"The benefits of Web conferencing are no longer in doubt but a user's actual 'mileage' may vary," said Robert Mahowald, research manager with IDC. "Striking the right balance between ease-of-use and rich functionality is the key to maximizing use and benefits."

Extending beyond traditional scheduled Web conferencing, ASAP Express features ASAP Links, which allow users to embed and publish presence-enabled links in e-mails, Web sites, or blogs to provide seamless, real-time communication access without the need to license or install any software. ASAP Links functionality allows colleagues, customers, prospects, friends, and other Internet users to view an individuals' online availability, and launch into an ad hoc meeting with them.

"Convoq has designed ASAP Express to address the challenges previously faced with Web conferencing solutions. The tool is easy to acquire, enables users to easily meet, and is easy to share with colleagues requiring no install to participate," said Chuck Digate, CEO of Convoq. "With the introduction of ASAP Express, Convoq extends Web and video conferencing to anyone that seeks them and further enhances collaboration with PowerPoint presentations and Links technology."

With ASAP Express' Links, for example, a sales representative can build stronger relationships with prospects and capitalize on the value of real-time communication by immediately responding to inquiries. By offering immediate availability through presence-enabled links within their e-mail signatures, when a recipient sees that the representative is available and clicks on the link, they can request an instant online conference. ASAP Express then permits the sales representative to share a PowerPoint presentation with the prospect, with or without a webcam for live video during the presentation.

A growing communication medium, 5.6 million blogs exist worldwide and a new blog is being created every 5.3 seconds. Supporting the trend, ASAP Express now allows bloggers to extend communication to their readers with ASAP Links. Readers can see the dynamically updated availability, or presence, of the blogger and then simply click to launch into a discussion, thus cultivating a personal relationship with the author.

ASAP Express is available free of charge at www.convoq.com.

As users develop a need for multi-person meetings, they can add individual participants at just $0.15/minute or upgrade to ASAP Pro – priced affordably at $249.95/year for unlimited meetings of up to 15 people.

Convoq is an innovative provider of communication and collaboration services. The company’s flagship product, ASAP Pro, is the Web conferencing service for everyday meetings. Through its unique combination of presence management and conferencing technologies, ASAP Pro empowers people to collaborate in either a scheduled or ad hoc manner.

Convoq is backed by two leading venture capital firms: North Bridge Venture Partners and Polaris Venture Partners. The company is based in Lexington, Massachusetts. For additional information, please visit www.convoq.com