Telstra and Microsoft Announce Web Conferencing Service
Telstra and Microsoft Announce Web Conferencing Service
December 9, 2005: Microsoft and Telstra have trumpeted the release of a new audio and video web conferencing service. But can they compete with gratis services like Skype?
Based on Office Live Meeting 2005, the Telstra Web Conferencing service enables sharing of presentations and other documents with customers, staff and suppliers broadband connection.
Web conferencing is gaining momentum again with the likes of Skype and MSN offering similar services. However, the Microsoft and Telstra solution differs as it includes other collaborative features such as online polling, whiteboards and recording and playback of presentations.
Telstra has designed the service to scale for companies both large and small and believe that it is an especially apt tool for decentralised offices. Telstra is so confident of this that it will use the web conferencing service internally for staff including its national sales force and its IT services.
Microsoft launched Office Live Meeting 2005 in March with what it claims are significant improvements over the previous version. The ability to launch a meeting from within Office software, easier and more cost-effective audio controls and powerful presenter control capabilities were among the enhancements.
“Telstra has recently announced an IP growth strategy, with 16 competency centres managing specific IP applications and solutions” says Mr Dion Weisler, General Manager of Telstra Conferencing and Collaboration. “When combined with Telstra’s IP and conferencing solutions, the Microsoft Live Meeting service clearly demonstrates our combined leadership and commitment to delivering business value for customers.”
The new service is available now, with a second phase of development and enhanced features due for release in March 2006.
Will you be using web conferencing for Live Meeting?
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