Why Telepresence is the Meeting of Tomorrow

The difference between telepresence and a standard videoconference is obvious upon entering a room where the former is in progress. Recently, I experienced a telepresence interview at Polycom, a $1.1 billion market-leading provider of telepresence, video and voice communication solutions. The telepresence conference room more closely resembles a cinema than a traditional boardroom. High-end chairs were neatly lined up in front of a glossy conference table facing a 16-foot screen. Soft lighting and surround sound added to the entertainment vibe of the room. Everything changed when the phone rang and the giant screen came alive. At this moment, I experienced the true power of the virtual meeting. Although we were 3,150 miles apart, the distance between Polycom CEO Bob Hagerty and I dissolved within seconds. Hagerty was in Polycomís Santa Clara, CA headquarters while I was in Andover, MA. The infectiously enthusiastic Hagerty has been CEO of Polycom for more than 10 years and is this yearís Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California.

THE TIME IS NOW
During my interview with Hagerty, the power of telepresence was revealed in crisp, clear picture. He not only made eye contact with me, but I interacted with him as though he was sitting across a conference table instead of across the United States. At one point, he jokingly reached across the table as if he were going for a handshake. Unlike video conference solutions of the past, telepresence creates an intimate face-to-face experience, which cannot be replicated by telephone, email or any other form of non-visual communication. When you have this type of face to face communication, you pick up on things faster like nonverbal signals. It changes the entire experience,î says Hagerty. Not surprisingly, research from the analyst firm Gartner Inc. indicates telepresence will replace 2.1 million airline seats by 2012, while market research firm IDC says telepresence sales will reach $1 billion by 2011. "There has been a quantum leap in technology to create an experience across a large pallet to make this work," Hagerty explained. "We are now living in a global world and finally we are all connected."

GAME CHANGER
Perhaps more than anything else, telepresence solves the issue of global inefficiency. Telepresence means we could be saying goodbye to constant flying, impersonal hotel rooms and long business trips for good. Hagerty, who uses telepresence 7-8 times a day himself, says the current system of global face-to-face communication is incredibly ineffective. "As the world has globalised, what has every industry done to communicate and meet with each other on a global basis?" Hagerty asks, providing a quick response. "They've thrown people at it by putting them on airplanes. This has had two effects. One it has destroyed people, as it's hard and takes a toll. Secondly, it's unproductive. You're sending one guy out of 8,000 to communicate, and everyone is happy with it. By doing this, you're not truly connecting with local enterprise. By providing impeccable video quality, true-to-life dimensions and transparent technology, Polycom's telepresence is more than just a suitable problem solver. It's a game changer." With several product offerings, including personal telepresence solutions, Hagerty says Polycom has the potential to connect everyone, everywhere from backcountry rural areas to prisons.

TECHNOLOGY & RESPONSIBILITY
Along with its primary goal of connecting the world, telepresence has environmental and personal benefits as well. This hits close to Hagerty and is one reason he's intensely passionate about telepresence and video solutions in general. "I feel itís a part of our citizenship and obligation at Polycom to bring it to the world. Lawyers have their pro-bono work, doctors solve medical challenges, I feel it's part of my obligation to connect people and society," Hagerty says adamantly. He uses a specific example to illustrate his point, "Medical professionals a world away can learn new techniques. For instance, there was a doctor in Peru, who used one of our telepresence solutions to develop a medicine on the fly to restore a patientís health. He connected with a doctor here in the States, who assisted him through the telepresence.By providing solutions in real-time, the doctors had direct interaction with the Peruvian patient and the local doctors to accurately diagnose and efficiently treat a rare condition; thereby saving a man's life." This is the kind of outcome that elevates telepresence to the level of life changer. As Hagerty points out in his usual unremitting pace, data is priceless. When it comes to saving lives, visual data is incredibly invaluable.

TOUCHING THE WORLD
As for whatís next? The research and development team at Polycom, one third of the 2500 person company, are developing future technologies, which will surpass the current experience. This technology, available within the next five years, could include virtual reality or at least ìholograms to 3D type of experiences,î according to Hagerty. Regardless of the technology and its capabilities, Hagertyís philosophy has always centered on investing in people. Telepresence does just that and has the ability to save peopleís physical and emotional being. Along with connecting diverse communities with each other, it can provide assistance in hazardous environments such as military operations, fire rescue, toxic atmospheres and even hostage situations. Not to be forgotten, education is a definite place where the benefits of this technology will find roots in our globalised world. Overall, as the technology improves and telepresence becomes even more immersive, itís likely itíll begin to appear in offices across the world.