Australian Government reveals national videoconferencing system results

Members of the Australian Government are able to meet face to face without the need for costly travel, following the successful deployment of the government’s National TelePresence System.

Since installation, the service has hosted more than 1031 official meetings, totalling more than 1660 hours. This has enabled staff to stay at their interstate offices instead of travelling to Canberra, providing productivity, sustainability and cost benefits.

For one particular meeting conducted via the system, which connected 12 different locations, the government estimated it saved $100,600 in costs relating to travel.

The government also said the service has delivered cost savings in excess of $12 million relating to travel expenses, which in turn has reduced carbon emissions, as members did not have to travel to meetings.

The deployment of Cisco TelePresence units operating over the Telstra Next IP network has been operating for 18 months. The service incorporates 36 TelePresence sites connecting the seven Commonwealth Government offices, Prime Ministerial and Cabinet offices, Parliament House and the offices of Premiers and Chief Minister agencies in every state and territory to one secure, definition videoconferencing facility.

The government established the system to reduce the travel and consequent carbon emissions, fiscal costs and productivity losses associated with meetings of COAG officials, Ministerial Council officials and other intergovernmental-related interactions.

The solution is a joint effort between Cisco and Telstra.