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Sponsor's Message
Industry Insight
10 September 2001
Interactive meetings from your desk for only R7 a minute
[
10 September 2001
] -
The trend of cocooning, as predicted by America's foremost trends expert Faith Popcorn, over a decade ago, is visible in the global e-business arena. People are increasingly moving towards regular communication over the Web, from wireless handheld devices or via various other interactive media tools.
There's a good reason for this too - the new era of interaction effectively cuts travel and time costs and speeds up decision-making processes. Action, from your desk, even at two o'clock in the morning!
In line with this real-time, anywhere tendency,Dimension Data Interactive Media is set to alter the way corporates schedule and attend meetings.
Through just-launchedInteractive Webmeeting Services , participants can carry out interactive seminars and presentations, while sharing documents, whiteboards, applications, Web content and in fact anything on the PC in real-time. This is done from the comfort of their own office and PC, using a touch-tone telephone and connection to the Internet.
The service is based on a solution fromWebEx Communications USA, leaders in real-time communications infrastructure for business meetings on the Web.
WebEx's switch-based communications infrastructure supports real-time data, voice and video interaction and allows all participants to communicate with each other and customers through a standard browser.
"The system is inexpensive and easy to use," says Mike Carter, business development manager at Dimension Data Interactive Media. "When all cost factors are assessed, WebEx meetings work out at only R7 per minute per dial-in participant."
So how does it work? "After registering at www.didata.webex.com, all participants go to the Dimension Data Interactive Media webmeeting site and log-in by clicking the 'join meeting' icon and then enter the given password for the meeting and the participant is in the meeting.
"All parties who log in can be 'seen' by all participants, with text chat facilities available as well," he continues. "If preferred, participants can use video conferencing instead of audio conferencing to interact while sharing content via the Internet.
"Any document, including PowerPoint presentations or .PDF files can be shared live, with pointer applications available to assist in highlighting specific areas. Delegates can even highlight a part of the presentation and interactively ask questions, just like a standard meeting.
"Applications of the WebEx system are countless," says Carter.
"For example, the design of a new corporate Web site. The meeting chairperson can simply take all participants, no matter where they are located, on a Web-tour pointing out highlights in the new Web site and receiving suggestions immediately as the Web pages appear."
Another useful application is WebEx's polling facility. The chairperson can ask a question offering a selection of various answers - to vote, attendees merely click on their preferred solution. Instant polling results are available thereafter.
In technical service situations, desktop facilities can be shared so technicians can assist in trouble-shooting and support. "When someone is experiencing problems inMicrosoft Excel, for example," says Carter, "technicians can freely 'talk' the user through the situation, correcting the error."
Interactive Webmeetings can also be recorded and played back with synchronised voice. The recorded files are portable and can be streamed using HTTP, which is then accessible using a standard Web browser.
"WebEx meetings are an ideal way to manage expenses, improve communications and increase customer satisfaction.
"The meeting services support the entire range of data, voice and video communications to provide an online environment which simulates the full spontaneity and productivity of face-to-face communications," concludes Carter.
There's a good reason for this too - the new era of interaction effectively cuts travel and time costs and speeds up decision-making processes. Action, from your desk, even at two o'clock in the morning!
In line with this real-time, anywhere tendency,
Through just-launched
The service is based on a solution from
WebEx's switch-based communications infrastructure supports real-time data, voice and video interaction and allows all participants to communicate with each other and customers through a standard browser.
"The system is inexpensive and easy to use," says Mike Carter, business development manager at Dimension Data Interactive Media. "When all cost factors are assessed, WebEx meetings work out at only R7 per minute per dial-in participant."
So how does it work? "After registering at www.didata.webex.com, all participants go to the Dimension Data Interactive Media webmeeting site and log-in by clicking the 'join meeting' icon and then enter the given password for the meeting and the participant is in the meeting.
"All parties who log in can be 'seen' by all participants, with text chat facilities available as well," he continues. "If preferred, participants can use video conferencing instead of audio conferencing to interact while sharing content via the Internet.
"Any document, including PowerPoint presentations or .PDF files can be shared live, with pointer applications available to assist in highlighting specific areas. Delegates can even highlight a part of the presentation and interactively ask questions, just like a standard meeting.
"Applications of the WebEx system are countless," says Carter.
"For example, the design of a new corporate Web site. The meeting chairperson can simply take all participants, no matter where they are located, on a Web-tour pointing out highlights in the new Web site and receiving suggestions immediately as the Web pages appear."
Another useful application is WebEx's polling facility. The chairperson can ask a question offering a selection of various answers - to vote, attendees merely click on their preferred solution. Instant polling results are available thereafter.
In technical service situations, desktop facilities can be shared so technicians can assist in trouble-shooting and support. "When someone is experiencing problems in
Interactive Webmeetings can also be recorded and played back with synchronised voice. The recorded files are portable and can be streamed using HTTP, which is then accessible using a standard Web browser.
"WebEx meetings are an ideal way to manage expenses, improve communications and increase customer satisfaction.
"The meeting services support the entire range of data, voice and video communications to provide an online environment which simulates the full spontaneity and productivity of face-to-face communications," concludes Carter.
•
Dimension Data Holdings
Dimension Data Holdings plc (LSE: DDT), is a leading global technology company that represents a new category of systems integrator providing network and multi-channel e-business solutions to deliver the complex integration and connectivity requirements of global corporations.
Founded in 1983 as a specialist supplier of technology and services, Dimension Data's strategy has evolved with the emergence of the intelligent network as the most important enabler in business today. Dimension Data's global presence combined with its expertise and extensive skills base in network infrastructure and e-business solutions environments enables its customers to ascend into the global marketplace through 100% connectivity and integration.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Dimension Data is a member of the FTSE 250 index, employs over 12 000 people and operates in over 30 countries on six continents. Dimension Data has achieved a three-year compound annual growth rate in US dollars of 73% in revenue and 36% in basic earnings per share. For more information, please go to www.didata.com.
EDITORIAL CONTACTS
Dimension Data South Africa
Lara Sanan
(011) 709 1000
Lara Sanan
(011) 709 1000
Citigate Ballard King
Karen Ballard
(011) 883 5013
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