Glowpoint Rolls Out Cloud-Based Video Conferencing Service

Glowpoint, which offers cloud-based video collaboration and support services, is now offering a reservationless video conferencing service designed to make it easier for users to collaborate on any device at any time.

The service, Glowpoint Now, enables users to start and participate in meetings from a Web browser, including Google’s Chrome, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox browsers. In addition, they can schedule meetings and include participants whenever they want, either through Outlook or by inviting people dynamically.

The service was announced Sept. 11 and is available now.

The capabilities meet the changing user needs driven by such trends as greater mobility and bring-your-own-device (BYOD). Customers want to be able to participate in video conferences on whatever device they want and from any location. In addition, organizations have a range of needs, according to Peter Holst, Glowpoint chairman and CEO. Some businesses need concierge services for board meetings; others want to extend their capabilities outside their walls to include remote and mobile employees, partners and customers, and others are looking for video conferencing on-demand.

“Many reservationless video conferencing startups lead you to believe that as video becomes more pervasive, support requirements diminish or go away,” Holst said in a statement. “The exact opposite is true. The demand for secure, enterprise-grade video collaboration is expanding globally, and, with that expansion, the need to provide business-class services and support is increasing.”

The combination of Glowpoint Now and the company’s other services helps meet those needs, he said. In addition, because the new service leverages the Glowpoint Cloud, businesses don’t need to invest in infrastructure. Glowpoint Now also works with Microsoft’s Lync and Cisco Systems’ Jabber unified communications offerings, and offers performance and monitoring reports to make it easier for users to see what’s going on with the service.

Glowpoint partners can use Glowpoint Now and brand it as their own, and leverage the company’s business-class support services.