SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 9, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Virage, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRGE), a leading provider of video and rich media communication software, today announced the next generation of VS Webcasting(tm), the first comprehensive software solution that empowers organizations to efficiently manage the entire workflow related to producing live, rebroadcast and on-demand webcast events. VS Webcasting facilitates communication anywhere, anytime for corporations, educational institutions and government agencies to promote knowledge delivery via the Internet and corporate Intranets.
"Webcasting is quickly becoming a cornerstone of enterprise communications. The technology enhances communications with employees, business partners, and customers and provides a compelling return on investment, both in terms of cost savings and improved productivity," said Lawrence Orans, senior analyst at Gartner. "As they increase their dependence on webcasting, many enterprises will look to build webcasting competency in-house. These enterprises will be looking for solutions that are simple and intuitive to use, flexible, highly scalable and operate securely within the corporate firewall."
Already deployed today by Virage customers for executive communications, human resource briefings, and sales and marketing communications, VS Webcasting enables organizations to schedule and deliver live interactive webcasts that include audio and video synchronized with slide presentations, other related documents, audience polls and Q&A. The new VS Webcasting application offers advanced authentication as well as registration and reporting modules. It is built upon the company's award-winning rich media application platform, which includes the Virage SmartEncode(tm) suite of products and Virage Solution Server(tm).
"Webcasting is now the centerpiece of real-time business communications. In the last year, organizations have turned to webcasting as a way to reduce travel expenses, increase employee productivity, and communicate more directly and cost effectively with sales prospects and business partners," said Dave Girouard, senior vice president of Marketing and Strategy at Virage. "It replaces expensive and inconvenient satellite-based communication with a much more engaging and productive viewing experience. The result is a faster, more agile enterprise where communication occurs more frequently, more interactively, and at a lower cost."
VS Webcasting simplifies the logistics involved in scheduling and preparing webcast events. Using a simple web-based wizard, anyone can quickly and easily schedule a webcast and invite individuals or groups to participate. For each event, the producer can also select from a wide range of features and templates to create a webcast experience perfectly tailored to the occasion-well over 100 player configurations ship with the solution.
With a powerful and simple web-based operator console, one or more producers have complete control over every aspect of the live webcast. From the console, they can start the event, monitor who is logged on, and moderate questions and answers in a variety of ways. Additional features include live polling, online surveys, and the ability to add documents before or on-the-fly during the webcast.
VS Webcasting instantly records each live webcast, making it available for on-demand search and review moments after the presentation ends. Through the use of the award winning Virage SmartEncode process, viewers can search for and view just the portions of the on-demand presentation that they want. On-demand or rebroadcast viewers also have the ability to respond to synchronized polls and access related documents as well as to ask questions during the presentation.
VS Webcasting is a comprehensive solution that offers the following benefits:
-- Complete workflow support from event scheduling through reporting
-- Significant cost savings versus satellite communications and
outsourced webcasts
-- Better, more frequent communication with employees, partners, and
customers
-- One-click conversion to a searchable, on-demand webcast
-- Engaging and interactive viewer experience
-- Low and high bandwidth options to maximize audience reach
-- Simple wizard-based workflow enables anyone to be a webcast
producer
-- Scales to thousands of concurrent users
-- Deployable behind company firewalls for added security
-- Closed-loop feedback thru detailed user-level event reporting
The new VS Webcasting software supports the Oracle9i database platform for added scalability and flexibility. Additionally, Virage participates actively in the Cisco AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data) Program, ensuring that the VS Webcasting application integrates seamlessly with Cisco's Content Networking Delivery solutions.
A live demonstration of VS Webcasting will be shown at IBC 2002 on September 13-17, 2002 in Amsterdam, Holland at the RAI Convention Center. Virage will be located at Booth #2.131 and will also demonstrate their recently released VS Production and VS Publishing solutions. To schedule an appointment, please call +1 (650) 372-3496.
For more information about VS Webcasting, including product specifications, a whitepaper, and a self-running product demonstration, please go to http://webcasting.virage.com.
About Virage
Established in 1995, Virage is a leading provider of video and rich media communication software. Virage builds integrated rich media business solutions for corporations, media & entertainment companies, universities and government agencies worldwide. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Virage (www.virage.com) has offices throughout the United States and Europe.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements about the products and services of Virage, as that term is used in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are denoted by such words as "will look", "will be looking", "will be shown", "will be located", and "will also demonstrate", and similar terms and phrases. These types of statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. In addition, our forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of other risk factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to our annual report on Form 10-K and 10-Q filings, available online at http://www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to the company on the date hereof, and the company assumes no obligation to update such statements.
Virage and VideoLogger are registered trademarks. The Virage logo, SmartEncode, Virage Solution Server, VS Webcasting, VS Learning, VS Publishing and VS Production are trademarks of Virage, Inc. Other company product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others, and are hereby acknowledged. The determination of when VS Webcasting 2.0 will be made available for general distribution, if ever, remains at the sole discretion of Virage, Inc.