Video conferencing allows you to hold face-to-face meetings using the Internet in its most superficial aspect. Video conferencing is a great way to conduct a meeting with people who cannot be in the same room. Conferencing has come a long way in recent years, and now video conferencing is easy for anyone to use!
Real-time is the most recognizable form of VC (Video Conferencing). This video conferencing allows for live, synchronous communication on a one-to-one or one-to-many basis. Real-time VC works by transmitting audio and video from the sender’s device directly to the receiver’s device(s) in near real-time.
Store-and-forward is asynchronous communication that uses a server to route communications between sender and receiver. Unlike real-time VC, it doesn’t require both participants to be online simultaneously. Instead, senders can leave messages that recipients retrieve at their convenience. The medium used in store-and-forward (email or text) will determine whether audio/video files are accessible or merely links are provided so that recipients can access them through separate software on their computers or mobile devices when they wish to view them.
Web conferencing combines the two above with additional capabilities such as screen sharing. This enables participants’ desktop screens to be shared in real-time over an Internet connection. Instead of just audio/video content exchanged between participants as with the two types of traditional VC mentioned above.
The overall effect is an experience so life-like that it can be shocking when you’re reminded that participants aren’t in the same room together!
One of the benefits of desktop video conferencing is that it’s generally very affordable. Although the price varies depending on what solution you choose and how much support is included in the cost, many desktop video conferencing services are free or relatively low-cost compared to other options. Even services that aren’t free generally have free trials or free limited versions available so that you can try them out before deciding whether they’re worth purchasing for your purposes.
Skype for Business will let your organization communicate with other companies in ways that are familiar to you now—but make sure you have something more advanced than just an old-school video camera set up. Better yet, consider getting specialized equipment like Cisco Webex Meetings (available for both SaaS and on-premise use) or Zoom Meetings & Chat (formerly known as GoToMeeting), which lets you do most of the same things in one seamless package.
Skype for Business
Skype for Business is an instant messaging tool that allows users to communicate with each other via text messages, voice calls, and video calls. It also supports screen sharing and file transfers between users. Skype for Business is an application that is part of Microsoft Office 365 and is also available as a standalone product. The app supports group chats and conference calls that include up to 250 people, while only four participants can join a video call at a time.
Cisco Webex Meetings
Cisco Webex Meetings is a web conferencing application that offers video, audio, and screen sharing capabilities. It can be used on desktop or mobile devices and is compatible with Mac, PC, iOS, and Android operating systems. Users can host or join meetings of up to 1,000 attendees in up to 50 interactive video feeds. One of Webex’s most beneficial features is integrating with other business applications such as MS Outlook, Gmail, Salesforce, or Slack. This makes it easier for users of these platforms to collaborate through web conferences without downloading additional software!
GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a web-hosted service created and marketed by LogMeIn. It is an online meeting, desktop sharing, and video conferencing software package that enables users to meet with other computer users, customers, clients, or colleagues via the Internet.
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is free video-conferencing software that allows users to have meetings with 25 participants. It’s an excellent option in functionality, security, and price.
Hangouts can be used on PC (Mac or Windows), Chrome OS, Android, iOS devices, and web browsers such as Firefox and Safari. The screen sharing feature allows participants to share their desktop or Google Drive files with other meeting attendees. In addition, it has a chat feature that offers document sharing between individuals both inside and outside the company domain. Like other cloud-based options, meetings can be recorded for later playback. Finally, the software integrates with Gmail and Google Calendar to schedule meetings from your calendar invitees from your address book, whether they are on Hangouts or not. This is an excellent option for smaller companies who want something reliable yet straightforward for communication purposes.
Zoom Meetings and Chat
Zoom Meetings and Chat is a tool that combines video conferencing, online meetings, chat, and mobile collaboration into one platform. It organizes meeting rooms, chat rooms, and video rooms in one place.
One2One Scheduler
The best way to connect at an event is over a meeting, whether in person, online or hybrid. One2One Scheduler is a one-on-one meeting solution for events.
One2One Scheduler allows you to pre-schedule meetings for attendees at your event. You can set up a booth, table, or room and allow people to book time slots with you or other brands ahead of time—no more planning and booking meetings on the fly. You can schedule other attendees before the event and get straight to the session when you arrive at the venue (when’s the last time you saw someone sitting around with nothing to do?).
It’s also possible that video conferencing can improve communication and efficiency overall. With video conferencing, people can see each other. So it’s easier for them to understand each other’s personalities, which helps establish trust and build rapport.
Lastly, video conferencing is great for distributed teams because it can help keep everyone connected while working remotely from different locations worldwide.
Now that we have seen what video conferencing is, how it works, different types of video conferencing, the tools used to carry out the process, and why you should use it, it’s time to implement it in your company. If you cannot commit to the implementation, start with one or two meetings regarding which you believe will benefit from video conferencing, or consider hiring an outside consultant to help you get started.
Types of Video Conferencing
There are three types of Videoconferencing: real-time, store-and-forward, and web-based.Real-time is the most recognizable form of VC (Video Conferencing). This video conferencing allows for live, synchronous communication on a one-to-one or one-to-many basis. Real-time VC works by transmitting audio and video from the sender’s device directly to the receiver’s device(s) in near real-time.
Store-and-forward is asynchronous communication that uses a server to route communications between sender and receiver. Unlike real-time VC, it doesn’t require both participants to be online simultaneously. Instead, senders can leave messages that recipients retrieve at their convenience. The medium used in store-and-forward (email or text) will determine whether audio/video files are accessible or merely links are provided so that recipients can access them through separate software on their computers or mobile devices when they wish to view them.
