Innovative E-Conferencing on a Grand Scale

Cisco Systems is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, with offices and customers in virtually every corner of the world. The company has taken a lead in servicing their clients using video conferencing and virtual meetings.

"We are going full speed ahead with this virtual-meeting sort of atmosphere," says Scott Estrella, Technical Coordinator of Cisco's Executive Briefing Center.

In a field where speed and innovation play critical roles, Cisco frequently uses these eBriefing rooms to get together with customers. Each year, they virtually host more than 20,000 people from around the world.

At their Executive Briefing Center, Cisco uses Wacom interactive pen displays in a dual role, as monitors and as whiteboard collaboration devices. Scott Estrella says, "We may have a client that is interested in a certain piece of hardware that Cisco makes, but if there is not an expert at that facility for that piece of hardware, we can bring a subject in using video conferencing and incorporate chalk talk sessions, sketch-up diagrams and flow charts. It's very intuitive. Anybody can just get on and use it. It does not take a lot of tutoring or training."

Wacom's pen displays have been so successful in Cisco's eBriefing centers that Scott plans to incorporate them into Cisco's e-studios as well.