Cisco says its opportunity in video is $10 billion over the next 3-5 years, not including network upgrades required to support video applications. Physical security alone is an $8 billion market, but TelePresence virtual conferencing accounts for Cisco's biggest product ramp, according to Marthin DeBeer, senior vice president of Emerging Technologies.

DeBeer says Cisco has 100 customers for its TelePresence virtual conference rooms since the system's launch in 2006. These customers have equipped anywhere from 50 to 200 office rooms with the system.

Cisco itself has TelePresence-enabled 230 rooms in San Jose, DeBeer says. The technology has enabled Cisco to save $60 million over the past year, and DeBeer himself has cut his amount of travel by 66% while "seeing" twice as many customers as he would had he traveled.

DeBeer helped Cisco roll out several business video products this week via a Monday Webcast. Among the new products were video surveillance modules for its 2800, 3800 and 3200 series Integrated Services Router platforms; an interactive application, called Enterprise TV, that allows organizations to deliver on-demand video and broadcast live TV channels over an IP network to digital displays; a new digital media player; and expanded functionality for the company's existing digital signage and desktop video applications.

Cisco also acquired Denmark-based DiviTech A/S, a provider of digital-service management systems for media broadcasters, cable and IPTV service providers looking to create, modify and manage video networks.

 Source:telepresenceoptions