News Briefs
Posted: 2/2003
News Briefs
* Citizens Conferencing has
released video conferencing bridging. The services, available through Citizens’
agent program, will target applications such as focus groups, human resources
and recruiting, press conferences and distance learning. Features include
support for ISDN and IP protocols, voice-activated switching, chairperson
control, continuous presence, active monitoring and online technical support.
While the company only plans to support the bridging portion of video
conferencing, they will offer assistance in locating video conferencing rental
rooms and the purchase of equipment when required. Citizens Conferencing also
offers a "first video conference free" promotion for customers that
want to try the service.
* Master agency Communications
Management Services (CMS) has announced shortened service agreements for Raindance
Communications Inc.’s Web Conferencing Pro service. It also announced
certifications for agents, to learn the enhanced features of Raindance products.
"We have taken out the
redundancy and reduced the length of the terms and conditions [of the
agreement]," said CMS conferencing guru and director of indirect channel
sales Scott Clague, in an e-mail to agent partners.
The one-hour, online certification
courses, offered at the Raindance Web site, have three levels. Level I, the
"Introduction to Audio and Web Conferencing Sales," includes a
Raindance authorized agent program overview, an audio and Web conferencing
market overview, a Raindance corporate overview, a high-level product overview
and basic sales tips. Level II, "Web and Phone Conferencing," covers
in-depth features and benefits of the Web and phone conferencing service, while
Level III, "Web Conferencing Pro," covers that service specifically.
Level II and III cover applications, benefits, features, usability and demo tips
on the technologies.
* Infonet Services Corp. and
Polycom Inc. have developed a partnership to deliver interactive video
communications to multinational corporations as part of Infonet’s complete
portfolio of IP-based solutions, which include IP VPNs and managed security.
Infonet will integrate Polycom Office into its portfolio, through its direct and
alternate sales channels. Infonet will resell specific products, including:
Polycom ViewStation, iPower and ViaVideo end points; the MGC video multipoint
control unit (MCU) and Gateway for video bridging; Polycom VoicePlus for voice
bridging; the Polycom PathNavigator call processing server for intelligent call
routing; and its Global Management System software for remote management.
* Premiere Conferencing has
launched the latest version of PremiereCall Auditorium. The new release
integrates Premiere Conferencing’s VisionCast Web collaboration service, which
allows companies to incorporate visual presentations and data via the Internet
into larger scale conference calls. PremiereCall Auditorium, available via
channel partners, combines automated passcode access with operator assistance,
so customers can host large conference calls, such as company announcements,
all-hands meetings, seminars, product launches, sales training and news
conferences. It offers instant passcode access and pre-registration for
participants via the Web, along with dedicated operator assistance and operator
attendance.
* Universal Broadband
Communications Inc. (UBC), has added phone and Web conference calling to its
business services. The company is reselling services from ECI Conference Call
Services.
UBC can provide automated or
operator-assisted conference calling, Internet broadcasts of live or
pre-recorded messages and collaborative Web conferencing. Irvine, Calif.-based
UBC targets residential and enterprise markets with long-distance services,
calling cards and toll-free international calling. The company will launch an
agent channel this year, says a company spokesman.
