SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avistar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: AVSR), a leader in desktop video communications, today announced that its C3 Desktop Videoconferencing and Collaboration solution has been named the Best Unified Communications and Collaboration Solution for the 15th annual IBM Lotus Awards.

The IBM Lotus Awards recognize exceptional IBM PartnerWorld members that specialize in Lotus software solutions and have excelled at providing quality products, innovative solutions and superior services to customers. For the 2009 Lotus Awards, hundreds of applications were received from more than 30 countries around the world.

In winning the IBM Lotus Award, Avistar's software was recognized for delivering unparalleled desktop video communication and collaboration functionality with industry-leading bandwidth management, connectivity and quality of service.

In addition, Avistar is working with IBM to provide bandwidth management for IBM Lotus' unified communications and collaboration solutions, which include IBM Lotus Sametime, an award-winning and market-leading platform that offers integrated, enterprise unified communications tools such as IM, VoIP, video chats and web conferencing. Avistar's patent protected dynamic bandwidth management is a key feature of its C3 videoconferencing technology, making intelligent and automatic adjustments to support connections with external VoIP services, video within web-based instant messaging clients, room-based videoconferencing systems and high-end, high-definition telepresence environments.

"Desktop videoconferencing offers significant opportunity for cost savings and productivity gains, especially when it is used in conjunction with other unified communications applications. To take advantage of these technologies, companies must pay attention to performance and bandwidth management to achieve maximum success," said Melanie Turek, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Communications, Frost & Sullivan.

"This recognition from IBM Lotus illustrates Avistar's continued leadership in business-class videoconferencing," said Simon Moss, CEO, Avistar. "The combination of our highly competitive price, extensive capabilities to deliver a videoconferencing solution quickly and comprehensive product functionality allows businesses to realize a speedy return on their investment while achieving significant productivity gains."

IBM will recognize all award winners at the Lotusphere Business Development Day 2009 and during the Lotusphere Opening General Sessions. Avistar (booth #336) will showcase its C3 solution at Lotusphere 2009 in Orlando, FL, from January 18-22.

About Avistar Communications Corporation

Avistar (Nasdaq: AVSR) is a leader in desktop video communications, providing proven business-class technology. Avistar's desktop videoconferencing installations include more than 100,000 committed desktop seats worldwide, bringing together business users any time and any place. Companies such as IBM Corp., Sony Corp., LifeSize Communications, Inc., and Polycom Inc. use Avistar technology to power their unified communications solutions. Avistar works with leading-edge technology partners and resellers including CityIS, Beyondis, and Fontel in more than 40 countries. For more information, go to http://www.avistar.com.

IBM, Lotus, Sametime, and Lotusphere are trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.

SOURCE Avistar Communications Corporation