Creative Uses of Web Conferencing, Part 1
April 29, 2009 by Web Conferencing Reviews
Filed under About Conferencing
Web conferencing has so far been used mostly in business-based applications. However when people start to realize that they can overcome all geographical barriers with online conferencing, then some really creative uses of this technology will begin to sprout in all areas of life.
In fact this is already happening and here are a few examples of how conferencing is making what was impossible yesterday, possible today.
When Nebraska resident Cindy Holsing found out that her two daughters would be graduating from two different colleges on the same day last spring she became depressed.
“My heart just sank,” Holsing said. “I thought: It is what it is. We can’t do anything about it.” At first she thought that the best way she could “attend” both commencements would be to get video tapes of the ceremonies which she would watch together.
However, when she put in a request for a video tape to the Midland Lutheran College, one of the college’s staff tried to find a better solution. He helped the Holsing family set up video web cameras at the two commencements and watch them through an online conferencing set-up that cost less than $100.
On graduation day, Mr. and Mrs. Hosing each went to one of the ceremonies and watched the other one on laptops which were logged onto a video conferencing link. Both parents and both girls were satisfied.
Attending a Wedding From Afar
A similar dilemma was faced by an ailing mother in Pittsburgh whose daughter was getting married in Florida. Monica Fournier, a cousin of the bride said, “When I realized that my cousin’s mom in Pittsburgh, who is awaiting a lung transplant, could not attend her daughter’s wedding in Florida I began to search for solutions.”
“I had heard about video conferencing on the Internet, but had never tried it and had no idea if it could work for this occasion. It was a real stab in the dark!” Monica added.
On the wedding day, both the wedding ceremony and the video conference were successful and “my cousin was thrilled her mom could participate in her special day from hundreds of miles away,” concluded Monica.
These are just two examples of how video conferencing can allow people to be in two places at the same time and to take part in important family events regardless of any obstacles.
As web and video conferencing become more popular, there will be lots more stories of this type. In the next article I will look at more ways how online conferencing is about to transform communications both at home and in the business place.
Thanks to Dan Richmond for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
In fact this is already happening and here are a few examples of how conferencing is making what was impossible yesterday, possible today.
When Nebraska resident Cindy Holsing found out that her two daughters would be graduating from two different colleges on the same day last spring she became depressed.
“My heart just sank,” Holsing said. “I thought: It is what it is. We can’t do anything about it.” At first she thought that the best way she could “attend” both commencements would be to get video tapes of the ceremonies which she would watch together.
However, when she put in a request for a video tape to the Midland Lutheran College, one of the college’s staff tried to find a better solution. He helped the Holsing family set up video web cameras at the two commencements and watch them through an online conferencing set-up that cost less than $100.
On graduation day, Mr. and Mrs. Hosing each went to one of the ceremonies and watched the other one on laptops which were logged onto a video conferencing link. Both parents and both girls were satisfied.
Attending a Wedding From Afar
A similar dilemma was faced by an ailing mother in Pittsburgh whose daughter was getting married in Florida. Monica Fournier, a cousin of the bride said, “When I realized that my cousin’s mom in Pittsburgh, who is awaiting a lung transplant, could not attend her daughter’s wedding in Florida I began to search for solutions.”
“I had heard about video conferencing on the Internet, but had never tried it and had no idea if it could work for this occasion. It was a real stab in the dark!” Monica added.
On the wedding day, both the wedding ceremony and the video conference were successful and “my cousin was thrilled her mom could participate in her special day from hundreds of miles away,” concluded Monica.
These are just two examples of how video conferencing can allow people to be in two places at the same time and to take part in important family events regardless of any obstacles.
As web and video conferencing become more popular, there will be lots more stories of this type. In the next article I will look at more ways how online conferencing is about to transform communications both at home and in the business place.
Thanks to Dan Richmond for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
Dan Richmond is Co-founder of MegaMeeting.com. MegaMeeting provides web & video conferencing services for individuals & businesses. For more information, please call 818.783.4311 or Visit www.MegaMeeting.com.
What Can Web Conferencing Services Accomplish For Your Business?
April 28, 2009 by Web Conferencing Reviews
Filed under About Conferencing
Web conferencing services are becoming more and more popular and necessary. With more businesses going global and more and more employees working from home, many businesses have adopted a conferencing service of one type or another. Depending on the needs of the business, utilizing web conferencing services may be the best solution.
