutions, and network equipment supporting management capabilities for enhanced end-to-end managed services.

Both companies will jointly promote open industry standards to drive broader multivendor, intercompany telepresence interoperability by working co-operatively with other telepresence vendors and Unified Communications providers.

"We're triggering the tipping point of video collaboration and telepresence market adoption," said David Murphy, senior vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. "HP remains committed to producing telepresence solutions, and our expanded alliance with TANDBERG will allow us to jointly provide customers with a comprehensive portfolio of managed video collaboration solutions.""The HP and TANDBERG alliance will provide the best experience to telepresence users by combining products from the video communication leader with the premier managed service offerings from HP," said Fredrik Halvorsen, chief executive officer, TANDBERG. "Together we're delivering flexibility to our customers - entire networks will not need to be upgraded and having telepresence at every desk can redefine collaboration with predictable costs.

"HP and TANDBERG first announced their alliance in January 2007 with the initial goal of making their respective telepresence and videoconferencing portfolios interoperable. To that end, the HP Halo Gateway, based on TANDBERG technology and introduced in August 2007, seamlessly bridged videoconferencing solutions and HP Halo to extend the access of telepresence to a much broader audience. Financial services and communications companies are already benefiting from the successful integration of the HP Halo Gateway.

About TANDBERG

TANDBERG is a leading global provider of telepresence, high-definition videoconferencing and mobile video products and services with dual headquarters in New York and Norway. TANDBERG designs, develops and markets systems and software for video, voice and data. The company provides sales, support and value-added services in more than 90 countries worldwide. TANDBERG is publicly traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker TAA.OL. More information about TANDBERG is available at www.tandberg.com.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com