Jamie Simpson asked:




In today’s business world, a working group or team does not always constitute a group of people in the same physical location. For the team to have optimum efficiency, there must be constant collaboration and as much personal communication as possible. Often, a team working on a project consists of members who may be in different departments, different offices, and sometimes different cities. To ensure there is synergy on the team and maximum communication between team members, frequent personal interaction needs to occur and sometimes that can be difficult when team members are dispersed.

There are a number of tools that are used for collaboration to substitute for physical proximity. Conference calling has been a longtime collaborative tool for meetings with remote members, and instant messaging is a great tool to keep in touch with specific associates. There are also a myriad of presentation software tools that enable one presenter to project a presentation to audience members anywhere in the world with internet connectivity. Most of these implements are sufficient to carry out most of the tasks required to complete the job but collaboration requires more than completing tasks.

Though all of the above tools are excellent accessories for collaboration, they all lack the personal touch often needed for the ultimate fulfillment of team harmony. More and more companies are moving towards video conferencing to achieve complete collaboration. Next to physically assembling the group in the same room, video conferencing, sometimes called teleconferencing, is the next best thing. This enables all members of the meeting to view each other on a computer screen, often projected on to a large screen. The video conference usually includes both video and audio and the team can interact with each other during the meeting and a more cohesive spirit prevails.

For the video conference to be effective it must have excellent quality, and that means that both the equipment must be sufficient and there must be enough bandwidth so that neither the audio nor the video portion of the video conference breaks up or breaks down. Because a poor quality video conference is more frustrating than not having the meeting at all, it is necessary to purchase the required elements to make this happen. Several vendors offer good video conferencing hardware, and most service providers can have bandwidth reserved for the duration of the video conference.

Bandwidth for video conferencing should be both sufficient and reserved because audio and video require not only low delay but also low jitter which means variance of delay, in other words any delay at all must be consistent. Longer delay for some packets and shorter delay for other packets during transmission will cause choppiness that is similar to a bad cell phone video where movement is not fluid. Bandwidth management companies can provide users with bandwidth management hardware but they must be placed at each location and can be rather expensive for just this application. Requesting bandwidth management through the service provider is a less expensive option.

Joseph

Conferencing asked:

]]> http://comparewebconferences.com/68/federal-candidate-promotes-video-conferencing/feed/ 0 http://comparewebconferences.com/76/is-e-learning-replacing-traditional-education/ http://comparewebconferences.com/76/is-e-learning-replacing-traditional-education/#comments Sat, 04 Dec 2010 12:47:35 +0000 Software]]> http://comparewebconferences.com/76/is-e-learning-replacing-traditional-education/

Illuminator asked:




Education provides roadmap to uprising an individual, society, community or whole nation. Although it is important that what the stuff is included in education pack but more important is the method to educate someone. Today a new way of education is not only becoming a strong substitute of traditional learning but gradually replacing it. History of nations describe that human always resist against any change in tradition, then why E-learning is being adopted so rapidly. What is the reason behind this revolution? Human psyche tells that it adopt the things which are nearer to nature. Designing of E-learning is according to human mentality. Getting knowledge was never much easy in the history. Now knowledge is at your door step. Just click and get it. All this is possible due to distance learning solutions.

Distance learning is a way to get knowledge through web video conferencing . Students do not need to attend classes physically. A web cam, microphone and internet connection at computer can facilitate them to access virtual class room. History of distance learning is started from Europe in 1800’s. In the beginning, distance learning process was simple. Education institutes started it as extra service of education. Later on it become a complete industry and today distance learning is a strong alternate of traditional education system. In present days, this revolutionary education system has following forms. Correspondence courses, online education, internet based education, electronic education, e-education, electronic learning and E-learning. However there are no opportunities of extracurricular activities, college games, and class room discussions but getting knowledge without leaving home is a great benefit for students. Let us analyze some other benefits of distance learning solutions.

Cost effective learning :

Reducing travelling and study cost is most significant factor of distance learning. E-learning institutes provide this facility at very low rates because it saves building rents, maintains costs, salaries cost reduction and other miscellanies costs of physical infrastructure. It saves most important cost of time. Anyone can get education without leaving his busy routine.

High quality education:

Without any geographical boundary restriction, someone can contact with high caliber instructors to deliver knowledge. It eliminates the hurdle to stick with the teachers, which college or university provides. You can choose your own instructor.

