Video Conferencing for Online Meetings
The Blog for your Online Video Conferencing Meetings
ReadyShow Video Announces Upgrades to Video Conferencing Service
August 20th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
The Conference Group, makers of the video conferencing solution ReadyShow, has announced enhancements to the online collaboration product, including increasing the number of seats that a video conference can support, and an overall of the interface.
Readyshow now can support four times the amount of seats that the previous version could, from five to 20. This increase broadens its appeal to medium and larger companies and for online meetings up to 20 people. IP-based video conferencing has gained a lot of attention in the last year. Video conferencing can help cut operating costs by reducing travel, and make company productivity more efficient, effective and streamlined.
The Conference Group reworked the service’s user interface by adding a completely new look and feel. In addition, the company switched from a co-branded offering to a private-labeled one to emphasize brand recognition of the product.
ReadyShow Video Conferencing gives users the ability to conduct video conferences and desktop sharing with only a webcam and a standard internet browser. Readyshow uses Adobe Flash technology, which is completely browser-based without the need for downloads and works across multiple operating systems including PC, Mac and Linux. As many as 16 videos can be shared simultaneously during a single conference.
Citrix Raises International Prices 10%
August 19th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
With the exception of the US, Citrix Systems, makers of popular web conferencing applications such as gotowebinar will raise prices across all of its product lines by 10% worldwide. This price increase, which had already been promised by the company, reflects increased international business costs caused by the devaluation of the US dollar.
The price increases will be effective at the beginning of September and will apply to all authorized distributors of Citrix software. Distributors set up their own end-user pricing models, so they will be able to increase their prices accordingly.
Citrix Spokeswoman:
Citrix resellers determine the price at which they sell to their customers based on their purchase price from distributors, their business model and the overall scope of each solution.”
Currently, all of Citrix’s pricing models are based on the US dollar. The dollar, having steadily declined in value against the Euro and British pound, has increased operating costs for the company, which are being passed down to the end user. The US dollar experienced a sudden surge last week against both currencies, but overall remains much weaker than it has in the past.
The increase is a result of the rising costs of doing business globally, based upon the inflation of various currencies in comparison to the U.S. dollar, upon which Citrix pricing is based.
The price increase comes at a time when technology spending is expected to slow, amid fears of a slowing world and US economy.
InstantPresenter Integrates Paypal Transactions into Webinar Services
August 15th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
InstantPresenter, an industry leader in web conference, video conference and webinar services now offers full PayPal Inc. integration into their suite of online services. Paypal is the world leader in instant, safe, online transactions, with 24% marketshare of all online payments in the U.S. now going through Paypal.
Paypal integration in webinars will allow online presenters to sell their products online, before, during and after the presentation. This instant marketing strategy will allow consumers to purchase the item while it is fresh in their minds, and prevents them from either forgetting about, or purchasing similar products or services elswhere at a later time.
Presenters will set their own prices for their products and receive 100% of the sale. InstantPresenter does not charge a sales commission for these transactions. Webinar sales are a great way to greatly increase revenue while promoting your product at the same time. InstantPresenter’s Paypal integration makes this process simple, safe and secure with one of the world’s most trusted online banks.
InstantPresenter PayPal integration starts at only $39 per month.
About InstantPresenter.com
InstantPresenter.com is a browser based web conferencing and video conferencing service that uses cutting edge Flash technology to allow customers to present online. InstantPresenter.com uses video, VoIP, PowerPoint and more without the need to download and install additional software or purchase additional hardware. Find out more at www.instantpresenter.com.
Contact:
TJ Davis
Director of Sales
InstantPresenter.com
Phone: 714-890-3008
http://www.instantpresenter.com
TokBox Introduces Desktop Client Video Conferencing
August 13th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
TokBox, a video conference company that focuses on simple to use and intuitive interfaces, has announced it will launch a new AIR application that will bring the company’s easy-to-use wep application to the desktop. Using Adobe’s AIR platform, the software will be cross-compatible and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux users.
The new TokBox client offers a very simple interface. TokBox users can access all of the standard features available in the web-based client, which include video Conferencing Calls, Instant Messages, and Video Mail. Beyond the simple interface, the client also improves on the TokBox experience by giving users instant notification whenever a contact initiates a chat with them, and also allows them to set their availability status so that others know when they can be contacted, similar to other instant messaging applications. The application also generates a standard TokBox link, so that users can invite their friends to the chat or video conference even if they don’t have the client.
The new desktop client will appeal to frequent users of the site, although this new product seems a bit counterintuitive to what makes TokBox special. What has made the original web-based product so popular is that it doesn’t require client-side software, as you often do with competitors like Skype or chat networks like AIM and MSN. The release of a desktop client pits TokBox even more directly against these massive networks, and makes it clear that the company isn’t satisfied with just solving a problem, but rather, they’re ready to face some serious competition.
The new client’s no-hassle setup and universal compatibility make it a strong addition to TokBox’s quickly expanding offerings, which include a a new Firefox extension that integrates with Facebook Chat, and integration with multi-chat client, Meebo.
