Userplane has developed a new Web chatting system, using Macromedia Flash MX, which provides users a way to interact with one another using live text dialogues in multi-room chat environments. The application, Userplane Web Chat, is being deployed by AOSpine.org, an online community of medical professionals who specialize in spinal cord treatment.

AOSpine.org is ideally positioned for employing  Userplane's new chat system, because the organization's primary function is to disseminate information to users via the Web. Community members include research and medical professionals from around the world, who actively look for new information that can enable more effective spinal cord-related procedures.

Individuals can exchange information in real-time in chat rooms capable of accommodating multiple users at once. Web Chat does not require any client-side installation, which allows for globally distributed members a hassle-free way to engage in live conversation.

"Information-sharing is so critical within the medical community," said Prof. Max Aebi, chairman of AOSpine International, "and Userplane Web Chat lets us offer our members an online environment where they can interact with each other in a compelling and realistic way, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. The system is easy to use and completely seamless for us."

Michael Jones, president of Userplane, described in some detail how the company's latest offering is being put to use. "The Userplane Web Chat capabilities help AOSpine.org members meet online to discuss case studies, research, best practices, and the latest advancements in spine surgery," he said. "Our entire Community Suite of applications can turn any website into an online community, enabling true interaction among participants, no matter where they're located."

Jones said that while AOSpine is the first group using the product, Web Chat's capabilities are perfectly suited for websites offering social networking opportunities, and corporate meeting environments. The company plans to introduce multi-stream audio/video integration later this year, which would enable Web Chat to find new clients that rely on multimedia presentation capabilities. As such, the potential client base is limitless.

Web Chat integrates with Web databases using XML that can be customized to match the business model and market branding of a site. The application integrates seamlessly with users' login protocols and buddy lists across multiple scripting languages, including PHP, ASP, .NET, ColdFusion, XML, and JSP.

The cross-platform functionality of Userplane Web Chat was cited by the company, as demonstrative proof of its Flash-based system's superiority over chat solutions using Java. Wide spread implementation is very possible, as over 98% of Web browsers have Flash installed. For most Internet users, Web Chat could be executed with one-click operability.

Users are also able to attach photographs and profile details using Web Chat. Userplane's president said this would make for an excellent Web-based personals application, which could be extended globally due to Web Chat's interoperability between Windows, Macintosh and Linux platforms.