PictureTel eVideo Application Server Named Product of the Year by Internet Telephony Magazine

Business Wire, Dec 6, 1999

ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 1999--

PictureTel Corporation (Nasdaq:PCTL), the world leader in integrated electronic collaboration, today announced that the PictureTel eVideo(TM) Application Server has been named product of the year in multimedia conferencing by Internet Telephony magazine. The eVideo application server is a total solution for creation, distribution and management of streaming-media applications over IP networks.

It is part of a packaged solution that combines all the elements of a streaming-media environment into a single, integrated offering. The NT-based client-server solution is designed for business applications in company-wide network environments where quality, scalability and manageability are essential. The eVideo application server will be widely available from PictureTel's distribution channels within 30 days.

PictureTel designed the eVideo Application Server to provide companies with the ability to disseminate critical information in a cost-effective manner while preserving the element of personal contact. This multimedia web application synchronizes video, PowerPoint slides and interactive chat for live and on-demand broadcasts in an integrated web-browser format. The multimedia content can be delivered over corporate intranets and extranets to web-enabled PC's running Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers. IP multicasting technologies are used for broadcasting live events. The technology supports efficient distribution of streamed media where one single stream can accommodate thousands of users, greatly reducing bandwidth consumption. IP unicasting is used for viewing events on-demand from strategically placed storage servers. The eVideo Application Server supports multiple concurrent-streaming platforms, - including Real Network's G2, Microsoft NetShow and PictureTel's own Starlight MPEG-based streaming servers.

"PictureTel is working to make streaming video a compelling strategic tool for all types of business communications. By naming the eVideo Application Server product of the year in multimedia conferencing, Internet Telephony magazine has given a strong, objective endorsement to this product and our overall strategic direction," said Brian Heuckroth, vice president of marketing for PictureTel's eVideo products.

Customers can see the eVideo Application Server in PictureTel's booth, number 218, at the Streaming Media West '99 trade show December 7 - 9 at the San Jose (Calif.) Convention Center. Also at the show, PictureTel's chairman, Dr. Norman E. Gaut, will deliver a keynote address on Thursday, December 9th at 9:15 a.m. PST on the important role that streaming media will play in the integrated collaboration environment of the 21st century. That same day Brian Heuckroth will participate in a panel discussion entitled "Streaming Extranet - Powering Communication with Partners and Customers" at 10:30 a.m. PST.

About PictureTel

PictureTel Corporation (www.picturetel.com) is the world leader in integrated collaboration tools for video-, audio- and data-conferencing. The company's innovative conferencing products, services and eVideo(TM) streaming solutions help people communicate and work together more effectively anywhere in the world. PictureTel collaboration solutions bridge distance and time, enabling people to be Anywhere Now(TM).

PictureTel is a registered trademark and eVideo and Anywhere Now are trademarks of PictureTel Corporation. Other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.