Web conferencing services include the ability to share documents, make presentations and confer with anyone from around town or the world! With the use of your computer, web conferencing allows you to launch a meeting with all the bells and whistles. The following is a list of services and solutions that web conferencing services accomplish:
1. No software necessary, browser-based system
2. Entire audience can see each presentation, document and spreadsheet
3. Set-up multiple users as presenters to the group
4. Monitor audience participation
5. “Hand-Raise” ability - Know when a group member has a question
6. Pointer Ability - Keep everyone on the same track during the presentation
7. Full Screen - Enlarge the presentation to fill the entire screen
8. Host ability to chat with individuals or different groups
9. Present a slide show
10. SSL Encryption for ultimate security
11. Firewall Protection
And a quick overview of web conferencing pro’s and con’s shows us:
Pros:
Computer requirements are relatively simple and almost everyone utilizing a computer for business purposes will easily meet and exceed the requirements.
Ability to share audio and visual presentations, slide shows or programs.
Easily communicate with each member.
Cons:
Fees can add up quickly. Depending on services rendered, standard web conference prices are about $.49/minute per user. Audio capability can result in additional charges. If you plan to hold regular web conferences, there are subscription prices but, again, this will vary by provider and generally will require some sort of one-time set-up fee. These fees can range from $1000-$3000.
If you are not quite sold on the idea of committing to a browser-based conference system, there are other conferencing solutions.
Audio conferencing allows members to communicate via telephone. This can include regional, national or global members. You will need to apply for audio conferencing services if you feel that this is the best solution since most phone systems only allow for three members to participate at one time.
For the most part, “free” conference solutions are for audio conferences only. Maybe you want to test a provider before committing to their contract or are deciding on the best conferencing solution. Free conference providers will have limitations, but if you are looking to host a small group, the limitations may not even be noticed.
Microsoft Live Meeting is the name of the application Microsoft offers. Live Meeting allows meetings to be integrated with Microsoft Office, which can be quite useful! It offers similar benefits as web conferencing, but with the added connectivity of Microsoft office.
They offer a standard and professional service. It is recommended to purchase the professional service since this allows the use of all the benefits that Microsoft Live Meeting offers.
A hosted conference offers many benefits. Services vary depending on provider, but for the most part, hosted conferences are mostly audio conferences that have an assistant provided from your conference provider.
The live assistant helps with “checking-in” and any technical difficulties that may arise. The assistant is also valuable as an extra security measure. Hosted conferences allow you to focus on your presentation or meetings, while the assistant handles the “details” of running a smooth meeting.
Of course, only you will know which conferencing or web conferencing services will best meet your needs. There is a huge need for conferencing solutions and many providers to choose from. Take your time, understand your business needs and by all means, use the free trial options!
Thanks to Tomaz Mencinger for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
Web conferencing services include the ability to share documents, make presentations and confer with anyone from around town or the world! With the use of your computer, web conferencing allows you to launch a meeting with all the bells and whistles. The following is a list of services and solutions that web conferencing services accomplish:
1. No software necessary, browser-based system
2. Entire audience can see each presentation, document and spreadsheet
3. Set-up multiple users as presenters to the group
4. Monitor audience participation
5. “Hand-Raise” ability - Know when a group member has a question
6. Pointer Ability - Keep everyone on the same track during the presentation
7. Full Screen - Enlarge the presentation to fill the entire screen
8. Host ability to chat with individuals or different groups
9. Present a slide show
10. SSL Encryption for ultimate security
11. Firewall Protection
And a quick overview of web conferencing pro’s and con’s shows us:
Pros:
Computer requirements are relatively simple and almost everyone utilizing a computer for business purposes will easily meet and exceed the requirements.
Ability to share audio and visual presentations, slide shows or programs.
Easily communicate with each member.
Cons:
Fees can add up quickly. Depending on services rendered, standard web conference prices are about $.49/minute per user. Audio capability can result in additional charges. If you plan to hold regular web conferences, there are subscription prices but, again, this will vary by provider and generally will require some sort of one-time set-up fee. These fees can range from $1000-$3000.
If you are not quite sold on the idea of committing to a browser-based conference system, there are other conferencing solutions.
Audio conferencing allows members to communicate via telephone. This can include regional, national or global members. You will need to apply for audio conferencing services if you feel that this is the best solution since most phone systems only allow for three members to participate at one time.
For the most part, “free” conference solutions are for audio conferences only. Maybe you want to test a provider before committing to their contract or are deciding on the best conferencing solution. Free conference providers will have limitations, but if you are looking to host a small group, the limitations may not even be noticed.
Microsoft Live Meeting is the name of the application Microsoft offers. Live Meeting allows meetings to be integrated with Microsoft Office, which can be quite useful! It offers similar benefits as web conferencing, but with the added connectivity of Microsoft office.
