BT announced late last month that it was launching a fully-managed video solution called "BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence." The new service combines Cisco's high-definition technology with BT Conferencing's management services to provide customers with, according to the company, "an easy-to-use, reliable and cost-effective immersive video conferencing solution."

BT's customers using the service can choose a mix of services specific to their requirements. Key features of BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence include:

• Design and provisioning (which includes hardware procurement, room readiness and network path assessments).
• Detailed room configuration design and setup.
• Global Project Management.
• Optional IP overlay network.
• Proactive device and network monitoring along with a 24/7 Help Desk support.
• Hosting services for CTMS switch, TelePresence Manager and Cisco Communications Manager.
• Automated Call scheduling and launching tools.
• Support for TelePresence interoperability with traditional video conferencing devices.
• Producer assisted TelePresence calls.

The launch of BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence follows BT's recent acquisition of Wire One Communications, a market leader in video communications, which was the first company to launch and implement a managed concierge service for Cisco TelePresence.

BT One Source for Cisco TelePresence is currently available in the U.S. and will be commercially available in Europe and Asia-Pacific shortly.

Our observations: We’ve long advocated the benefits of managed VoIP for several years and we suggest the same benefits can apply to a telepresence service. While most Tier 1 service providers are already certified suppliers for Cisco’s Telepresence, the global reach of the BT network may prove an advantage once it extends the service availability worldwide.

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. Larry Hettick is a principal analyst at Current Analysis.