Please scroll down to see some views and some of the main features of ePlace

 ePlace : Features : Share Any Application

Any application which is installed on the server machine, whether a word processing package, a drawing/CAD package, a presentation package, or anything else you might use on your computer, may be made available for sharing in the collaboration session. None of the client machines need to have the application installed on their machines; the application runs on the server machine, and all clients are presented with a view of the application which, if they have active control, they can interact with.

A PocketPC ePlace client participating in a collaboration session, sharing Microsoft Visio.

An enlarged view of the figure on the left above using the zoom facilities.

ePlace : Features : Secure Sharing

Some products currently on the market provide collaboration capabilities by means of full desktop sharing. This allows total computer access of a computer to all participating remote users with obvious security implications. Malicious users could gain access to anything on the computer and even non-malicious users can accidentally view confidential documents, emails or pop-up email notifications that happened to be open on the desktop of the computer they are sharing.

ePlace is different, giving users the ability to precisely control what they allow other users to see and access.

As described above, ePlace operates on a client-server model, with the user at the server able to make any application which is installed on the server machine available for sharing.

By default, only the applications designated available for sharing are accessible to remote users. A server machine must explicitly allow an application to be shared for other client users to gain access to this application.

In addition, it is possible for two or more copies of the same application to run on the server but only one of them to be accessible to remote sharing users.  ePlace  allows users total control of their resources.

It is also possible for remote client users to start applications on a server without a user being present at the server side. Just like logging on to a remote computer and then invite your colleagues and friends to collaborate with you on applications you run  on that computer. Of course you are only allowed control of the applications which are available to you on that computer but you do not have overall control of the server computer.

ePlace : Features :  Instant messaging "Chat"

ePlace allows users to conduct conversations while collaborating using a built-in instant messaging "Chat" facility.

ePlace : Features : Participate in multiple collaboration sessions

The standard ePlace client is simply run in a Java enabled web-browser. This means that not only is it very easy to start an ePlace client since there is no installation or set-up required, but it is also possible to run multiple, simultaneous collaboration sessions.  Perfect for instructors who need to supervise many users at the same time.

A user may open multiple browsers at the same time, pointing each to a different server to participate in a different collaboration session. Even if the user is working on a server machine they may still run browsers as clients of other servers by simply starting them as non-shared browser instances.

ePlace : Features : Audio/Visual Conferencing

As mentioned above, ePlace provides a "chat" facility as standard. ePlace can also be used to provide audio conferencing, or audio/visual conferencing.

Fast, easy to set up and low cost. Simply attach some standard speakers and a microphone to your computer (it may even have some built-in) to begin using the audio conferencing; add any webcam to start full audio/visual teleconferencing.

ePlace : Features : Session Recording and Playback

ePlace comes with unique recording and video playback facilities. A step-by-step  feature allows recreation of the exact actions of all participating during any collaborative session. So not only is there a visual record of what happened and how it happened, but also exactly the same output can be recreated at any time. Tagging also makes it easier to view the videos and for fast forward and rewind actions.

ePlace : Features : Install and Go

ePlace is designed to be used with any application, so there is no need to learn new tools; use with the applications you currently use, or any you might have in future.

Install ePlace on the computer you want to use as a server, and you're ready to start. Simply tell the server which applications you want to allow to be shared, and start sharing them.

Clients are even easier!

There is a special ePlace client for PDAs to provide a better display for sharing. Simply install the client software, point the client to the server you want to collaborate with, and start collaborating!

And the standard client doesn't even require any installation! Just open a Java enabled web-browser on any computer where you want to run a client, point the browser at the server, and start collaborating.