Minot State University Purchases Linktivity's WebInteractive™ To Provide Real-Time Online Training And Support To Students

Linktivity™ Solution to Meet Need for Enhanced Online Collaboration and Interactive e-Support

Tucson, AZ Linktivity, a division of Inter-Tel® is a technology leader in real-time communications software that provides server-based communications and control products announced today that Minot State University has chosen Linktivity's WebInteractive server solution to provide online training and support for students

Minot State University will use WebInteractive to more effectively train and support over 1,800 online and mixed-mode students that need technical help or assistance with their online learning program.

“We saw a great deal of potential in Online Support for our program because it offered a means to train and support our students remotely and efficiently,” said Mark Timbrook, technology support specialist with the Office of Instructional Technology at Minot State University. “WebInteractive not only gives us the ability to provide real-time online training to our students, but also the flexibility to use it in other areas of our university such as remote access and support.”

Timbrook said Minot State’s Office of Instructional Technology has already noticed that WebInteractive is making a significant difference in the speed and effectiveness of help desk support.

“We’re very pleased with WebInteractive’s contribution to our quality of service,” Timbrook said. “Its simplicity and cost simply beat out the competition.”

WebInteractive is a Web-based, real-time software solution that requires no client software installation and is used within the customer support or online sales environment. In a higher education application such as that being used by Minot State University, an instructor or technical support professional connects with students through the Internet or via intranets and extranets. The instructor can chat, utilize desktop sharing, and provide virtual demonstrations and training in real time. By utilizing those same applications, technical support professionals can quickly and easily resolve student-client support issues. The software capabilities allow a technical support representative to more easily recognize the problem being experienced by the student and, in turn, provide a real-time, hands-on solution. Previously, the support rep would have to visualize the problem and then blindly guide the user toward a solution.

About Inter-Tel, Incorporated
Inter-Tel (Nasdaq: INTL - news) offers value-driven communications products; applications utilizing networks and server-based communications software; and a wide range of managed services that include voice and data network design and traffic provisioning, custom application development, and financial solutions packages. An industry-leading provider focused on the communication needs of business enterprises, Inter-Tel employs over 1,900 communications professionals, and services business customers through a network of approximately 57 company-owned, direct sales offices and over 350 authorized providers in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan. More information is available at www.inter-tel.com.

About Minot State University
Minot State University is a comprehensive public university founded in 1913. Among its offerings are nearly 60 undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs. The tree-lined campus is located in the heart of Minot, a friendly community of 36,500 people that serves a regional center for shopping, entertainment and medicine. The University is home to about 4,000 students, and is comprised of 21 buildings including seven classroom structures, a 900-seat concert hall, a 225-seat theater, two art galleries and a domed athletic facility. While the campus measures 102 acres, its main residential and academic facilities are conveniently situated within a two-by-six block area. Minot State University has been a leader among public universities in developing online education. About 100 courses, seven degrees – including two at the master’s level – and three certificate programs are offered online through the Center for Extended Learning. For more information, visit Minot State University.