Cable&Wireless Teams up With Regus to Cut Business Costs
TOKYO, Apr. 28 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
- New virtual meeting Video Conferencing suites to provide professionals
with a genuine alternative to business travel
- Solution reduces costs, increases productivity and drives down the
corporate carbon footprint
Cable&Wireless and Regus, the world's largest provider of flexible workplace solutions, today announced a joint
initiative worth approximately GBP 32 million over five years, which will see Polycom's market leading
Telepresence Video Conferencing suites established at Regus' premier global business centres.
Regus locations in world business capitals, including London, New York,
San Francisco, Chicago, Manchester, Mumbai, Moscow, Frankfurt, Paris,
Shanghai, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo will be fitted with the
suites giving business leaders a genuine alternative to executive travel.
As the global economy tightens businesses are attempting to control
costs, become more competitive and address the green agenda by reducing the
corporate carbon footprint. This solution enables businesses to achieve all
three without the usual high capital costs associated with installing
high-end managed Video Conferencing solutions.
A 'face-to-face' meeting experience - The quality of the technology
allows for a real life meeting experience with up to 10 colleagues per site.
On-screen meeting participants are shown in true-to-life dimensions.
Participants can enjoy genuine eye contact and full stereo surround sound,
enabling them to pick up the non-verbal communication, so essential for a
productive meeting experience.
The high definition technology allows users to share desktop content
between locations, ensuring effective collaboration. By rolling out high
quality Video Conferencing across their business one global technology
company estimated they were able to bring their latest product range to
market nine months earlier than scheduled saving themselves US$17 million in
the process.
Accessible to use for all businesses - Although high-definition Video
Conferencing is a business enabler, providing a 'face-to-face' meeting
experience, can exceed the existing budgets of many organizations. This deal
with Regus gives businesses of all sizes the opportunity to take full
advantage of this technology, and the benefits associated with it, at a
fraction of the cost.
While some large enterprises are able to justify the purchase of Video
Conferencing units in a small number of major corporate locations, this
option provides a flexible way of supporting services beyond existing
corporate sites and enterprise boundaries. Using the wider Regus and
Cable&Wireless Video Conferencing footprint gives businesses a viable avenue
through which to drive inter-business collaboration.
'Community of Interest' system - The full potential of this technology
can be exploited when separate organisations can communicate together through
the same true-life, immersive experience. The Cable&Wireless 'Community of
Interest' is a system that will make this possible. By signing-up, corporate
members will be able to connect with their stakeholder community (customers
and suppliers) using Video Conferencing, without the need for a face-to-face
meeting. This can deliver many added benefits:
-- Develops stronger supply chain integration
-- Strengthen executive relationships
-- Deliver business efficiency
-- Increase collaboration
Locations and on-site services - The Video Conferencing technology and
24-hour helpdesk, to be managed by Cable&Wireless along with the locations
and on-site services provided by Regus will provide a 'first class' business
experience for all users and is a credible low cost alternative to executive
business travel.
Uniquely designed and all-inclusive, every detail has been taken care of
so users can focus on doing business and not worrying about the technology.
Pay-as-you-go use - The suites, which can be hired on a pay-as-you-go use
hourly basis, will be available globally from summer 2009
Mark Dixon, Regus CEO, said: "As the world's largest operator of Video
Conferencing studios, we know that our customers appreciate the benefits of
this leading-edge technology and are excited to use the product. Companies
who utilise this virtual tool will save time and money on business travel
while minimizing their impact on the environment. We are revolutionising how
people meet by delivering services that will optimise their performance."
Jim Marsh, Cable&Wireless CEO, Europe, Asia and US, said: "This will be a
new way of working for many businesses but it's a method where cost savings
and improved productivity are realised immediately. Cable&Wireless Video
Conferencing will provide new customers with the ability to transform the way
they work and give existing video users the opportunity to expand their
footprint without the need for significant investment in new Telepresence
hardware. Cable&Wireless leads the UK market with this product and this deal
supports our ambitions for customers to use this product around the world."
About Regus
The Regus Group is the world's leading provider of pioneering workplace
solutions, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to
professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the largest network of
videoconferencing studios. The Regus Group delivers a new way to work,
whether it's from home, on the road or from an office.
Clients such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, Nokia and Accenture join
thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from
outsourcing their office and workplace needs to The Regus Group, allowing
them to focus on their core business.
Over 400,000 clients a day benefit from Regus Group facilities spread
across a global footprint of 1,000 locations in 450 cities and 75 countries,
which allows individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever
they want to.
About Cable&Wireless
Cable&Wireless is one of the world's leading international communications
companies. It operates through two standalone business units - Europe, Asia &
US and CWI Group (formerly International).
The Europe, Asia & US business unit provides enterprise and carrier
solutions to the largest users of telecoms services across the UK, US,
continental Europe and Asia. With experience of delivering connectivity to
153 countries - and an intention to be the first customer-defined
communications services business - the focus is on delivering customers a
service experience that is second to none.
CWI Group is an owner and operator of leading regional telecoms
businesses. Headquartered in London, it operates businesses through four
regional operations - the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco & Islands -
delivering world class service and efficiency. CWI Group is a full-service
telecommunications provider offering mobile, broadband, and domestic and
international fixed line services, as well as enterprise and managed service
solutions.
SOURCE: The Regus Group
NOTE TO EDITORS: Images, Jpeg Images Are Available
CONTACT: Paul Gregory,
Marketing Director,
Asia Pacific,
The Regus Group,
+1-852-2166-8144,
paul.gregory@regus.com;
or Katie Dove,
Head of UK PR,
Cable&Wireless Europe, Asia & US,
+44-(0)-7733-392514, Mobile,
+44-(0)-1344-818-888, Press office,
+44-(0)-1908-845-000, Switchboard
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