I use web conference rooms daily in my business. For me it's just second nature. I realize that not everyone is as up to date on web conference room technology. Hopefully this post will help explain how web conference rooms came to be a household business tool in my business.
Face-to-face, across-the-table meetings are a basic part of organizational life. Today, however, organizations, both for profit and non-profit, are turning increasingly to Web conferencing services to provide online seminars (Webinars), training, technical assistance, and old time conference meetings. How does web conferencing services work and what tools do you need to begin the process yourself?
The field of Web conferencing service software is growing at a phenomenal pace. In the summer of 1994 there were two products in the category--both primitive freeware packages. By 1996, there were over 60 products that supported Web conference rooms on the market, and the growth continues at an excellerated rate. With the increased competition has come much higher quality web conference rooms and more affordable prices.
This tremendous increase has been driven in partly by expensess--no hotel bills, no airplane tickets, no lost productivity sitting in airports--in short, no expensive travel costs. A valuable saving of both time and money. Secondly, convenience is a major player. All you need to conference face-to-face with any other person in the world is a an Internet-connected computer.
The largest single factor driving the demand for Web conferencing sevice, however, is often over looked. Unlike earlier technologies that replaced personal meetings (telephone and e-mail, for example), Web conferencing services allows for multi communication, combining visual, vocal, and written. Because of this multi communication nature, web conferencing can appeal to different learning styles and offers organizations the ability to much of what they could previously do only in face-to-face meetings.
How does Web conferencing services work? Participants join a web conference designed by the meeting moderator or presenter. While in the web conference, participants can see the presenter's Power Point slides, take Web tours, and interact using the whiteboard. Additional interactive text messaging allow participants to ask questions and vote on certain topics.
Also becoming more common are application-sharing features that allow presenters to provide one-on-one help, and some services offer VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and video so that speech and video are sent via Internet. It is now possible for a large group of people to share data and graphics without having to gather in the same physical location.
The possibilities are endless! Think about it...
If your business has clients or offices in a variety of locations across the country or around the world you probably spend a fairly large amount of money each month on long distance bills. With today's affordable Web conferencing technology, you can consolidate all of your communication needs into one bill. If the company had it's own in-house dedicated server any company can have complete control over its communication network, while saving you money at the same time.
Certain key considerations must be taken into account when choosing a Web conferencingservice. Price...in this relatively young field prices are all over the scale. And the most expensive product may not be the one that best fits your individual needs.
Operating system support might be a determining factor, depending on whether you are running Unix servers or Windows servers. Macintosh users are more limited for some web conferenceing services. VereConference Web Conference Rooms are accessible with Macintosh.
If you have limited access to your Web server, you should choose a product that can be installed and administered easily, so administrative capabilities is an additional consideration. VereConference Web Conference Rooms are an excellent choice in this situation.
Another important factor is the personalization potential or the ability to customize the product to fit your unique style and business needs. Some products offer a great deal of flexibility, while some web conferencing systems, particularly freeware products, come with full source code, allowing you to change anything you would desire.
When choosing a web conferencing service, take your time, do the research, and make a careful analysis of your needs. This will help you find the web conferencing product that is best suited for your particular circumstance.
I might be a little biased but don't forget to take a close look at the VereConference Web Conferencing Services. It's one of the best systems available for the price. Another BIG plus is the free live online training that teaches you how to use and be comfortable presentating in your web conference room.
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Cindy McAsey
Barefoot in the Garden
888.272.6701
Web Conference Service
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