Telepresence is video conferencing taken to the next level: participants feel as if they are in the same room together. Despite the tough economic environment, sales of telepresence hardware, software and services grew to $567 million in 2009, according to ABI Research.

The telepresence supplier market was active in 2009, highlighted by Cisco’s planned acquisition of Tandberg. While this acquisition has helped consolidate the high end of the market, supplier activity also created other important trends in 2009 which will be significant drivers for telepresence growth.

“Nearly any size company has access to telepresence and video conferencing services,” says David Lemelin, director of the Enterprise Communications Research Service. “Suppliers are helping businesses transition to telepresence by introducing personal and room-based HD video conferencing solutions. Telepresence room rentals are also on the rise.”

Expanding the options for access to telepresence products and services is critical for maintaining strong market growth.

“Video conferencing products that are a step above ‘talking heads’ at reasonable price points allow companies to experience the benefits and incorporate them into their business processes,” adds Enterprise practice director Dan Shey. “This begins a cycle of growth that will lead to using true telepresence systems.”

Other major trends and suppliers’ contributions driving the market in 2010 and beyond include:

- Saving on travel costs particularly for companies experiencing supply chain expansion;

- Suppliers targeting companies with legacy video teleconferencing systems and expanding telepresence system interoperability;

- Telepresence enhanced with unified communications features such as whiteboards, document sharing and webcam videos;

- Growth of managed and cloud telepresence services from vendors such as Glowpoint, BT Onesource, Verizon and AT&T;

- Telepresence products for mobile employees and devices such as laptops and smartphones.

ABI Research’s  “Enterprise Telepresence and Video Conferencing” study examines the customer and supplier trends that have shaped the market in 2009 and will influence the market in 2010 and beyond. The report offers a detailed view of not only the range of available telepresence systems but also the supplier environment offering telepresence hardware, software and services. Forecasts include telepresence revenues by region, vertical segment, network access, and managed services, and for endpoint shipments.

It is part of the firm’s Enterprise Communications Research Service.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advise thousands of decision makers through 28 research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.