Telepresence is video conferencing taken to the next level -- participants feel as if they are in the same room together. Despite the tough economic environment, sales of telepresence hardware, software and services grew to $567 million in 2009, according to the latest market study by ABI Research.
Expanding the options for access to telepresence products and services is critical for maintaining strong market growth.
Video conferencing products that are a step above talking-heads at reasonable price points allow companies to experience the benefits and incorporate them into their business processes.
According to ABI's market assessment, other major trends and supplier contributions driving the market in 2010 and beyond include:
- Saving on travel costs, particularly for companies experiencing supply chain expansion.
- Suppliers targeting companies with legacy video teleconferencing systems and expanding telepresence system interoperability.
- Telepresence enhanced with unified communications features such as whiteboards, document sharing and webcam videos.
- Growth of managed and cloud telepresence from service providers such as Glowpoint, BT Onesource, Verizon and AT&T.
- Telepresence products for mobile employees and devices such as notebook PCs and smartphones.
Expanding the options for access to telepresence products and services is critical for maintaining strong market growth.
Video conferencing products that are a step above talking-heads at reasonable price points allow companies to experience the benefits and incorporate them into their business processes.
According to ABI's market assessment, other major trends and supplier contributions driving the market in 2010 and beyond include:
- Saving on travel costs, particularly for companies experiencing supply chain expansion.
- Suppliers targeting companies with legacy video teleconferencing systems and expanding telepresence system interoperability.
- Telepresence enhanced with unified communications features such as whiteboards, document sharing and webcam videos.
- Growth of managed and cloud telepresence from service providers such as Glowpoint, BT Onesource, Verizon and AT&T.
- Telepresence products for mobile employees and devices such as notebook PCs and smartphones.