They offer a standard and professional service. It is recommended to purchase the professional service since this allows the use of all the benefits that Microsoft Live Meeting offers.
A hosted conference offers many benefits. Services vary depending on provider, but for the most part, hosted conferences are mostly audio conferences that have an assistant provided from your conference provider.
The live assistant helps with “checking-in” and any technical difficulties that may arise. The assistant is also valuable as an extra security measure. Hosted conferences allow you to focus on your presentation or meetings, while the assistant handles the “details” of running a smooth meeting.
Of course, only you will know which conferencing or web conferencing services will best meet your needs. There is a huge need for conferencing solutions and many providers to choose from. Take your time, understand your business needs and by all means, use the free trial options!
Thanks to Tomaz Mencinger for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
Tomaz Mencinger is an expert of current web conference services. More detailed information about conference calls, audio, video and web conferencing services can be found at his website.
Effective Teleconferencing for Effective People
April 27, 2009 by Web Conferencing Reviews
Filed under About Conferencing
Teleconferencing is, possibly, the most efficient communication breakthrough of the 20th century. The thinking is to enable a group (three or more people) interactive communication through an electronic medium between people at many locations!
Teleconferencing is being used in the following ways nowadays: – Audio conferencing, making use of telephones – Video conferencing, employing interactive televisions with sound, – Computer conferencing, employing printed communication via computers and keyboards.
Bonuses:
Voluminous cost saving on group meetings that includes cost of traveling, setting up the venue, food, and other related costs.
Meetings are focused and a lower amount of time is lost.
People and speakers who cant spare effort for face-to-face meetings can participate.
Disadvantages:
The most basic problem with teleconferencing is technical failure. A nightmare for all organizers, teleconferencing also requires basic training or orientation for participants in use of resources. Teleconferencing is also a hindrance in interpersonal communication required for negotiation and bargaining.
It is also cumbersome to break ice during a teleconference and establish a rapport between participants. A profitable teleconference depends on detailed planning of the event.
The upcoming tips can help you have a better teleconferencing session:
Think through the Agenda
It is positively imperative that you plan your items on the agenda. The agenda itself ought to be clear, well defined and should spell out the expectations from the participants. Keep in mind the participation and if you expect an input from everyone on every item, then make sure that you have built in sufficient time for the meeting. Also, indicate to the participants that they go through the agenda before the teleconference.
Technically Sound
It is necessary that all participants have prior access to dial in number and pass-codes. You must also convey if you are offering a toll-free number. Check all materials before the conference and ensure that you have a back plan for technology failure.
Getting there
If you are the facilitator, it makes sense to be the first one online. A team-building activity could help get the meeting to a good start (specifically if the group is diverse and is meeting for the first time!). Be careful to substantiate the protocol and the talking order to avoid confusion and an arrangement where one person monopolizes the meeting.
Teleconferencing Etiquette
Least disturbance should be the decorum of all teleconferences. As a participant it is your job description to insure that you dont introduce noise in the form of noisy background, buzzing sounds of low grade cordless phones, reception errors of cell phones any other noise like rustling paper or tapping pens. If the calls are long, the organizers must offer breaks at previously decided times.
If the call is an international one, be aware of accents and avert speaking too fast.
Other Tips for Organizers – Use names to get notice. – Use more than one user to break monologue and boredom. – Involve everybody and if required go around in circles asking for input. – During breaks, pair off people to facilitate interaction. – Share duties, like taking notes, with participants to encourage interaction. – Do take constructive criticism for which you need to be ready with constructive criticism forms.
Thanks to John Thompson for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
Teleconferencing is being used in the following ways nowadays: – Audio conferencing, making use of telephones – Video conferencing, employing interactive televisions with sound, – Computer conferencing, employing printed communication via computers and keyboards.
Bonuses:
Voluminous cost saving on group meetings that includes cost of traveling, setting up the venue, food, and other related costs.
Meetings are focused and a lower amount of time is lost.
People and speakers who cant spare effort for face-to-face meetings can participate.
Disadvantages:
The most basic problem with teleconferencing is technical failure. A nightmare for all organizers, teleconferencing also requires basic training or orientation for participants in use of resources. Teleconferencing is also a hindrance in interpersonal communication required for negotiation and bargaining.
It is also cumbersome to break ice during a teleconference and establish a rapport between participants. A profitable teleconference depends on detailed planning of the event.
