SAN MATEO, Calif., and LONDON, April 9, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avistar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: AVSR) has expanded its C3 videoconferencing range with the launch of two new systems. C3 Executive Room is designed to accommodate 4 meeting participants in executive offices. C3 Mobile Room is designed for traveling professionals and turns any space into an impromptu videoconferencing suite with the ability to hold and join meetings from any location with an Internet connection. Linked via an IP network or across the Web, all C3 systems are able to share the capacity of multi-point control units (MCU) used to connect multi-party video calls in order to leverage the value of this investment across multiple users.

"With the launch of our new Executive and Mobile Room systems, the Avistar C3 platform now has an answer for every kind of videoconferencing application," said Stephen Epstein, chief marketing officer at Avistar. "Our solutions combine the patented abilities of Avistar's C3 software and bandwidth management capabilities with standard PC hardware and peripherals for flexible, high performance solutions that are very keenly priced. Best of all, investment in the MCUs that enable multi-party calls can be shared between C3 systems so the benefits of videoconferencing can reach company-wide at minimum cost."

Any multi-party videoconferencing system requires an MCU to enable simultaneous connection with third parties. Deployments of Avistar C3 typically include an MCU shared across individual desktop users or to support a C3 Teamroom MP system designed for up to 6 participants. Both the new Executive Room and Mobile Room systems are able to share capacity of an existing MCU to extend the availability of multi-party videoconferencing to a wider number of users and meeting situations without incurring additional costs.

Avistar's patented bandwidth management technology means that hundreds or even thousands of users can share MCUs across an IP network, or across the Web via a virtual private network (VPN) link, without impairing network performance or recourse to additional infrastructure to augment bandwidth. Avistar offers MCU solutions, including an all-software MCU, to support any size of organization with deployments from a handful to thousands of users.

Both of the new C3 systems provide presence-awareness, "click-to-call" connection, integrated IP network bandwidth management technology, and no-hassle interconnectivity with third party IP videoconferencing systems. C3 Mobile Room enables users to set up a videoconferencing suite wherever there's a Web connection. Designed for up to 2 participants, it runs off any PC or laptop and includes Avistar's C3 software, a Philips Crystal Clear webcam and Yamaha conference speakerphone. C3 Executive Room is designed for up to 4 participants in an executive office, and the package includes Avistar's C3 software, a Philips Crystal Clear webcam, Yamaha conference speakerphone, a 24" HD LCD flat panel screen, PC tower, and wireless keyboard and mouse. The Executive Room package also includes a 25 seat license for Avistar's C3 desktop videoconferencing software, with additional licenses available for purchase. Installed on any webcam-equipped PC, it offers point-to-point videoconferencing for individual users.

Designed as "self-service" videoconferencing solutions, both C3 Executive Room and Mobile Room require no technical support or advance call scheduling. Their intuitive user interface needs little or no training, presence-awareness lets users see available parties and calls can be connected spontaneously with a simple drag-and-drop action. A "find-me/follow-me" feature routes calls to wherever the user is logged in, with no need to input IP addresses or access codes.

Compatibility with industry video standards, such as H.320, H.323 and SIP, plus integrated firewall traversal, allows no-hassle interconnectivity with existing and external room-based videoconferencing systems from other popular vendors. Industry standard hardware keeps cost of ownership low, and centralized administration and maintenance tools allow system administrators to perform most support functions remotely over the IP network. It also allows additional videoconferencing locations to be easily and inexpensively added into an Avistar network.

Avistar's C3 software delivers proven gains in terms of improved quality of interaction, greater workflow efficiency and easier collaboration at distance. Clients report as much as a 20 percent reduction in travel expense and carbon emissions, increases in productivity, and immeasurably improved decision making and relationship building within their organizations, as well as with suppliers and customers.

C3 Executive Room and Mobile Room are available now and priced at $3,999 and $1,999 respectively.

About Avistar Communications Corporation

Avistar creates technology that provides the missing critical element in unified communications: bringing people in organizations face-to-face, through enhanced communications, for true collaboration anytime, anyplace. Its latest product, Avistar C3, draws on over a decade of market experience to deliver a single-click desktop videoconferencing and collaboration experience that moves business communications into a new era. Available as a stand-alone solution, or integrated with existing unified communications software from other vendors, Avistar C3 users gain instant messaging-style ability to initiate video communications across and outside the enterprise. Patented bandwidth management enables thousands of users to access desktop videoconferencing, Voice over IP (VoIP) and streaming media, without requiring substantial new network investment or impairing network performance.

Avistar's desktop videoconferencing and collaboration installations are among the world's largest, including more than 18,000 seats in more than 40 countries. Clients report as much as a 20 percent reduction in travel expense and carbon emissions, increases in productivity, and immeasurably improved relationship building within their organizations, as well as with suppliers and customers. Avistar holds a portfolio of 80 patents for inventions in video and network technology and licenses IP to videoconferencing, rich-media services, public networking and related industries. Current licensees include Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), Polycom, Inc., Tandberg ASA, Radvision Ltd. and Emblaze-VCON.

For more information, visit www.avistar.com

SOURCE Avistar Communications Corporation