A multimedia integration trial for groupware with video-on-demand

Abstract

A multimedia integration trial for groupware with video-on-demand is described. The integration is realized by association of a groupware server with a video-on-demand server using a video service bridge. The integrated platform enables application developers to develop multimedia application systems supporting both groupware and video-on-demand functions, and provides both real time and stored video naturally synchronized with audio to the group users simultaneously. One particularly interesting example of the platform's possibilities is an automobile sales support system developed on the platform which enables the users to share video images of a running car over an ATM network.