Communication technologies are evolving from traditional analog technologies to data based or packet based services. VoIP has played a big part in this transition, as we discussed in my previous post. This discussion is focused on the integration of the analog and digital worlds and how new applications are emerging and evolving, thus creating better overall integrated services for end users.A few years ago you had this notion of an audio conference call and a web conference meeting. These were two different services that were stitched together via an invitation and confirmation email. Today there are truly converged services for audio and web. These new services enable hosts for the meeting to not only control their presentation, but to have finite control over call volume, recording, locking the meeting, muting lines, outbound dialing participants, viewing active talker and much, much more. These combined services can be done with VoIP based bridges or TDM based media services. At PGi we developed an open standard API to interface with our automated bridging, including reservation-less and event. Our services work with both TDM and VoIP, and enable the user to leverage our web offerings Netspoke, Adobe Connect, Microsoft Live Meeting, Webex and IBM Sametime as a fully integrated offering. Our Web Conferencing services enable customers to choose the web technology that best suits their requirements, while using our integrated automated and event offerings within any of the above solutions. By combining these services we are able to provide truly converged collaboration experiences for our users. This convergence will continue with integration of numerous communication technologies such as SMS, outbound alerts, and wireless integration as TDM and Data services converge, thus creating new improved services that leverage the global PSTN network in innovative converged offerings. Look for my upcoming blogs: APIs – what are the benefits of having open standard access to platforms? Managed Print – How communication technologies are changing the world of document delivery. On Demand – Why hosted communication services are in vogue for CIO’s. Please check back often as I will be updating these blogs frequently. I look forward to hearing from you on additional topics you would like for me to discuss. David

Welcome to my PGiConnect.com Blog. My name is David Guthrie, and for the past four years I have been CTO of Premiere Global Services. My role is defining our product roadmap, leading our research and development efforts, and directing our strategic partnerships.

I am very excited about the progress we are making with enhancing our on-line services. PGiConnect.com represents the first time Premiere Global has brought all of its six major solutions into a combined portal with enhanced features and functionality that empower our customers with new ways to utilize and interact with our on-demand platform. You will see more and more features and capabilities added to the new portal over the next few months.