HP Introduces New Halo Telepresence Product, Marquee Customer Wins

Video Conferencing vs. Telepresence

Telepresence picks up where video conferencing left off. Telepresence IS real time, full-high-definition, immersible sound and vision. Telepresence IS most importantly: the feeling of being “there” when you’re “here”. Telepresence is lifelike, video conferencing is not. Telepresence is that hi-line Mercedes AMG, video conferencing is a Ford Escort - Period.

Video conferencing has been around a while now but has always lacked the feeling we spoke about above. Jumpy computer screens, broken audio and poor lighting add to the impersonal touches of video conferencing (ie slow motion camcorder on top of your computer monitor). Finally, technology, bandwidth, vision and sound have all converged on video conferencing to create the telepresence experience. It’s about time! Crystal clear surround sound and real-time full-high-definition visual effects enhance the feeling of being there – thus telepresence. That nervous twitch, roll of the eyes, sniffle, tap of the foot – things you see when you’re present and sitting across a conference room table – things you don’t see or feel from video conferencing, but do with telepresence.

Today, what “real” uses are there for Telepresence?

There is no short answer even possible here. We’ll name a few, more like we’ll put your imagination to work. Imagine a single specialist doctor in Canada treating patients in Haiti via telepresence. Robots in space doing the actual work while the telepresence operator dons his telepresence helmet and gloves at his workstation in Texas. Meeting your Russian company vice president while you’re in the executive telepresence room at the office in Denver. Just a few…

What are “real” savings of Telepresence?

Your imagination still working on the last answer? Don’t let up yet! What carbon footprint? Don’t need that airplane ticket to go check on your staff in Russia now do you? What lost life in the Iraqi war? Unmanned drones and soldiers via telepresence. Military and combat cost savings? Immeasurable. Less travel costs, airline frustration, fuel, lost time, carbon emissions, etc. Those are tangible, real savings to name just a very limited few.

You starting to see what telepresence can do that video conferencing can’t? We hope you see what we’re seeing! Telepresence – its time has arrived!

Check out the video thread in Section 8 of the Telepresence Forum where you can watch some Telepresence YouTube videos! If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million!

Ride on the "Next Plane of Existence" TM

PALO ALTO, Calif. (Business Wire EON) March 18, 2008 -- The new offering complements other fully managed Halo product offerings, such as the HP Halo Collaboration Studio, to provide customers with choice and flexibility in deciding which HP telepresence products best suit their needs.

The new Halo Collaboration Center is available as a two-seater or four-seater model and can be placed in multiple locations, including an executive's office, a conference room or a large cubicle area. Both models are designed to operate seamlessly with existing Halo products and provide the same unparalleled quality and experience.

In addition, AstraZeneca, Dow Chemical and Toshiba have joined the growing list of HP Halo customer as have other customers in the public sector, financial services and oil and gas industries.

These companies join other Fortune 1000 customers - such as ABN Amro, AMD, AIG Financial Products Corp., BHP Billiton, General Electric Commercial Finance, Novartis and PepsiCo - in enjoying the strategic business value, reduced costs and environmental benefits that HP Halo telepresence solutions can provide.

"We chose HP Halo because HP's managed service offering allows us to collaborate without the worry of managing the day-to-day operation of the studios," said Tomohirio Tanimura, general manager, Information Systems Division of Digital Media Network Company, Toshiba Corp. "From installation, to the availability of the 24x7 Halo Concierge, to technology refreshes, we are assured that our solution is updated with the newest developments. HP takes care of all the details."

"As a global pharmaceutical company, we are committed to continued innovation to deliver new medicines that will make a difference in the lives of patients," said Rich Williams, global chief information officer, AstraZeneca. "Frequent collaboration is important to us, and we feel that HP Halo will provide the world-class collaboration experience that will lead to world-class results."

The Halo Collaboration Center can be installed with minimal site preparation, cost and time and includes HP Halo's full managed services offering, which allows customers to focus completely on driving faster business results. HP Halo's managed services offer customers a comprehensive global solution from a single source and an unmatched level of service, including remote diagnostics and calibration, ongoing service and repair, and a 24x7 concierge service.

"We remain committed to delivering the most exceptional, comprehensive and hassle-free telepresence offering available in the market," said Ken Crangle, general manager, Halo Telepresence Solutions, HP. "Rounding out an already robust portfolio, the HP Halo Collaboration Center offers customers the flexibility to choose the best HP Halo solution to meet their business needs without compromising the excellence of the overall experience."

With the announcement of its new customers, HP has furthered the global reach of its Halo offering with solutions located in 22 countries around the world. Existing customers have affirmed the business benefits of HP Halo with more than 80 percent purchasing additional studios since their initial purchase.(1)

More information on this announcement is available in an online press kit at www.hp.com/go/hphaloexpandingaccess. More information on the HP Halo portfolio is available at www.hp.com/go/halo.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.

Note to editors: More news from HP, including links to RSS feeds, is available at www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/.

(1) Customers who have had Halo studios for six months or more.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008 and HP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

(C) 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

3/2008

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Telepresence Today - Telepresence information and editor qualified headline news

Telepresence Forum - Free user discussion forum

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