Regus Expands Global Telepresence Reach With Cable&Wireless Worldwide And Polycom

NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES and CHICAGO, March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the fourth in a series of four global launches Regus, (LSE: RGU), the world's largest provider of innovative workplace solutions, today announced that it is opening three brand-new immersive telepresence suites – in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago – based on Cable&Wireless Worldwide's Managed Video Conferencing (MVC) solution, using telepresence solutions from Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM).

With the increasing pressure to cut travel spending, increase productivity and reduce environmental impact, Regus' telepresence offering will help its customers stay connected and provide them with ultimate flexibility for their business operations.

The new facilities are part of Cable&Wireless Worldwide and Regus' joint initiative to implement market-leading high-definition telepresence suites at Regus' premier global business centers using Cable&Wireless Worldwide's Managed Video Conferencing (MVC) solution, which was announced in April of last year.  Cable&Wireless Worldwide selected Polycom to provide the Polycom RealPresence Experience (RPX) immersive telepresence suites for the Regus centers.

"We are redefining the world of work, offering business of all sizes flexible, innovative and state-of-the-art locations in which to meet, work and collaborate," said Guillermo Rotman, CEO for Regus Americas. "In response to rising demand from these organizations, we are continually enhancing and expanding the facilities in our global network, as we look to better enable the professionals of today and tomorrow. Telepresence solutions will play a fundamental role in helping us achieve this objective."

"The demand for immersive telepresence in Regus business centers worldwide is yet another point of validation that visual communication is becoming a mission-critical business tool, and will be ubiquitous within two to three years. Regus customers will now be able to take advantage of Polycom's immersive telepresence experience in a natural, 'across the table' way and be as productive and efficient – just as if they were in the same room," said Bob Hagerty, CEO of Polycom. "They can connect to Regus facilities, their own offices or with their customers, vendors and partners anywhere in the world via telepresence. Polycom's open standards approach allows this to happen seamlessly."

"In the past, video conferencing has been held back by poor-quality communications networks that made images jump and voices crackle.  Regus has chosen to run its telepresence suites over our global next-generation network which makes these issues a thing of the past," said Rob Breuche, Managing Director, Cable&Wireless Americas.  "Regus is opening up multimedia conferencing across that network to the entire world, transforming the way that new customers carry out meetings and giving existing video users the opportunity to expand their footprint without the need for significant investment ."

All Regus telepresence and videocommunication suites can be booked at anytime and from anywhere in the world through a sophisticated online booking tool including global real-time meeting room and telepresence/VC availability - www.regus.com.

About The Regus Group

The Regus Group (LSE: RGU) is the world's leading global provider of innovative workspace solutions, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world's largest network of video communication studios. Regus delivers a new way to work, whether it's from home, on the road or from an office. Clients such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core business.