| HP puts a saintly Halo on videoconferencing |
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| by Stephen Withers | |
| Wednesday, 12 November 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 2 Another key component is the Halo Video Exchange Network (HVEN) operated by HP to connect Halo sites within and between customers. It's "the secret to being able to deliver this sort of experience on a global basis," according to Darren Podrabsky, marketing manager for HP Halo telepresence solutions.Featured Whitepaper
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The only part of the installation for which the customer is responsible is connecting the Halo room to the demarcation point where the 45Mbps cable comes into the building. Making the system easy to use, reliable and immersive means that people will use it, according to Podrabsky. In the event that a user runs into a problem with the service or equipment, HP provides a round the clock concierge service from Puerto Rico. The concierge can even remotely switch off the room lights. Users include HP itself, AMD, Canon, DreamWorks and KPMG. The original Halo setup was built for DreamWorks, which wanted a way of collaborating with its partners on one of the Shrek movies. If a $A447,000 Halo Collaboration Studio is a little too rich for you - and remember that you'll probably need at least two! - there are alternatives. The Halo Collaboration Meeting Room ($A319,000) puts the Halo gear into an existing meeting room, and there are also two and four seat Collaboration Centres ($A153,000 and $A173,000). But the upfront cost is just the beginning. Depending on the configuration, you'll be up for monthly charges of $A23,000 to $A32,000 for service to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Adelaide. If you have conventional videoconferencing gear at some locations that can't justify a Halo setup, you can have them linked to HVEN for between $A6400 and $29,500 per month. Does that sound a lot? According to HP, customers find they can recoup the cost in six to 12 months from reduced travel expenditure and increased productivity. Clearly this is something for the enterprise market. But if you only have an intermittent need for this sort of system, there may still be a Halo in your future as HP has an agreement with Marriott to make Halo rooms available on a pay-per-use basis at hotels in major business centres. Updated 13/11/08 to reflect corrected pricing from HP. |
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