Reliable delivery of knowledge:

Consistency and reliability of education is possible in distance learning. Knowledge becomes high involvement service for a student. It enables flexible schedule and privacy while learning. Someone can manage his home or office activities along with getting knowledge.

Customized courses :

Choose your own courses and establish own study roadmap. In opposition to traditional education, students are not necessary to stick with the courses which university offers. Some distance learning courses are additional than college or university syllabus. Virtual class room provides this opportunity to get value-added courses to E-learning students.

Admission in multiple universities:

Distance learning facilitates the students to take admission in multiple universities at same time around the globe. Picking desired courses, consulting with own selected instructors and getting admission in various universities at same time is a great competitive edge of distance learning system. One to Many web video conferencing provides such benefits to those students, who want to get nontraditional education through internet.

Up-to-date syllabus:

Distance learning services recommend up to date packages of courses. world is spinning rapidly, so more and more opportunities in business, finance, social life, civilization, politics, science, and all other sectors are generating fresh education. Traditional universities take time to replace old syllabus with new ones, but is E-learning, control panel is in front of students. He can search and choose syllabus according to wish. Before getting E-learning services, you must understand that medium of E-learning is video conferencing. it enables a student to access his teacher. If education is high quality and low price, but web conferencing equipments and solutions do not support it properly then be conscious that there may be hazards in the way of education. Choose best quality One to Many web video conferencing software and solutions for a better E-learning services.



Jamie

Lucy P. Roberts asked:




