This October will mark the 10^thanniversary of the immersive telepresence segment -one that we pioneered with the Cisco TelePresence System 3000 Series.

And as if by kismet, on the eve of this tenth year, demand for immersive systems soared as never before. Just last month, we shipped the 1,000^thIX5000 system, our latest-generation immersive telepresence product. This is the fastest ramp in the history of the immersive segment, happening within the first year of the IX5000's introduction. That's no small feat for a product with a$300K list price (a price that's unchanged since the 2006 introduction, despite significant innovations.)

What makes this milestone even more interesting is that some predicted the demise of the immersive segment just a couple of years ago. But we persisted despite the naysayers. Why? We were driven by the same vision we had 10 years ago:  To take a meeting table, cut it in half, and add 5,000 miles in between. And yet, it still feels like everyone is in the same room -life-sized, effortlessly, and almost magically.

As it was ten years ago, users today are awestruck the first time they experience immersive telepresence. For globally dispersed businesses, the benefits very quickly become real. Organizations become enthralled with how it can transform their business. Travel avoidance is an obvious benefit, but the immediacy of decision-making, the relationship- and trust-building, and the power to collaborate over thousands of miles are the true assets. This is why more than 75% of Fortune 500 companies have purchased our immersive systems.

In the fall of 2006, Cisco introduced the immersive telepresence category with the CTS 3000 Series. It was three 65-inch screens, stereo quality sound, and high-definition video all creating an awe-inspiring and movie-worthy experience. We even brought in a well-known Hollywood director to make sure the experience would be unforgettable. It was and still is.

Fast-forward 10 years and there are certainly more bells and whistles. But the crux of the product is unchanged. It's a compelling collaboration experience that's highly intuitive and reliable.

What has clearly changed is access, based on the order of magnitude increase in products shipped. Today, the benefits of immersive collaboration can extend well beyond the boardroom to global and project teams. Besides, who doesn't want be enthralled while they're getting business done?

Have you been enthralled by Cisco immersive telepresence over the past 10 years? Please share your story with me.