IOCOM
 | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Visual communication & video conferencing |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
Key people |
Tim Hackett (CEO) Jon Swanson (CTO) Gary Refka (VP) |
| Products | Visimeet Software |
Number of employees | Approximately 30 |
| Website |
IOCOM |
IOCOM, formerly known as InSORS, is an American technology corporation that develops and markets video conferencing software, Visimeet. Founded in 1998 by Kevin Gleason and Michael Galich, and has an advisory board which includes Edward Zander, former Sprint Nextel executive John Garcia and Ian Foster Though based in Chicago, services are offered worldwide. Users in countries such as Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Singapore have benefitted from IOCOM’s collaboration and video conferencing services.
The company's primary product, Visimeet, is multi-point conferencing software that gives users the ability to communicate via video, audio and data from laptop computers, large conference rooms, auditoriums, medical facilities, and command centers. Visimeet is a fully scalable program that can be used with off-the-shelf hardware. Users can make use of dedicated Telepresence room or use a laptop for mobility. The product can be used with virtually any Internet-enabled device and is described as being "IP-network centric"[1]
Customers from several industries make use of Visimeet's multi-point video conferencing capabilities and robust collaboration tools. Industries such as education, energy, government, telehealth, and enterprise have found virtual meetings to make meeting and collaboration more efficient and affordable by saving the time and cost associated with travel. Some customers include: ACEnet, Chevron, Rolls-Royce, BP, United States Department of Defense University of Illinois and University of Cambridge. Recently, the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom applied the IOCOM Grid to link 11 hospitals across the West London Cancer Network, which the NHS said had helped collaboration and meeting attendance and even improved clinical decisions.[2][3] Visimeet has been used heavily in stroke care and Oncology; Visimeet prevents specialists from traveling and allows for more instant consultations.
Its current largest customer collaboration network contains more than 600 global connections, including stations on almost every continent and in international waters. [4] In January 2010, IOCOM lead the "Taking Telepresence Beyond the Boardroom" Panel at the ITEXPO East 2010 conference.[5]
Features
IOCOM recently introduced Visimeet G4 in late 2011. Visimeet is a software application that can be downloaded on the Visimeet website but requires that an account be created prior to use. Video and audio quality are heavily influenced by the device used, IOCOM does not require specific devices but does recommend using an audio device with echo canceling technology. Built-in devices can be used but may not produce the desired quality. Visimeet can be used on a Mac and PC. Visimeet G4 does not require admin rights to be installed.
Visimeet is a subscription based service; there are four subscription levels (Free, Personal, Personal+, and Room) that determine the capabilities available to the user. Users create an account based on their email address; initially the account is under a trial period and free for 30 days and does not require a credit card. The trial gives the user access to all features and meeting tools. After 30 days the account is moved to the Free level. The Free level is available for unlimited use but has restrictions on the tools and features.
Visimeet is presence based software; this requires users to request that other users accept an invitation to be a contact on their Visimeet presence list. The Visimeet application provides a Contact List to users; users can see if their contacts are online and available to connect. Users who have not been added to a contact list cannot invite that user to a meeting or send them an instant message. They can participate in the same meeting if invited by another user with presence with both users or if they know the meeting code.
Meetings are assigned a unique meeting code to protect it from unwanted participants. Each new meeting receives a different code. Scheduled meetings that are set to repeat do not receive a new meeting code; the codes for meetings that repeat remain the same so participants can easily join. Participants can only join a meeting if they are invited or they are given the meeting code. If a participant is unable to join a meeting via Visimeet they can dial into the meeting from their phone and hear all audio. Visimeet’s interoperability enables those using an H.323/SIP system to join or be invited to a meeting.
Meeting tools include:
- Desktop/Application Share: transmit a live stream of your desktop or an application to all meeting participants. It can be used to walk through how to use something, a presentation, show pictures, display medical documents, etc.
- File transfer: Upload a file for meeting participants to download to their system.
- Meeting Recorder: The Meeting Recorder records all audio, video, and shared data. Recordings are stored on the server and can be shared by the recording owner with any of their contacts.
- Dialer: Dial a telephone number, H.323 system, or a SIP system to add those individuals to the meeting.
- Meeting Notes: Record notes from the meeting or use as a group chat. All participants can see what is written and save text to a document.
- Moderator: The user that created the meeting or was assigned a moderator can control some of the behavior of participants.
With a paid subscription, meetings do not have a participant or inbound video limit. The only limitations are screen space, CPU, and bandwidth. Video windows are independent and can be moved anywhere, resized, and closed without other participants knowing. Additionally, independent meeting controls allow you to adjust the volume of meeting participants without other participants knowing. If a participant is too loud you can turn their volume down or turn it up if you have difficulty hearing them.
Uses
Visimeet is used around the world by a number of industries. These industries include, but are not limited to:
- Government
- Health
- Education
- Research
- Energy
- Small and large businesses
Each organization uses Visimeet in a different way. Many organizations use video conferencing software, such as Visimeet, to keep offsite employees connected with one another. In many fields, Visimeet is used to decrease the dependence on travel and save the time, money, and frustration that comes with it. This includes travel to meet with clients, to collaborate, or to review information. Professors and researchers use Visimeet to collaborate with specialists or for distance learning. Oil rigs that are located off the coast use Visimeet to meet with those onshore and send and receive data. Video conferencing is booming among government agencies looking to trim their budget. Capitals use video conferencing to meet with individuals who do not live in or near the capital or to meet with other agencies. Visimeet has been used by clinics and hospitals for stroke care, end of life care, cancer treatment, and among EMTs. Hospitals find using video conferencing saves money by reducing the amount of travel specialists and doctors must do in order to collaborate or treat patients, and can save lives by providing timely access to expertise at the point of care in an emergency.
Application
References
- ↑ "IOCOM brings different approach to managing videoconferencing". telephonyonline.com. n/a. Retrieved 2009-07-10. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "IOCOM Offers Innovative Visual Communication Solution to UK’S National Health Service". NewsRx. n/a. Retrieved 2008-10-20. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "Success For Tele-stroke Service". European Hospitals. n/a. Retrieved 2010-07-12. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "IOCOM's largest single customer network reaches 600 global connections across five continents". BusinessWire. n/a. Retrieved 2008-10-20. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "IOCOM leads video conferencing discussion at ITEXPO". Benzinga. n/a. Retrieved 2010-07-12. Check date values in:
|date=(help)