A method and apparatus for providing a synchronous communication session comprising a customer service session and a video conferencing session are provided. The customer service session is established by a distribution service in response to a request received from a cabinet application that is geographically remote from a virtual receptionist application. The request includes a computer identifier of the cabinet application that is then used by the virtual receptionist application to request a video conferencing session from a video conferencing service that is separate from the distribution service. During the synchronous communication session, the virtual receptionist can cause a display at the cabinet application to display a screen at the virtual receptionist application.