Video Conferencing – a Consultants Perspective
Posted in Size Business on 01/28/2010 01:08 am by
Archive for January, 2010
Online Web Conferencing
Posted in Communications on 01/16/2010 02:32 am by
Nathalie Fiset asked:
Online web conferencing is seen by a lot of people today as the next evolution of business. Through This method opf communication, people are able to both network in order to increase the resources of their companies and still be up-to-date on the status of those companies in order to provide direction. There are, however, certain limitations to this relatively new piece of technology that few people learn to consider. As you may realize, knowing the limitation of a tool enables a person to know the fullest extent to which it can be utilized. This means that by assessing the limitations of this valuable tool, you will be able to use it in the best way possible.
One of the biggest advantages that people get from online conferencing is the ability to send data in different forms through long distances. People who make use of this method of conferencing often do so because phone conferencing may not be enough to meet their needs. Online web conferencing offers a variety of ways through which people may be able to send information.
You should first consider the fact that today, through VOIP technology the internet actually offers people a chance to use the internet as a cheaper phone solution. Voice over the Internet Protocol actually allows people to make use of their computers as telephones which can be a much cheaper option than making long-distance calls for a teleconference.
Speaking of options, the different types of long distance conferencing software today actually lets people share more than just their voice. With the different types of technology available today, people are actually able to minimize the effects of distance. They are able to communicate visually, using the web cam. They are also able to send various presentations and documents which could be invaluable in helping others understand the objective of their communication.
Through online web conferencing, you will be able to make sure that the people you want to understand and grasp the import of your message will be able to do so. As you may know, a great part of communication depends on how the receiver perceives a message. By making use of this very versatile piece of technology, you will be able to make sure that you did everything possible to send the message clearly.
This does not mean, however, that online conferencing is perfect. There are actually certain disadvantages faced by people who make use of this technology. The first disadvantage lies in the fact that the technology is still at an early stage of development. Despite the fact that a lot of people today use web conferencing technology casually, there are still a lot of bugs with the system.
Because of the fact that the technology used in an internet meeting is still quite new, people often find that the technology can’t exactly live up to their highest expectations. One example is with video conferencing. Today’s technology allows people to communicate through video. A lot of people expect the experience to be quite similar to actually talking face to face -an idea proliferated by many science fiction movies. However, we haven’t gotten that far yet with technology.
As of today, people still have not found a way of merging the camera and the display which means that you can’t really see eye to eye with whomever you are talking to through the web cam. This can present problems for someone who is used to communicating through eye contact. Online web conferencing just is not the same as actually meeting and talking to someone.
Another disadvantage of web meetings lies in the fact that not many people are proficient enough with the technology to make it practical for common use. This is the reason why a lot of companies still offer online conferencing as a service. Only a few companies have people who can actually set up online web conferences on demand. Others just have to rely on outside help.
When you avail of online web conferencing services, it is always important to make sure that you have technical support to help you out if you have any trouble with the technology. Other than that, you should be able to enjoy the advantages brought to you by the progress of technology.
Allison
Online web conferencing is seen by a lot of people today as the next evolution of business. Through This method opf communication, people are able to both network in order to increase the resources of their companies and still be up-to-date on the status of those companies in order to provide direction. There are, however, certain limitations to this relatively new piece of technology that few people learn to consider. As you may realize, knowing the limitation of a tool enables a person to know the fullest extent to which it can be utilized. This means that by assessing the limitations of this valuable tool, you will be able to use it in the best way possible.
One of the biggest advantages that people get from online conferencing is the ability to send data in different forms through long distances. People who make use of this method of conferencing often do so because phone conferencing may not be enough to meet their needs. Online web conferencing offers a variety of ways through which people may be able to send information.
You should first consider the fact that today, through VOIP technology the internet actually offers people a chance to use the internet as a cheaper phone solution. Voice over the Internet Protocol actually allows people to make use of their computers as telephones which can be a much cheaper option than making long-distance calls for a teleconference.
Speaking of options, the different types of long distance conferencing software today actually lets people share more than just their voice. With the different types of technology available today, people are actually able to minimize the effects of distance. They are able to communicate visually, using the web cam. They are also able to send various presentations and documents which could be invaluable in helping others understand the objective of their communication.
Through online web conferencing, you will be able to make sure that the people you want to understand and grasp the import of your message will be able to do so. As you may know, a great part of communication depends on how the receiver perceives a message. By making use of this very versatile piece of technology, you will be able to make sure that you did everything possible to send the message clearly.
This does not mean, however, that online conferencing is perfect. There are actually certain disadvantages faced by people who make use of this technology. The first disadvantage lies in the fact that the technology is still at an early stage of development. Despite the fact that a lot of people today use web conferencing technology casually, there are still a lot of bugs with the system.
Because of the fact that the technology used in an internet meeting is still quite new, people often find that the technology can’t exactly live up to their highest expectations. One example is with video conferencing. Today’s technology allows people to communicate through video. A lot of people expect the experience to be quite similar to actually talking face to face -an idea proliferated by many science fiction movies. However, we haven’t gotten that far yet with technology.
