Bank of America plans 200 room global telepresence network - UPDATED

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 30 March 2010 10:31

Business IT - Networking

The Bank of America is planning to install Cisco Telepresence videoconferencing technology in 200 rooms around the world in what will be the largest installation of its kind.

Bank of America CTO, Marc Gordon, said: "This global Cisco Telepresence deployment will help our associates collaborate and integrate even more effectively as we deliver all of our capabilities to customers and clients worldwide'¦[ and] will help associates better manage work-life balance by providing flexible meeting options, and in some cases reducing the need to travel."

The system will operate over the bank's existing network and people in up to 48 locations will be able to participate in one meeting. Cisco said the bank's installation would be the largest every global deployment of its Telepresence systems.

Bank of America will deploy various configurations including one for business meetings with up to six participants per room, and another that seats up to 18 people. It currently uses 28 Cisco Telepresence systems for associate meetings and training.

Under a managed service agreement Cisco will install, support, refresh and maintain the Telepresence equipment, provide active monitoring, technical support and concierge services. Cisco will also work with its channel and service-providers to enable Bank of America associates to use Cisco TelePresence to meet with external partners who also have Cisco Telepresence technology.

(Unlike other vendors' telepresence and videoconferencing equipment Cisco Telepresence is proprietary. For example, Optus has just launched its Evolve Video service saying it will be able to offer interoperability by direct interconnection to equipment from multiple vendors that support standards, but not with Cisco, which will require additional interfacing equipment.

Gordon described the agreement as mutually beneficial. "With this unique partnership, Bank of America and its associates will enjoy the benefits of Cisco's global videoconferencing technology, and Cisco enjoys the opportunity to continuously improve Telepresence by managing the system across our global environment."