ViVu Releases First Multi-User Video Collaboration Plug-In for Skype

Company overcomes current restrictions of one-on-one video conferencing to enhance business communication in the widely used software application

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ViVu, Inc. (www.vivu.tv), an emerging leader in creating innovative and easy-to-use solutions for live video participation, today released VuRoom – a ViVu-powered plug-in for Skype, the popular software that enables the world’s conversations. VuRoom is built on the Skype platform to provide customers with instant multi-user video conferencing – an exciting new breakthrough previously unavailable to Skype users. Along with its presentation and desktop sharing functionalities, VuRoom is designed to help remote business users collaborate in real-time, while also saving valuable time and money.

“Other options haven’t provided the many-to-many support that ViVu does so well. It installs in under a minute, and using it is just as easy as using other Skype features. ViVu really provides a first-choice tool for effectively supporting multi-site collaboration.”

"Our recent research studies predict a big year for global growth in the web conferencing market," said Krithi Rao, an analyst in the Information & Communication Technologies Practice at Frost & Sullivan. "Now more than ever, enterprises are looking for cost-effective communication and collaboration solutions to help them succeed."

To enable VuRoom’s multi-user video conferencing experience, the meeting host downloads and installs the plug-in via a few simple clicks. The host then selects the contacts they want to conference with from their Skype contact list, right clicks to see options and selects “Call a Group.” The host then clicks “Yes” to the call confirmation popup and the session is underway.

Call participants, other than the host, need not have the ViVu plug-in installed to participate in the video conference. Participants can join by simply clicking the URL provided in their text chat window. The presenter can also pass rights to share their presentations and desktop to other participants. ViVu’s easy-to-use, intuitive interface enables businesses to truly engage in real-time communication and collaboration.

"ViVu has come to market with a unique proposition for businesses looking to simultaneously communicate with both internal and external constituents -- of any number -- in a cost-effective manner," said Jayanth Angl, senior research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. "Having experienced the technology, I believe that ViVu is well positioned to deliver on the video collaboration needs of SMB and enterprise customers. In particular, I see strong potential for ViVu's new Skype plug-in.”

Sudha Valluru, CEO of ViVu said, “Real-time communication tools allow businesses to work better, smarter and more efficiently. However, until now, there was no solution to effectively address multi-user video interaction and collaboration. By integrating the core ViVu functionality with a leading global internet communications solution like Skype, we now enable the millions of individuals and small businesses already connected through Skype to engage in a more natural and productive way.”

The ViVu solution, built on a first-of-its-kind participative video platform, seamlessly integrates with most of the popular streaming video and conference solutions. The service is hosted in the cloud and delivered as interactive Video-as-a-Service (iVaaS). As such, the solution can scale from small web conferences to corporate training sessions, as well as to larger video events with thousands of participants.ViVu’s intelligence in the end points and optimal video routing in the cloud enables a low latency and high-quality video experience every time.

“ViVu’s model of interactive video-as-a-service is a compelling way for people to adopt visual communications,” said Andrew W. Davis, senior partner at Wainhouse Research. “The flagship service is intriguing, but the Skype add-on brings important multipoint functionality to those using what is undoubtedly the most popular videoconferencing solution today. ViVu’s focus on cloud-based services provides customers with a unique proposition for their internal and external communication needs.”

ViVu already has successful deployments in several Fortune 500 companies, as well as SMBs. Exeter Group, a global IT consulting firm based in Cambridge, MA, is using ViVu with Skype. Exeter’s consultants spend most of their time at customer sites around the country, and communication and collaboration is critical. Vivu VuRoom provides a quick and easy way to have one-to-one online meetings, but just as easily supports multi-party video meetings that enable Exeter teams to collapse time and distance. The easy to use application supports team collaboration for remote users not previously possible.

“Being able to have a group of remote consultants all collaborate with live video quickly and easily greatly improves our efficiency and effectiveness,” said Aaron Kammerer, Exeter’s Director of Operations. “Other options haven’t provided the many-to-many support that ViVu does so well. It installs in under a minute, and using it is just as easy as using other Skype features. ViVu really provides a first-choice tool for effectively supporting multi-site collaboration.”

Pricing & Availability

VuRoom is currently available for both Windows and Macintosh users, compatible with Skype for Windows version 3.0+ and Macintosh version 2.0+. Those interested can immediately download VuRoom at a price of $9.95/month by going to http://vivu.tv/vivuweb/downloads/vuroom.jsp. For an exclusive 30-day free trial invitation, customers can register at http://vivu.tv/portal/requestvuroom.jsp. Existing ViVu customers can download the plug-in at no additional charge. In the future, customers can also expect the plug-in to work seamlessly with new Skype-supported platforms such as web-enabled televisions.

The core ViVu platform is also still available, for a single user license starting at $49.95/month for unlimited online meetings and can be purchased at https://secure.vivu.tv/portal/buyNow.jsp. For a 30-day free trial, please register at https://secure.vivu.tv/portal/register.jsp. ViVu also offers both branded and on-premise versions of its service. Those interested in speaking with a ViVu sales representative for details can contact [e-mail] or 408.792.7120.

About ViVu, Inc.

Founded in 2008 by startup veterans from Cisco, Alcatel-Lucent and a team of IIT graduates, ViVu creates solutions to transform the way people interact using video. The company developed a ground-breaking interactive communications technology that enables meeting organizers to create, publish and manage high-quality video events as effortlessly as with audio conference calls today. ViVu is targeted at enterprises and is being used in a variety of ways, including: online meetings, sales presentations, training sessions, and large online events. ViVu is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA and has offices in Bangalore, India.

ViVu and the ViVu logo are registered trademarks of ViVu Inc. in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.