Internet World: Premiere Conferencing launches two new conferencing tools and announces UK surge in web and audio conferencing

Media Contacts:Catherine McFarlandKetchum+44 (0)20 7611 3500catherine.mcfarland@ketchum.comEmma BrownPremiere Conferencing+44 (0)20 7890 7008emma.brown@premconf.co.ukPremiere Conferencing Launches Two New Conferencing Tools at InternetWorld In Europe Following Surge in Demand for ServicesWeb Collaboration and Operator-Assisted Calls with Automated Access Provide New Way to Meet Premiere Conferencing (www.premconf.co.uk), a global provider of enhanced, audio and Web-based conferencing solutions and a business unit of Ptek Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEK), has experienced a 45 percent surge in its conferencing services in Europe since April last year. In response to the growing popularity of automated conferencing, Premiere Conferencing is now offering customers two new conferencing tools: VisionCastSM , which provides easy Web access for an easier way to share documents and slides on the desktop with anyone, anywhere and PremiereCall AuditoriumSM, which combines automated access to audio conferences for large groups, with the assistance of an operator to manage the call for presenters.Premiere Conferencing will demonstrate these new services at Stand 945 at InternetWorld, an Internet exhibition, which takes place at Earls Court, London, 2nd - 5th June.Michele Hayden, Premiere Conferencing's managing director in Europe, said: When there is doubt surrounding travel or the economy, we see tremendous growth in the conferencing market. Past experience tells us that these new adopters continue to use the service following a period of intense, initial use. Given the current environment, the market is ideal for introducing VisionCast and Auditorium as they give companies a new way to meet.We use Auditorium and VisionCast for the audio conferences that we offer our clients as an efficient alternative to in-person meetings, said Stephanie Lange-Bourdiec, client care manager at GigaGroup, a leading global IT advisory firm. Our analysts present their visions and opinions on a specific subject using a visual presentation on the Internet. Participants then have the opportunity to interact and discuss during a Q&A session. Our clients really appreciate this format as they can take advantage of our expertise and recommendations without travelling. The average customer satisfaction rate of our seminars is 95 percent. This is also very cost-effective, which was a key element in our decision.The European market is searching for more sophisticated, cost-effective ways to conduct meetings, added Hayden. These services provide customers with tools that are not only easy to access, but also allow companies to capture important information and opinions from an audience that may otherwise be difficult to obtain.VisionCast - An OverviewVisionCast enables participants from around the world to collaboratively work on documents, view presentations, conduct Web tours and draw on whiteboards. Unlike some Web conferencing solutions, VisionCast integrates the Web and audio services so call hosts benefit from one source for live operator assistance, one source for billing and simultaneous playback of audio and visuals once recorded. Customer demonstrations are complimentary.Other features of VisionCast include:Mood indicators that allow participants to convey their opinions about how the presentation is going, so the presenter can adjust accordinglyChat function that allows participants to conduct private conversations with either the call host or each otherVoting to instantly gather audience opinionsAnnotation to enable presenters to draw visual attention to key pointsFull range of meeting management tools including invitations, scheduling and on-demand meeting management tools that automatically send email invitations to attendeesPresentation tools that enable the viewing of slides, applications and/or the desktop, white boarding, snapshot or screen captures, and Internet toursRecord and playback for archiving of meeting contentPremiereCall Auditorium - An OverviewUsing PremiereCall Auditorium, European businesses will be able to deliver messages to a large audience more comprehensively and cost-effectively. Ideal for internal communications such as company announcements, all-hands meetings, seminars, briefings, and training, PremiereCall Auditorium combines the convenience of automated passcode access with the assurance of a dedicated operator. It also enables interactive Q&A sessions to engage the audience and increase their understanding of the message. The European launch follows the success of the service in the United States, where companies have been quick to take advantage of PremiereCall Auditorium at a time when international travel is limited and internal communications remain important. PremiereCall Auditorium conferencing allows for interactive sessions with the audience so the calls can engage participants and heighten their understanding of the message. For example, companies can get the opinions of their employees on a large scale and invite questions to clarify points. Call hosts can also record the meeting for those who might not be able to attend. Key features include: Conference replay available by phone, 24/7Instant passcode access for convenience and to ensure that calls start on timeA professional announcer opens and closes the callDedicated operator assistance for customer support throughout the callMultiple Q&A and voting sessions About GigaGroupGigaGroup provides customers with objective advice for continuously improving Information Technology (IT) and IT Management efficiency. Independently from all IT vendors, GigaGroup helps clients make strategic and tactical decisions about the technologies, people and IT processes needed to excel in supporting business. In particular, we help IT executives learn about emerging and core technologies as well as IT Management issues, compare the features of different products and services, decide with which vendors (services and products) develop a relationship, how to organise teams, align IT with business and measure IT value. GigaGroup also provides CEOs, board members and business executives with coaching and advice on the best use of IT for business advantage.About Premiere ConferencingPremiere Conferencing (www.premconf.co.uk) is the conferencing provider companies rely on when communications really matter. Since 1984, Premiere Conferencing has consistently led the industry in developing the most advanced global conferencing and collaboration solutions, fulfilling today's business-critical communications needs. Premiere Conferencing delivers the highest levels of security, reliability and customer service in a comprehensive suite of communications offerings, from feature-rich automated and operator-assisted conferencing to advanced Web collaboration tools that enable users to create and interact visually over the Internet. A business unit of Ptek Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK), Premiere Conferencing's international office locations include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the United States.About Ptek Holdings, Inc.Ptek Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK) is a leading provider of tailored business communications solutions that enable global enterprises to better communicate with constituents, acquire and retain customers and automate business processes. These solutions, which include conferencing, Web collaboration and messaging, are marketed under the Premiere Conferencing and Xpedite brand names.Ptek Holdings' corporate headquarters is located at 3399 Peachtree Road NE, The Lenox Building, Atlanta, GA 30326. Additional information can be found at www.ptek.com