RHUB Adds HD VoIP to Web Conferencing

By Khali Henderson

RHUB Communications Inc. announced Tuesday the addition of high-definition VoIP capabilities to its TurboMeeting line of Web conferencing and remote support appliances, which are sold by the companys indirect sales partners and OEM partners.

The upgrade, part of TurboMeeting release 4.3, includes a VoIP softphone that allows users to conduct Internet-based audio conferences with more than 200 participants from both PC and Mac computers. The softphone doubles the voice sampling rate from 8kHz of traditional phones to 16kHz for improved sound quality. The softphones capabilities include echo-cancellation, firewall traversal, automated audio device detection and auto reconnection.

Larry Dorie, CEO of RHUB Communications, told Channel Partners the enhancement to the collaboration appliance is a realization of the vision the company had when it was formed six years ago as an incubation project. The company will integrate VoIP and PSTN calling into the platform along with dial-out capabilities by third quarter, he added.

Dorie said a significant advantage of the VoIP addition is push-to-talk, enabling the VoIP meetings with large groups where organizers want to control who has speaking permissions. For smaller groups, up to eight people can be talking concurrently, he said.

Another important feature for large group meetings is the ability for users to enter the meeting in a view-only mode via flash or browser rather than download the client that will enable them to access controls required for active participants. Dorie said the company has a patent on this capability.

Another important feature is that the audio rides the same connection as the firewall traversal for the Web connection so that it will support callers inside and outside the company firewall. Further, he said it will indicate and automatically reconnect callers who are dropped due to a low-quality connection.

In addition, TurboMeeting 4.3  enables users to record Web conferences, including audio, screen updates and webcam video. It also allows users to convert their recordings to a variety of standard formats, including FLV (Flash), WMV and AVI.

TurboMeeting 4.3 also extends LDAP integration by allowing user privileges to be defined by user groups, further facilitating TurboMeeting deployment for larger enterprises.

TurboMeeting 4.3 features also have been incorporated into GoMeetNow.com, the online Web conferencing service offered by RHUB directly to businesses, but not through the channel. GoMeetNow gives users a range of highly secure, cost-effective collaboration services, including Web conferencing, Webinar, video casting and free audio conferencing. GoMeetNow is $12.95 per month for up to two attendees; each additional person is $1 per month.

RHUB has an international network of communications dealers served by distributors. In the United States, dealers can get product from D&H distributing or directly from RHUB (but with a lesser discount). Dorie expects the channel sales pick up internationally where the VoIP capabilities are attractive as an alternative to higher cost TDM connections.