Multiple solutions.

Multimedia--the blending of video images, speech, text and sound with a personal computer--represents the newest level of excitement to hit the desktop. And it may be the best thing to ever happen to your business.

The applications of multimedia run the gamut: The ability to present business to potential clients in meetings or trade shows with a live interactive computer presentation instead of a flip chart; train 20 employees at once with a program that allows each person to ask the computer questions versus retaining a high-priced computer consultant; provide managers with vital reference materials that can be easily retrieved. In short, multimedia offers some of the most cost-effective ways to increase your business's competitiveness, add flair to your company image and give information to your employees.

What components make up a multimedia system? It starts with a computer, which acts as the control center. Then there's a CD-ROM drive, which is best described as a computer-controlled compact disc player used to store text and graphics instead of musical compositions. A CD-ROM employs the same technology as a CD, but it is able to provide audio plus hold up to 600 MB of information. In comparison, that means a complete encyclopedia or an entire state's phone directory.

Other hardware to add to build a multimedia environment, includes a VCR, camcorder, scanner, keyboard, laser disc and sound system. These devices allow you to incorporate data, animation and music into your multimedia capabilities.

An essential tool for turning the average computer into a media center is a Multimedia Authoring System, which "talks" to the computer and programs it to recognized, accept and perform the desired functions. Available for under $1,000, you can get a starter kit, which comes with a CD-ROM player and software. There's also an audio board that you can install in your PC.

In order to create a multimedia system, your PC should have at least 386 K of RAM, says Joel Dreyfuss, editor of PC Magazine. Dreyfuss estimates that the total investment ranges from $5,000 to $6,000.

"It's very cost-effective compared to the cost of producing just one professional-quality company video, which may have been tailored to one particular client," adds Dreyfuss. "After the initial investment, the system is yours to be used again and again to create or update presentations."

Dreyfuss also cites that unlike the $40-or $50-per-hour cost for using on-line data systems, information stored on CD-ROM discs can be accessed at will and used as long as necessary without mounting charges. Time-sensitive data, such as newspaper articles, may be stored on a CD-ROM.

Multimedia offers many possibilities for workplace education and training, which becomes less of a hassle. The computer is infinitely patient and programmable, whereas some instructors are not, says Dreyfuss. Also, most people won't suffer the anxiety of feeling stupid when they want something explained since they are only asking a computer, he adds.

Currently, the most active markets for multimedia are manufacturing and retailing, where large investments are made in the development of hardware and software. Philips Consumer Electronics Inc., Sony Corp., Apple Computer Inc., Tandy Corp. and IBM Corp. are just some of the big names that have committed to produce and promote multimedia systems.

"Multimedia software is the most exciting and dramatic development in personal computing," says Hart Fox, president of Advanced Strategies Corp., the administering body for the Multimedia Publishers Group.

"However, the industry faces some important challenges," Fox adds. "Current CD-ROM software has been hastily adapted from institutional material and lacks the kind of diversity, quality and content richness that will entice consumers to purchase it in sizable quantities."

However, Fox states that CD-ROM software, priced between $400 and $1,000, is still not attractive to consumers. It can be argued that PC software was at one time priced in that range, but once the computer craze caught on, consumers happily paid the price.

Other exciting multimedia products include Philips' Interactive CD player (CD-I) and Eastman Kodak's Photo CD player. Interactive CD is a worldwide consumer standard for audio, video data and user-controlled applications. The CD-I, which retails for $1,000 attaches to a standard television set and operates by a remote control device.

The Photo CD lets the user actually see his or her favorite photographs on television, with sound added if desired. This process involves taking ordinary 35mm film and converting it to a photo CD instead of or in addition to regular photographs.

The CD is then played on Kodak's Photo CD player, which also doubles as a hi-fi audio CD player. Scheduled to debut this summer, the player is expected to sell for less than $500 and the cost of film processing is estimated at less than $15 per roll.

For additional information on multimedia systems, contact the Multimedia Products Corp., Spring Valley, N.Y.(914-426-0400); for software information, contact the Multimedia Publishers Group, Great Neck, N.Y. (516-482-0088); and for interactive CD, contract the CD-Interactive Information Bureau, c/o The Rowland Co., Los Angeles, Calif. (310-930-2882).