Nokia Creates Video Conferencing Robot
August 12th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
Nokia has designed an interactive video conferencing robot that can be controlled through its N800 internet tablet. While still a concept, “Jeppe,” the video conferencing robot has been designed to detect how people react to different forms of video conferencing hardware compared to traditional PC webcams.
Nokia hasn’t made public what specific types of technology is inside its video conferencing robot, but has confirmed that behind the cold, plastic façade is a two-way video camera, sound sensor and digital compass. Jeppe also contains a “mash-up” of existing technologies, such as Bluetooth, and the “brain box” from a Lego NXT robot.
The N800’s directional keypad enables the user to move Jeppe around, so that it could be controlled from remote locations to keep a 360 degree “eye” on your house while you’re away, or for a remote client to see different people in the online meeting.
Six pre-defined gestures, also accessed through the N800 system, trigger certain responses in Jeppe. Video conferencing conversations are conducted in real time using GoogleTalk. Jeppe was created by Nokia’s Research Center Smart Spaces lab, which studies remote management and “smart” technologies. The lab plans to expand Jeppe’s connectivity options so that it can be controlled through the internet and not just its N800 tablet.
As the Economy Slows, Video Conferencing Services Soar
August 9th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
In the last couple of years, video conferencing services have seen a sharp rise in popularity and usage, in large part due to concerns about the environment and a slowing economy that makes video conferencing a fiscally prudent alternative to travel. According to technology consultant Frost & Sullivan, the worldwide videoconferencing systems and services market, which touched $1.63 billion in 2007, is expected to grow to $4.2 billion by 2012.
Video Conferencing company, TNT, in an attempt to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions has called for a program called Planet Me. Planet Me is a drive to reduce business travel and in its place, use videoconferencing technology. TNT estimates that the CO2 savings from video conferencing alone could be 2.6 kilotons a year for the next four years, for a total savings of 10.5 kilotons over the period.
Some companies like Norwegian video conferencing equipment maker Tandberg are seeing record profits being made thorughout the industry. Tandberg With dual headquarters in Oslo and New York, leads the industry in revenue with 40% of the global videoconferencing market, according to Frost & Sullivan. Polycom, a U.S. based video conferencing equipment maker is currently leading the market with the number of units shipped. Together, Tandberg and Polycom control about 70% of the global market for videoconferencing devices and infrastructure.
Cisco Telepresence Sales up 500% - Is Video Conferencing Here to Stay?
August 8th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
At Tuesday’s quarterly earnings call with analysts, Cisco Systems CEO, John Chambers mentioned that orders of Cisco’s telepresence units were up 500% this year over last. A typical installation of a Cisco telepresence unit is around $300k, and considering the scope of Cisco’s $10.4 billion in sales during the second quarter, telepresence makes up a relatively small portion of overall sales for the company. However is this rapid increase and interest in video conferencing technology indicating a permanent shift in the way companies do business?
Many tech CEOs are proclaiming that telepresence and video conferencing services is the “killer app” of future business communications. As energy costs sore and business travel becomes increasingly expensive, many companies are turning to the technology to cut costs and go green. An estimate by the World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that businesses in the United States spend $180B on business travel annually, and that cost is rapidly increasing.
Cisco’s telepresence system of course isn’t the only available solution. As the demand for the technology increases, so has the number of companies offering a solution. Companies offering comparable videoconferencing packages for conducting virtual meetings include the likes of Hewlett-Packard, InstantPresenter, Tandberg, and Polycom. The common idea of these and other similar products is to make participants in any virtual meeting appear and sound just as they might when attending a meeting in person.
The price of video conferencing services will undoubtedly come down as the technology becomes more widespread. However if energy prices suddenly plummet as fast as they climbed, it remains to be seen if businesses will continue using these video conferencing systems, or if they will quickly revert back to the old-fashioned business travel model. Telepresence and video conferencing is still relatively new, and it remains unclear if it will remain a permanent fixture in the business place.
Avistar Video Conferencing Reports Rapid Growth and Distribution Through Resellers
August 8th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
Avistar’s C3 desktop video conferencing solution is projected by the company to be on more than 100,000 computers in the next couple of years. Today Avistar announced that this rapid growth of sales is a direct result of Avistar’s aggressive partnership strategy and commitments from leading industry distributors, resellers and technology partners in the U.S. and abroad. Over the last few months, more than 15 direct channel and technology partners and their resellers have signed with Avistar to offer C3 to their clients and users around the world. By leveraging reseller and technology partners, Avistar has been able to expand its user base by 500%, without incurring the increased operational and sales overhead of selling directly to the market.