The words web conferencing encompass so many functions these days that
sometimes people aren’t sure what really falls under the umbrella of the term
and what doesn’t. Is web conferencing an activity, a type of software, or a set
of features? In the simplest terms, the answer is “yes” to all three questions
– it can be all of these things in one form or another. To understand how that
can be, you need to understand the basics of how web conferencing works.
Web conferencing is basically any kind of collaborative conference that takes
place via the World Wide Web between two or more participants in different
locations. It doesn’t matter if they are in different rooms or halfway around
the world from each other, so long as the meeting is being conducted over the
Internet. Audio, text or video can be utilized for communicating, sometimes in
real time, sometimes in an asynchronous environment, depending upon the type of
web conferencing system being used.
Add-ons make all the difference
The key to web conferencing, however, is that it always includes additional
components that take it beyond simply communicating back and forth as though
using a video phone system. Web conferencing enhances communication with the
addition of several other collaborative technologies to enhance meeting
functionality. Some of these may include:
Co-browsing of the Internet Text messaging Applications and file sharing Desktop sharing PowerPoint presentations White boards Surveying Meeting rooms or private URLs Store, record and replay capabilities Scheduling programs Web conferencing works by combining one of more of these additional elements
with the audio/video elements of conferencing so that participants can have what
seems to be literally an “in the room” meeting with visual aids, shared papers
and files and exchanges of information in real time.
Co-browsing
This is the ability for two or more remote members of a web conference to
simultaneously browse the same sites on the Internet. It can be a very effective
customer service tool — walking an important client through information on a
corporate website as you are conferencing is an effective and personal touch. It
can also be used to walk customers through specs or product descriptions during
a sale while you are on the line with them.
Text messaging
The traditional instant messaging option, which is great for sending
questions around during a presentation or when you want a hard copy of a
response. It can also be used in lieu of audio when audible conferencing isn’t
practical.
Applications and file sharing
This isn’t just zapping a file back and forth via email. This means actually
sharing a file or files and applications because you have a shared workspace to
be used and accessed by all members of your conference group.
You can tailor file sharing so that documents you show may be simply viewed
by everyone in your conference group, with all of your ongoing edits being
visible, or so that others may also do real-time edits of the document from
their remote location.
In fact, you may grant access to your own desktop during the conference if
you wish to allow access to your applications. This is the desktop sharing
feature, and is quite a common feature for technical conferencing with computer
systems specialists who need to be able to network into your computer to see
what’s up if there is a problem.
Other web conferencing functions
PowerPoint presentations, the dearly loved presentation tool, can be
simultaneously presented to all participants in your web conference for visual
impact. With file sharing, everyone can download and keep the presentation for
future reference.
White boards are just like the marker boards in a real office, but
done online. You may set them for broadcast only so that everyone can see your
mark-ups and additions in real time, or make them interactive so that all
participants can make their own changes and revisions to the board.
If your conferences rely on feedback from participants, automatic
surveying features can be built in to make it easy to tabulate and record
responses. Store, record and reply capabilities also make it easy to
record entire conferences for later playback. If someone misses a conference,
they can replay it at a later date and reply at their leisure to individual or
group participants.
Scheduling programs make web conferencing quick and easy by sending
alerts to participants and updating and synchronizing group web conference
calendars. A variety of security features include encryption to prevent
tampering by those outside the conference administrative team.
There’s a web conference solution for every size business
Ten years ago web conferencing was the domain of enterprise size businesses
because it was a costly, high-end investment. It only made sense if a company
was going to use it on a very large scale to defray the hefty price tag.
However, with Internet costs going down and broadband connections making web
conferencing more practical, more web conferencing options have become
available. And, as always happens, with competition comes competitive pricing.
Today there are web conferencing packages from enterprise solutions to small
business packages.
Enterprise Solutions
The leaders in enterprise level web conferencing have always been WebEx and
Raindance. Both of these providers offer a choice of bundled options that
provide everything you could think of in the way of web conferencing bells and
whistles.
WebEx offers a variety of options, including Meeting Center, Training Center,
and Support Center, all web conferencing applications designed with specific
corporate needs in mind. One of their stand-out offerings is Presentation
Studio, an on-demand web conferencing application that can be used to offer
training tips, sales presentations and follow-ups to whole teams or entire
companies at the convenience of each staff member.
WebEx’s SMARTTech is a web based technical support application that enables
access to thousands of centrally linked computers. It uses web conferencing for
applications only access to do routine maintenance, software upgrades and
troubleshooting remotely, even without the remote operator present.
Raindance excels at client service, providing support personnel for those
enterprise level clients who may need support in the event they only
occasionally use web conferencing. You can contact Raindance and have a personal
assistant aid you with your Web Conferencing Pro conference for up to 2,500
participants, from pre-polling participants to wrap-up and maintaining a
participant list for your corporate records.
Raindance Meeting Edition is for smaller groups and provides greater
interactivity. Moderator features like muting, chat and participant disconnect
mean precise control of all meetings for the leader of any group.
SMEs and SOHOs can choose leaner versions of web conferencing
Small and medium enterprise businesses have a wide range of choices right now
because the market is filled with web conferencing companies that provide
mid-range services in a buffet-style so that they can pick a range of features
to fit their needs. Some of the better known web conferencing companies in this
mid range include IMConferencing, Communicast and GoToMeeting.
Small office and home office users have less choice simply because they don’t
have the available cash flow (in most cases) to spend on a regular web
conferencing solution that would tie them to multiple users on a regular basis.
Fortunately, in most cases they also don’t need to be networking via the web
with 2,000 people simultaneously, so they won’t necessarily be missing the
features that aren’t available in the more streamlined offerings for SOHOs. Two
leaders for small business web conferencing that do provide reliable service are
GRCLive and Voxwire, although their approaches are quite different.
GRCLive caters to the small business owner who will grow into a medium-sized
business owner, or the medium business owner who is just starting out with web
conferencing. The company offers three levels: GRC Lite, which can link 5-10
users for text chat and document sharing with a few other features, but no audio
or video (a good start for those not yet comfortable with broadcast style
meetings), GRC Business Edition, which adds audio and video, and GRC Pro, which
significantly increases the users capability. The costs range from $30 to $500
per month, with options and price differences within each group.
Voxwire is a “strictly basics” web conferencing service. Yes, you can post
documents for viewing. Yes, you can do audio/video conferencing and text
messaging. No, you can’t have a white board or document interactivity. The

beauty of Voxwire is the price; you can have ten people in a virtual conference
room for unlimited use for only $29.95 a month — much less than your long
distance bills would be. If you have a home office and one person you regularly
need to contact, get a personal meeting room for only $9.95 a month for the two
of you and talk all you want.
Web conferencing will continue to grow and expand, with new features and more
interactive features every year. As the global community and Internet
connectivity continues to explode, it’s only natural that more and more
companies will take advantage of how easy it is to bring their far-flung teams
together with web conferencing.
This article on the “How Web Conferencing Works” reprinted with
permission.

