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MoD plans telepresence trial
In aim to tackle travel budget…

By Julian Goldsmith

Published: Thursday 03 July 2008

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering a telepresence pilot, as part of its plans to tackle its travel budget.

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According to group captain Andy Towler, team leader for the defence modernisation initiative, the pilot is one of a number of initiatives being considered to offset the department's travel budget.

Currently, the department spends around £300m per year transporting civil servants and military personnel around the globe. Earlier this month it launched an online travel booking service that the department hopes will shave £35m per year from that spend and simplify the process of booking travel and accommodation for services personnel.

According to Towler, the conferencing pilot may involve technology supplied by WebEx, a company Cisco acquired last year, and the pilot is due to commence this summer.