The ESSAI teleshopping system: an example of a broadband multimedia application

The goal of the paper is to show how the progress in multimedia and communication technologies makes possible the implementation of an effective teleshopping application, based on a unique control center connected through a network to a large number of remote low cost vending terminals. In the paper, the advantages that this centralized, network-based architecture has over a distributed one is highlighted and the lessons learned through the operation of a first prototype installed in Milan reported. This application is being studied and developed by a Consortium of 13 European Companies and Research Institutions in the frame of the RACE Project 2029 ESSAI, sponsored by the EEC.