IT communication and security specialist Biodata IT is ready to distribute a new enhanced version of Alice video conference software, developed by AVM in Germany. Alice 2.0 makes provision for user-friendly ISDN audio and video data transfer with optimised functionality including zoom and Bluetooth compatibility.
This low-cost software now places IP telephony, video telephony and video conferencing technology at the fingertips of South African users. A PC camera for the USB port, an ISDN-Controller with CAPI 2.0 and a headset to connect to the sound card is all that is needed to acquire video telephony and conference facilities through Alice.
Alice 2.0 makes it possible for users to zoom the received image up to nine times the CIF frame size, adapt the application to Bluetooth and even start the software up on PCs that have no ISDN-controller installed.
Says Christian Runte, director at Biodata IT: "When you call a picture phone, a video conferencing system or another Alice PC, the motion picture of the person on the other end is received live and shown on your screen. At the same time, your picture is transmitted to the other party - and can also be monitored on your screen if desired. If the party you call has no video communication equipment, then Alice can also function as a voice-only ISDN telephone.
"The new version offers up even more value. Now even networked PC users can take advantage of IP telephony, as Alice provides IP telephony over LANs as well," adds Runte.
System requirements are ISDN-Controller with CAPI 2.0 interface, PC with a Pentium II CPU at 350MHz or higher, supported operating systems including Windows XP, Me, 98, 2000 and NT 4.0, full-duplex sound card for audio support; video input device (such as a USB camera) for image transmission.
"Video and audio data is presented in digital quality with ISDN and H.320 standards guaranteeing reliability and high performance," explains Runte. "And powerful compression techniques, such as AVM`s AV-11 (audio) and H.263 (video), coupled with the efficiency of today`s PCs, ensure top transmission quality.
"Alice opens up the world of video communication and offers maximum versatility in such fields as video banking, telelearning, sales, advertising and process monitoring," Runte concludes.
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Biodata Information Technology provides network, PC and communication security products. The company`s portfolio incorporates Internet servers that each include a firewall, router, Web e-mail and file server as well as high-speed data and e-mail encryption products for IP-based systems and network services.
In the IT security market, Biodata positions itself as a one-stop shop supplier of communication and network security. Encryption secures the transmission of data packets via public telecommunication networks. Firewalls protect computer networks from unauthorised access (hacking) and data theft via the Internet. E-mail encryption and PKI solutions cover the security of communication.
Biodata`s activities stretch to each of these growing markets including ISDN. The company distributes a router, developed by Bintec Communications, designed to provide quick and reliable Internet connection via ISDN line. The company intends to achieve a total competitive advantage in all market segments by strong global expansion.
Biodata`s concept and market approach is to develop proprietary products for the individual areas of IT security including routers and content security.
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