More info on the Gateway deal:
Monday October 20 2:52 PM EDT Company Press Release
VTEL Re-defines Workgroup Videoconferencing with the WG500; Built on the Award Winning Gateway 2000 Destination PC
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- VTEL(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:VTEL), Austin, Texas, today announced the introduction of the new WG50O(TM) workgroup videoconferencing system. The WG500 is a fully-featured digital visual communications system for the project team or executive office. It is integrated into the award winning Gateway 2000(R), Inc. (NYSE:GTW), Destination(TM) platform that combines a multimedia PC with a cable-ready TV tuner and wireless controls. The WG500 will be featured at the Telecon XVII Conference and Trade Show November 5-7 in Anaheim, California.
''Jointly integrated by VTEL and Gateway's Custom Integration Services (CIS), the WG500 fulfills a large and growing market requirement for a new class of feature-rich, cost-effective products for workgroup conferencing,'' said Bob Romano, VTEL vice president of product management. ''The WG500 integrates multimedia computing with videoconferencing to allow project teams to share, create, and distribute information in a total video communication and collaborative environment. This information ranges from detailed project plans, spread sheets, CAD/CAM drawings, flow charts, or any other application that can be displayed on a PC screen.''
''The WG500's success in combining a multimedia computer with very high- quality videoconferencing, application sharing, Internet and LAN access, brings educators a tool of unsurpassed instructional application. There is simply no competition,'' said Chris Jones, Coordinator of Technology and Telecommunications, Baylor University PARTNERS Project. ''These features are important because interactive collaboration, whether in-person, or through remote videoconferencing, is a key to effectively and efficiently engaging both teachers and students in the learning process.''
''The Destination PC has been extremely successful in both the K-12 education and the government marketplace,'' said Bill Shea, vice president of global accounts, Gateway 2000. ''The integration of high-quality videoconferencing and data collaboration will make the Destination PC the most versatile platform on the market.''
''While other videoconferencing vendors have offered audio/video-only appliances, VTEL is unleashing the full power of the multimedia PC,'' adds Romano. ''The real productivity benefit for project teams is the ability to collaborate over distance in a video-enabled environment. For under $10,000 we are delivering a fully-featured workgroup conferencing product at a superior price performance point.''
Pricing, Features and Ordering
The suggested list price for the WG500 family ranges froom $9,995 to $14,995 depending on the data rate. Each includes the following:
-- Pentium(R) 166Mhz processor with MMX, and a 27" SVGA monitor.
-- Integrated cable-ready TV tuner and SmartTV(TM) software that allows
the integration of broadcast media or VCR into the meeting room.
-- A radio frequency wireless keyboard and handheld remote.
-- Choice of 128Kbps or 384Kbps data rates.
-- A 10/100 Ethernet controller.
-- T.120 compliant with Microsoft(R) NetMeeting(TM) 2.0.
-- VTEL's AppsView(TM) graphical icon interface common throughout the VTEL
product line.
-- An optional rollabout cart.
The WG500 can be ordered through authorized VTEL distribution channels or by calling 1-800-299-VTEL to locate the nearest authorized reseller.
Gateway, a Fortune 500 company founded in 1985, is a leading global direct marketer of PC products. The company, headquartered in North Sioux City, South Dakota, has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Ireland and Malaysia and employs over 10,000 people worldwide. Gateway products and services consistently win top awards from leading industry publications. In 1996, the company shipped 1.9 million systems and reported revenues of $5 billion. Revenue for the first quarter of 1997 was $1.4 billion with net income of $67.5 million.
VTEL Corporation is the world's largest developer and manufacturer of PC-based digital visual communication systems. VTEL's innovative family of products provide superior video, data and voice quality, are simple to use, IP addressable, and because they are PC-based, highly scaleable and easily upgradeable. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the company distributes products through value-added resellers and partners in 54 countries. VTEL is committed to expanding its leadership position by providing the world's most innovative video networking solutions. VTEL's digital visual communication systems are deployed in the most advanced corporations, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and government operations around the globe.
VTEL is a registered trademark of VTEL Corporation. WG500 and AppsView are trademarks of VTEL Corporation.
Gateway 2OOO is a registered trademark of Gateway 2OOO, Inc. Destination and SmartTV are trademarks of Gateway 2000, Inc.
All other trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.
SOURCE VTEL Corporation |
