Internet conferencing software is useful for companies in need of a top-down and cost effective solution for web conferencing. Simply put, the organizer wants to provide information on the web live and simultaneously to multiple recipients, like conference calls on the telephone or slide show presentations in person. The recipients here should be able to participate with questions, polls, etc.
It is not difficult to find the most suitable product/service for this purpose, because the market is still new and not many providers can claim to be reputed and affordable. Those that do pass these litmus tests need to be further verified for certain attributes that are essential for web conferencing. Here is a listing of these attributes that will be useful in helping make the choice.
The first consideration is the cost, and it should either have a one-time purchase price as a product or a yearly fee for a hosted service. It's no good if there's a high metered usage system or a heavy monthly fee. After all, the main advantage to using such a solution is to minimize the cost in terms of time and money required for bringing together people in different locations. It's not much help if the solution itself costs a lot.
Another feature that matters is that the product/service should be easy to install and use. Web-based services don't need installation and can be simply run in a browser. Desktop-based applications will need installation, but it should be easy and should run without any bugs, and connection/integration issues.
Advanced features available in the latest versions today include streaming video support and desktop and application sharing. This means participants will be able to demonstrate and work together, rather than just explain verbally. Live video using web cams makes the application that much more useful and robust.
One very important and essential element of web conferencing software is the ability to record meetings. Businesses are increasingly paperless and everything is being done online. This necessitates a very comprehensive digital recording system. Companies have very clearly defined protocols for recording an online meeting, and it's important that the product/service should comply with these guidelines.
It is not difficult to find the most suitable product/service for this purpose, because the market is still new and not many providers can claim to be reputed and affordable. Those that do pass these litmus tests need to be further verified for certain attributes that are essential for web conferencing. Here is a listing of these attributes that will be useful in helping make the choice.
The first consideration is the cost, and it should either have a one-time purchase price as a product or a yearly fee for a hosted service. It's no good if there's a high metered usage system or a heavy monthly fee. After all, the main advantage to using such a solution is to minimize the cost in terms of time and money required for bringing together people in different locations. It's not much help if the solution itself costs a lot.
Another feature that matters is that the product/service should be easy to install and use. Web-based services don't need installation and can be simply run in a browser. Desktop-based applications will need installation, but it should be easy and should run without any bugs, and connection/integration issues.
Advanced features available in the latest versions today include streaming video support and desktop and application sharing. This means participants will be able to demonstrate and work together, rather than just explain verbally. Live video using web cams makes the application that much more useful and robust.
One very important and essential element of web conferencing software is the ability to record meetings. Businesses are increasingly paperless and everything is being done online. This necessitates a very comprehensive digital recording system. Companies have very clearly defined protocols for recording an online meeting, and it's important that the product/service should comply with these guidelines.
About the Author:
Author: Ken Morrison can assist you choose the right webinar software. For webinar software advice get his free tips on webinar software.
The Communication Blog
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