Deloitte picks Nortel for managed videoconferencing

Nemertes Research found that a managed telepresence service in multiple locations could be paid for by reducing international travel by as much as 3 per cent.

Nemertes also found in interviewing 117 senior IT officials in mostly US companies that 55 per cent were using room-sized videoconferencing already and had an interest in increasing use of the technology. While expensive telepresence systems are not selling as room-sized systems, there has been an "uptick" of interest in purchasing videoconferencing gear and services, Sullivan said, although he could not say by how much.

After the 2001 economic downturn, many expected videoconferencing usage would soar, but analysts have repeatedly noted that the growth in 2002-2005 was not as great as expected. In 2008, things could be different, since videoconferencing technology has improved, is easier for end users to manage and puts less of a burden on networks, Sullivan said. "We're noting an increase in interest in the room-to-room systems and people are noticing videoconferencing is better than it was, with a better look, feel and use," he said.