Tuesday June 8, 8:47 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
VTEL Announces Internet Streaming Software Suite
and Complete Internet Visual Communications
Systems and Services
VTEL's TurboCast(TM) Solution Provides Ease-of-Use Via Cross-Platform Compatibility
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 1999-- As part of its continued extension to a total Internet visual
communications provider, VTEL Corporation (Nasdaq: VTEL - news) today announced the immediate availability of
TurboCast(TM), a live and on-demand video broadcast solution that extends the reach of multimedia communications across
both enterprise IP networks and the World Wide Web. TurboCast(TM) custom packages can be integrated with VTEL's new
and existing Enterprise Series videoconferencing systems or implemented as stand-alone Internet streaming units. To assist
customers with initial setup and operation, VTEL's TurboCast(TM) packages include consultation, system analysis and support
services through its Global Services unit.
TurboCast(TM) uniquely features a Java encoder, reflector and player applet compatible with PCs, Apple Macintosh and Unix
systems, as well as some Java-based handheld and consumer devices. The cross-platform capability of VTEL TurboCast(TM)
differentiates it from other commercial webcasting packages that require the use of proprietary downloadable players.
TurboCast(TM) is the first offering resulting from VTEL's March 9, 1999 acquisition of assets of Vosaic(TM) LLC, a
cutting-edge Internet video software and technology company.
VTEL will introduce TurboCast(TM) via a live Internet broadcast at 12 p.m. CDT, Friday, June 11, 1999. Viewers can access
the presentation from VTEL's home page at www.vtel.com.
''Our goal is to put the power of multimedia webcasting into the hands of our customers and other organizations who need the
flexibility to broadly communicate to their constituents,'' said Stephen Von Rump, VTEL chief operating officer. ''For VTEL
videoconferencing customers, TurboCast(TM) also means that multipoint sessions now can be viewed by audiences beyond
traditional endpoint networks, either live or on-demand. We're offering TurboCast(TM) as a service-based solution rather than
a 'shrink-wrapped' package, because our customers have told us that most of the challenges in implementing a streaming
solution lie not in the end points but with the network and end-to-end management.''
VTEL President and Chief Executive Officer Jerry Benson Jr. said the launch of TurboCast(TM) moves the company a step
closer to its objective of providing total visual communication solutions. ''We are pleased to offer this initial bundled Internet
streaming solution to customers and other organizations that want to take the next step in broad-based communications. The
release of TurboCast(TM) marks another important milestone in the pursuit of our long-term strategy to extend our business
beyond conventional videoconferencing into Internet visual communications products and services. This introduction positions
VTEL as a leader in total digital visual communications, but is only the beginning of our quest to provide high-quality,
easy-to-use, cost-effective multimedia delivery solutions across any network or platform,'' said Benson.
Since VTEL's recent participation in the live webcasts of the Smashing Pumpkins and Cheap Trick concerts - which reached
tens of thousands of simultaneous viewers - the company said outside interest in its Internet streaming technology has been
brisk. Requests have been made for applications such as distance learning and training, product introductions and
demonstrations, E-commerce and customer communication.
''We recently used VTEL's Internet streaming application to successfully launch a new wireless email product called e-link,''
said Tom Grau, marketing manager of messaging services for American Mobile Satellite Corporation. ''VTEL's ability to
provide quality video at low bit-rates of 28.8 Kbps through our corporate firewall was especially useful in broadly propagating
the value of our new product to employees, analysts and media.''
Four main components make up VTEL's TurboCast(TM) solution:
1) TurboCast(TM) Studio, a stand-alone system that includes a
PC-platform with the requisite software and peripherals to allow
customers to capture, encode and broadcast live video;
2) ESA Studio Upgrade, an enhancement to VTEL's existing Enterprise
Series videoconferencing systems to include Internet streaming
capabilities. The ESA Studio Upgrade can be ordered with new
Enterprise Series systems, or can be provided as an upgrade to
existing systems;
3) TurboCast(TM) Reflector, the replication software that
effectively and adaptively distributes the video stream in any
enterprise or public IP network;
4) TurboCast(TM) Viewer, the ''clientless'' Java-based software that
allows viewing of a video/audio stream on any web browser without
the need for a player plug-in.
All custom TurboCast(TM) solutions will include on-site installation and consulting services and help desk support to ensure
that customers have the training and expertise available to enable streaming capabilities over their networks.
Based in Austin, Texas with offices and resellers in 61 countries, VTEL Corporation is a global leader in high technology visual
communications products and services. From Internet visual communications software and services to videoconferencing
systems and video-networking solutions, VTEL offers customers the most complete range of products and implementation
support. VTEL serves customers in the commercial, education, healthcare, and government markets by combining the power of
traditional videoconferencing with the vast reach of the Internet.
VTEL is a registered trademark of VTEL Corporation. VTEL Corporation, 108 Wild Basin Road, Austin, Texas, 78746.
512/437-2700, Fax: 512-437-2792. VTEL Website: vtel.com
Contact:
VTEL Corp., Austin
Michael Russell, 512/437-2354
mike_russell@vtel.com
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