PictureTalk gets redesigned PictureTalk Console, more

Pixion Inc., which specializes in cross-platform Web conferencing solutions, has launched a new version of its PictureTalk Web conferencing platform.

PictureTalk 4.0 is a scalable online meeting environment that allows businesses to standardize on a Web conferencing platform “that is easy to use and administer, can be deployed rapidly at the individual or enterprise level, and provides the highest state of data security available,” according to Robert DeKoning, Pixion’s president and CEO. PictureTalk 4.0 is available as a high-performance Web-hosted service, PictureTalk Hosted Services, and an installed enterprise software application, PictureTalk Enterprise Conference Server (ECS).

The cross-platform interactive meeting solution is based on Pixion’s patented Client-Server-Client (CSC) Web conferencing architecture. Pixion’s CSC architecture eliminates network bottlenecks that drag the performance of peer-to-peer Web meetings down to that of the single slowest participant’s Internet connection. Pixion’s CSC architecture senses varying network transmission speeds, enabling the system to automatically allocate resources as needed.

PictureTalk 4.0 features a newly designed PictureTalk Console to improve ease-of-use and meeting control. Meeting presenters have access to PictureTalk 4.0 options and features close at hand via both the Console and Pixion’s intuitive Capture Frame presentation tool. PictureTalk also features dynamic interactive tools including “Web touring” and “follow-me” browsing, annotation, interactive chat, predefined or impromptu polling and expanded audio capabilities.

PictureTalk 4.0 core Web conferencing features include real-time document, presentation and file attachment sharing, application/desktop sharing and remote control, centralized calendaring, VoIP, meeting record and playback, meeting lock-out, reporting, and browser-based administration capabilities. All PictureTalk 4.0 meetings offer SSL support, which provides users with the ability to encrypt every aspect of a hosted or server-based Web conference. The solution integrates with existing firewall technologies. PictureTalk ECS resides behind the enterprise firewall.

PictureTalk 4.0 ECS is designed specifically for rapid and easy deployment across all enterprise networks, DeKoning said. New LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) and mail server support streamlines enterprise configuration, he added.

PictureTalk 4.0 accommodates users with different connection speeds. Pixion’s CSC architecture senses varying network transmission speeds, enabling the system to automatically allocate resources as needed. It’s designed to run natively on any client platform, including Mac, Windows and Solaris. A Mac OS X version was introduced in January.

It’s available now directly from Pixion. Prices begin at US$60 per connection/per month for Hosted Services. Pricing for the Enterprise Conference Server as well as individual meeting or large event pricing using Pixion’s WebSeminar is available directly from Pixion.