By Cara Sievers

So, who really needs a telepresence room? Apparently, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar does.

My husband and I are big fans of the deals Fleming’s offers, so while recently checking out its latest promo online, I was pleasantly surprised to find an entire section of the restaurant’s Web site dedicated to promoting its TANDBERG videoconferencing facilities. Not only do I find it refreshing to read about a Verizon WAN providing adequate bandwidth on a restaurant Web site, but with nearly 50 Fleming’s locations offering this option, I cheerfully assume the systems are getting some use in order to justify that huge cost.

In fact, it’s that huge cost that might have some businesses opting to have their bimonthly videoconferences over dinner at Fleming’s as opposed to purchasing an in-house system.

But let us not forget there is another option – and a very viable one, I might add. While some vendors have made a big splash with telepresence rooms that have the production values of a Hollywood soundstage, IP communications providers like Skype are betting on desktop video to finally push videoconferencing beyond the niche phase. Technological innovation in the desktop video market is no doubt pushing acceptance; and as products continue to improve in ease of use and quality of service, the market stands to grow in a big way. And it’s no secret that external factors, such as an increase in telecommuting, shrinking travel budgets and the green movement, will help the adoption of desktop videoconferencing move right along.

I do, however, think there is a place for both telepresence and desktop video in the market, and I don’t see them as competitors, for the most part. I have a feeling that most customers fit into one bucket or the other.

I don’t know though ... the writers of Back To The Future II envisioned us all having telepresence rooms in our homes. I remember watching that movie back in 1989 and thinking how cool it would be to have a conversation with someone on the “phone” and be able to see a lifesize video of them, while they were able to see you.

Wow – as cliché as it sounds, the future is now.

In fact, this week at the VON Conference & Expo in Miami, the discussion on the future of videoconferencing and how service providers can take advantage of it continues. The session, “Who Really Needs a Telepresence Room? Life-Size vs. Desktop & The Future of Video Conferencing,” will take place 11 - 11:50 a.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Panelists include Scott Kinka of Evolve IP, Greg Plum of The Conference Group, and Stefan Karapetkov of Polycom, and the session will be moderated by Alec Saunders, CEO of Iotum. Sorry, no Rib eye will be served.