Libertyville firm heats up network video services
About six years ago, Joe Gaucher was sitting at his kitchen table with six colleagues.
They weren't sharing a dinner. They were creating a company.
Libertyville-based Video Furnace (www.videofurnace.com), an Internet Protocol video solutions developer, was established and now serves some of the most prestigious universities, as well as companies and the U.S. government.
"We were talking about the technology of the future, and wouldn't it be great to just go up to a hole in the wall and plug into it and get everything you need," said Gaucher.
Video Furnace delivers live, pre-recorded video and video-on-demand to such network-connected devices as laptops and desktop computers. It does not require the user to install anything to the desktop or to add more hardware, he said.
The Internet Protocol video system has roughly 2.5 million users in businesses, universities and government agencies. They include Northwestern University, Dartmouth College and the U.S. Department of Defense.
The solutions allow students to see course videos in their dorm or another location instead of going to the library. Military officials can provide training films or messages to bases and allow soldiers and officers to watch when they're able.
The company has 15 employees and plans to hire another 10 by the end of this year, he said.
Howard Weinzimmer, one of the original investors, is the company's chief executive officer. He has a vision to help the company grow in the video industry, especially as high-definition video plays a bigger role.
"Eventually we'd like to extend video to international compatibility," said Weinzimmer.
Installation of the system ranges from $5,000 upward, depending on the needs of the customer's network.
The work is done by seasoned veterans; Weinzimmer is 62, Gaucher 59.
"There aren't a lot of 20-year-olds here," joked Weinzimmer.
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akukec@dailyherald.com