VideoServer Collaborates with IBM to Deliver E-Commerce Enabled Distance Learning Solutions
Enables Real-time, Interactive Distance Learning Applications
BURLINGTON, Mass., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- VideoServer, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSVR), a global leader of networked conferencing, today announced an initiative with IBM to bring distance learning solutions to educational providers. Under the agreement, IBM will provide marketing and development support to VideoServer for an e-commerce enabled distance learning version of its Encounter(TM) family of IP-based multimedia conferencing products. The Encounter products will be bundled with the IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT** and IBM Net.Commerce*. The solutions will feature live, interactive collaboration with audio, video, and data for use via intranets and switched digital networks.
"This relationship with IBM extends our leadership with new conferencing applications and expanded distribution channels," said Khoa D. Nguyen, president and CEO of VideoServer. "Distance learning is a key growth area for networked conferencing and we are very pleased to work with IBM to deliver best-of-breed solutions."
The IBM and VideoServer bundle will facilitate business-quality multimedia applications for distance learning and will deliver valuable features, such as tracking and charge-back capabilities, not found in traditional conferencing offerings. Important applications include face-to-face student project reviews, presentations and digital lectures and educational certification for such professionals as doctors, lawyers, human resource professionals and CPAs.
"Web-based information transfer is an ideal way to provide professional organizations, learning institutions and corporations with a cost-effective, business-quality alternative to traditional classroom-based learning," commented Steve Solazzo, vice president, Solution Developers and Small/Growing Businesses, IBM Software Group. "The combination of VideoServer's networked conferencing solutions and industry expertise with IBM's market-leading Internet and productivity middleware will deliver a new standard of service to the market."
The bundled solution will consist of VideoServer's Encounter family and the IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT and IBM Net.Commerce. VideoServer's Encounter family includes the Encounter NetServer, a multimedia conference server for IP-based conferencing applications; the Encounter NetGate, a gateway server connecting ISDN and IP conferencing endpoints; and the Encounter Gatekeeper, for facilitating management and control of conferences. The IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT will provide collaboration, data and systems management, communications and transaction serving and back-up and recovery; and IBM Net.Commerce will provide the payment vehicle system.
Applications Help Professionals Make Informed Decisions;
Broaden Educators' Reach
"Ongoing education is fundamental to understanding not only the medical issues but for working effectively under managed care risk arrangements. The VideoServer and IBM relationship will provide on-line education to our physicians in remote settings creating efficiencies for us and translating into more effective care for our patients," said John A. Gianino, Esq., CEO of PersonalCare Community Physicians, a 200 physician multi-specialty independent physician organization (IPO) affiliated with Partners Community HealthCare, Inc. "The business of healthcare has changed immensely requiring greater time commitments from all physicians, altering their practice patterns, their personal lives and requiring them to make some very hard decisions about patient care that they may not have had to previously consider.
"As part of our distance learning services we host up to 25 multi-site, virtual classes every day connecting students all over the world for language classes, college preparatory classes, and interactive field trips," commented Cleo Nelson, customer service supervisor at Plymouth, Minnesota-based MEANS Telcom. "More and more students are benefiting from the real-time classroom experience each year. We see both educational institutions and businesses benefiting from the business value and efficiencies afforded by networked conferencing, leading them to explore new applications beyond the classroom."
Availability
This bundled solution is scheduled to be available in early 1999 through VideoServer and IBM distribution channels.
About VideoServer
VideoServer, Inc. (Nasdaq: VSVR) is a leading global provider of networked conferencing solutions that enable people in multiple locations to communicate together using any combination of audio, video and data. VideoServer connects employees, customers, and partners, reliably to each other by providing seamless integration of networked conferencing over LANs, WANs, and any IP- based network. The Company's Multimedia Conference Servers (MCS) and other products provide multipoint conferencing, gateway services, conference control, network management and bandwidth management.
VideoServer sells its products worldwide through leading resellers and integrators, as well as remarketers of videoconferencing and networking solutions. VideoServer also sells directly to providers of conferencing services, including Internet Service Providers, telecommunication carriers, Regional Bell Operating Companies and global PTTs.
IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT
The IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT makes it easy for users to build, deploy and manage business applications. The product integrates leading software from IBM, Lotus and Intel, bringing greater reliability, scaleability and security to the Windows NT platform. The IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT is designed for large companies that want to leverage existing information technology assets and skills by integrating their Windows NT applications into core business systems, and use data from core business systems in departmental Windows NT applications.
About IBM Net.Commerce
IBM Net.Commerce is part of the WebSphere family, a commerce server product that breaks new ground by making it easier for merchants to establish online storefronts with industry-leading security, intelligent catalog tools and the most extensive database access in the industry.
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation.
** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
SOURCE VideoServer, Inc.
CO: VideoServer, Inc.; International Business Machines Corporation
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