Lumpy
07-01-2008, 12:30 PM
ByJennifer Hagendorf Follett (jfollett@cmp.com), ChannelWeb
Jun. 26, 2008
http://www.telepresenceoptions.com/images/Cisco-logo.gifCisco Systems (NSDQ:CSCO (http://www.crn.com/tools/quotes/index.jhtml?Page=QUOTE&Ticker=CSCO)) is set to deliver its TelePresence high-definition videoconferencing technology to the home market within the next 12 months, said the company's top executive this week.
The technology will be available via the channel, including via retailers the likes of Best Buy (NYSE:BBY (http://www.crn.com/tools/quotes/index.jhtml?Page=QUOTE&Ticker=BBY)) and Wal-Mart and service providers such as AT&T (NYSE:T (http://www.crn.com/tools/quotes/index.jhtml?Page=QUOTE&Ticker=T)), said Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers at the Cisco Live conference in Orlando, Fla.
"It will probably evolve. At first we'll do it ... where we're verycareful on how the channel sells TelePresence and very careful that therooms are set up right and the cameras are set up right," Chamberssaid. "Having said that, I think that you will see a combination ofdistribution points."
Chambers expects pricing of Cisco's home-use TelePresence unitsto come in below $10,000 depending on what functionality the userwants.
"If you look at the average consumer, many consumers mightspend a huge amount of discretionary spending on electronics in thehome, so my first point of view is that $10,000 would be a veryreasonable price point. I think we'll come in well below that,"Chambers said. "It really depends on if you want a stand-aloneTelePresence unit that also doubles as your TV with a lot offunctionality on it or if you want to use a high-definition set-top boxwith a networking-type capability."
Cisco foresees TelePresence in the home fulfilling both business and entertainment requirements, he said.
"If it's just to check in on your family, you'll have a lot ofearly adopters using it, but if all of sudden you begin to use it foryour business, like I would use it, especially when the majority of mycustomers are now outside the time zone I'm working in, it becomeskey," Chambers said. "It also depends on when you start to tie insports and entertainment."
Cisco expects to see scenarios where home viewers can use CiscoTelePresence to watch sporting events together on TV from differentcouches. Chambers also noted that some of the work Cisco is doing toprovide networked sports stadiums will influence services available tosports fans in the home as well.
"I think it's a very natural step. There are more high-definitionscreens in people's homes," said Brett Shockley, CEO of SpanlinkCommunications, a Minneapolis-based solution provider.
Systems integrators will find many opportunities to work withTelePresence in the home, particularly as businesses subsidize thedeployment of the technology for executives working at home, said AlexThurber, senior director of go-to-market strategy for worldwidechannels at Cisco, San Jose, Calif.
"Certainly in the short-term there will be co-sponsored TelePresence,where the executive at home is linked into corporate unifiedcommunications. Partners will definitely play a role," he said.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?i=aVIBaI</img> (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?a=aVIBaI) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?i=FfZzXi</img> (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?a=FfZzXi) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?i=mwTPfi</img> (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?a=mwTPfi)
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Jun. 26, 2008
http://www.telepresenceoptions.com/images/Cisco-logo.gifCisco Systems (NSDQ:CSCO (http://www.crn.com/tools/quotes/index.jhtml?Page=QUOTE&Ticker=CSCO)) is set to deliver its TelePresence high-definition videoconferencing technology to the home market within the next 12 months, said the company's top executive this week.
The technology will be available via the channel, including via retailers the likes of Best Buy (NYSE:BBY (http://www.crn.com/tools/quotes/index.jhtml?Page=QUOTE&Ticker=BBY)) and Wal-Mart and service providers such as AT&T (NYSE:T (http://www.crn.com/tools/quotes/index.jhtml?Page=QUOTE&Ticker=T)), said Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers at the Cisco Live conference in Orlando, Fla.
"It will probably evolve. At first we'll do it ... where we're verycareful on how the channel sells TelePresence and very careful that therooms are set up right and the cameras are set up right," Chamberssaid. "Having said that, I think that you will see a combination ofdistribution points."
Chambers expects pricing of Cisco's home-use TelePresence unitsto come in below $10,000 depending on what functionality the userwants.
"If you look at the average consumer, many consumers mightspend a huge amount of discretionary spending on electronics in thehome, so my first point of view is that $10,000 would be a veryreasonable price point. I think we'll come in well below that,"Chambers said. "It really depends on if you want a stand-aloneTelePresence unit that also doubles as your TV with a lot offunctionality on it or if you want to use a high-definition set-top boxwith a networking-type capability."
Cisco foresees TelePresence in the home fulfilling both business and entertainment requirements, he said.
"If it's just to check in on your family, you'll have a lot ofearly adopters using it, but if all of sudden you begin to use it foryour business, like I would use it, especially when the majority of mycustomers are now outside the time zone I'm working in, it becomeskey," Chambers said. "It also depends on when you start to tie insports and entertainment."
Cisco expects to see scenarios where home viewers can use CiscoTelePresence to watch sporting events together on TV from differentcouches. Chambers also noted that some of the work Cisco is doing toprovide networked sports stadiums will influence services available tosports fans in the home as well.
"I think it's a very natural step. There are more high-definitionscreens in people's homes," said Brett Shockley, CEO of SpanlinkCommunications, a Minneapolis-based solution provider.
Systems integrators will find many opportunities to work withTelePresence in the home, particularly as businesses subsidize thedeployment of the technology for executives working at home, said AlexThurber, senior director of go-to-market strategy for worldwidechannels at Cisco, San Jose, Calif.
"Certainly in the short-term there will be co-sponsored TelePresence,where the executive at home is linked into corporate unifiedcommunications. Partners will definitely play a role," he said.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?i=aVIBaI</img> (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?a=aVIBaI) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?i=FfZzXi</img> (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?a=FfZzXi) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?i=mwTPfi</img> (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories?a=mwTPfi)
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories/~4/321551408
Continue Reading at TelepresenceOptions.com.... (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TelepresenceOptions-TelepresenceNewsStories/~3/321551408/)