Web conferencing combines the two above with additional capabilities such as screen sharing. This enables participants’ desktop screens to be shared in real-time over an Internet connection. Instead of just audio/video content exchanged between participants as with the two types of traditional VC mentioned above.
Telepresence video conferencing
Telepresence is similar to in-person meetings using high-resolution displays, cameras, audio, and telepresence furniture. Telepresence solutions are typically deployed with three or more screens at either end of the conference table. Multiple cameras ensure eye contact between participants who would otherwise be looking at screens rather than each other. High-quality audio ensures that conversations flow naturally without pauses or awkward delays.The overall effect is an experience so life-like that it can be shocking when you’re reminded that participants aren’t in the same room together!
Desktop video conferencing
Desktop video conferencing is a group of technologies that allows you to set up your laptop computer or desktop computer to have online conversations with other people located anywhere in the world. If both people use computers with webcams, you can see each other during your discussion.One of the benefits of desktop video conferencing is that it’s generally very affordable. Although the price varies depending on what solution you choose and how much support is included in the cost, many desktop video conferencing services are free or relatively low-cost compared to other options. Even services that aren’t free generally have free trials or free limited versions available so that you can try them out before deciding whether they’re worth purchasing for your purposes.
Mobile Videoconferencing
With mobile video conferencing, you can participate in a meeting from virtually anywhere. You can use any device with a camera and microphone, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Mobile video conferencing works on Wi-Fi or cellular data and enables you to join a meeting from anywhere. In addition, it allows you to use your mobile device as a remote control for features such as starting and ending calls, muting audio, and switching between multiple cameras.Different tools for Videoconferencing
With the number of mobile and internet-connected devices becoming more accessible to more people, video conferencing is a tool that is finding increasing use. It’s a standard way for businesses to communicate with customers, employees, and partners. Still, it can also be used by families, friends, and even coworkers, who can meet up to work on projects together or play games via headsets.Skype for Business will let your organization communicate with other companies in ways that are familiar to you now—but make sure you have something more advanced than just an old-school video camera set up. Better yet, consider getting specialized equipment like Cisco Webex Meetings (available for both SaaS and on-premise use) or Zoom Meetings & Chat (formerly known as GoToMeeting), which lets you do most of the same things in one seamless package.
Skype for Business
Skype for Business is an instant messaging tool that allows users to communicate with each other via text messages, voice calls, and video calls. It also supports screen sharing and file transfers between users. Skype for Business is an application that is part of Microsoft Office 365 and is also available as a standalone product. The app supports group chats and conference calls that include up to 250 people, while only four participants can join a video call at a time.
Cisco Webex Meetings
Cisco Webex Meetings is a web conferencing application that offers video, audio, and screen sharing capabilities. It can be used on desktop or mobile devices and is compatible with Mac, PC, iOS, and Android operating systems. Users can host or join meetings of up to 1,000 attendees in up to 50 interactive video feeds. One of Webex’s most beneficial features is integrating with other business applications such as MS Outlook, Gmail, Salesforce, or Slack. This makes it easier for users of these platforms to collaborate through web conferences without downloading additional software!
GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a web-hosted service created and marketed by LogMeIn. It is an online meeting, desktop sharing, and video conferencing software package that enables users to meet with other computer users, customers, clients, or colleagues via the Internet.
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is free video-conferencing software that allows users to have meetings with 25 participants. It’s an excellent option in functionality, security, and price.
Hangouts can be used on PC (Mac or Windows), Chrome OS, Android, iOS devices, and web browsers such as Firefox and Safari. The screen sharing feature allows participants to share their desktop or Google Drive files with other meeting attendees. In addition, it has a chat feature that offers document sharing between individuals both inside and outside the company domain. Like other cloud-based options, meetings can be recorded for later playback. Finally, the software integrates with Gmail and Google Calendar to schedule meetings from your calendar invitees from your address book, whether they are on Hangouts or not. This is an excellent option for smaller companies who want something reliable yet straightforward for communication purposes.
Zoom Meetings and Chat
Zoom Meetings and Chat is a tool that combines video conferencing, online meetings, chat, and mobile collaboration into one platform. It organizes meeting rooms, chat rooms, and video rooms in one place.
One2One Scheduler
The best way to connect at an event is over a meeting, whether in person, online or hybrid. One2One Scheduler is a one-on-one meeting solution for events.
One2One Scheduler allows you to pre-schedule meetings for attendees at your event. You can set up a booth, table, or room and allow people to book time slots with you or other brands ahead of time—no more planning and booking meetings on the fly. You can schedule other attendees before the event and get straight to the session when you arrive at the venue (when’s the last time you saw someone sitting around with nothing to do?).
Why should you use Videoconferencing?
Video conferencing has many benefits. First of all, it can save you time and money. No more driving or flying to a meeting! And even though you’re saving on travel costs and travel time, the technology allows you to communicate with more people in a shorter amount of time than if they were all making their way to your location.It’s also possible that video conferencing can improve communication and efficiency overall. With video conferencing, people can see each other. So it’s easier for them to understand each other’s personalities, which helps establish trust and build rapport.
Lastly, video conferencing is great for distributed teams because it can help keep everyone connected while working remotely from different locations worldwide.
Now that we have seen what video conferencing is, how it works, different types of video conferencing, the tools used to carry out the process, and why you should use it, it’s time to implement it in your company. If you cannot commit to the implementation, start with one or two meetings regarding which you believe will benefit from video conferencing, or consider hiring an outside consultant to help you get started.
