AccessKenya Group in partnership with Polycom through its Certified Reseller in the East African region – Sight & Sound Limited – have deployed the first High Definition Telepresence solution at Nairobi’s Tribe Hotel. Notably in attendance were senior staff of the three companies and the incoming Director General of the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) Eng. Francis Wangusi.
Telepresence at the Tribe Hotel
Telepresence is a technology that allows for a feeling of real presence in virtual meetings and is set to elevate Tribe hotel’s global standing as a premier business tourism facility in the region. The solution allows people in different offices around the world to meet virtually via video call and transact business irrespective of distance. This is not to be mistaken for video conferencing.
Tribe Hotel General Manager Mr. Michael Flint expressed confidence in the Telepresence technology saying it’s a worthwhile investment for the hotel and will go a long way in growing the hotel’s business conferencing portfolio. “This solution not only positions us as a premier conference facility, but also gives our visitors an experience they may not get anywhere else in this part of the market,”
Cost effectiveness
AccessKenya Managing Director Kris Senanu maintained that the Telepresence service is world class and comes as a viable option for corporate companies looking to achieve efficiency in their day-to-day business at a reasonably lower cost.
“In this time of high inflationary pressures and high cost of doing business, companies are looking to reduce overheads incurred on utility and concessional expenses such as travel. This technology provides a unique opportunity for any business to achieve this all year round,” said Mr. Senanu.
Given that Polycom has not been particularly visible in this market, questions arise as to why this was the partner of choice for AccessKenya. As a response to this, Mr. Rajesh Lakhani, MD of Sight & Sound Ltd said the Telepresence deployment showcases the versatility of Polycom video conferencing technology, which – he says – was chosen over a wide range of other service providers.
“In partnering with AccessKenya to deploy the Polycom HD telepresence, we are looking to enable businesses acquire communication solutions that will improve their work environments and enhance the conferencing experience. A reliable internet connection of as low as 256Kbps and an initial investment in the teleconferencing equipment is all you need to enjoy this service,” said Mr. Lakhani.
The AccessKenya Group has in the recent years diversified its product offering to include a number of Value Added Services including Data Backup, Video Conferencing and Managed IT services e.g. Remote Desktop Assistance and firewall. These developments come even as corporate entities continue to adopt technology with the aim of increasing efficiency and minimizing costs.
Polycom® Architected Telepresence Experience ™ (Polycom ATX) 300
This is the product offered to the Tribe Hotel by Polycom. The product components, including industry-leading codecs, cameras, microphone arrays, software, configuration tools and more, provide powerful technologies that support unique deployment requirements. Meeting spaces, furniture, displays and decor are customisable to unique user models and environmental requirements. Content displays can be incorporated into the room design to address unique collaboration applications. Design, integration, support and ongoing services ensure all solutions fully address the customers’ existing and evolving needs.
With highly adaptable and flexible deployment options, Polycom Architected Telepresence Experience solutions are also completely standards-based and fully interoperable with the millions of existing video conferencing systems in use around the world today, including all Polycom immersive, room and personal telepresence solutions. Last year, AccessKenya, in partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital showcased the country’s first Video Telesurgery using the High Definition Polycom HDX-8000 series equipment. The telesurgery transmitted live surgical procedures at a Pan African Urological Surgeons’ Association (PAUSA) Conference held in Nairobi heralding a new age in telemedicine in Kenya.
