iBEAM Broadcasting Announces Introduction of Activecast Interactive Webcasting Platform
iBEAM offers New Value-added Service Bundles for Business to Business, Entertainment Applications
biz.yahoo.com
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2000-- iBEAM Broadcasting© Corporation (Nasdaq:IBEM - news), an innovative Internet broadcast service provider, today announced the introduction of the Activecast(TM) interactive webcasting platform. iBEAM has developed comprehensive, turnkey solution bundles for Corporate Communications, Distance Learning, Web-based Seminars and Sports/Entertainment providers based on the Activecast platform. These solutions combine high-fidelity audio and video streamed over the iBEAM Network with synchronized slide presentations, graphics, and interactive elements such as e-commerce, text chat, audience polling, and live contextual Web links for each application.
The Activecast bundles offer robust interactive broadcast solutions for both live and on-demand webcasts. This allows companies to quickly develop and offer unique broadcast experiences to a variety of different audiences. The pre-packaged nature of the Activecast bundles offer businesses a simple, cost-effective solution that does not require a large investment in production, Web design or IT/IS infrastructure to deliver. These solution bundles can be further tailored to meet specific customer needs if desired.
The primary elements of the Activecast platform include:
-- A customizable, browser-based viewer that integrates the
various content elements; streaming video and audio, slides,
graphics, e-commerce, and text chat
-- Professional event management and production services provided
by iBEAM's trained staff
-- High-fidelity webcast distribution over the iBEAM Network
including signal acquisition, encoding services, hosting, and
streaming delivery
-- Event archiving for on-demand viewing
-- Audience management tools that include registration and
restricted access technology
-- The ability to offer Pay-Per-View events, advertising, and
sponsorship
-- Real-time and on-demand event monitoring and reporting,
including detailed audience statistics
iBEAM-delivered Activecast events allow businesses to reach their audience more quickly, cost effectively, and conveniently than traditional ``in-person'' delivery. The new Activecast solution bundles specifically target businesses that need to deliver timely information in a visually engaging format to customers, employees, and business partners.
``We believe the Activecast platform represents an exciting, innovative way to combine the real-time interactivity of the Internet with the high-fidelity streaming capabilities of the iBEAM Network,'' said Peter Desnoes, CEO iBEAM Broadcasting. ``These solution bundles are unique within the industry and represent an effective, easy-to-implement solution for businesses to take advantage of the power of interactive webcasting.''
One organization who has already used the services offered in the Activecast platform is the Lotus Development subsidiary of IBM. Lotus annually holds Lotusphere, a conference for product developers, business partners and customers that is limited to 10,000 attendees and which sells out well in advance of the event. Lotus used the Activecast platform to produce a rich-media, integrated webcast of Lotusphere 2000. The webcasts of the keynote speeches, breakout sessions and exhibition floor included over 280 hours of integrated video, audio, banners and slides that were made available live or for viewing soon after each session ended. Lotus Development received rave reviews from the Lotus/Domino community for offering non-attendees the opportunity to participate in Lotusphere 2000 and for enabling attendees to review content after the events ended.
``We were impressed by the ability of the iBEAM Activecast staff to deliver a comprehensive, engaging experience for a large and complex event such as Lotusphere 2000,'' said Sandra Marcus, General Manager, Lotusphere. ``The tools and services offered in iBEAM's Activecast platform were highly valued by our audience of key customers, developers and partners who were not able to attend the conference. The Activecast service offered tangible value to our business.''
iBEAM's Activecast platform and solution bundles were developed from technology acquired in the April 2000 purchase of webcasts.com. iBEAM has been able to rapidly integrate the advanced interactive webcasting tools and production capabilities with the high-fidelity streaming capabilities of the iBEAM Network. Activecast solution bundles are a natural complement to the roster of value-added services iBEAM offers its customers.
``The rapid integration of the webcasts.com team and technology has enabled iBEAM to quickly develop these innovative solution bundles,'' said Scott Klososky, VP Activecast Solutions for iBEAM Broadcasting and the former CEO of webcasts.com. ``We fully believe in the power of the Activecast interactive broadcasting solutions to change the nature of communications and improve the business models of our customers.''
About iBEAM Broadcasting Corporation
iBEAM Broadcasting Corporation, headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., was founded by data communications, television, and telecommunications professionals in 1998. iBEAM provides an Internet broadcast network that delivers streaming media to large audiences with viewing and listening quality that approaches television and radio. iBEAM's customers include media, technology and entertainment companies. For more information about iBEAM's broadcasting services, visit ibeam.com, or contact the company at 645 Almanor Avenue, Suite 100, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, telephone 408-523-1600.
This press release contains ``forward-looking statements'' (as defined under the securities laws) regarding future expectations, plans and prospects. These statements are identified by words such as ``will,'' ``anticipated,'' or ``intends,'' and by other descriptions of future circumstances or conditions. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied by these forward-looking statements. For example, iBEAM's success in building an Internet broadcast network is dependent on various factors, including, without limitation, relationships with strategic partners, technological challenges, and competitive challenges. |
