Cisco Releases Interoperability Protocol, Endpoints

Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) has announced the release of an interoperability protocol to the public domain that allows multiscreen telepresence systems to interoperate. Telepresence customers now have a way to improve communications with vendors, suppliers and partners while maintaining an immersive telepresence experience. LifeSize, TANDBERG and RADVISION have signed agreements to license the Telepresence Interoperability Protocol (TIP). Cisco has offered to license its protocol to industry participants royalty-free.

Release of the Telepresence Interoperability Protocol marks a significant step in creating a new, open standard for telepresence, similar to other industry video standards. Cisco already supports H.323, which allows Cisco TelePresence to interoperate with standard- and high-definition videoconferencing systems and other collaboration applications. Cisco supports HD videoconferencing interoperability solutions via the Cisco MXE 5600 (Media Experience Engine) and Cisco Unified Video Conferencing.

Cisco also announced five new Cisco TelePresence experiences that extend the value of telepresence beyond the virtual meeting, and it has released enhanced versions of its flagship Cisco TelePresence System 3000 and Cisco TelePresence System 3200 endpoints. The five new Cisco TelePresence experiences take face-to-face virtual collaboration to classrooms, facilitate virtual brainstorming, provide instant in-person help desk support, create a worldwide virtual showroom, and deliver a new streaming service for global virtual events. The new Cisco TelePresence System 3010 and Cisco TelePresence System 3210 offer better energy utilization and faster installation for cost-effective information technology support and new in-room enhancements for an improved user experience.

“Cisco is bringing the future of work to reality with high-quality video collaboration for everyone, everywhere,” said Charles Stucki, vice president and general manager, TelePresence Systems business unit, Cisco. “We are providing our customers with ‘any to any’ interoperable solutions while maintaining the overall high-quality Cisco TelePresence experience. We believe that the Telepresence Interoperability Protocol, new experiences and new endpoints will enable many more organizations and people to transform global business.”