ogle and Skype. When employees travel with camera-equipped laptops, they often take advantage of formerly residential video offerings and are aware of their benefits. Lastly, the possibility of Data Centers and IP Private Branch Exchanges worldwide epidemics has increased the desire among organizations to use alternative ways to conduct business with distant customers and offices, without the need to travel. Telepresence: Video Conferencing in High Definition The term "telepresence" refers to group video conferencing systems that transmit high- definition video signals. Rooms designed specifically for telepresence contain furni- ture and have specially configured lighting to enhance the video experience for users. Seating at the conference table might be arranged SO that all of the chairs face the video screens. In addition, rather than just containing one video monitor, these rooms have a wall of either three large, flat-panel monitors or, less often, an entire wall-size monitor. Viewing life-size images of remote co-workers, customers, or business partners in high resolution imparts the feeling of actually being in the same room with them. New telepresence systems often are integrated with UC systems such as Microsoft Office Communications Server. They make it easier to integrate collaboration capabili- ties, such that people in the meeting view the same documents and can edit them, as well. Systems on the IP LAN often have lower transmission costs and, more important, if they use a common signaling protocol such as SIP and H.323, they can hold confer- ences with organizations outside of their own company, with colleagues who might be using another manufacturer's system. Other capabilities in H.264 can overcome some deficiencies in IP networks, assuring a higher quality of video. Organizations that want to try telepresence before purchasing a system or use it without investing in hardware have the option of renting public systems by the hour. These public facilities are located in certain hotel chains and execu