8x8 Inc. (EGHT) has announced the addition of a new, Web-based conferencing service to its existing portfolio of business communication offerings for SMBs.
The first in a series of new unified communications services to be introduced over the coming months, the "8x8 Virtual Meeting" Web conferencing service is an online collaboration tool accessible instantly (no software download required) from any Web browser and any computing platform. Available as an add-on service for existing 8x8 customers or as a standalone offering for new subscribers, 8x8 Virtual Meeting lets users conduct centralized online meetings, complete with integrated voice conferencing (to and from any telephone or Web browser platform), presentation slide sharing, desktop and application sharing, instant messaging, chair control, conference control and call recording, with up to 50 participants per conference.
"Small businesses, like those that subscribe to our 8x8 Virtual Office hosted phone services, want and need the same communications tools enjoyed by larger enterprises," said 8x8 chief marketing officer Debbie Jo Severin. "In fact, in a recent survey of our existing business customers, more than 60 percent of them told us they already use some form of Web conferencing in their day-to-day operations. 8x8 Virtual Meeting is a powerful collaboration tool that embodies all of the cost, performance and ease-of-use characteristics valued by our small business customers. We are excited to offer this new service and look forward to introducing additional communications solutions specifically geared to the small business market."
Existing 8x8 subscribers can add 8x8 Virtual Meeting service with unlimited conferencing for $29.99 per month. As a standalone service, 8x8 Virtual Meeting is priced at $39.99 per month. For a limited time, 8x8 is offering a free 30-day trial version with unlimited conferencing, up to 15 participants per meeting and a free local dial-in number.