The upcoming tips can help you have a better teleconferencing session:
Think through the Agenda
It is positively imperative that you plan your items on the agenda. The agenda itself ought to be clear, well defined and should spell out the expectations from the participants. Keep in mind the participation and if you expect an input from everyone on every item, then make sure that you have built in sufficient time for the meeting. Also, indicate to the participants that they go through the agenda before the teleconference.
Technically Sound
It is necessary that all participants have prior access to dial in number and pass-codes. You must also convey if you are offering a toll-free number. Check all materials before the conference and ensure that you have a back plan for technology failure.
Getting there
If you are the facilitator, it makes sense to be the first one online. A team-building activity could help get the meeting to a good start (specifically if the group is diverse and is meeting for the first time!). Be careful to substantiate the protocol and the talking order to avoid confusion and an arrangement where one person monopolizes the meeting.
Teleconferencing Etiquette
Least disturbance should be the decorum of all teleconferences. As a participant it is your job description to insure that you dont introduce noise in the form of noisy background, buzzing sounds of low grade cordless phones, reception errors of cell phones any other noise like rustling paper or tapping pens. If the calls are long, the organizers must offer breaks at previously decided times.
If the call is an international one, be aware of accents and avert speaking too fast.
Other Tips for Organizers – Use names to get notice. – Use more than one user to break monologue and boredom. – Involve everybody and if required go around in circles asking for input. – During breaks, pair off people to facilitate interaction. – Share duties, like taking notes, with participants to encourage interaction. – Do take constructive criticism for which you need to be ready with constructive criticism forms.
Thanks to John Thompson for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
Click the following link: teleconferencing services for business reviews to find out which programs are the best for your needs.
Comprehend the Value of Web Conferencing
April 25, 2009 by Web Conferencing Reviews
Filed under About Conferencing
Most business enterprises today are becoming more and more dependent on web conferencing. By availing of web conferencing, enterprises save on the costs of travel and accommodation. Moreover, web conferencing helps enterprises discuss important matters with clients in distant regions.
Communication technology has gone far to serve the different areas of business and development programs. Web conferencing is one of the present day media in the field of communication. All you need is a PC and an Internet connection to set up web conferencing with others. This is one of the modern ways that enterprises use to remain in touch with their people and their customers who are based all over the world.
Web conferencing saves the cost of people traveling to other parts of the world. As a result, it significantly contributes to substantial savings with regards to hotel accommodations and local commutes. Web conferencing is the only communication medium which supports all the three ways of conferencing that are currently available. These are the audio, video, and web conferencing.
It is only web conferencing which makes it possible to have real-time communication, two-way communication, one-way broadcast, and non-real time communication. Web conferencing is becoming popular amongst the business community, offering several benefits, and emerging as one of the most popular methods in which conferences are held.
Web conferencing has helped in bringing together to a central place, the concerned people who are geographically apart. Business houses have been investing in this modern communication system through which they are able to hold meetings with remote personnel and customers.
The communication system allows you to communicate with your employees, customers, and business partners from your home or office, instead of having to physically present yourself at the places where they are located.
Web conferencing helps you to update yourself on the progress of work that is being done at a place geographically separated from the place where you are, and provides you with the opportunity to collaborate with the people who are directly concerned with your business operation.
There are professionals that we know who are practically living out of their suitcases, taking showers in the airport, and are on the go most of the time. Web conferencing has provided them with the facility to be in touch with the world, while allowing them to spend quality time with their family.
There are consultants who work from home on projects that are assigned to them by companies on the other side of the world. Web conferencing keeps them in touch with their clients. Through this medium, the consultants are able to confer with their clients regarding project details.
The recent trend in distance learning also takes the help of web conferencing. Irrespective of where the moderator is located, the attendees who are in different parts of the world are provided with education through these distance learning centers.
Here too, the requirement of the students to attend the classes physically is done away with. Hence, there is substantial cost saving towards the development program being imparted through this communication channel.
Thanks to Ajeet Khurana for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
Communication technology has gone far to serve the different areas of business and development programs. Web conferencing is one of the present day media in the field of communication. All you need is a PC and an Internet connection to set up web conferencing with others. This is one of the modern ways that enterprises use to remain in touch with their people and their customers who are based all over the world.
Web conferencing saves the cost of people traveling to other parts of the world. As a result, it significantly contributes to substantial savings with regards to hotel accommodations and local commutes. Web conferencing is the only communication medium which supports all the three ways of conferencing that are currently available. These are the audio, video, and web conferencing.
It is only web conferencing which makes it possible to have real-time communication, two-way communication, one-way broadcast, and non-real time communication. Web conferencing is becoming popular amongst the business community, offering several benefits, and emerging as one of the most popular methods in which conferences are held.
