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Steve Nichols, of InfoTech Communications (www.infotechcomms.co.uk), thinks that broadband corporate computer networks are about to start humming. If he is right we could be watching employee TV at our desks instead of reading news on the corporate intranet. As corporate magazines gave way to intranet news services we all thought we were really pushing IT to the max. Then along came employee radio with streaming audio to prove we weren't. Now we are on the edge of the next phase of development in broadband employee communications - employee TV, delivered to the desktop. Employee TV is not really new. After all, we have been using video as a corporate communications tool for years. The difference with web-based TV is that it is a personal tool, delivered to the user's desktop when they want to watch it - no more sitting huddled with colleagues in meeting rooms to watch the latest financial results video. Employee TV allows live broadcasts to be made, plus gives staff a large library of other material to choose from. As an example, industry-leader Narrowstep's Employee TV channels are streamed over the internet in real time and are accessible to anyone with broadband internet connection or 2.5/3G mobile telephone. The service can be delivered on a company's existing bandwidth, or Narrowstep can work with partners such as Teleglobe and BT Wholesale to provide connectivity to deliver the service to offices, branches, distribution and retail outlets. Narrowstep's service runs inside a standard web browser with functions such as video searching, highlights, news and live events. You can even schedule your own programming. The service is run from centralised Narrowstep managed servers making start-up investment minimal, Content can be picked up live from employee desktops with scheduled repeats available for more dispersed work forces. Narrowstep is currently working with Virgin Atlantic Airways on project Vibe.tv, a television station that will enable the organisation to communicate with its 14,000 staff across the globe. The company has also set up a channel for the DfES, the government body responsible for education. Live events and programs where ministers and experts explain government policy and developments are beamed to the computers of the department's 3,000 staff. Another project, Rig.tvis a joint venture between Narrowstep and Ocean Resources Capital Holdings, is the only internet channel in the world devoted exclusively to mining companies. The channel features programs such as live conferences, exploration company reviews, market news, debates, interviews with key figures within the mining community, news releases, and announcements. If you would like a demonstration of how this technology works go to www.high.tv, Narrowstep's own unique extreme sports channel and showcase for the technology or visit Narrowstep's web site at http://www.narrowstep.com. |
