Broadband Internet is bringing rapid growth and evolution to both interactive visual communications and online education. Education is the 2nd largest component of GDP, around $700 billion, allowing tremendous room for growth and advancement within the rapidly evolving online distance education field. Many stocks in both of these sectors are beginning to get some attention as the growth of these industries become more obvious.
My pick is Educational Video Conferencing, Inc., NASDAQ Small Cap, EVCI. My reasons are simple, EVCI has the most sophisticated visual communications system available today and has become the "standard" that every other visual communication and online education company is trying to meet.
EVCI is a "content aggregator" specializing in distance education. EVCI is the "only" company in the World to develop and utilize a revolutionary proprietary system and network of hardware and software which delivers live interactive multi-point visual communications at 30 frames per second (television quality) over high speed Internet, using room video systems and desktop computers.
In EVCI's learning environment, students in multiple locations around the world are able to see and hear each other as well as their teacher, live, while the teacher simultaneously can see and hear every student, live, at 30 frames per second over room video communication systems or at home or work over desk top computers.
Many companies today are attempting to provide visual communication solutions for education. I assure you, there is no other visual solution available today that offers user friendly multi-point interaction with the high quality visual image that EVCI offers at 30 frames per second over desk top computers.
EVCI currently provides educational content from educational institutions such as MIT's Sloan School of Business, Clemson University, The University of Notre Dame, St. John's University, Adelphi University, Mercy College, Lesley College, Concordia College, Manhattan College, Touro College, Touro Law School, Touro School of Health Sciences, AxessPoint, Dearborn Institute, Dearborn Publishing, and Kaplan Educational Centers.
EVCI can currently offer over 1000 fully accredited college courses and over 100 degree programs, non-degree courses, professional development programs, test preparation courses, and K-12 after-school programs.
In many of EVCI's programs, EVCI provides all of the necessary equipment at no charge, pays for the Internet access during the contract term, and provides "free" video capable Dell Pentium III computers for both their corporate customers and individual students.
Through their co-marketing partnerships with Bell Atlantic, Excite@Home, AT&T, WeMedia, and Computer Generated Solutions, EVCI is able to provide its educational providers with the marketing power of corporate America. This drives enrollments at no cost to the providers.
In just their first year of business, EVCI was able to secure long term contracts with Merrill Lynch, Lockheed Martin, Citibank N.A., Reliance National, General Reinsurance, Travelers Indemnity Company, American International Group, CNA, Zurich N.A., the NFL Player's Union, and Computer Generated Solutions. All of whom are committed to increasing the educational content and programs available to their employees.
Learn more about EVCI at the following links, <http://www.bell-atl.com/largebiz/rls_index.htm>, <http://www.wemedia.com> (click on WeSchool), and of course, <http://www.evcinc.com>.
Stock has climbed from $17 to $40 since January 25. Charts look great. Market cap is still only around $170 mil. |
