Procter & Gamble Latest to Deploy Cisco TelePresence for Worldwide 'in Person' Collaboration

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Dec. 10, 2007 - On the one-year anniversary of Cisco® TelePresence, the breakthrough technology for virtual "in person" communications, Cisco today announced it has reached the milestone of 100 customers deploying units in over 40 countries. Businesses around the world are adopting Cisco TelePresence as a way to accelerate decision making, improve communications, speed products to market and scale scarce resources.

"Cisco TelePresence is the fastest-growing new product category in Cisco history," said Charles Stucki, vice president and general manager of Cisco TelePresence Systems business unit. "We're seeing demand from every region of the world, across all vertical industries, because businesses are looking for a competitive advantage in a global business environment."

Procter & Gamble is launching a network of more than 40 "Video Collaboration Studios" using the Cisco TelePresence System 3000. "With about one-third of the network now launched, initial feedback from those who have experienced our Video Collaboration Studios supports our belief that this breakthrough in collaboration capability has the potential to transform traditional work and travel habits," said Laurie L. Heltsley, director of strategic projects for Procter & Gamble. "It allows us to really 'be there' without leaving here."

Last week Cisco announced two other Cisco TelePresence milestones: intercompany TelePresence capabilities, and interoperability with virtually all standards-based video conferencing systems on the market today. These unique capabilities expand the virtual meeting experience beyond the limits of a single company's network, enabling businesses to connect with customers, partners and suppliers with the ease of a simple phone call. With new interoperability capabilities, businesses will be able to bring existing standards-based videoconferencing sessions into a Cisco TelePresence System 3000 or Cisco TelePresence System 1000 meeting. To read more about these announcements go to http://www.cisco.com/web/UK/news/archive/2007/120607.html

"Many factors, including the need to conduct business more efficiently, the growing concern for global warming, and technology advancements in visual communications, are causing a significant rise in customer interest in TelePresence technologies," said Ira Weinstein, senior analyst and partner of Wainhouse Research. "Maximizing the benefits of TelePresence requires a robust system designed to create an immersive experience and a global ecosystem able to support deployments around the world. Cisco has demonstrated its ability to meet these requirements."

Today, Cisco is the leader in enterprise voice and Web collaboration with a comprehensive Unified Communications system of converged voice, video, data, and mobility products and applications. Cisco TelePresence builds on this innovation and leadership by integrating advanced audio, ultra-high-definition video and interactive collaboration tools with the underlying Internet Protocol (IP) network as the platform to deliver an immersive meeting experience.