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The University of Missouri system could potentially save $1.3 million this year - all because of a room addition.
Each of the four UM campuses have new high-definition Cisco TelePresence conference rooms. UMKC's room, which opened Aug. 15, is located on the second floor of the Administrative Center.
The state of the art system allows groups at UMKC to meet with groups at any of the other UM system campuses without ever leaving campus.
One of the main benefits of the system is a reduction of travel expenses.
"We are estimating a possible savings of $1.3 million," said Justin L. Guggenmos, project manager for Information Services. "Total travel less Athletics in fiscal year 2008 was $20,196,805."
That is approximately five percent of the total travel budget.
"Everything is a guess until we can get some data of actual room utilization," Guggenmos said. "Five percent may prove too high. Not sure yet."
The system works by creating a virtual conference room, allowing participants in the meetings to feel as if they are in the same room even when they are miles apart.
Each of the four campuses in the UM System have a TelePresence Room, and they all look alike.
They are painted the same tan color and the conference tables in all of them are set up in a semi-circle facing three high-definition flat screens.
The circular arrangement of the room gives the impression that the people displayed on the screen are actually in the same room, just sitting on the other side of the conference table.
"Cisco has done a great job designing the system to replicate an in-person meeting environment," Guggenmos said.
UM is among the first universities to incorporate the system. It all came about because of a $1 million gift from President Gary Forsee and his wife, Sherry, and an additional $1 million for equipment, installation, maintenance, design, technical assistance and networking contributed by Cisco and AT&T.
Forsee said he wants the tool to aid in teaching and research in addition to reducing travel.
"I believe this network will help transform the way we communicate and pursue our historic land-grant mission of teaching, research, statewide service and economic development," Forsee said when he first announced the system.
The capabilities of TelePresence does not end with just being able to connect to other UM campuses though.
By the end of August, the system will be able to connect with any other TelePresence systems outside of the I2 network.
Students, staff and faculty are all able to reserve the room.
It is simply reserved through Outlook and invitations are sent out through the same system in the same way any other meeting is scheduled through Outlook.
The room seats 18 people with space in the back to add chairs if needed.
Since Aug. 15, roughly 60 meetings have been held with the system, but many of those have been demo sessions.
So far, only minimal problems have been experienced with the system.
"We have experienced some network congestion issues (which were expected)," Guggenmos said, "and we have been working with MOREnet to identify the particular network hardware causing the problem (most likely a router somewhere between KC and Columbia)."
He said the system is an asset to the UM system.
"The benefits are applied."
alang@unews.com
