V-Span rolls out simplified conferencing, gets acquired

Conferencing service provider V-Span this week rolled out a new simplified Webconferencing option for those that just want to push slides to meeting participants. EngageWeb is an internally developed Webconferencing client that does not require a download on either the client or participant side. With the offering, the company is targeting the 70% to 80% of Webconferences that are just PowerPoint and do not need application sharing or whiteboard functionality.

For the security conscious, V-Span encrypts all conferences using SSL and deletes all presentation material uploaded to its servers when the call ends. V-Span is continuing its relationship with WebEx for those that need more sophisticated conferencing features. When a moderator logs in, they choose whether they want to use EngageWeb or WebEx for the online portion of the meeting. Participants only need to enter their personal meeting code, they system will direct them to the correct meeting interface. V-Span's pricing model is similar to Genesys: Those paying a per-minute price for audio conferencing get the Webconferencing piece for free. Just Webconferencing is billed at the same per-minute price as an audio call. Actual pricing is based on volume.

The other piece of news coming out of V-Span is that the company has entered an agreement to be acquired by Gores Technology Group. The company already owns technology from Forgent (now called Pierce Technology) and Wire One (the reseller that was split from Glowpoint). V-Span and Wire One will be merged after the agreement. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.