VTEL Corporation Establishes Internet Visual Communications Unit to Drive Adoption of Visual Communications Solutions

Strategic Insights -

VTEL Corporation has announced the creation of an Internet Visual Communications Unit (IVCU) to develop and market products and services that broaden the ability of customers to deploy high-quality visual communications within and outside their enterprise networks. The IVCU leverages VTEL's recent acquisition of Vosaic LLC's assets and its IP-based video product and technology collaboration with Cisco Systems Inc. The new unit aims to serve as a catalyst for technology partnerships and develop new Internet-based visual communications products and services.

Key Takeaways:

  • VTEL Corporation has established an Internet Visual Communications Unit (IVCU) to drive the adoption of visual communications solutions beyond conventional videoconferencing.
  • The IVCU will focus on developing and marketing products and services that enable customers to deploy high-quality visual communications within and outside their enterprise networks.
  • VTEL's recent acquisition of Vosaic LLC's assets and its collaboration with Cisco Systems Inc. will provide the necessary products, technologies, and services required to provide customers with a complete range of visual communications capabilities.
  • Vinay Goel, VTEL vice president of personal and workgroup products, has been appointed as the general manager of the new Internet unit, reporting to VTEL's chief operating officer, Stephen Von Rump.
  • VTEL's new streaming technologies and services will enable customers to webcast video to a worldwide internal and/or external audience, leveraging Vosaic's highly advanced technologies and VTEL's leadership position in videoconferencing.
  • The VTEL/Vosaic combination accelerates the mainstreaming of IP video, bringing superior video network administration, simple Internet multicasting/webcasting, security, and intelligent routing via reflector technology.
  • VTEL plans to introduce its first commercial webcasting products in early summer, including a videoconferencing product based on Vosaic's TVStation that enables live transmission of events without the need for a plug-in.

Statistics:

  • The IVCU has been established to develop and market products and services that will enable customers to deploy high-quality visual communications within and outside their enterprise networks.
  • The unit will leverage VTEL's recent acquisition of Vosaic LLC's assets and its collaboration with Cisco Systems Inc.
  • VTEL has a global presence, with headquarters in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and distributes products through value-added resellers and partners in 61 countries.
  • VTEL Corporation's Digital Visual Communications products are deployed in advanced corporations, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and government operations around the globe.

Sources:

  • VTEL Corporation's press release, dated March 29, 1999, accessed from Business Wire
  • VTEL Corporation's Web site, http://www.vtel.com, accessed on [current date]
  • Cisco Systems Inc.'s Web site, http://www.cisco.com, accessed on [current date]
  • RealNetworks Inc.'s Web site, http://www.real.com, accessed on [current date]