WebEx: Ideas in Motion

Turn the clocks back to February 1997

In the news-

• President Bill Clinton is in the second month of his second term in office.
• The Dow is at 7,000
• Apple purchases NeXt, step one in a move that will bring Steve Jobs back to the company
• And The Simpsons surpasses The Flintstones as the longest-running prime time animated series.

What else happened in February 1997?

Subrah Iyar and Min Zhu founded WebEx, although that wasn’t the company name yet.
First we were Silver Computing, then Stellar Computing, and then ActiveTouch. We didn’t become WebEx until later in 1999, a few months after the launch of our first web collaboration service. You can read more details on our company history here.

And where are we now 10 years later? 

We now lead the web collaboration market, but more than that, we helping to create a new category of on-demand applications for collaborative business. These applications use the web and/or our WebEx Connect on-demand platform to bring us together, make us more competitive, productive and better informed.

Furthermore:

• With our broad suit of on-demand applications, WebEx transforms the web into a collaborative business platform that enables people to work better and faster.
• These on-demand applications enhance high-touch business processes, such as sales, support and training, with efficient web-touch interactions. 
• WebEx applications, and applications built on the WebEx Connect platform, increase the reach, speed and cost effectiveness of doing business by unifying web collaboration with business services, processes and content.

These are our mantras.

Happy anniversary everyone.

Colin Smith

Dir. Corporate Communications, WebEx

colin.smith@webex.com

Fast Video, Fast Money

Television news is a constantly evolving medium.  In the Edward R. Murrow days, news stories were shot on film, developed and edited in time for the evening news, which aired once a day. Fast forward to now, with 24 hour news channels, live video and satellite feeds that feels like the Stone Age.

What has also changed in this day and age of user-generated content is the fact that news content doesn’t just come from anchors and reporters, it comes from you.

It’s a television first; CNBC’s popular prime-time show Fast Money is now using WebEx’s multipoint video so viewers can be part of the live broadcast.  It’s changing the face of television news and business programs. Now the people participating in the show don’t need to be guests booked to come to CNBC central, or even travel to a remote studio.  If they have a PC and a webcam, every day investors can be part of the repartee. The segments are called “Face 2 Face”, and viewers are invited to take their questions from their home office (or bedroom for that matter) to the trading floor.  Check it out on CNBC 8pm EST/5pm PST.

To take part in segment, go to the Face 2 Face site or email fastmoney@cnbc.com and put "webcam" in the subject line.

Colin Smith

Dir, Corporate Communications, WebEx

colin.smith@webex.com

Top Ten New Year's Resolutions

Yes, it’s that time of the year again.  You have a chance to let go of the past and start fresh with new goals.  Get in shape, cut down on the daily Venti double shot latte, finish that home improvement project. 

It’s also a great time to set career goals.  In fact, these goals can help you achieve your personal goals like exercising and spending more time with friends and family.  So let’s start the top 10 count down.

10) Get Organized

Are you tired of looking for the same file over and over again?  Or having to send that file to the same person repeatedly?  Well, WebOffice is here to help.  Share your calendar, documents, tasks and more with your team and make your team more productive. 

9)   Boost your career

WebEx has lots of best practices web seminars for all business professionals.  For Free!  So whether you are in sales or marketing, a business owner or support engineer, grab a cup of coffee and join online, and learn some quick tips and tricks to take your business to the next level.

8)     Give something back

Worried about global warming?  Want to do something that makes a difference?  Plant a Tree!  on WebEx, and help the environment and your neighbor.

7)   Read a book

Challenge your mind and expand your horizon.  Reevaluate how you think business can be done in this global economy by reading Why Buy a Cow.

6)   Spend more time with your family

From conducting meetings with global customers to accessing your computer at work from home, use WebEx and find that time to spend with friends and family.

5)     Try something new

If you’ve never conducted meetings online, let 2007 be the first.  Even better, use WebEx’s free Express Assist service to ensure your first online meeting is a success.   

4)   Say more with pictures

Or with your desktop.  Don’t just use the phone alone; share your desktop instantly so your customers and colleagues can see what you’re talking about. If a picture says a thousand words, imagine how many words your desktop can say. 

3)   Reclaim the control over your “virtual” meetings

Just as you are about to start an important conference call, someone on the call puts you on music on hold.  We’ve all been there.  Gain back control by switching your audio only meetings to WebEx meetings.  Mute the person who’s making the noise (and reprimand the culprit in a private chat) because now you can tell whose line is making the noise. 

2)   Lose the Fat

Your company probably has a lot of unnecessary legacy servers that are costing you a lot of money to maintain and upgrade.  Why not just get rid of it?  Yeah, that’s right, just lose it.  And go on-demand.  It’s the best way to slim down your IT expenses.

1)     Join the On Demand Revolution

Don’t you want to leave a legacy?  To be able to tell your grandchildren the good old days when people bought servers and shipped CDs. And that you were the forerunner in changing the way we do business forever.  Join the on demand revolution and leave a mark in history.

Grace Kim

Sr. Product Marketing Manager, WebEx Communications

grace.kim@webex.com