Copyright

]]> http://comparewebconferences.com/186/how-web-conferencing-works-exposing-the-realities-of-virtual-collaboration/feed/ 0 http://comparewebconferences.com/184/avail-the-beneficial-services-of-web-conferencing-collaboration/ http://comparewebconferences.com/184/avail-the-beneficial-services-of-web-conferencing-collaboration/#comments Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:41:37 +0000 http://comparewebconferences.com/184/avail-the-beneficial-services-of-web-conferencing-collaboration/

Dinesh Kharakiya asked:




Technology has no definition as it has surpassed a way beyond its own competencies. We all are surrounded with the offsprings of technology. Among which the communication technology has given us the greatest relief. Various communication means like e-mailing, chatting, instant messaging are some of the most popular medium to stay connected with a distant person. And with this pace of evolution, web conferencing collaboration has become the powerful tool which has provided a great assistance not only to many homes but companies as well. Video web conferencing allows people to watch at their own place without spending too much expense for travelling and meeting them. But this requires an individual set up via internet in an account.

Video conferencing- A great advantage

An online communication is a real time communication which involves two or more individuals conversing via internet by either typing or making use of the advanced techniques like VOIP. This technique has rendered a real experience of watching live activities of an individual who might be sitting thousand miles away. Incurring the expense lesser than an international call or travel, it only charge the expense of internet. It requires the installation of the basic software which are meant for voice and video conferencing. One of the such software is Skype which has initiated its services in serving people their web conferencing facility.

Apart from conversing, it also enable the user to share documents while communicating. Documents can be shared, downloaded and can be seen simultaneously while having a discourse. It also facilitates the process of projects by downloading and editing the documents at the same time with both the users. Now the travelling and meeting expense and waste of time has been reduced tremendously by the grace of web conferencing. This has consequently improved the services and performances of the organizations that do not requires their employees to fly off miles away for meeting now.

Many companies are now taking advantages of such video conferencing techniques by organizing web meetings, webinars and likewise. This also allows them to share important documents and files in the course of their conference. This technique has also resulted in online collaboration between individuals or companies irrespective of their geographical distances. Therefore, now number of companies are now subscribing to such miraculous services.

Steve

Michael Framer asked:




AT&T has rolled out its Telepresence Solution, a compelling new way to communicate domestically as well as internationally. Available in 75 countries, AT&T takes international conference calls and transforms them into vivid, life-size teleconferences. While this technology allows for an “in person” meeting experience via complex video conferencing systems and HD television sets, it’s not necessarily the end of international conference calling as we now know it. In fact, global collaboration and virtual meetings using existing technologies have been occurring for many years.

What does AT&T’s Telepresence Solution do? It enables international callers to conduct face-to-face meetings without having to travel, potentially saving participants thousands of dollars in travel expenses and eliminating the hassles of international travel. AT&T offers this solution as a managed telepresence service where AT&T owns the equipment and bills customers each month for the service. This arrangement eliminates the need for upfront investments in equipment and ensures budget predictability. Optionally, AT&T can integrate the solution with customer-owned equipment. In addition to installing equipment at the sites of Telepresence Solution customers, third parties such as Marriott Hotels are getting into the act by creating Telepresence Solution rooms and making them available for rent.

Unlike traditional international conference calls, taking advantage of this new technology requires all parties to attend the teleconference at a site equipped with the Telepresence Solution. While it may be inconvenient to book a meeting room equipped with the technology, it’s better than having to fly around the globe in order to attend a physical meeting.

Video conferencing, whether in full high definition video or standard video, coupled with international conference calling remains one of the best ways to control costs while also facilitating international collaboration. Existing video Web conferencing technology is readily available with participants being able to attend using standard office equipment such as a computer with Internet access and a phone. Inexpensive webcams add video to the mix, allowing for virtual face-to-face meetings from around the globe.

Hosting a video Web conference in conjunction with international conference calling technologies allows for better sound quality than using built-in microphones and sending audio over the Internet. An integrated conference with a phone bridge is ideal as participants can speak to one another over the phone line while interacting onscreen. File sharing and desktop sharing further enhance the conference, making for a full-fledged, real time collaboration tool.

AT&T’s Telepresence Solution as well as international conference calls and video Web conferences offer similar benefits including: a global reach, improved communications, faster decision making, and reduced financial and environmental impacts.

For example, international conference calls and Web conferencing technologies allow you to interact, in real time, with your colleagues and partners located in hundreds of countries. By being able to see and hear each other, communications become more personable and misunderstandings less frequent. Non-verbal communications allow everyone to better understand the nuances being expressed – nuances and subtleties that would otherwise be missed or misinterpreted. This is especially important when your team is made up of culturally diverse team members.

