IBM Canada Ltd has taken the lead in IBM Corp’s multimedia efforts (whatever happened to the System/390 configured as a video-on-demand file server?), but IBM’s efforts are so stalled and in need of a jump-start that it has had to do so by buying in somebody else’s work. It has gone to MPR Teltech Ltd of Vancouver and paid an undisclosed sum for the company’s Wave group. Wave is described as a modular turn-key telecommunications system designed to provide video and audio quality comparable with broadcast television. Services based on Wave eliminate distracting motion impairments and time delays of earlier technology. Components include a video-specific terminal for end users, giving them complete control over their calls; a Broadband Multi-Site Server with multi-site bridging for up to eight video sites to interact in a single conference; and a Video Service Manager set of standards-based software to enable a service provider to offer and manage end-to-end video services as part of a complete Asynchronous Transfer Mode multimedia offering. Wave is intended to enable phone companies to offer premium video services, including distance learning, videoconferencing, telemedicine and other scientific and business applications. IBM says it will adopt Wave as its worldwide industry standard, but will leave the employees and the development base in Vancouver. It will become part of IBM’s worldwide Telecommunications & Media Industry Solutions organization. MPR TelTech is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BC Telecom Inc, formerly British Columbia Telephone.
