WebEx and Sony just announced a marketing deal that should be big news for WebEx's market share. New VAIO notebook computers will come pre-installed with a WebEx icon on the desktop giving the owner a free trial of the software. Of course the trial is not a special offer, since anyone can get a free test account by visiting the WebEx site at any time (as you can with most any reputable web conferencing software). What's big is putting it right there under the nose of people who might not have considered it before. I'm not quite sure what Sony gets out of the partnership (other than a cash infusion from the WebEx sales and marketing budget!), but it sounds like a fantastic deal for WebEx.
Some of the VAIO's featuring the bundle have built in webcams and microphones in the chassis. This means that web conferencing users will find it even easier to make truly bad quality audio/video presentations from the convenience of their own cluttered cubicle or messy home office. I've said it before and I'll say it again... If you want to use video in your presentation, use professional services. The cheap stuff is fine for an informal "videophone" chat with a buddy, but you'll come off looking bad in a formal webinar.
Nice move, WebEx marketing department!
Technorati Tags: Sony, webinar, VAIO, web conferencing, WebEx
