is a web collaboration platform for businesses that uses a client software download to establish a virtual meeting or conference room or auditorium, with participants represented as avatars. The software is designed to facilitate virtual meetings in which participants do not have to physically travel to a fixed destination but can participate virtually via the avatars and software-based meeting facilities.

The new software-as-a-service purchasing option makes web.alive available through a monthly subscription for individual hosts or via annual concurrent user-based pricing. It costs $49 per month for a single host and will be available March 1.

Customers can also opt to install and manage the software on their own servers, Avaya says.

In addition to the purchasing options, Version 2.5 of web.alive includes the following new capabilities:

• A 3D audio engine designed to help participants better identify and understand who is speaking and their location within the environment.