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Wave Three Software Launches Session Conference Server Software for Real-time Communication

Posted on: Monday, 21 July 2003, 06:00 CDT

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 2003--

Flexible, SIP-Based Communication Architecture Supporting Group

Conferencing for Voice, Video and Data Deployed at Georgia Institute

of Technology

Wave Three Software Inc., a leading provider of real-time IP communication solutions, today announced the release of its Session(TM) Conference Server Software. The Session Conference Server is the first solution to bring high quality multipoint communication and collaboration to the desktop in an easy to use and install format. The software runs on standard application servers, reducing the total cost of ownership for deployment and lifecycle management below that of traditional conferencing solutions. Using Internet standards, the Session Conference Server delivers a flexible and scalable communication solution optimized for any IP packet network, including the public Internet.

All Session applications use the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for signaling across the network. According to a 2003 report published by IDC, SIP applications comprise a growing market expected to reach over $2.2 billion this year with a growth rate of 66-percent. The Internet Engineering Task Force is promoting SIP as the emerging standard for multimedia applications. It is designed to provide flexible and scalable solutions for IP networks, taking advantage of endpoint processing power rather than "big iron" in the center of the network.

Wave Three is currently selling the Session Conference Server to research, higher education and medical customers. The Video Development Initiative (ViDe) in conjunction with Georgia Institute of Technology, is currently using Wave Three's Session Conference Server and complementary Session Communication Software.

According to Mary Trauner, senior research scientist of academic and research technologies, Georgia Institute of Technology, "Wave Three's Session system provides extraordinary video quality through the use of its proprietary Wavelet compression and flexible configurations that support both our low bandwidth and broadband users. Wave Three's commitment to provide standardized video codecs is key to interoperating with established videoconferencing technologies. The automatic bandwidth adjustment between the video and application or shared data streams is of great importance to us as is Session support for interoperability between the PC and Mac."

The Session Conference Server delivers group conferencing on a server-based platform. The software supports group conferencing for voice, video, data or all three simultaneously. Designed for seamless integration with Wave Three's Session Communication Software, the conference server is standards-based to allow for group conferencing that incorporates other SIP-based communication devices including Voice over IP telephones and applications.

"SIP is fast becoming a key communication standard for enabling interoperability between multiple media types over IP networks," said Mike Paxton, senior analyst for research firm In-Stat/MDR. "Wave Three's Session(TM) Conference Server architecture is an important step forward for multipoint videoconferencing. Its SIP-based approach delivers a flexible, multi-functional tool set that is cost effective and can scale across entire user communities. In addition, Session(TM)'s cross-platform capabilities make it one of the first solutions optimized for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems."

The different conferencing and communication software modules developed for the Session Conference Server architecture are Conference Management Services, Call Control Services and Multimedia Services. The Conference Management Services schedules and manages conferences. It provides a browser-based user interface for setting up group conferences and provides tools for system administrators to manage bandwidth utilization and system capacity. Conference signaling and setup is delivered by the Call Control Services. It communicates information regarding scheduled conferences using eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML). The Multimedia Services are responsible for data replication and local propagation as they move data and media through the network. The conferencing server modules may be run on the same physical server, or they may be distributed as separate modules throughout the network.

"The Session Conference Server is built on a multi-layer, modular architecture enabling the separation of key functions to deliver flexibility, scalability and reliability," said James Schwartz, senior vice president of products and technology. "The Session suite provides our customers with a high quality communication infrastructure that integrates collaboration tools for advanced, real-time interaction."

The initial release of the Session Conference Server operates on Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 Server.

Pricing and Availability

Session(TM) Conference Server Software is immediately available through Wave Three's direct sales channels. The Conference Server base price is $10,500 for 10 simultaneous users. Pricing then varies depending on scale and specific customer configuration requirements. Contact your local sales representative at 888-408-8422 or sales@wave3software.com for pricing information related to your Session(TM) implementation.

About Wave Three Software Inc.

Wave Three Software Inc. develops desktop communication software for voice-video-data communication via any IP network, including the Internet. Wave Three's Session(TM) software delivers Voice over IP, Video over IP and data application sharing in a tightly integrated suite. Developed on a SIP-based architecture, Session(TM) is the first software to deliver the performance of special purpose systems over standard computers and networks. Wave Three leverages strategic partnerships with dynamicsoft, Hughes Software Systems and Ridgeway Systems to deliver next generation communication and collaboration solutions to research, education and medical customers across the United States. For more information, visit www.wave3software.com or call 888-408-8422.

All trademarks are those of their respective companies. All other products or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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