-- New virtual meeting Video Conferencing suites to provide professionals with a genuine alternative to business travel
-- Solution reduces costs, increases productivity and drives down the corporate carbon footprint
SHANGHAI, April 28 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Cable&Wireless and Regus, the world's largest provider of flexible workplace solutions, today announced a joint initiative worth approximately GBP 32 million over five years, which will see Polycom's market leading Telepresence Video Conferencing suites established at Regus' premier global business centres.
Regus locations in world business capitals, including London, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Manchester, Mumbai, Moscow, Frankfurt, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo will be fitted with the suites giving business leaders a genuine alternative to executive travel.
As the global economy tightens businesses are attempting to control costs, become more competitive and address the green agenda by reducing the corporate carbon footprint. This solution enables businesses to achieve all three without the usual high capital costs associated with installing high-end managed Video Conferencing solutions.
A 'face-to-face' meeting experience - The quality of the technology allows for a real life meeting experience with up to 10 colleagues per site. On-screen meeting participants are shown in true-to-life dimensions. Participants can enjoy genuine eye contact and full stereo surround sound, enabling them to pick up the non-verbal communication, so essential for a productive meeting experience.
The high definition technology allows users to share desktop content between locations, ensuring effective collaboration. By rolling out high quality Video Conferencing across their business one global technology company estimated they were able to bring their latest product range to market nine months earlier than scheduled saving themselves US$17 million in the process.
Accessible to use for all businesses - Although high definition Video Conferencing is a business enabler, providing a 'face-to-face' meeting experience, can exceed the existing budgets of many organizations. This deal with Regus gives businesses of all sizes the opportunity to take full advantage of this technology, and the benefits associated with it, at a fraction of the cost.
While some large enterprises are able to justify the purchase of Video Conferencing units in a small number of major corporate locations, this option provides a flexible way of supporting services beyond existing corporate sites and enterprise boundaries. Using the wider Regus and Cable&Wireless Video Conferencing footprint gives businesses a viable avenue through which to drive inter-business collaboration.
'Community of Interest' system - The full potential of this technology can be exploited when separate organisations can communicate together through the same true-life, immersive experience. The Cable&Wireless 'Community of Interest' is a system that will make this possible. By signing-up, corporate members will be able to connect with their stakeholder community (customers and suppliers) using Video Conferencing, without the need for a face-to-face meeting. This can deliver many added benefits:
- Develops stronger supply chain integration
- Strengthen executive relationships
- Deliver business efficiency
- Increase collaboration
Locations and on-site services - The Video Conferencing technology and 24-hour helpdesk, to be managed by Cable&Wireless along with the locations and on-site services provided by Regus will provide a 'first class' business experience for all users and is a credible low cost alternative to executive business travel.
Uniquely designed and all-inclusive, every detail has been taken care of so users can focus on doing business and not worrying about the technology.
Pay-as-you-go use - The suites, which can be hired on a pay-as-you-go use hourly basis, will be available globally from summer 2009
Mark Dixon, Regus CEO, said: "As the world's largest operator of Video Conferencing studios, we know that our customers appreciate the benefits of this leading-edge technology and are excited to use the product. Companies who utilise this virtual tool will save time and money on business travel while minimizing their impact on the environment. We are revolutionising how people meet by delivering services that will optimise their performance."
Jim Marsh, Cable&Wireless CEO, Europe, Asia and US, said: "This will be a new way of working for many businesses but it's a method where cost savings and improved productivity are realised immediately. Cable&Wireless Video Conferencing will provide new customers with the ability to transform the way they work and give existing video users the opportunity to expand their footprint without the need for significant investment in new Telepresence hardware. Cable&Wireless leads the UK market with this product and this deal supports our ambitions for customers to use this product around the world."
Notes for Editors
Images
Jpeg images are available
About Regus
The Regus Group is the world's leading provider of pioneering workplace solutions, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the largest network of videoconferencing studios. The Regus Group delivers a new way to work, whether it's from home, on the road or from an office.
Clients such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, Nokia and Accenture join thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to The Regus Group, allowing them to focus on their core business.
Over 400,000 clients a day benefit from Regus Group facilities spread across a global footprint of 1,000 locations in 450 cities and 75 countries, which allows individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they want to.
For more information, visit http://www.regus.com .
About Cable&Wireless
Cable&Wireless is one of the world's leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units - Europe, Asia & US and CWI Group (formerly International).
The Europe, Asia & US business unit provides enterprise and carrier solutions to the largest users of telecoms services across the UK, US, continental Europe and Asia. With experience of delivering connectivity to 153 countries - and an intention to be the first customer-defined communications services business - the focus is on delivering customers a service experience that is second to none.
CWI Group is an owner and operator of leading regional telecoms businesses. Headquartered in London, it operates businesses through four regional operations -- the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco & Islands -- delivering world class service and efficiency. CWI Group is a full-service telecommunications provider offering mobile, broadband, and domestic and international fixed line services, as well as enterprise and managed service solutions.
For more information about Cable&Wireless, go to http://www.cw.com
