ConnectSolutions Launches V2 of Enterprise Webcasting Tool
ConnectSolutions made a name for Podium, its enterprise webcasting tool, by throwing out the traditional webcasting/video conferencing list of features and starting from scratch. Now it's building on that foundation with its first major update.
The company has been growing rapidly, thanks to its novel way of thinking. Located in Emeryville, California, outside San Francisco, ConnectSolutions had only 2 employees at the beginning of 2009. Now it has almost 50.
It's built its success with only a single angel round of investing, says CEO and co-founder Michael Fitzpatrick. It's paid that money back, by the way, so it's now debt-free.
Fitzpatrick and team found a niche with enterprises that wanted to hold mass webcasts, but found existing conferencing solutions inadequate for their needs. The existing tools didn't scale well for events with over 1,000 attendees, and Fitzpatrick was working with companies that wanted to stream to over 10,000.
The answer was Podium, ConnectSolution's modern approach to webcasting. The platform debuted earlier this year, emphasizing full screen video and a more engaging lean-forward experience.
While the first version of Podium launched earlier this year, version 2 is already here. Expect upgrades even sooner after this; Fitzpatrick says the company is on a two- to three-week cycle for new releases.
Changes to Podium include a Conversations feature, which lets audience members freely ask questions at any time. It's optional, but many want a more open discussion, says Fitzpatrick. Audience members can also talk openly to each other in the webcast lobby.
Moderated Q&A is also new. Questions can be queued up and approved before going on to the presenter.
A new Announcements feature lets the presenter overlay information on top of the webcast, such as a URL or a statistic. It's a way of presenting information without taking a persistent block of space. Attendees can use the service to click for more information, downloading a PDF, for example, while remaining in the meeting.
Scratchpad was born out of the ConnectSolutions teams' observations about how people watch sessions. If an attendee is taking notes in another application, that person has to turn away from the session to type. Scratchpad is a note-taking tool that lives within Podium 2, so people can have their notes side-by-side with the webcast video.
After a webcast, Podium 2 viewers will be able to leave a video response to the presenter, not just a written one. People can now leave feedback in a way that feels more natural.
"Creative people will see the benefits right away," says Steve Vonder Haar, research director at Interactive Media Strategies. "Podium 2 breaks out of the pre-set template of webcasting, enabling presenters to create a different look and feel for their viewers. In the process, it brings a fresh option for producers seeking to create an engaging business communications experience."
Podium 2 is available in two price modes. Cost for a one-time event starts at about $2,000. Alternatively, companies can subscribe and get a permanent auditorium room that they can use 24/7 for a starting price of about $20,000 per year. For more information, visit ConnectSolutions.
Related Articles
A primer on selecting the right equipment, making the right production decisions, and establishing a solid webcasting plan.
Fri., April 18, by Nico McLane
18 Apr 2008