[May 25, 2005] Brainshark Adds Support for Presence and Instant Messaging Applications within On Demand Presentations Tweet Contextual Presence Combines the Reach and Convenience of On Demand Content with Ability to Speak with Presenting Experts in Real Time Waltham, MA – May 24, 2005 -- Brainshark, the leader in on-demand rich-media communications solutions, today announced support for Presence and Instant Messaging applications, to provide viewers of on-demand presentations with the ability to detect whether the presenting expert or sender is currently available, and to instantly initiate an online conversation in real time. Any Brainshark presentation can be presence-enabled with a direct connection to the appropriate individual or team of individuals – such as a sales or support team. Presence elevates the reach and convenience of on-demand presentations to unprecedented levels of interaction; coupling time-shifted content viewing with an immediate real-time exchange of information to deliver even more effective selling, channel support, training and customer service. Initially, the Brainshark Communications Platform will support Convoq ASAP, AOL and Microsoft Live Communications Server, but due to its open architecture, any existing Presence platform can be seamlessly integrated with this on-demand communications application. Brainshark will resell Convoq ASAP. “Companies today are looking at how various modes of collaboration help solve typical line-of-business problems,” said Robert Mahowald, IDC. “Brainshark’s support for providing presence in the context of typical business activities demonstrates how technology can be mapped to the ways that audiences want to be reached and to reach others.” Compelling applications for contextual presence include selling, learning and customer service. By delivering on demand presentations that are presence-enabled, companies can provide the following types of experiences for their employees, customers, prospects, and partners: Selling – A prospect who views an on-demand presentation about a new product offering or idea can detect if the sales representative is available online, and immediately initiate contact in a chat session to ask a question or request pricing. Learning – Learners can view content as their schedule permits and instantly engage with Subject Matter Experts or Mentors during “office hours”, or windows of time when the expert has made him or herself expressly available for questions and discussion. Customer Service – Customers can access on demand tutorials, accessed through a knowledgebase or via an email link, that verbally and visually walk step-by-step through problem resolution. If more help is needed, customers may instantly escalate to a “live” support person that is most appropriate to provide help on the topic. -more- ”On demand communications have the advantage of reaching each person in your audience at the right time, when they are able to focus on your message. By embedding contextual presence, companies can provide relevant and immediate personal contact at the moment of highest interest and need,” said Joe Gustafson, CEO, Brainshark, Inc. “Brainshark is committed to innovating on demand communications to new levels that tie directly to greater business results for our customers.” To view a presentation about Brainshark’s Presence capability, please visit: http://www.brainshark.com/brainsharkinc/presence?tx=pr0505 About Brainshark, Inc. Brainshark, Inc. is the leading provider of rich-media solutions that enable companies to communicate business knowledge quickly and consistently. The Brainshark Communications Platform empowers the average business professional to create, manage, and share on-demand presentations that combine voice, text, graphics, and business documents. With its enterprise-class content management, security, and standards-based API's, Brainshark is the choice of global companies to communicate faster and more effectively with their employees, customers and partners. Companies are increasing revenue and reducing cost using Brainshark solutions for sales, marketing, training, and corporate communications. For more information, visit www.brainshark.com. Contact: Claire Spina PerkettPR P: 781-842-3381 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]