How a telepresence can be cheaper than a video conference

One of the problems with increasing the usage of telepresence technology is the high cost of the units. There is an initial capital outlay for the unit plus additional expenditure on servicing and network administration. An average unit can cost around £150,000, with servicing costs of about £9,000 per month for each location. Sounds expensive doesn’t it, but it is such a bad deal after all?

One of the principal manufacturers, Hewlett Packard have disclosed that in the US their suites are very popular with their own staff. The suites are getting high usage as colleagues speak to each other in Europe and Asia. Although telepresence is more expensive than an orthodox video conference, because they get used more often, they can work out cheaper. This is because the suites are hosting meetings that would have otherwise have taken place overseas and so are getting more use. However, what should really be factored in is not a videoconference v telepresence direct comparison, but the amount of time and money saved on overseas trips.

Here at Choregus we are very enthusiastic about this technology and as it becomes more readily available and inevitably lower in price, it will really start to proliferate in the UK. Watch this space!

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