EVO is a videoconferencing tool that supports video and audio interaction over the internet and some shared work functionality.

It is fast to set-up and use and is an excellent solution for researchers who want to attend meetings without needing to travel, access an enriched alternative to email or phone conversations, and participate in shared work with collaborators who might be across the globe or in the next room.

It is particularly suited to meetings of individuals at separate desktops, as opposed to meetings of groups, and gives researchers access to more than simple video conferencing. It combines elements of social networking with web collaboration technology and enables you to:

• join communities of like-minded individuals, or start one for your own research group
• draw, type, and upload images in real time using the shared whiteboard
• highlight and share areas of your desktop so collaborators can see what you're working on while you're working on it
• upload and download files and share them with other meeting participants as you talk
• plug in additional cameras and send extra video streams
• participate in text-based chat, inside and outside meetings
• connect to rooms with Polycom or Tandberg equipment
• connect to selected Access Grid venues via the ARCS AG-EVO Bridge
• when travelling, connect to meetings by audio via EVO's phone bridge

EVO is a great solution for researchers wanting an enhanced distributed collaboration experience, without having to spend a lot of time setting it up. It's free for Australian researchers and can be set-up quickly by users without the need to install software (apart from Java)  and access IT support.

Get started

To get started with EVO, all you need is a web browser and a connection to the internet. You don't need to install EVO; it just downloads and runs automatically. You need to register online for a user account and if you don't have Java running on your computer, you will be prompted to download and install it.

You are then free to use EVO to connect with other users across the world. Next time you have a meeting to attend, or you simply want to have an informal chat with a colleague, simply visit EVO on the web and log in.

If you want to use eResearch SA's meeting room to host a group-based EVO meeting, you can reserve a session using the videoconference booking form.

We also offer researchers support and advice about using EVO. Contact the eResearch SA Service Desk for more information.