Online Meeting and Community tools

History

In 2006, I took charge of developing two online collaboration software solutions following the acquisition of Globeecom.

After a thorough technological analysis, we decided to continue developing the "GlobeMeeting" platform, creating two versions: "Instant GlobeMeeting" and "10-4 Roger."

We integrated an Asterisk server during development to handle phone calls and support multi-user audiovisual interactions. We also developed a module to convert PowerPoint documents with HTML code injection, utilizing a patented "envelope" system for screen sharing with simultaneous remote interaction.

The "10-4 Roger" software enabled customer service agents to push content remotely to individuals or groups, building online communities. It was also utilized by technical support departments, offering audio/video, standard telephone integration, and remote screen sharing.

Despite several years of development, the company ultimately discontinued the software due to several challenges. The primary issues included strong resistance from IT departments unwilling to open UDP ports in firewalls, the product arriving too early in the market, and the software's Windows-only compatibility at a time when web-based solutions and Mac (iPhone) popularity were on the rise.

Today, solutions like Slack, Rocketchat, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams incorporate elements of what we developed for "10-4 Roger" in a market that is now mature for such products.

Development Challenges

• Simultaneous updates of two remote browser windows, including online form manipulation and document handling (Word/PowerPoint).
• Decoding and converting PowerPoint documents for web browser playback.
• Managing a multi-level Person/Relation database by Domain and Zone delegation.
• Combining standard phone line numbers with SIP and multi-channel video in a traditional chatroom.
• Implementing patented "Envelope" technology to push dynamic information remotely live to numerous computers.

Technologies