GoToMeeting
 | |
| Developer(s) | Citrix |
|---|---|
| Initial release | July 2004 |
| Type | Video conferencing |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website |
www |
GoToMeeting is a web-hosted service created and marketed by the Online Services division of Citrix Systems. It is an online meeting, desktop sharing, and video conferencing software that enables the user to meet with other computer users, customers, clients or colleagues via the Internet in real time. In late 2015, Citrix announced plans to spin-off the GoToMeeting business as a stand-alone subsidiary with a market value around $4 billion. [1]
Technology
GoToMeeting is designed to broadcast the desktop view of a host computer to a group of computers connected to the host through the Internet. Transmissions are protected with high-security encryption and optional passwords. By combining a web-hosted subscription service with software installed on the host computer, transmissions can be passed through highly restrictive firewalls.[2]
History
GoToMeeting was developed in July 2004 by the Online Services division of Citrix in Santa Barbara, California, using the remote access and screen sharing technology from GoToMyPC and GoToAssist to allow web conferencing.[3] The later release of GoToWebinar in 2006 and GoToTraining in 2010 expanded GoToMeeting capabilities to accommodate larger audiences.
Editions and features
GoToMeeting is sold in two editions. Single-user accounts, originally called GoToMeeting Personal, first launched with desktop sharing, chat and integrated audio conferencing. Multi-user accounts, previously GoToMeeting Corporate, also included management and central administration services for teams and enterprise users. Later versions added support for VoIP, session recording, and annotation tools to both editions. GoToMeeting features[4] now include:
- Mobile apps for iPad, iPhone and Android devices
- Encryption and authentication security provided by a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Web site with end-to-end 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption and optional passwords
- Specific application sharing for showing only selected programs with attendees
- Multi-monitor support for a client PC
- Meeting recording and playback for recording and saving meetings to a user desktop for later review
- Total audio package provides toll based phone or conferencing via VoIP.
- GoToMeeting hosts up to 51 users and multiple organizer while GoToMeeting Corporate offers up to 100 users with multiple organizer option.
Online meetings
Online meetings are the most basic of functionalities that web conferencing tools provide. GoToMeeting has standard online meeting functionalities such as desktop sharing. This is mainly used when a presenter has information to share, e.g., a PowerPoint slide show. The presenter may perform a task in real time so the attendees can watch the necessary steps to perform the task.
Limitations
GoToMeeting:
- Desktop application does not work on Linux
- Does not support the conferencing of in-room systems or bridges to its meetings; organizations with a traditional video conferencing infrastructure (SIP/h.323 codecs) must instead connect via a mobile device or PC/laptop with a webcam
GoToMeeting with HDFaces
In 2011, Citrix released GoToMeeting with HDFaces, adding high-definition video conferencing support to the web conferencing service. Up to six users can show their webcam streams at a time.[5]
Awards
- 2011 About.com Reader's Choice for Best Web Conferencing Solution
- 2012 Edison Award for Best Media/Visual Communication
- 2012 Internet Telephony Product of the Year [6]
See also
References
- ↑ Alex Sherman (2015-10-08). "Citrix Plans Spinoff of GoToMeeting Instead of Sale". bloomberg. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
- ↑ Nino Marchetti (2005-08-21). "GoToMeeting 2.0". Digital Trends. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ↑ "DEMO 2004 Closes With a Sharp Eye on the Future". NetworkWorld. Archived from the original on 27 January 2005. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ "GoToMeeting Features". Citrix. Archived from the original on 1 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ Withers, Stephen. "GoToMeeting's HDFaces feature fronts up". ITWire. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ "Press & Awards". GoToMeeting.com. Citrix. Archived from the original on 1 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.