Today's news (part II, but press-released a few hours later,
similar to part I)...
Wednesday June 11 3:01 PM EDT
Company Press Release
ABL and VideoServer First to Deliver Multipoint
Conferencing Across Frame Relay Network
MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 1997--ABL Canada Inc.(TSE;ME ABL)
VideoServer (NASDAQ:VSVR) ABL Canada Inc., a world leader in digital video transmission
and VideoServer, Inc., the leader in networked conferencing, today announced the results of
joint development efforts to deliver multipoint conferencing across a Frame Relay Network.
Given the extensive use of Frame Relay, this breakthrough allows corporations and many
service providers to use inexpensive Frame Relay networks to transport videoconferencing
information, as well as to conference between ISDN-based conferencing endpoints and
Frame Relay conferencing endpoints.
``ABL and VideoServer have effectively created a bridge to other types of networks. Thus a
caller using Frame Relay can communicate directly with a caller using ISDN equipment,''
added William McKenzie, ABL's President and CEO. ``By combining VideoServer's
experience in multimedia and multipoint with ABL's codec and expertise in video
transmission, we are offering our customers an alternative means of transport for their
multipoint conferencing needs.''
VideoServer's MCS supports the Frame Relay interface which is based on ABL's VT2C
Apollo H.320-compliant narrowband video codec which transmits at data rates ranging from
64 Kbps to T1/E1 speeds. The Apollo is available with ISDN 4-BRI and V.36 network
interfaces, and is the first commercially available videoconferencing codec with Frame Relay
interfaces. Specifically adapted for use on Frame Relay networks, the VT2C Apollo features
a user-friendly graphical interface which allows for direct Frame Relay addressing and
connectivity, eliminating the requirement for cumbersome FRAD configurations every time a
call is made.
``VideoServer is committed to delivering conferencing products for all major network
topologies. Frame Relay is widely deployed throughout the world and offers an inexpensive
option for video, audio and data conferencing. We are proud to collaborate with ABL to
deliver a bridge linking these two worlds,'' said Robert Castle, President and CEO,
VideoServer.
ABL Canada Inc., from facilities in Montreal, Canada, develops, produces and markets
advanced digital equipment for companies choosing to enhance their network capabilities for
the integrated, simultaneous delivery of multimedia voice, data and video. ABL specializes in
video codecs, optical fiber multiplexers and broadband switches for multimedia transmission
over optical fiber, ISDN, and Frame Relay networks, for wide ranging applications including
distance learning, video conferencing, remote surveillance and broadcast and cable
television distribution. ABL markets and services its products in over 51 countries through its
offices in, Canada, the United States and Europe and through a network of distributors and
resellers worldwide.
ABL is traded on the Montreal And Toronto stock exchanges under the symbol ABL.
VideoServer, Inc. is the leader in networked conferencing, providing hardware and software
networking solutions for multipoint and multimedia conferences, enabling users to
communicate over a variety of networks and allowing them to interact as a group. The
company's Multimedia Conference Server (MSC) products provide multipoint conferencing,
as well as applications for conference control, network management and bandwidth
management. The company is extending its technology to offer easy connectivity of existing
and new conferencing solutions, expected to enable wide deployment of real-time
conferencing to the desktop and over corporate networks and the Internet. VideoServer sells
its products to leading suppliers and integrators of videoconferencing equipment, telephone
carriers, conferencing service providers, network equipment companies, computer companies
and others.
Substantially all traditional videoconferencing vendors OEM or resell VideoServer's
equipment, including PictureTel, Compression Labs, Canvas Visual Communications, British
Telecom, GPT Video Systems, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Sony, Panasonic and SAT. Telephone
carriers and others providing conferencing services using the company's products include
AT&T, MCI and Sprint, six of the seven regional Bell operating companies and many
emerging private service bureaus. Partnerships with computer companies, including Intel and
Compaq, and networking equipment companies, including Cisco Systems and Siemens/Rolm,
position VideoServer to meet the needs of the evolving conferencing market. Additional
information on VideoServer and its products is available at videoserver.com .
Contact:
ABL CANADA INC.
George Petrolekas, 514/344-5432
george.petrolekas@abl.ca
abl.ca
or
VideoServer, Inc.
Mary Campbell, 617/505-2188
mcampbell@videoserver.com
or
Neva Group
Susan Shelby, 617/441-4000, ext. 252
sshelby@neva.com |
