Mediaboss Marketing

SEATTLE, March 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Altoura announced Monday it will give free licenses for its immersive VR/AR training and collaboration software for use in finding a COVID-19 vaccine or making health care supplies. The virtual and augmented reality startup joins the ranks of companies, big and small, around the country that are jumping to respond the challenge of our time.

The company is offering free licenses for six months to its Altoura Immersive Reality Platform (VR/AR/MR) and at-cost digital twin and training design services to companies or organizations, private or public, that are working on a COVID-19 vaccine or manufacturing supplies, like ventilators, PPE and testing kits, for health care workers. The licenses can be extended, if needed.

Based in Seattle, Altoura builds virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality enterprise solutions for immersive training, layouts and virtual tours. The award-winning solutions run on iOS (iPhone and iPads), Android, Windows PC and the HoloLens 2. It supports multi-user remote collaboration. Hundreds of companies have used Altoura's web-based VR tours and its app-based immersive training and collaboration software.

"We know that we can provide a layer of safety and productivity with our immersive training software," said Jamie Fleming, CEO of Altoura, which is a Microsoft Mixed Reality Partner.

Fleming's offer to provide his company's software licenses for free and to discount their design services is motivated by the very real dangers and pain it has caused in his own backyard. He is reaching out to business leaders to work together to find solutions to the global pandemic and its ensuing havoc.

"I believe there is an imperative for all of us to work together to find solutions," he said. "Coronavirus has struck so many in my community and our loved ones."

Even prior to the global pandemic, Altoura was working with customers like Thermo Fisher, Walgreens and Microsoft and continues to support them as they pivot as part of their emergency response.

Many companies already employ virtual training for the cost savings from reduced travel and the ability for employees to train anywhere, any time. With the Altoura software, environments can be experienced in virtual or augmented reality and training is delivered immersively. This has the benefit of reducing the need for in-person interactions and travel two factors that may be the difference between life and death in the face of this global pandemic.

According to internal research, collaborating and training immersively accelerates learning by raising the learner's engagement, increasing information retention and reducing errors. Plus, companies can safely train their workforce in unsafe environments.

"Altoura allows us to train our people safely in unsafe situations," said Amanda El Bahou, manager of Qantas Group Learning Technology. Altoura recently built an immersive flight simulator for Australian airline giant Qantas.

Contact together@altoura.com to find out more about the free software license offer for the Altoura Immersive Reality Platform (VR/AR/MR).

More here:
Altoura offers VR/AR immersive training software free to companies and organizations fighting Coronavirus - Chinook Observer

Life looks very different right now as the novel coronavirus has millions around the world stuck indoors. Festivals, clubs, and even house parties are banned in many cities, leaving musicians (and music lovers) housebound and searching for creative outlets. Over the past few weeks, several music companies have responded by offering freebies in order to, as Korg said, provide a musical way to occupy your mind.

Below, weve rounded up an array of apps, plug-ins, sounds, lessons, and even digital audio workstations (DAWs) that are currently free to give tools to musicians and those looking to learn musical skills during the pandemic. A few were already free, but the majority are only free for a limited time. There are tons of deals available, so get ready to hunker down with some new digital toys. Keep checking back as the list is regularly updated.

Link:
Here are a bunch of free music apps and sample packs while were all stuck inside - The Verge

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Command Alkon, the leading Supplier Collaboration Platform for Constructions Heavy Work, and HCSS, the Leading Heavy Civil Software Solutions Provider, are leveraging their existing collaboration partnership to quickly expand safe social distancing capabilities on critical infrastructure jobsites. The combination of Command Alkon's free eTicketing Essentials and HCSS' free Trucking Software will help contractors automate the collection of both material and truck tickets. The co-joined efforts remove the need for person-to-person paper-based processes and together are available at no cost to users through June 30th, 2020.

We are happy to work in conjunction with Command Alkon to actively mitigate the impact of COVID-19, advancing essential heavy-civil construction projects while keeping workers health the number one priority, said Mike Rydin, CEO at HCSS. Together, by replacing both paper material tickets and paper truck tickets, we are keeping jobs safer and on-track while supporting ongoing operations in a more productive way.

HCSS Trucking enables contractors to track trucks on the jobsite and digitally record loads and timecards via a tablet or smartphone. When used alongside Command Alkons eTicketing Essentials offer, users receive electronic tickets for both materials and trucks all in one place.

The heavy construction community needs digital capabilities across their supply chains now more than ever, said Phil Ramsey, CEO at Command Alkon. We are grateful to have an exceptional partner like HCSS and we welcome them joining free eTicketing Essentials to expand the offers value for the industry. Our combined efforts will provide a more end-to-end solution to better serve all stakeholders: material producers, suppliers, haulers, and contractors alike.

To learn more about how eTicketing Essentials works with the HCSS Trucking application, please contact HCSS at (800) 683-3196 or visit https://www.hcss.com/products/construction-truck-ticket-management/. For more information on Command Alkons eTicketing Essentials offering, call (205) 263-5700 or visit commandalkon.com/eticketforfree/.

ABOUT HCSS

Founded in 1986, HCSS is a leader in construction software and mobile applications solutions for the heavy civil, transportation, and utility industries. More than 80,000 professionals use HCSS software to improve their proficiency at estimating, job management, resource management, safety and equipment management. In addition to high-quality software, HCSS is known for providing world-class customer service with professional implementation planning, ongoing training, and instant 24/7 support, 365 days a year. For more information about HCSS, visit:www.hcss.com.

