IDG's Network World, Inc. Receives 'Best Application of the Year Award' for its Virtual Seminars Program

Business Wire, March 17, 1999

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 1999--

The International Teleconferencing Association recognizes Network

World, Inc.'s application of MeetingPlace, Latitude Communications'

Integrated Voice and Data Conferencing System.

Network World, Inc.'s virtual seminars program delivering real-time, interactive, multi-media presentations over the Internet directly to desktops has recently been honored as "Best Application of the Year" by the International Teleconferencing Association (ITCA).

The honor went to Network World, Inc. for the company's application and development of its virtual seminars program using the MeetingPlace conference server from Latitude Communications, Inc. MeetingPlace is an integrated voice and data conferencing system that enables real-time collaboration using a phone and a PC. The "Best Application of the Year" award in the category of Corporate Communications was presented Tuesday, March 9th during ITCA's 15th annual awards ceremony at MultiMediaCom.

"The ITCA Best Application of the Year awards recognize unique applications of a product or technology that solve existing problems or create new opportunities for the end user, " said George Wilson, who chairs the ITCA awards program. "Network World, Inc.'s application of the MeetingPlace conferencing technology enabled the company's customers to deliver a message and interact with a wider audience more efficiently than a face-to-face seminar. The Network World, Inc. submission unanimously emerged as the top choice among our judges in the category of Corporate Communications."

Network World, Inc.'s corporate customers routinely conduct seminars designed to educate Network IS professionals about the latest developments in the enterprise networking industry. Responding to a growing interest in developing a virtual seminars program, Network World, Inc. needed a complete solution that integrated voice conferencing and the ability to share documents or slides with more than 100 remote participants.

Network World, Inc. chose Latitude Communications' MeetingPlace conference system to implement the virtual seminars program. Applying MeetingPlace real-time collaboration and voice/data conferencing technology, Network World, Inc.'s corporate customers are now able to offer a cost-effective marketing option to face-to-face seminars and a more accessible alternative to video conferencing. MeetingPlace enables the delivery of valuable information, much like that presented at a physical seminar event, to a broader audience via a PC and telephone.

"It is gratifying to receive an award for our application of Latitude's virtual collaboration technology because it validates what Network World, Inc. sees as an emerging platform for events," said Bill Reinstein, senior vice president for business development at Network World, Inc. "MeetingPlace enables us to create a successful virtual seminar program and deliver a new business opportunity to our customers."

ITCA is an international non-profit association dedicated to the growth and development of the teleconferencing industry and serves as the authoritative resource for information and research on the collaborative communications industry. Teleconferencing excellence awards are determined solely by the ITCA judging panel comprised of technology users, not product vendors or manufacturers. To be considered for an award, applicants must clearly demonstrate an innovative and unique application of a product's technology and measurable benefits to end-users.

Network World: The Leader in Network Knowledge

Network World, Inc. is shaping the future of enterprise network computing through its print publication, Network World, its registered and audited Web site, Network World Fusion (http://www.nwfusion.com), and its educational seminars and events nationwide. Network World, Inc. empowers Network IS professionals with the knowledge required to meet their evolving business needs.

About International Data Group

Network World, Inc., is a division of IDG, the world's leading IT media, research and exposition company. IDG publishes more than 290 computer magazines and newspapers and 700 book titles and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (http://www.idgnet.com), which comprises more than 225 targeted Web sites in 55 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related expositions worldwide, and provides IT market analysis through 49 offices in 41 countries worldwide. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com

About Latitude Communications

Latitude Communications is a leading provider of integrated voice and data conferencing solutions for geographically dispersed organizations. Designed to integrate with an enterprise's existing telephone and data networks, Latitude's MeetingPlace system facilitates meetings among people in different locations using ordinary phones and PCs. Latitude also offers value-added consulting services such as installation, training, system administration, help desk services, and systems and Web site integration. Based in Santa Clara, Calif., Latitude has offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. Latitude can be contacted at 1-800-999-7440, via email at info@latitude.com or via the World Wide Web at http://www.latitude.com.