Telepresence
Video conferencing comes of age
Video conferencing isn’t new. But while we readily understand the concept and what the benefits are, take up has been fairly low amongst large corporates let alone smaller dispersed organisations.
One of the main reasons for this low uptake has been the lack of realism in the systems deployed so far. Lag in picture/sound synchronisation, combined with poor quality images, has made participating in a video conference a trying, and often derided, experience.
However, a number of new technologies are converging to turn video conferencing into true telepresence. Super realistic high-definition pictures with fully-synchronised sound, combined with fast data sharing/presentation capabilities, have made video conferences into much more natural environments for business than ever before.
Even 3D image projection is becoming a technical reality, allowing presenters to appear to inhabit a conference stage and maintain eye contact with the audience, even though they are physically in a different location.
Combining these technologies with fast and reliable internet networks is extending the reach of the telepresence capability way beyond the confines of purpose-built conferencing suites, into ordinary meeting rooms and offices, as well as including mobile workers.
Sample Uses
- Business meetings involving internal and/or external parties
- Customer, staff and partner conference presentations
- Internal team meetings
- Staff/recruitment interviews
- Training courses
- Problem diagnosis/resolution meetings
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