Firms explore world of virtual conferencing

Apr 22 2010 by John Hill, The Journal

THANKS to the lingering volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, many European business leaders have found themselves struggling to attend meetings as planned.

This unusual source of disruption has led Gateshead-based business Vector76 to encourage firms to explore the possibility of meeting in the virtual world.

The company was set up two years ago to explore the development of the 3D internet, especially virtual worlds such as Second Life. Vector76 set up a virtual NewcastleGateshead last year, and CEO Shaun Allan says the recently-launched conferencing facilities are ideal for deal-makers who have found their operations grounded by the lack of movement in the real world.

He said: “It’s a lot cheaper than hosting a conference in the real world. It’s just a case of educating people and letting them know that it’s something they can do without it costing the earth.”

Mr Allan is a former employee of independent Gateshead games developer Eutechnyx who used his experience to explore the 3D world. The company employs a range of international freelancers as well as a three-person core in Low Fell.

Internationally, companies such as IBM, Cisco and Xerox are exploring the possibilities of virtual conferencing, and Mr Allan says that it can provide capacity for up to 200 users in its world.

Business people who log in can gain access to conventional web content such as Flash as well as in-built Voice over IP and live audio and video streaming. Training can be provided by partners in 36 countries across the world.

Mr Allan said: “Our main location is our First Business Tower, but bigger, bespoke conference areas can be made available.

“Our virtual NewcastleGateshead is based on the real world so all the landmarks are there, but we can make a virtual building appear in a minute, use it for a conference and take it away again to make space for something else.

“If someone hosts a conference and all the delegates can’t make it in the real world, we can take feeds from the conference itself and stream them so that more people can participate.

“Virtual conferencing is really taking off in the UK. There are a few conferences that are being done in 2D, but there’s something deep-rooted in human beings that they really respond to 3D.”