Technology allows Tommy Hilfiger real-time global collaboration and communication

El Segundo, Calif. Tommy Hilfiger has signed a five-year contract with BT under which the company will provide a video-conferencing solution, which includes the industry's first “virtual fitting rooms.” Developed by BT in partnership with Tandberg, part of the newly formed Cisco TelePresence Technology Group, the solution enable immediate global "in-person" communication and collaboration among Tommy Hilfiger's designers and manufacturing facilities, and connects offices in Amsterdam, New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo, with potentially more units to follow.

The virtual fittings rooms include add-ons such as mobile cameras and recording facilities that enable the design team -- based in Amsterdam and New York -- to collaborate faster and more effectively with the manufacturing team in Hong Kong. Teams will be able to discuss the development of every single piece of the collection face-to-face without having to take long-distance flights.

"We were impressed by BT's knowledge and experience in the videoconferencing area. This, combined with the creative, innovative solution which the BT-Cisco team offered, made the decision easy," said Fred Gehring, CEO Tommy Hilfiger Group. "The solution will bring us an immersive virtual meeting experience and save both time and money. Teams will be able to interact and collaborate as if they were in the same room, making us much more agile and competitive. We look forward to better and more regular communication between our entities across the globe.”