Cisco Systems expects its TelePresence sales to grow 400 percent this year, according to Richard McLeod (pictured), Cisco’s director of unified communications, worldwide channels. That growth could introduce new opportunities to managed service providers.
Admittedly, TelePresence — the next generation video conferencing technology — had a slow start because of high prices and the limited number of solutions providers trained to support the technology. Here’s what’s changing.
Back in May 2008, I noted that Glowpoint Inc. had launched managed telepresence services, which are like next-generation video conferencing services. It’s still very early in the telepresence game (check out our Managed Services Hype Cycle), so I didn’t expect telepresence to generate major revenues until 2010 or so.
Still, Glowpoint appears to be proving me wrong. The Hillside, N.J.-based company says it has won $4.5 million worth of business in the past 90 days. And much of that buisness, Glowpoint says, involves multi-year telepresence engagements. Read More >
Still skeptical about Apple’s iPhone for business users? I’m not. And neither is Kaseya, the managed services platform provider. After extensive testing, Kaseya’s IT department has added the iPhone to its list of supported smart phones. Read More >
Now that Apple has finally announced the next-generation iPhone (known as iPhone 3G0, it’s time for managed service providers to formulate a support strategy for the Apple device.
I’m not suggesting that the iPhone 3G will bury RIM BlackBerry or Windows-based smart phones. And don’t forget: Dozens of Google Android devices are just around the corner as well. But the iPhone 3G is for real, and MSPs can’t afford to ignore it.
Forgive me for gloating, but I told you so: Telepresence — the next-generation video conferencing technology — is quickly shifting toward a managed services model. The latest example involves Glowpoint Inc. launching its Telepresence Exchange Network. The move comes one month after Cisco Systems and AT&T announced a managed telepresence service for hotels.
So, is telepresence really an opportunity for small and midsize managed service providers? Or is this a market reserved for big telecom companies? Glowpoint’s move provides some answers.
Read More >
I’m frequently skeptical of market forecasts, but they’re still a valuable tool for “guestimating” how a market will evolve. In the case of managed services, Ovum (a consulting firm) predicts the worldwide industry will grow 18 percent annually to $66 billion by 2012.
Is that forecast accurate? First, it’s important to zero in on the research metrics.
First, let me clarify the headline: I’m not pressing a panic button. Cisco’s overall profits and revenues, announced May 6, were impressive. But if you’re a managed service provider, there’s a note of caution: Cisco’s sales to big U.S. service providers were weak this quarter. Here’s why managed service providers should care.
I’ve been predicting for a few months that TelePresence — loosely defined as next-generation videoconferencing gear — will emerge as a big opportunity for managed service providers.
Cisco and AT&T finally backed up my claims this week, by announcing a managed TelePresence initiative. The official press release included the standard jargon. But Cisco’s own company blog actually adds some timely perspective to the news. Here’s why.