Avistar CEO, Simon Mosssaid
In 2008 we migrated our go-to-market strategy away from a direct, narrowly focused sales approach, to a broader, deeper and much larger indirect channel and business partner strategy. Our focus is on partners in order to achieve wide distribution of our C3 technology, which has been designed for simple and rapid global deployment, while retaining market leading performance and scale. We also introduced a new strategy to monetize our patent portfolio through a combined technology and patent licensing model. We are delighted with both the response to the strategy and the early momentum we have recognized by attracting indirect channel partners. Resellers such as CityIS, Touchline and MVC are already realizing the benefits of differentiating their businesses with Avistar in their rapidly changing markets, as we offer flexible and attractive channel options that fit partners of all variety and sizes.
We expect that these channel and technology relationships will propel Avistar beyond being just a provider of desktop videoconferencing solutions to that of a videoconferencing engine powering other software in the market. It is a strategy focused on leveraging both the significant operational turn-around the firm successfully executed in the first half of 2008, and an impressive redesign of the product portfolio — both of which are expected to realize tangible and measurable benefits and sequential quarterly growth. We believe this focused strategy aligning product, operational sustainability and top line distribution will continue to increase Avistar’s ability to remedy some of the challenges the firm has historically faced, increase market success through engagement rather than competition, and most importantly, grow our shareholders’ value.
Avistar General Sales Manager, Darren Innes:
We’ve signed up many resellers in the U.K. and Europe recently, as the demand is high for desktop videoconferencing. Resellers want to help customers be more eco-friendly and cost-effective by reducing the need for in-person meetings and travel, and see Avistar as an attractive solution for their customer base.
New resellers of Avistars desktop video conferencing services, include Communications III, Focus 21, Manist, MediaPlus, SK Group, Teamwork 123, and Veloci among others.
InstantPresenter Now Supports Screen Sharing for Macs, Firefox and Safari
July 31st, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
InstantPresenter now has full Mac support for its screen sharing services. Screen sharing allows the online presenter to instantly share their screen with their online audience, allowing them to present anything they do on their computer, not only elements that they’ve integrated into their online presentation. Screen sharing can also be useful to show how to complete computer tasks that might otherwise be too difficult or time-consuming to explain in an online PowerPoint presentation.
With Macs now holding 7% of the computer market share, being able to present to all of your customers (both PC and Mac users alike) is critical. Only a handful of web conferencing companies currently have Mac support, and with Apple’s rapidly increasing market share, you need to select a web conferencing company that doesn’t limit you.
InstantPresenter’s Mac screen sharing simply requires the presenter to install a plug-in (users have reported install times of under 1 minute), and the system will be ready to go. Viewers of the web conference DO NOT have to install any software to be able to view and participate in the online presentation.
The updates for the Mac also include the ability to record your web conferencing sessions while using InstantPresenter. Your screen sharing, video and audio sessions are all stored on InstantPresenter’s high-speed servers, and are available for playback and viewing 24/7.
Polycom introduces High Definition (HD) Video Conferencing Media Server
July 30th, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert
Polycom, a global provider in telepresence, video conferencing services and voice communications solutions, today announced the release of its new system, the RMX 1000, a high-performance multipoint video conferencing communication platform for small and medium businesses. Complementing the existing RMX 2000 for medium and large business networks, the RMX 1000 enables on-demand video conferencing and online collaboration supporting multiple sites in the same calls with their UltimateHD technology, a high definition video conferencing, voice and multimedia content sharing capabilities service.
Polycom Vice President, Joe Sigrist:
The use of visual communication is growing because it effectively addresses major collaboration issues inherent to distributed, enterprise organizations as well as critical business challenges driven by globalization, socio-economic factors and the move toward more environmentally sustainable business practices. Our customers are looking to deploy video more broadly across their organizations from telepresence rooms to mass scale desktop video collaboration. The RMX 1000 supports this as part of Polycom’s comprehensive solution portfolio for visual communication.”
The RMX 1000 and RMX 2000 media servers are optimized for high-performance video conferencing communication. using technology based on open standards, the solutions enable multipoint video conference calls across different network environments and between different types of video devices, transcoding the various speeds and protocols to provide the optimal experience to each system based on the capabilities of the systems in a call.
The RMX 1000 supports HD video, HD content sharing and high quality audio which offers the benefits of both enhanced clarity and stereo surround sound which separates voices when multiple parties speak simultaneously. Like the RMX 2000, the RMX 1000 supports secure online conferencing through AES media encryption and provides an optimal experience even on slower networks with Polycom’s Lost Packet Recovery technology, which minimizes the damaging impact of network congestion and packet loss on the video conference call experience.
Multimedia Educational IT Specialist, Mark Crowl:
The RMX 1000 is a great high performance, multipoint platform for distributed video networks as well as a solid solution for small campuses. Set up was easy — we had the system up and running in under an hour — and we put the bridge through its paces, including cascading calls between the RMX 2000 and RMX 1000. The on-board management and scheduling capabilities are intuitive, and the HD video, content and audio quality is great and well suited for our distance learning and tele-medicine applications.
For small and medium-sized enterprises the RMX 1000 is a cost-effective solution for bringing high-performance multipoint video conferencing capabilities in house. The plug-and-play platform is easy to deploy and contains on-board capabilities for centralized scheduling and management.