GlowPoint adds telephony-like services

One of the down sides to videoconferencing is the "error" handling: When you call a system and it's busy, the resulting message is not always helpful. GlowPoint is looking to change that with a bunch of new enhancements to its dedicated videoconferencing network. The company says that 25% of calls initiated fail for one reason or another, though no real good explanation is given.

First, a new service called GlowPoint Video Call Assistant, with a virtual persona called "Lisa", will intercept a failed call on or into the Glowpoint network and let the caller know what the issue is - whether the system is busy or not on, etc. Lisa will provide options for the caller, including the ability to leave a video message or forward to another device. A new Video Call Mailbox offering is basically a video answering machine for your system, that allows you to record a video message for callers that reach your GlowPoint phone number when you're unavailable. The cool part of the mailbox option is the ability to get alerts via e-mail with a frame of video included, so you can see who called. The entire video message can also be streamed to any machine with Windows Media installed.

Video Call Mailbox is priced at $24.99 ($19.99 introductory offer) per month per mailbox. The Video Call Assistant is free for all GlowPoint subscribers. The company hopes to use Call Assistant as a marketing tool. Those interacting with the system will see GlowPoint branding and be able to find out more information on the service.

Finally, GlowPoint said it is also white labeling its service to other service providers, such as in a pact with SBC and AT&T to service a state contract in Texas.