Cisco Launches TelePresence for Mid-Sized Businesses

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Cisco debuted a personal teleconferencing system for medium-sized businesses this, as well as a large life-size teleconferencing system that can accomodate as many as 18 participants. The new additions are part of Cisco’s TelePresence line, which consists of its TelePresence 1000 and TelePresence 3000.

The line’s expansion comes at a time when many companies are looking at ways to trim corporate travel.

The TelePresence 500 is billed as a lower-cost entry for medium-sized businesses. Its list price of $33,900 includes a 37-inch display, camera, microphone array, speakers and special lighting in a system that can be wall-mounted or sit on a desk or pedestal.

The TelePresence 3200 includes a table configuration that can accomodate 12 to 18 people, which is triple the size of the TelePresence 3000. It was designed for headquarters locations and can serve as a training or classroom setting with remote participants.

"Video is rapidly becoming the most effective way to communicate and share information," said Charles Stucki, vice president and general manager of Cisco’s TelePresence Systems business unit. "TelePresence is much more than video. TelePresence puts you into the meeting in every important sense."