









Vyew, whose misspelled name clearly defines its purpose as a
provider of browser-based visual collaboration and Web conferencing
software, has entered into a strategic partnership with similarly
obviously named FreeConference, a free
audio conference call services company.
Combined, the pair will create new conferencing services using each other’s proprietary platforms and technologies but remain as separate companies.
Vyew subscribers who want conference calling while collaborating online can click on a Free Conference Call button within Vyew and access FreeConference.com’s reservationless call service. Those coming from FreeConference can find a Web link invitation to jump into the Web conference.
Partnering, rather than merging, made sense, said Henry Hon, Vyew’s CEO because “to do a voice portion like FreeConference we’d have to be a phone company (because) that’s what they are, a phone company. We’re not going to be that; we’re focused on the Web side of the collaboration and conferencing.”
FreeConference feels the same way, but from the opposite direction.
For now the product is straightforward: audio conferencing with Web-based graphics, “desktop sharing of applications, PowerPoint presentations, etc.,” King said. “The product does not include videoconferencing at all right now.”
News Source : http://www.telecommagazine.com