In addition, since international conference calling takes place in real time, decisions are made faster. Rather than a drawn-out exchange of emails with long delays due to time zone differences, well scheduled international conference calls and Web conferences ensure that the information is exchanged promptly and questions addressed immediately.

Finally, international conference calling and Web video conferencing dramatically reduce travel costs and carbon emissions due to the elimination of air travel. As you tally up the savings in these areas alone, a strong case for these alternatives to physical meetings emerges.

Whether you’re waiting for AT&T’s Telepresence Solution to become a viable option for your organization or want to start saving money on your international collaboration efforts, using today’s existing technologies such as video Web conferencing and international conference calling is a smart move you can begin using right now.

Raymond

Tracey Roper asked:




We live in a remarkable world. Over the last 20 years, technology (internet technology in particular) has revolutionised the way businesses operate. The rate of advancement shows no sign of abating, and organisations that succeed in riding the crest of the wave will experience unprecedented levels of efficiency, productivity and profitability. Web conferencing is fundamentally altering the way companies do business.

Impact on business travel. For many companies, travel budgets represent a significant portion of their operating costs. Previously, important or high value business transactions between parties in different geographical regions meant that associated travel was a necessary part of the process. This is no longer the case. Web conferencing allows for the creation of virtual meetings where the same ends can be achieved without a plane ticket ever being purchased or a fuel tank ever being filled.

Effective product promotion. Companies now benefit from an easy and economical avenue for promoting their products to customers and retailers. They are able to reach a wider audience than ever before, quicker than ever before. Important product launches can be done in real time over the internet, and the cost to the company is relatively minuscule. For businesses with offices in multiple locations, the advantages when it comes to product training are also substantial. One well planned web conference can eliminate the need for multiple trips to various locations, along with the associated time required to repeat the presentation.

Improved communications and professional relationships. Similarly, web conferencing software is useful for enhancing working relationships between employees in different locations who otherwise would never interact with one another to that degree. Clearer and healthier communication channels benefit the employees, the business, and its customers.

Working remotely. Web conferencing allows employees to effectively work remotely, no longer being tied down to a brick and mortar office. Whether that be working from home in order to reduce travel time and costs, or staying connected during necessary business trips, productivity scarcely has to miss a beat as the virtual office is taken practically anywhere at any time.

Reduction in operation costs. In addition to the reduction in travel costs, conferencing software is also able to drastically reduce telephone costs, which can be considerable for any business. The software completely bypasses regular phones lines, making communication practically free of charge, apart from the cost of the internet connection. For companies that are often involved in international communications, the saving is that much more drastic. Communications may be taking place with someone across the street, or across the planet, and the costs could remain exactly the same.

Web conferencing capability is of particular benefit to companies with regional, national or international operations. Its ability to bridge the geographical barriers between companies, retailers, intermediaries and customers is phenomenal. This technology is a powerful tool which, if harnessed to full effect, can prove to be a powerful weapon in any competitive company’s arsenal.

Darren

Dan Richmond asked:




Weakened by one of the most devastating and drawn-out recessions in American history, the Non-Profit Industry has had to face some of its toughest challenges to date. Adapting to tight budgets is a normal obstacle within the non-profit sector, but with nationwide budget cuts and reduced public spending, many organizations have been forced to come up with resourceful ways to streamline their operations even more.

Businesses operating in the non-profit sector many times have multiple offices spread across the globe. This creates a hurdle when overall funding is low, especially funding for travel. Online collaboration tools, such as web-based video conferencing, give these charitable alliances a renewed sense of hope, allowing them to reduce spending and connect with the community in a whole new way. Here are some ways non-profit organizations can take advantage of web-based video conferencing:

Cater to the unique needs of staff members – Provide staff members with communication tools which will give them the freedom to work remotely or to reach out and collaborate with staff members located in different offices.

Support the support group – Hold informational meetings for those that support the organization. Through tools like “show my desktop” and the ability to share PowerPoint presentations, supporters can be kept up to date on organizational statistics and the progress of a project.

Keep volunteers updated – Organize and train volunteer groups through web-based video meetings. Keep them up to date on any upcoming projects and provide them with the necessary information and training so they may participate in those projects.

Raise funds – Broadcast live events and fundraisers for those who are unable to attend in person. Online video conferencing auctions give charities and fundraising groups an expanded reach from a local crowd to a more globally disperse one.

Brief the community – Keep the community updated on specific issues by conducting weekly or monthly webinar news broadcasts.

