The latest from Cisco confirms TekPlus’ earlier analysis (see the blog posting of 2 October 2009) about the acquisition of Tandberg.

In all the high falutin’ talk about TelePresence, Cisco always skated round the fact that its system was not compatible with others on the market. It focused on the fact it was a superior product. Cisco said it had better vision, better sound, better all round immersion experience. And Cisco was probably right - but it only worked with another TelePresence installation.

But all is conceded now. Following the conclusion of the legal steps of acquiring Tandberg, “Cisco will create an open architecture that provides greater interoperability with Tandberg and third-party systems".

After getting its confession out of the way, Cisco goes on to mention some of the Good Things that will come from this development. “…valuable features…such as One Button to Push and Continuous Presence, as well as integration with leading unified communications platforms", it says. Telepresence is not video-conferencing although for maximum benefit both types should be able to connect together. Frost & Sullivan defines telepresence as a “tightly integrated set of visual, audio and network technologies and services that together deliver an immersive, life-like communication experience".

It provides a road map that will be developed by a newly formed Cisco
TelePresence Technology Group. The portfolio will comprise:

Immersive TelePresence: The flagship Cisco TelePresence System 3000 series,"…the optimized experience for scalable deployments". Not quite available yet, but expect soon high-definition, immersive, multiscreen interoperability with other multiscreen systems. After all Tandberg’s T1 and T3 systems are already doing so.

Multipurpose Room Systems: Tandberg’s Profile Series will lead here and we expect it to absorb the Cisco TelePresence System 1300 for conference rooms.

Personal Systems: By conceding the strength of Tandberg offerings, (http://bit.ly/t48GP) it is probable that Cisco’s TelePresence System 1100 and System 500 will go the way of all flesh.

Platform Portfolio: Tandberg dominates here with the C-series, MXP codecs, set-top systems, PC video and high-definition cameras. This is stuff for integrators to create customized systems and must oviously be industry standard.

Infrastructure: Both companies will continue to offer the nuts and bolts products of teleconferencing like control units. Over time the ranges will be consolidated to meet full interoperability needs.

Services: Cisco TelePresence Exchange and Cisco TelePresence Public Suites will continue to operate.

Tandberg sales and channels organization will become a specialist sales team within Cisco for the sake of continuity. Does this mean autonomous?

Nah! Long time experience of mergers shows there will be a period of uncertainty. Lots of jockeying for position by the ambitious ones, while the others will flounder around bewildered by the new products and new reporting lines.

Cisco made a fine acquisition in Tandberg but that does not mean things will go smoothly. It has set out on the road of standards-compliant technology, notably H.323, H.264, H.239 and SIP. Sales also require networks supporting high-end bandwidth - a minimum of 4 Mbps and as much as 15 Mbps for theatre type presentations. Add in a recession and it could be 2011 before Cisco/Tandberg start to come right in this market.