Digicom Technology News

Regus' prestigious Berkeley Square site opens with the first network of publicly available immersive telepresence systems in collaboration with Polycom and Cable&Wireless

SLOUGH/LONDON, UK - Jun 29, 2009 : Polycom, Inc. [Nasdaq: PLCM], the global leader in telepresence, video and voice communications solutions, announced the opening of the first publicly available Regus Telepresence Suite, equipped with Polycom's RealPresence™ Experience High Definition (RPX™ HD) immersive telepresence system as part of a joint initiative with Cable&Wireless Worldwide worth more than £32 million over five years.

With an official opening ceremony, Regus celebrated the launch of its prestigious Berkeley Square location in Central London including its first immersive telepresence suite globally. Following the initial announcement in May, this site is the first in a global rollout that will include Polycom RPX telepresence suites in 14 cities. As part of the initial phase, Regus plans to open Regus Telepresence Suites in Paris, Singapore, New York and San Francisco this summer.

"We are redefining the world of work, offering business of all sizes flexible, innovative and inspiring locations in which to meet, work and collaborate," said Mark Dixon, Group CEO, Regus plc. "In response to rising demand from these organizations we are augmenting and expanding our existing business lounge network around the globe, as we look to better enable the workers of today and tomorrow. The telepresence solution will play a fundamental role in helping us achieve this."

Jim Marsh, Cable&Wireless CEO, Europe, Asia and US said "This will be a new way of working for many businesses where cost savings and improved productivity are realized immediately. It 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 high-definition video conferencing hardware."

"Adding Polycom immersive telepresence suites to Regus facilities provides a powerful combination of services available for businesses looking to extend their presence and support an increasingly dispersed and mobile workforce," commented Bob Hagerty, chairman & CEO at Polycom. "Because Polycom systems are based on established standards for video communication, Regus customers can use telepresence to connect with other Regus facilities, their own offices or with their customers, vendors and partners anywhere in the world."

Regus currently offers the world's largest network of publicly accessible video conferencing rooms with more than 600 studios worldwide featuring Polycom standards-based video conferencing. The addition of Polycom's RealPresence Experience (RPX) immersive telepresence studios offers a new level of intimate meeting experience that helps people in different locations work as effectively as if they are in the same room.

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 while enhancing collaboration among geographically dispersed teams and maintaining the ability to execute effectively across distances.

About The Regus Group
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, and Nokia 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. For more information please visit: www.regus.com.