ARLC Arel Communications & Software Ltd. (MM)

Enables 16 Simultaneous Video Windows and Extensive Real-Time Data Collaboration in a Single Session for Unlimited Number of Participants at Lower Bandwidth Thresholds Than Ever Before Arel Communications and Software (NASDAQ:ARLC), technology leader in universal voice, video and data Web communication for interactive conferencing, collaboration and training applications, today launched the newest version of the company's Arel Spotlight(TM) conferencing and collaboration solution. Arel Spotlight II is a robust solution for Web-based conferencing and collaboration combining voice, video and data collaboration in a single software solution that enhances communications, facilitates workgroup collaboration and drives productivity in the enterprise. Arel Spotlight II offers key features including new quality of service (QoS) mechanisms, dynamic video bandwidth and interoperability with heterogeneous networks and endpoints (SIP and H.323 end-points, multipoint conferencing units (MCU), and PSTN and Satellite networks). Arel has implemented a new Quality of Service (QoS) system that manages the bandwidth utilization of the Spotlight II in order to accommodate more complex application sharing while enabling simultaneous audio and videoconferencing at lower bandwidth thresholds than ever before. The QoS feature enables Spotlight session participants to collaborate on larger, heavier files in more sophisticated applications such as product life-cycle management (PLM) applications that require significant resources; all this with enhanced application response times. Arel Spotlight's dynamic video bandwidth feature enables participants of varying connection qualities to always receive the maximum quality available on their network without compromising the video quality of others. This capability ensures that broadband users leverage the full bandwidth capacity of their network to receive the highest quality videoconferencing experience possible even if low-bandwidth users participate in the same conference - without compromising the real-time document and application sharing capabilities. Although Arel Spotlight II traditionally requires a PC, webcam and an Internet connection to participate in a conference, the software's flexible architecture allows participants to utilize a variety of other endpoints and devices to connect to a Spotlight session. Users can connect to an Arel Spotlight session through a telephone, mobile phone, IP phone, PDA, and legacy videoconferencing system over a hybrid of networks including IP, PSTN, H.323, SIP, and Satellite. Deployed on-premise or through a service provider, Arel Spotlight II works over a company's existing corporate network (Intranet) and the Internet utilizing very little bandwidth. Although Spotlight was designed from its first installment as being extremely friendly to firewall and basic proxy servers, Spotlight II is now enhanced to easily traverse even more secure proxy servers without compromising network security and performance. Optimizing video quality, from high-end broadcast quality for broadband users to lower dial-up or mobile phone users, and using wideband audio for near 'FM' quality, the solution enables unlimited passive participants and 32 active audio/voice participants with up to 16 video screens displayed in a single meeting. Featuring new enhancements such as multi-lingual capabilities and a customizable Web portal, Arel Spotlight II can be tailored to meet any company's needs. Integrated with Microsoft(R) Outlook, Live Communication Server (LCS) and Office Communicator (MOC), users can schedule sessions or invite participants to an ad-hoc meeting through their email or instant messaging utility or a customized portal. Joining a multi-point enabled video meeting is just done by clicking on html Web link. Built on a standards-based Windows architecture (.NET), Arel Spotlight II can be integrated within other corporate applications or extended to accommodate new features and capabilities. "Spotlight II enables people to communicate in natural, productive, and efficient ways that replicate the in-person meeting experience," said Philippe Szwarc, CEO of Arel Communications and Software. "This new version enables more video participants and complex application sharing with less bandwidth and fewer resources than ever before coupled with a large variety of access methods. Arel Spotlight II makes face-to-face global communication possible and facilitates and accelerates workplace collaboration to meet today's and tomorrow's customer needs." Comprised of three applications, Spotlight Meeting, Spotlight Webinar and Spotlight Campus, Arel Spotlight II is the most robust solution for Web-based conferencing and collaboration available today. Spotlight Meeting is designed for interactive work groups as well as one-to-one meetings, Spotlight Campus is a feature-rich solution covering all aspects of e-learning and distance training, and Spotlight Webinar is designed for video-enabled live Web-based seminars for knowledge delivery to large audiences. Arel Spotlight II is currently available for customer deployment as an on-premise enterprise solution or as a managed, hosted service for customers around the world. Arel Spotlight II Key Features: -- High-Quality Multipoint Video -- Adaptive Video Bandwidth for Individual Participants -- Enhanced, Powerful Application Sharing -- Exceptional Wideband Audio Quality -- Easy Viewing of Large Media-Rich Content -- Dynamic QoS for Audio, Video and Data -- Microsoft(R) Outlook and Exchange Integration -- IM and Presence Integration -- Endpoint Compatibility: Videoconferencing Desktop and Room Systems, Telephones, Mobile Phones, IP Phones & PDAs -- Proxy & Firewall Friendly -- Network Compatibility: IP, PSTN, H.323, SIP and Satellite -- Recording, Archiving & Streaming -- Web Portal for Session Scheduling and Administrative Tasks -- Multiple User Interface Languages on a Single Platform About Arel Communications and Software: Arel Communications and Software is a leader in conferencing and collaboration solutions. Arel is focused on enhancing communications, facilitating workgroup collaboration and driving productivity in the enterprise. By providing a comprehensive application suite, Arel Spotlight(TM), for leveraging enterprise networks for rich-media communications, Arel replicates in-person meetings in the online environment. Combining voice, video and data conferencing in one easy-to-use Web-based solution, Arel fosters interactive communications that significantly improve work environments today. Arel's solution impacts key business processes such as corporate and marketing communications, distance learning, product development, customer relationship management, and supply chain management. Allowing geographically dispersed users to work together in groups, attend webinars and panel discussions, participate in training courses, and have one-on-one meetings with customers or colleagues, from virtually anywhere, Arel Spotlight is a powerful tool for critical business communications. For more information, visit www.arelcom.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions in the industry, changes in demand for products, the timing and amount or cancellation of orders and other risks detailed from time to time in Arel Communications and Software's filings with the Security Exchange Commission. All trademarks recognized.