As of today, people still have not found a way of merging the camera and the display which means that you can’t really see eye to eye with whomever you are talking to through the web cam. This can present problems for someone who is used to communicating through eye contact. Online web conferencing just is not the same as actually meeting and talking to someone.
Another disadvantage of web meetings lies in the fact that not many people are proficient enough with the technology to make it practical for common use. This is the reason why a lot of companies still offer online conferencing as a service. Only a few companies have people who can actually set up online web conferences on demand. Others just have to rely on outside help.
When you avail of online web conferencing services, it is always important to make sure that you have technical support to help you out if you have any trouble with the technology. Other than that, you should be able to enjoy the advantages brought to you by the progress of technology.
Allison
Web Conferencing Services: Meetings in Cyberspace
Posted in Communications on 01/09/2010 07:42 pm by
Jay Moncliff asked:
Many firms today are looking to cut costs wherever they can. Annual meetings, trainings, product launches, employee meetings and other similar corporate events are traditionally expensive propositions. Web conferencing services can reduce the costs of these meetings and gatherings drastically.
A web conference allows groups of individuals in different locations to have online meetings and discussions via the world wide web. Large corporations, small businesses, families and educational institutions are all taking advantage of this new form of communication. However, most web conferencing is currently done in the business sector.
By reducing the amount of face-to-face meetings, companies are able to reduce travel expenses, meeting costs and overhead. Web conferencing provides the same business to business or business to client interaction at a fraction of the cost.
Utilizing web conferencing services reduces lateness and absenteeism to company meetings, since the meetings are easier and quicker to attend. Employees can view the web cast at a common location or at their own personal computers, depending on how the conference is configured. Additionally, materials and information can be shared equally, making participation more uniform and useful.
Companies that specialize in providing web conferencing services abound on the internet. There is a software and application for almost every size business, and prices vary as widely as the sophistication of the software. Most companies charge per minute, per person, or on a flat rate basis, so be sure to review the rate structure as it pertains to your business.
Some of the companies that provide web conferencing services limit themselves to Windows and Internet Explorer, but others are expanding into Firefox and some of the other browsers. Webex works with the Internet Explorer browser and Windows and is one of the most popular web conferencing services out there. You may also want to check out other providers who charge a flat monthly fee like eBoardroom Suite at about $250 per month if you are planning on heavy utilization.
Microsoft Office LiveMeeting offers any user visiting its website a free 2 week trial. You can have your first web meeting on them. The trial includes meetings with up to 10 attendees for the first 14 days, the ability to embed a web page into your meetings and have all of the participants view it, application sharing and live polling capabilities. After the free trial, you may decide to purchase the software or go with another carrier. With their full software you can even choose to record or archive your meeting.
Whatever software you choose, investigate costs carefully. Price plans vary widely, so decide how you’ll be using the software in advance and choose a plan that will allow you the most access at the least cost. Since some plans charge per participant and others charge per minute, preplanning and choosing the correct plan can make web conferencing services a bargain!
Dorothy
Many firms today are looking to cut costs wherever they can. Annual meetings, trainings, product launches, employee meetings and other similar corporate events are traditionally expensive propositions. Web conferencing services can reduce the costs of these meetings and gatherings drastically.
A web conference allows groups of individuals in different locations to have online meetings and discussions via the world wide web. Large corporations, small businesses, families and educational institutions are all taking advantage of this new form of communication. However, most web conferencing is currently done in the business sector.
By reducing the amount of face-to-face meetings, companies are able to reduce travel expenses, meeting costs and overhead. Web conferencing provides the same business to business or business to client interaction at a fraction of the cost.
Utilizing web conferencing services reduces lateness and absenteeism to company meetings, since the meetings are easier and quicker to attend. Employees can view the web cast at a common location or at their own personal computers, depending on how the conference is configured. Additionally, materials and information can be shared equally, making participation more uniform and useful.
Companies that specialize in providing web conferencing services abound on the internet. There is a software and application for almost every size business, and prices vary as widely as the sophistication of the software. Most companies charge per minute, per person, or on a flat rate basis, so be sure to review the rate structure as it pertains to your business.
Some of the companies that provide web conferencing services limit themselves to Windows and Internet Explorer, but others are expanding into Firefox and some of the other browsers. Webex works with the Internet Explorer browser and Windows and is one of the most popular web conferencing services out there. You may also want to check out other providers who charge a flat monthly fee like eBoardroom Suite at about $250 per month if you are planning on heavy utilization.
Microsoft Office LiveMeeting offers any user visiting its website a free 2 week trial. You can have your first web meeting on them. The trial includes meetings with up to 10 attendees for the first 14 days, the ability to embed a web page into your meetings and have all of the participants view it, application sharing and live polling capabilities. After the free trial, you may decide to purchase the software or go with another carrier. With their full software you can even choose to record or archive your meeting.
Whatever software you choose, investigate costs carefully. Price plans vary widely, so decide how you’ll be using the software in advance and choose a plan that will allow you the most access at the least cost. Since some plans charge per participant and others charge per minute, preplanning and choosing the correct plan can make web conferencing services a bargain!
Dorothy