UnumProvident's CEO Uses STARBAK's Streaming Technology to Address Over 9,000 Employees

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 2004--STARBAK Communications, Inc.(R), the leader in integrated, solutions that enable users to create, deliver, manage, and display rich media content, today announced that STARBAK's suite of products was part of a successful multicast of UnumProvident's CEO's state of the company address to over 9,000 people in the organization. UnumProvident's CEO, Thomas Watjen, was able to reach out to all of the company's major campus locations as well as nearly 40 field offices to deliver the quarterly report. Normally, Watjen travels to each of the major campuses in Chattanooga, TN, Columbia, SC, Portland, ME, Worcester, MA, and Glendale CA. Watjen used a standard video camera to capture the address while STARBAK's Encoding Appliance and Delivery Node simplified the real time distribution to over 9,000 employees across the company using the existing corporate network.

"We were apprehensive doing this for the first time, but STARBAK came through and delivered on their promises," said Tony Martins, Manager of Telecommunication Services for UnumProvident. "A lot of times when you work with vendors, they say that the product can do wonders - but when it comes time to execute - it can be really painful. It sounds so corny, but STARBAK really came through on the product promises and in hands-on support. The multicast went off seamlessly and everyone was very happy with the results."

“And once you start using it - you realize that the opportunities are endless: reaching our at-home call-center agents, field update training, connecting with our UK offices - it really is amazing.”

UnumProvident has also been using STARBAK's VCG conference engine to webcast and record H.323 videoconferences. Recently, one UnumProvident business unit used the VCG to for an employee recognition / acknowledgement event. This allowed all of the remote employees to participate via live streaming to their homes, creating a tremendous sense of unity and strong positive feedback from the remote workers as a superior communication method over a traditional telephone bridge. The Human Resource department will also be using the STARBAK VCG for training of its employees. Because the VCG takes input directly from videoconferencing endpoints, companies can leverage their existing communications and meeting infrastructure rather than having to set up separate rooms to generate webcasts.

"It's really incredible. The money we are saving justifies the initial investment and is providing value to all departments. Our return on investment from training alone will more than pay for the STARBAK solution," Martins continued. "And once you start using it - you realize that the opportunities are endless: reaching our at-home call-center agents, field update training, connecting with our UK offices - it really is amazing."

About STARBAK Communications, Inc.(R)

STARBAK builds award winning technology that radically simplifies the creation, management, delivery, and display of video based applications over networks. This technology is available to enterprise, educational and government customers as integrated appliances and solutions. STARBAK(R) technology is also available to OEMs who need Windows Media client and server capabilities in Linux based devices. STARBAK was founded in January 2000 and is based in the suburban Boston, MA area. The company is privately funded with lead investors including Venrock Associates, Atlas Venture, and Carlyle Venture Partners. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at: www.starbak.com.

STARBAK Communications, Inc.(R), STARBAK(R) and Torrent(R) are registered trademarks of STARBAK Communications, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.