Telepresence

The experience of personal presence via a network.

Telepresence is a new generation of videoconferencing solutions. Thanks to high definition technology, stereophony and conference room structure we feel as if we were all present at the same negotiating table. Life-size partners are sitting on the other side, we can establish eye contact with them, we can perceive the metacommunication signs, facial expression and voice tone of the other party.

Telepresence operating on an IP network offers much better quality of video and audio transmission than conventional videoconferencing solutions with a delay that is imperceptible for the user, making the connection really live.Another strength is that establishment of a conference call is just a push of a button, no dedicated personnel is needed for test operation and setting of the device, everything is done in a simple user-friendly way.There is no need to use complicated remote controllers, keyboard, mouse, etc., to search among menu items, to move the camera, zoom in or out, you just feel as if you entered the same conference room through two separate doors, but sat down at the same negotiating table.

With the use of Telepresence corporate travel costs can be significantly reduced.Additionally efficiency can also improve since coordination meetings can be held between various units of global companies in a simpler way, corporate decision-making can speed up. Telepresence promotes multicultural cooperation due to its multinational nature.The benefits of reduced need for travel are felt not only in cost and time saving, another important aspect is that videocommunication is a so-called green technology.

Who can benefit from the Telepresence service?
We primarily recommend this service for companies having several sites internationally or within the same country where personal meetings between the employees of the parent company and the subsidiaries are necessary and held often.This system can be useful also between companies, institutions and organizations not linked by ownership but which have close working relations, e.g. vendor relations or strategic cooperation.The system can be used also as a virtual classroom since it can implement a fully interactive instructor – student relationship. 

What benefits does use of the service bring?
The economic benefit of Telepresence is cost saving and reduced loss of time resulting from less travel.The device can be handled in a user-friendly way and enables the holding of fully life-like conferences.As a result people who are less ready to use a conventional videoconference service – due to its complicated nature and varying video and audio quality – can easily get accustomed to using it. Frequent usage shows more and more of the benefits offered by Telepresence and makes this service a useful tool of everyday work.  

Telepresence offered by T-Systems is a complex solution based on Cisco’s Telepresence technology that includes high definition plasma monitors, in certain versions integrated furniture, fixed HD cameras, high sensitivity and high quality microphones and network infrastructure including the IP communication solution.

Cisco Telepresence System 1000

• device for 2 users (4 users sitting at the virtual table),
• does not require special structuring of the room,
• requires an ~5 Mbps bandwidth connection.

Cisco Telepresence System 3000

• device for 6 users (12 users sitting at the virtual table),
• a room with special customized structure is required, but the solution includes the negotiating table,
• requires an ~15 Mbps bandwidth connection.

The Telepresence technology enables not only point-point, but also point-multipoint connection, several videoconference negotiating rooms can be interconnected with the same user experience. 

Examples of application

It can be the most attractive generally for multinational large enterprises where the management often meets the heads of the parent company and the subsidiaries.Additionally it can be useful for organizations with international relations because it results in significant travel time and cost saving.It can be useful also for the organization of national meetings. 

References

Magyar Telekom uses the Telepresence solution for keeping contacts with its subsidiaries in Macedonia and Montenegro. In the near future communication with the German parent company will also be established this way.