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A low-cost standards-based online video collaboration client, the Radvision Scopia Desktop, provides a 'real-time', seamless, High Definition, audio-video conferencing and data collaboration solution. [2] [4] Radivision's core technology includes multipoint control units (enabling more than 2 sites), gateways (enabling connection of legacy ISDN videoconferencing systems) and gatekeepers (used to manage video calling on the network) and supports both Windows and Mac platforms. This technology provides the ability to integrate with third-party desktop and room-based conferencing systems meeting the demands of high-performance videoconferencing systems with the standard PC and Internet connection. [1] Participants seamlessly connect with other employees, tele-workers, suppliers or clients (using their existing webcam and headset eliminating the need to invest in additional software/hardware) simply by downloading the application for free by clicking on a link contained in a meeting invitation. Conferences are easily scheduled through Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes and the application is both Microsoft and Mac compatible. Meetings can include connections to any standards-based telephone, videoconferencing or telepresence system as well as 3G mobile device allowing for simultaneous audio, video, data and chat. [1] The Scopia Desktop collaboration tool offers: [1] * High Definition viewing of participants as well as content * clear high-quality audio with no delay or distortion * high-quality image maintained even though regardless of internet connection speed * the ability for both in-house/external participants to connect through a built-in firewall traversal feature * meeting mediation * digital recording of the audio, video and data for web streaming The Scopia solution has been adopted by commercial, government and academic sectors looking for a robust, easy-to-use and cost-effective solution to their conferencing collaboration n

SCOPIA's high definition, video conferencing and collaboration facilities enable multiple users to connect in virtual meeting rooms simultaneously, with optimised capacity for up to 48 HD video participants, 72 SD participants and 96 audio participants. Features include data collaboration and presentation sharing, with encryption protocols for secure conferencing, password protection with multiple user access levels (administrator, operator and user), multi-lingual support and meeting scheduling via Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes [4]. With minimal setup time required and easy plug and play, SCOPIA offers service providers and business enterprise virtual communication solutions that are reliable and cost-effective. SCOPIA offers highly scalable configurations from 4 slots to 18 slots, with unmatched flexibility across a range of HD and SD rooms systems, desktops and 3G mobile video [3]. The Israeli video network infrastructure provider Radvision, announced at the beginning of 2010 full integration between its SCOPIA conferencing platform and IBM Lotus Sametime 8.5. According to Roberto Giamagli, Radvision's General Manager for networking business, "SCOPIA delivers to Sametime the functionality and connectivity to existing video conferencing deployments that many administrators consider mandatory" [2]. TelBitConsulting.com demonstrates this highly efficient video conferencing facility via YouTube, utilising the data transferring, text chat and audio features in a virtual meeting between various users [1].

References: [1] YouTube review by TelBitConsulting.com (2008). Retrieved April 12, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li7nCZ0Q6qw [2] iStockAnalyst (2010). Retrieved April 12, 2010 from http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3794865 [3] Rapid (2005). Retrieved April 12, 2010 from http://www.rapid.co.uk/scopia_conferencing_platforms.html [4] Sony (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2010 from http://pro.sony-asia.com/product/scopia+72b

Slogan: Travel is a luxury, communication is not. Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro is a web conferencing solution. The full capabilities of Adobe's Acrobat Connect Pro software allows hosting of instant, collaborative meetings with hundreds of participants using only a web browser and Adobe Flash Player. (Adobe, 2009) Some of the features are: * Secure sharing of desktops, documents and presentations. * Control over access to online meetings. * Instant communicate and collaborate. * Online meeting rooms. * Video and audio * Screen-sharing * Text and chat (Adobe, 2009) Clemson University (USA) chose Adobe's Acrobat Connect Pro to accommodate the needs of graduate students who couldn't always attend their classes in person. The university decided on Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro, partly because it was easy to scale as and needs and resources allowed or dictated. (Dawson, 2009) Adobe's Acrobat Connect Pro conferencing solution encompasses a comprehensive set of tools that have satisfied a variety of needs for both on and off campus students and tutors. IT support staff, teachers and students frequently use the system for troubleshooting and learning support. The use of video conferencing has significantly reduced travel expenses for the faculty. (Dawson, 2009) Designed to protect meeting spaces from security threats, one of Connect Pro's greatest assets is the end-to-end encryption provided by password strength optimisers that require user authentication both for presenters and attendees alike. Hosts and presenters can control all levels of attendee access, from media files to voice privileges. In addition, Adobe Connect Pro provides features to enable the keeping of full logs of meetings and the functionality to audit logs for potentially malicious use or data corruption. (TopTenReviews, 2010) References below - in comment

Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro If your students/employees have a web browser and Adobe Flash Player then Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro is an e-learning tool that may have value in their education, training and conferencing needs [1]. Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro has three main streams of use and several key features: 1. Web Conferencing a. Delivery through any web browser that doesn't require extra software downloads. b. Worldwide connection of distributed teams c. Synchronous viewing by all participants. d. Custom URL for consistency. e. Works with multiple audio platforms f. Facility to record meetings g. Customisable interface 2. eLearning a. Content creation can be customised to suit the situation - virtual or self-paced courses. b. Synchronous viewing by all participants c. Customisable templates that can be adapted for reuse. d. Tracking of students progress e. Surveying and polling of students f. Facility to incorporate third-party systems within the existing e-learning tool 3. Web Seminars a. Branding of interface b. Extends your arm of contacts and participants c. Cut costs while increasing your point of contact. d. Manage registrations e. Qualify attendees and send out email notifications. Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro is built on the foundation of Flash technology, which is compatible with up to 98% of Internet connected computers. Add to this its ability to function on an extremely low bandwidth, and its user authentication strengths, this makes it an effective, safe and highly accessible application [2]. While Oliver Rist, of Pcmag.com, rates the overall application highly, he does warn that its depth of features can lead to a need for a large learning curve when starting out [3]. Rist also lists the applications main strengths as being within the meeting, or conferencing, component because of its slick and clever interface, which can be customised all while working within the web browser.

[1] Adobe (2010) Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro. Retrieved on 14th April 2010 from http://www.adobe.com/ap/products/acrobatconnectpro/elearning/ [2] TopTen Revies (2010) Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro. Retrieved on 14th April 2010 from http://web-conferencing-services.toptenreviews.com/adobe-connect-pro-review.html [3] Rist, Oliver (2008) Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional. Retrieved on 14th April 2010 from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2279709,00.asp

Microsoft Office Communicator (OC) is the replacement for Microsoft's previous instant messaging client, Windows Messenger. OC has been expanded to incorporate a larger range of communication capabilities than its predecessor. OC is a unified communications tool that integrates instant messaging and chat with voice and video, and enables sharing of desktops for collaborative work. It also integrates with Microsoft Office programs [1]. The software can be extended into the enterprise environment by linking in with Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) and many mobile devices support instant messaging functionality through OC, for example, the popular Blackberry devices [2]. To get the most out of OC, IP phones should be utilised along with web cams; there are a range of IP phones to choose from [3]. OC has received praise over their VoIP services [4] and have conducted a large amount of research and development into their proprietary IP phone [5]. A disadvantage of any VoIP service is the absolute dependence on network availability - without LAN service, the IP phones do not work. OC runs in real time and does not require a virtual private network (VPN), allowing you access through internet-enabled devices or PCs [6]. This constitutes a significant cost saving, particularly if your company conducts business via long distance teleconferencing or videoconferencing services. Essentially, OC is a method of "streamlining" all communication needs into one integrated application [6]. This can prove useful for team collaboration and online meetings particularly for members who are geographically separate. Other business benefits include the Presence feature and a comprehensive audit history. Presence allows you to quickly see if someone is out of the office, on a call, or otherwise busy. This feature works off Outlook calendars and IP phone status and is similar to the statuses of Windows Messenger denoting "away", "busy" etc and has the

added benefit of integrating directly with Outlook (e.g. if you create a new email message, there will be a presence indicator next to the recipients' name(s))[7]. For auditing purposes, all communication history is recorded in the form of audit logs of calls and IM sessions. This is important for appropriate recordkeeping of business records. References [1] Microsoft. (2010). Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2 Product Overview. Retrieved April 10, 2010, from http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/communicator/HA102037151033.aspx [2] Blackberry. (2010). BlackBerry Instant Messaging for Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005. Retrieved April 10, 2010, from http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/server/exchange/office_communicator.jsp [3] Microsoft. (2010). Phones and Devices Optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator. Retrieved April 10, 2010, from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/office/ocs/bb970310.aspx [4] Poe, R. (2007). Microsoft's Office Communicator Blows Away IP Phones. VoIP-News. Retrieved April 10, 2010, from http://www.voip-news.com/feature/microsoft-voip-high-grade-030807/ [5] Microsoft. (2010). Device Highlight: Polycom® CX300. Office Communicator Team Blog. Retrieved April 10, 2010, from http://communicatorteam.com/archive/2010/03/03/978.aspx [6] Microsoft. (2010). Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 Datasheet. Retrieved April 10, 2010, from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6306ae9c-6ede-4908-800f-256a75bebc75&displaylang=en [7] Howorth, R. (2007). Office Communicator 2007. ZDNet.co.uk. Retrieved April 10, 2010, from http://www.zdnet.co.uk/reviews/communication-and-collaboration/2007/10/16/office-communicator-2007-39290042/