Abstract
Web conference systems are PC- and IP network-based multi-user, real-time and multi-location communication systems. They typically provide bi-directional audio-visual communication, text-chat, document sharing and other functions useful for distance collaborative works. Typical applications are internal company meetings among branch offices and the corporate headquarters, design meeting among the design center in Japan and factories in China, distance learning, and corporate training. Since the true broadband era started in the beginning of this century, the demand for cost-effective solution of communication connecting many locations has been increasing. In addition, the momentum of introducing distance conference systems and services in companies surged when the world encountered global problems such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the expansion of terrorism. With increasing demand for cost-effective communication, many systems and services have been introduced into the market. However, many of the systems and services failed to satisfy the user's fundamental need for "stable communication anytime anywhere". Currently only a few commercially available systems and services are still viable and continue to evolve. The author developed and commercialized one such commercially-successful system, named MeetingPlaza^<TM> which is currently available from NTT-IT Corp. This paper discusses the system architecture design of MeetingPlaza and emphasizes the key points that the author incorporated to make the product successful in the market.
