BT Conferencing Picked For U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Technology Upgrade

LONDON, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BT Conferencing has been selected by Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) to deliver conferencing services and other priority technologies as part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program to upgrade its information technology systems.

The VA's Transformation Twenty-One Total Technology (T4) contract covers services that will streamline and modernize VA operations, including patient care delivery at more than 150 VA hospitals. Harris, a leader in federal healthcare IT integration, is one of only 15 companies selected to compete for up to $12 billion in business under this program.

As a result of BT's subcontractor arrangement with Harris, the VA will be able to choose from a range of BT Conferencing collaboration services, including audio conferencing, web conferencing and a variety of video conferencing offers ranging from desktop to immersive telepresence systems.

Currently one of the largest providers of video products and services to the VA, and one of the world's leading providers of video conferencing services with three global service support centers staffed by expert video technicians, BT is well positioned to provide and manage enhanced collaboration services for the VA. The use of the latest conferencing technologies, supported by BT's enterprise video management and technical expertise, can help the VA share information more quickly and efficiently, leading to improved patient care, higher productivity, and lower costs. The VA will also have access to BT Conferencing's tools for tracking travel cost savings and carbon emissions reductions that result from its use of video conferencing.

Jim Traficant, president, Harris Healthcare Solutions, said: "BT Conferencing's leadership in creating and managing large-scale video conferencing installations, and their ability to provide user-friendly scheduling and video conference control from mobile devices like iPhones and iPads, were important factors in our decision to collaborate with them in delivering on the VA's T4 project. With BT Conferencing and other providers, we'll deliver the products and services needed to help the VA achieve top clinical, operational, and financial performance."

Chris Donohue, general manager, Americas, BT Conferencing, said: "BT Conferencing has a long history of serving the conferencing and collaboration needs of the VA. We look forward to continuing to deliver our innovative solutions and expert support as the VA upgrades its communications and IT infrastructure. Our inclusion in this project gives the VA an opportunity to enjoy all the cost and efficiency benefits today's conferencing and collaboration solutions offer, and it gives BT Conferencing the opportunity to play a role in delivery of quality care and benefits for our veterans."

BT Conferencing is a unit of BT Group. BT has had a continuous presence in the U.S. for more than 20 years, employing more than 4,300 professionals and offices in over 70 key cities across the U.S.

All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.btplc.com/News

Notes to editors

About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2011, BT Group's revenue was 20,076m pounds Sterling with profit before taxation of 1,717m pounds.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.btplc.com.

SOURCE BT