TMCnet's Conferencing Week in Review

Just as sure as we are that millions of individuals across the globe turned to conferencing tools to connect with loved ones, colleagues and partners this week, there was an abundance of news in the conferencing and collaboration space.

Shortly after its wireless conference phone received the INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year Award at ITEXPO (News - Alert), Revolabs unveiled this week its FLX VoIP solution, a wireless conference phone compatible with VoIP networks. According to company sources, the FLX VoIP supports different types of IP switches besides and enhances audio clarity. It also ensures ease of use as experienced with wireless microphones and speakers.

Martin Bodley, CEO of Revolabs, said, “The majority of enterprise companies are already on IP phone networks, or will be making the transition soon. Our FLX VoIP helps these companies get the most out of their IP infrastructure, providing unmatched audio quality, wireless freedom, and simple installation, while allowing them to take full advantage of the powerful new features of their digital systems, all at an amazing value.”

In other news, AT&T (News - Alert) revealed this week that it signed an inter-provider connectivity agreement with Orange (News - Alert) Business Services. As a result of the agreement, AT&T Telepresence Solution and Orange Telepresence Community customers will now be able to gain access to telepresence meetings and seamlessly connect telepresence endpoints using a global telepresence service.

The customers will now be able to use telepresence service to conduct virtual meetings from anywhere in the world, cutting down traveling costs by a considerable margin. The global telepresence service will also ensure faster decision-making. 

"The value of instant global collaboration through telepresence is becoming increasingly more advanced and agnostic," said Brian Washburn, research director, Network Services, Current Analysis (News - Alert), "New agreements, like the one between AT&T and Orange, continue to expand and broaden a variety of pervasive communities, allowing customers to seamlessly connect and engage with business partners with the push of a button."

Lastly, Video Guidance, a visual communications company, announced it will help Hazelden and its non-profit alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers to visually connect therapists to patients after they have finished their residential program, according to a press release.

Called Telehealth, the application puts patients in touch “with the tools, support, and fellowship needed to build new lives in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs,” the press release reports.

“We’re using video technology to let our clients access Hazelden’s services and unique expertise in a way that is clinically appropriate and more convenient,” said Rich Friedeman, IT enterprise services manager at Hazelden, in the press release. “Telehealth allows people to get back into the rest of their lives without having to give up the personal connection they built with a therapist during treatment.”

For more on this story from TMC (News - Alert) Contributor Deborah Hirsch, click here.

Tammy Wolf is a TMCnet web editor. She covers a wide range of topics, including IP communications and information technology. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.