Show and tell – Showcase charitable work and projects through web tours. This lets supporters know exactly what a non-profit has been up to by showing live, on the scene footage of different organizations while they are at work.

Connect with donors – Meet “face to face” with potential donors without either party having to leave their home or office. Adding web-based video conferencing to donor communication adds a special touch and is much more personal than a telephone call.

Educate and Train – Give staff members and volunteers the opportunity to improve their skills by offering online workshops and seminars.

Through the use of web-based video conferencing, non-profit organizations are now able to meet with anyone, anywhere, and at anytime. By eliminating the need for travel, these online web meetings are empowering those working in the non-profit sector and enabling them to focus more of their time on providing services for a better society.

Cody

Leslie Thomas asked:




When to Meet in Person and When a Video Conference Will Do

For more effective and efficient communication, consider the complexity of the information you need to exchange before choosing the medium. For instance, if you need to ask for a file, a simple e-mail or instant message will do. If you need to work out a solution for an oil spill crisis, anything other than a face-to-face working meeting will lead to confusion and miscommunication. Video conferencing falls in between and can be useful for a wide variety of objectives with a medium level of communicational complexity such as employment applicant screenings, on-going product development sessions, volunteer training, and online courses or seminars.

Facilitating a Successful Web Based Meeting

Once you evaluate your communication goals and decide that a web conference is the appropriate venue for your meeting, consider taking several easy but important steps to ensure your e-meeting is successful. In order for your team to meet the objectives of the conference, you must tell them what the objectives are in the form of an agenda or talking points list. Set ground rules up front making it clear when it is okay to ask questions and make comments and how off-topic discussions will be handled. Stick to your agenda and time allocation – your team members have other commitments and will appreciate predictability. Engage quiet members by asking their opinion or requiring them to present the results of a pre-assigned research task. At the end of the meeting assign action items, set deadlines for deliverables, and send your team a transcript for later reference.

Video Conferencing – A Happy Medium

When a telephone call is not enough but traveling to a distant location is not necessary, video conferencing provides an ideal mean of collaboration when used thoughtfully. Effective web based video conferencing is easy if you follow a few simple steps to provide behavioral cues, meeting objectives, and respect for your team members’ time and contributions. Ultimately, considering the appropriate medium and taking time to prepare in advance will lead to more productive, effective meetings.

Elmer

Jeremy Thompson asked:




As businesses evaluate the type of conference calling that is right for them they will need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each. In this article we will evaluate and compare the three major types of conference calls including audio, web, and video conferencing.

The biggest advantage, for many companies, in choosing audio or web conferencing over video conferencing is the cost. Audio conferencing tends to be the cheapest. Virtually the only costs involved when choosing audio conferencing is the cost of a telephone and then the charge of a long distance call. Many companies already have phones with a built-in speakerphone and if not they can be purchased for as little as $100.

However there are disadvantages in choosing audio conferencing as well. The first distinct disadvantage is that businesses lose personal relations when all they hear is a colleague’s voice. Jokes and remarks can be taken the wrong way or be offending when those involved can not see a caller’s smile of facial expression. Another disadvantage to audio conferencing is that the quality of the call declines as additional locations are added. When several parties are involved the chance of two of them talking at the same time are great and neither of them will have their thoughts heard.

Web conferencing offers its rewards and shortcomings as well. While web conferencing can be free, it is usually in the companies best interest to choose to pay a little more to avoid annoying ads and pop ups. Web conferencing is especially useful for business calls that involve viewing digital files because these files can be sent in an instant via email to all parties involved. Documents can be viewed, analyzed and returned so they can be discussed all at once rather than waiting and communicating through mail or several phone calls. Web conferencing also allows more than one person to talk or type at once without going unheard.

Like any type of conference calling though, web conferencing also has its disadvantages. One of these down sides is that, again, it is difficult to gauge a person’s seriousness or humor in a comment. There is no personality in a typed sentence. It is also difficult for those who are uncomfortable with technology to use web conferencing efficiently.

Finally the biggest advantage to video conferencing is that it offers a visual connection with the other attendees. When using video conferencing callers are able to view each other on a TV screen and hear each other through the speaker system. Associates are able to hear each other’s voices, put a voice to a face, and understand each other’s joke and comments. Financially, the cost of video conferencing is quite a bit higher due to the equipment that is involved. If equipment is not high quality it can also be limiting because the video feed can be jerky or delayed. Whatever type a business chooses, every type of conference call has it ups and downs.



Ana