Microsoft will unveil its Web conferencing service on Monday, the latest step in its plan to transform Office from a product suite to a concept.
The service, called LiveMeeting, is based on technology the Redmond, Wash., software maker obtained when it acquired PlaceWare in early 2002. LiveMeeting, like similar services on the market, is largely designed to enhance conference calls with Web content.
Participants log into a central Web site, where they can then concurrently view a presentation, exchange notes or ask questions through chat software, and collaboratively edit documents. A number of companies use it for remote training seminars.
"You want to simulate everything that happens in a meeting," said Jennifer Callison, director of marketing for Microsoft's real-time collaboration business unit. "You just need a browser and an Internet connection and a phone."
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