Nemertes Impact Analysis:

Internet2 Telepresence Interoperability Test Reinforces Interest in Extranet Video Conferencing

Privately held LifeSize, Polycom (NASDAQ:PLCM), and Tandberg (OSL:TAA) demonstrated interoperability of their telepresence platforms at the recent Internet2 meeting in Texas. The demonstration showcased the ability of their customers to conduct a multi-point telepresence conference across disparate end-points. This test underscores growing demand for multi-vendor telepresence interoperability, especially for external conferences. Noticeably absent from the test was market leader Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO).

Twenty-eight percent of companies use or planning to deploy telepresence. However, IT executives often cite the lack of interoperability and external connectivity as key concerns. Tests such this will assuage these concerns, but only if all vendors commit to interoperability.

Impacts:

Enterprises: Evaluate interoperability as a key selection criteria for telepresence systems. Understand opportunities and limitations for each vendor.

Vendors: Telepresence vendors should strive to deliver interoperable telepresence while service providers have a growing opportunity to deliver managed interoperability services.

Investors: In addition to LifeSize, Polycom, and Tandberg, interoperable telepresence offers market opportunities for Radvision (NASDAQ:RVSN), and service providers including AT&T (NYSE:T), BT (NYSE:BT),  Glowpoint(OTC:GLOW),  privately held Masergy Communications, Tata Communications (NYSE:TCL), and Verizon Business (NYSE:VZ)

By Irwin Lazar, Vice President, Communications Research

http://www.nemertes.com/benchmarks/communications_and_computing_2009_benchmark [1]
http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/polycom-tandberg-and-lifesize-demo-telepresence-interoperability-internet2-meeting/2009-10-07 [2]

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