News

Scotswoman scores 'Second Life' Gold

Michael Feeley | Friday May 29, 2009

 

Dunfermline businesswoman Pauline Randall’s office looks out over sparkling blue oceans, lapping around lush, landscaped gardens and she can fly to meetings in an instant – all in her Virtual World business park.  This week, (Wednesday 27th May, San Francisco) it was announced she is the first, and only, Scottish company accepted into Linden Lab’s Gold Solution Provider Program in recognition of her experience and expertise in helping companies enter and operate in Second Life.

Pauline runs her company, virtual-e, to recreate 3D replica offices and buildings online for organisations like Imperial College, London, Ashridge Business School, CyMAL - Wales Museums and Libraries and the University of Hawaii.  In these online spaces, organisations can host virtual meetings, collaborative working, product training and demonstrations – even international conferences, without the cost and hassle of travel.  Medical colleges are using virtual worlds for training young doctors in diagnosing patients and businesses find them an innovative way to manage 360 degree presentations on new products.

She explains, “Although Second Life has been around for about 5 years, it is still a relatively new opportunity and for organisations who are innovative, who want to stand out from the crowd and to get the very best value for money, it is a great move. In April this year, $27.3 million were handled online, so it is growing rapidly.”

Randall is a key member of the Fife based group, TechnetFife, for networking, discussions and information for technology companies in Fife, which already has a space in her virtual business park and she is currently offering Scottish companies the chance to rent a space in her virtual-e business park to see the benefits it can offer without the commitment of buying their own virtual space.

Dr Lindsay Fielding who runs TechnetFife is a huge supporter of the Virtual Worlds concept: “Virtual Worlds like Second Life are a great way to add value to your business both for your employees in meetings and training, but also as a new way to do international business from your own desk. This is great news for Pauline and, of course, we are delighted that one of our members is leading the way in Scotland.”

www.virtual-e.co.uk

www.technetfife.co.uk

Digg this article

Technorati tags: , , ,