Distance Learning Expands Its Appeal Through Wire One's Glowpoint Videoconferencing Network

Business Wire, Jan 17, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

HILLSIDE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2003

Distance learning providers have a new tool to build enrollment, increase user satisfaction and achieve new collaboration goals, thanks to Glowpoint(SM), an award-winning videoconferencing network operated by Wire One Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:WONE).

Glowpoint's clear connections, custom-designed services and affordable pricing options provide an end-to-end videoconferencing solution that enables users to focus on teaching and learning, instead of working around provisioning hassles or poor connections.

"We chose Glowpoint because it surpassed our expectations in terms of affordability and compatibility with the equipment and network used by our partner schools," commented Lisa Perez, Distance Learning Coordinator for the Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center, a magnet high school within the Chicago Public Schools system which is using Glowpoint to link students with peers across the country and around the world. "The Glowpoint sales, installation, and training staff were extremely helpful and supportive, and that's freed us to focus on providing our students with what really matters: rich global educational resources and authentic collaborative experiences."

Von Steuben students have thus far used Glowpoint for cultural exchanges with student counterparts from Wako Kokusai High School in Saitama, Japan and to discuss collaborative environmental service projects with their peers in New York City. Teachers from the school have also used Glowpoint to conduct planning meetings in preparation for upcoming conferences with a school in Italy. Earlier this month, Von Steuben staff participated by video conference in the BETT show, an international technology-in-education exposition held annually in the United Kingdom.

Nanuet-based Vemics Inc., a provider of distance learning solutions and a Glowpoint sales agent, has packaged several Glowpoint circuits for Seton Hall University to help extend its curriculum and teaching resources beyond the campus environment. The Vemics teaching platform replicates a live-classroom experience with numerous built-in teaching aids such as web browsing, application sharing, and a full suite of multi-media tools. Vemics uses Glowpoint videoconferencing to connect users, providing the required quality, reliability and functionality. Seton Worldwide, the college within the Seton Hall University system charged with managing e-learning activities, will initially use Glowpoint to deliver continuing education and specialized training programs to corporations in the insurance, health care and financial services industries.

Fred Zolla, CEO and chairman of Vemics, said, "Vemics investigated all the broadband networks, and, after reviewing every offering in the marketplace, we chose Glowpoint because its staff was the most helpful, knowledgeable and dedicated to making the system compatible with our technology. Most importantly, Glowpoint delivers a very high quality of service, which is absolutely critical to the education environment and teaching institutions we serve."

"Glowpoint leverages the capability of any distance learning network through clear, reliable and cost-effective connections that unlock the possibilities of distance education," remarked Michael Brandofino, Chief Technology Officer of Wire One. "We're proud of our differentiated service, custom solutions and ability to solve technical challenges where other communication service providers have failed."

About Wire One Technologies

Wire One Technologies, Inc. is a leading full-service provider of a complete range of video communications solutions, including Glowpoint(SM), the first IP-based subscriber network dedicated to video communications. The company, which is the first video communications provider to receive Frost & Sullivan's Market Engineering Service Innovation Award, is a leading integrator for major video communications manufacturers, including Cisco Systems, Polycom, Inc., RADVISION, Sony, VCON and VTEL. Wire One's Glowpoint network utilizes an IP backbone and achieves last mile connectivity through a variety of solutions, including DSL, T1 and Optical Ethernet. Wire One's installed customer base includes more than 3,000 companies with approximately 20,000 videoconferencing systems in the commercial, federal and state government, medical and education marketplaces nationwide and across the globe.

The statements contained herein, other than historical information, are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements and involve factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from such statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include market acceptance and availability of new products and services; the nonexclusive and terminable-at-will nature of reseller agreements with manufacturers; rapid technological change affecting products and services; the impact of competitive products and services, as well as competition from other resellers and service providers; possible delays in the shipment of new products; and the availability of sufficient financial resources to enable the Company to expand its operations and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.