July 24, 2008

Purdue Research Park company combines streaming video with e-mail communication

CoVideo Systems provides face-to-face marketing and organizational tools through Web-based, streaming video products. In addition, the company employs a team of consultants that help clients put the technology to its best use.

"Numerous people from around the world can meet simultaneously or watch presentations through our real-time video-conferencing service," said president and CEO Ed Mugg. "They can get updates, clarifications and continue to build relationships through our video e-mail service. Keeping the human element is an important consideration and justification for the use of the technology. But as you apply CoVideo products to an organization, it becomes cost effective as well."

The 14-person startup company has created its own virtual business opportunity using the Web-based streaming technology. Mugg and information technology director Jason Price are based at Purdue Research Park's West Lafayette site; Jim Wulfeck, head of marketing and sales, is based in Kentucky; and several sales management consultants work throughout the U.S.

"Our company was founded on the idea that video and voice is a more personal way to communicate with customers and prospects," said Mugg, who is a Purdue University graduate."

The company's core product, CoVideo E-mail 6.0, allows the user to log in to a secure, downloaded application and record a video. The video can be supplemented with additional narration or video, and inserted in an e-mail that can be sent to anyone with an e-mail address. Some of CoVideo mail's features are automatic reporting when the video is viewed as well as a complete set of management and user reports

Another product is LiveRep, an instant video access service that allows the user to get immediate live video support at the click of a button. The help link is on the front page of the user's Web site, and can be used to communicate to other departments within a company, or externally to clients.

For example, if the LiveRep link is placed on the home page of an automobile dealership, the customer can get live visual help from any one of the various departments such as new or used car sales and vehicle maintenance. The customer can choose whether to be seen on video or to communicate by typing in a chat box.

CoVideo Outlook allows users to send video without leaving their e-mail application. It acts as a plug-in to Microsoft Outlook and provides access to all the features of Outlook. Users also can manage all of their past videos with the Outlook addition.

"These are all effective tools for financial planners, sales forces, realtors, educators, anyone who needs to rely on believable, trustworthy communication to build relationships," said Wulfeck, who also is the director of the Center for Great Management Practices, an internationally known sales training and coaching firm. "Through our video process, organizations build relationships very quickly while allowing for instant clarification. The person receiving the video can see the commitment in the eyes of the sender."

Sales management consultants for CoVideo help organizations define a strategy based on their particular needs, and custom templates give each group their own brand. Wulfeck said it's up to the creativity of the group to determine how far they can take it.

"We know that Internet video is a growing market, but the difference in our technology is how it can be applied," Wulfeck said. "Our goal is to create a field force to show how this major paradigm shift in communication can add value. We want customers to try, buy and apply.

" Our mission at Covideo is simple - to help our customers successfully reach their mission by effectively and efficiently using video technology to improve their performance and results."

About CoVideo Inc:

CoVideo was founded in 2004 by Purdue University alumni Ed Mugg and Jason Price. The company offers streaming video services and business solutions over the Internet to help organizations reach far more contacts than ever before possible. The company's goal is to be the world leader in streaming video systems that are simple and easy to use and require little training.

About Purdue Research Park

To the Purdue Research Park, http://www.purdueresearchpark.com

Writer: Maggie Morris

Sources: Ed Mugg, (800) 306-1445, ed@covideo.com

Jim Wulfeck, (859) 727-2467, jim@covideo.com  

Purdue Research Park contact: Cynthia Sequin, (765) 494-4192, (765) 413-6031 (mobile), casequin@prf.org