ABOUT COMMAND ALKON

As the Leading Supplier Collaboration Platform for Heavy Work, Command Alkon solutions deliver supply chain integration and frictionless digital collaboration across the heavy construction ecosystem. CONNEX, a many-to-many technology platform purpose built for the industry, enables business partners to automate inter-enterprise operations, capture real-time visibility into heavy material orders and deliveries, leverage leading-edge software experiences to achieve mutually beneficial goals, and share knowledge to manage by exception and promote certainty of outcomes. Command Alkon is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama and has offices in locations around the globe. For more information, visit commandalkon.com.

For More Information, Contact:Becky BoydMediaFirst PR(770) 642-2080 x 214becky@mediafirst.com

Karli LangnerCommand Alkon(205) 879-3282 x 3968klangner@commandalkon.com

Originally posted here:
Command Alkon and HCSS Aligned in Promoting Safe and Productive Construction Operations Amidst COVID-19 Crisis - GlobeNewswire

Dubliners can now access top-tier video chats with their doctors, thanks to a free software developed during the coronavirus pandemic.

IP Telecom has produced the new video software in just five days, to help Ireland as it battles with the deadly COVID-19 virus.

The Dublin-based company designed the software to be usable for everyone regardless of computer literacy, making it available on any mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop device.

The company's CEO, Shena Brien, said: There was unanimous agreement that since unified communications is our key skill that we should see if we could roll out a simple, one click solution that would mean that patients could avoid doctors surgeries, in the interest of patient and practitioner safety.

Our team did a remarkable job. Working long hours they developed a world-class solution - comparable with the features of paid-for products - in just a couple of days.

Any consultations using the software will be encrypted and cannot be recorded, in order to protect users privacy and medical history.

Shena added: Its very light in broadband usage, ideal for those in poor broadband areas. And, theres no need for an account. The practitioner just sends a link to the patient to connect with. Its that simple.

The telecoms company says there is no limit to the number of people who can use the software at once.

The new one-on-one or group consultation software can be accessed here.

See the article here:
Coronavirus Ireland: Free software developed for video consultation with doctors in COVID-19 outbreak - Dublin Live

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is shuttering offices around the country and forcing many to work from home as a way to help slow the spread of the virus. But many homes are not equipped for potentially longer-term remote working situations. At the same time, some online services, such as delivery services and healthcare organizations, are being bombarded with unprecedented traffic that their networks werent necessarily prepared to handle.

This is where IT vendors are coming to the rescue. Many wireless, application performance, and business continuity providers are giving customers free access to some of their offerings while end users adjust to the new normal.

Here's a handful of free networking products and services that vendors are extending for free, as well as complimentary access to payment deferment plans and educational content being offering right now.

And check out CRN's list of free videoconferencing tools for working remotely.

AppDynamics APM Software, Tech Support

AppDynamics, the application performance monitoring software arm of Cisco Systems, knows that now is not the time for online services to fail as the number of remote employees grow larger by the day, and as essential businesses, such as grocery stores and healthcare organizations, need to stay up and running now more than ever.

To help organizations deal with the brand-new demands they are seeing on their networks, AppDynamics is providing free use of its application performance monitoring software through free AppDynamics SaaS licenses for qualified customers until July 15. The company is also offering free 30-minute one-on-one technical help for new and existing customers.

The firm is also making access to its Premium University content free until May 31.

Cisco Collaboration, Security Solutions

In response to the influx of brand-new home workers, Cisco Systems is giving away some of its collaboration and security solutions for free right now.

Cisco earlier this month expanded the capabilities on its free videoconferencing and collaboration solution, Webex, in all countries where it is available. The new Webex features include unlimited usage or no time restrictions and support for up to 100 participants. Cisco is also providing free 90-day licenses to businesses who are not Webex customers in this time of need through its sales team and Cisco partners.

Cisco Umbrella, the firms cloud-based security platform that protects users from malicious internet destinations while on and off the corporate network, is now available to new customers via a free license. Existing customers can also exceed their user limit to support more remote employees. The same deal goes for both Cisco's Duo Security offering, which offers duel-factor authentication, as well as Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, its secure endpoint access solution, according to the San Jose, Calif.-based company.

Extreme Networks' Cloud Training, Payment Plan

Wireless vendor Extreme Networks wants to help partners and end customers get their home offices up and running quickly, without worrying about cost right now.

Extreme is letting businesses buy the network solutions they need today while preserving working capital by allowing them to defer payment until July 1 with Extreme Capital Solutions, the San Jose, Calif.-based company said. Extreme is also offering its cloud technical certification training through July 20.

Additionally, Extreme announced its Branch Portable Kit, an offering that includes networking capabilities for connection, security, and remote networking management of teleworkers, Extreme said.

Igloo Software

Software-as-a-Service specialist Igloo Software is arming customers with everything they need to keep their businesses going, from any location their employees may be located, and right away.

Specifically, Igloo Software is giving away access to its Business Continuity Bundle. The bundle offers a News Hub for employees, a restricted, Leadership Corner for executives to share updates and communicate, and an Incident Planning Hub.

The bundle, which can be up and running in a matter of hours, will be available to companies until July 6, according to the Ontario-based company.

NGINX Plus

NGINX, the application delivery software arm of F5 Networks, is helping websites and mobile applications handle unexpected surges in traffic related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The company is offering one free year of NGINX Plus, its load balancer, content cache, and web server platform, for those in the education, public government, and nonprofit sectors. NGINX is also opening up its trainings and making the content available at no cost to educational organizations.

At the same time, NGINX employees are being encouraged to spend more of their time at work responding to requests for help and questions that come in from social media platforms, like Twitter, the company said.

Read more:
5 Free Networking Products To Help Businesses Survive Working From Home - CRN: Technology news for channel partners and solution providers