BofA to Expand Use of Videoconferencing

Going from 28 Cisco Telepresence units to 200 by year end.

Bank of America and Cisco today announced a major rollout of videoconferencing equipment across the bank, to improve collaboration among associates. The bank plans to install 200 units across the bank's global operations by year-end.

The YouTube video below shows Bank of America CTO Marc Gordon describing the telepresence technology and includes a silent film of a videoconference.

Cisco TelePresence uses high-definition video and audio to simulate face-to-face meetings. People sit in a semicircular table facing a wall of screens displaying images of meeting participants in other locations.

Gordon said the new videoconferencing technology will help associates better manage work-life balance by providing flexible meeting options, and in some cases reduce the need to travel. "When TelePresence helps reduce travel, it also supports our commitment to address climate change," he said in a statement.

Cisco says its TelePresence technology will run on the bank's existing network. The bank will deploy various configurations including one for business meetings with up to six participants per room, and another that seats up to 18 people.

Bank of America currently uses 28 Cisco TelePresence systems for associate meetings and training.

Cisco will provide the technology as a managed service. The vendor will install, support, refresh and maintain the TelePresence equipment at existing BofA facilities.