Web conferencing has helped in bringing together to a central place, the concerned people who are geographically apart. Business houses have been investing in this modern communication system through which they are able to hold meetings with remote personnel and customers.
The communication system allows you to communicate with your employees, customers, and business partners from your home or office, instead of having to physically present yourself at the places where they are located.
Web conferencing helps you to update yourself on the progress of work that is being done at a place geographically separated from the place where you are, and provides you with the opportunity to collaborate with the people who are directly concerned with your business operation.
There are professionals that we know who are practically living out of their suitcases, taking showers in the airport, and are on the go most of the time. Web conferencing has provided them with the facility to be in touch with the world, while allowing them to spend quality time with their family.
There are consultants who work from home on projects that are assigned to them by companies on the other side of the world. Web conferencing keeps them in touch with their clients. Through this medium, the consultants are able to confer with their clients regarding project details.
The recent trend in distance learning also takes the help of web conferencing. Irrespective of where the moderator is located, the attendees who are in different parts of the world are provided with education through these distance learning centers.
Here too, the requirement of the students to attend the classes physically is done away with. Hence, there is substantial cost saving towards the development program being imparted through this communication channel.
Thanks to Ajeet Khurana for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
Visit us for audio conference calls and conference call services. Also for web conferencing service.
Audio Conferencing and Its Uses
April 24, 2009 by Web Conferencing Reviews
Filed under About Conferencing
Due to the rise of audio conferencing, businesses have been having it easier. It is helping them reach out to geographically separated people. As a result, these establishments are also saving on cost and time. Quite often you have difficulties in scheduling your professional events. This occurs due to the rise of conflicting circumstances. These could be conflicts pertaining to schedules, geographically separated venues, time differences between countries, the time that it takes to travel, hotel accommodations, and other logistics related issues.
Take the example of distance learning. Here, students are required to reach out to the faculty if they want to attend professional development programs. How do they do this? In this modern age, video and audio conferencing have brought professionals to a common platform. Thus, conference calling has become an effective mode of communication. It is a fantastic aid in exchanging ideas for any professional development activity. Professionals today are gathering greater technical expertise by attending seminars which are held in different countries. And how is this being achieved? It is being achieved by the help of today’s communication technology.
On browsing the Internet, we can find many schools that are offering distance learning courses. Microsoft offers their Windows-based MCP training through distance learning. This has solved several problems, which would inevitably have appeared if professionals and other students had to physically be present at the classes.
Today, distance learning is helping those who are sitting on the other side of the world to acquire the appropriate knowledge in the subjects of their interest. And all this is being achieved because they have access to the required technology. Inter-active video, audio, and online media are being deployed today by many institutions to impart knowledge to adult students on various subject matters.
Within the communication technology available today, audio conferencing is considered to be a lower form of interactive technology. Nevertheless, audio conferencing is one of the top business solutions of today. Audio conferencing is extensively used in distant professional development programs and helps in communication over long distances.
Business enterprises have today spread their nets all over the world. Hence, they need to keep in touch. Professionals in those business houses are required to meet to carry out discussions and to make decisions. Sales conferences are increasingly being held by enterprises. Many of these conferences are conducted by audio conferencing. The business world is truly reaping the benefits of audio conferencing. Real time interactions, faster decision making possibilities, and a huge reduction in cost and travel expenses have made the audio conference call the darling of business meetings.
Audio conferencing provides us with the benefit of a substantial reduction in cost. This goes a long way in enhancing business processes, fostering better communication, and collaboration. It is general practice for many organizations to outsource their audio conferencing needs to service providers. This facility can be utilized by paying a fee to the provider company each time that the audio conferencing network is hired.
There are also service providers who offer pay-as-you-go services. An organization can also build its own audio conferencing system. This can be done by purchasing the equipment and implementing a teleconferencing network within the enterprise.
Thanks to Ajeet Khurana for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
Take the example of distance learning. Here, students are required to reach out to the faculty if they want to attend professional development programs. How do they do this? In this modern age, video and audio conferencing have brought professionals to a common platform. Thus, conference calling has become an effective mode of communication. It is a fantastic aid in exchanging ideas for any professional development activity. Professionals today are gathering greater technical expertise by attending seminars which are held in different countries. And how is this being achieved? It is being achieved by the help of today’s communication technology.
On browsing the Internet, we can find many schools that are offering distance learning courses. Microsoft offers their Windows-based MCP training through distance learning. This has solved several problems, which would inevitably have appeared if professionals and other students had to physically be present at the classes.
Today, distance learning is helping those who are sitting on the other side of the world to acquire the appropriate knowledge in the subjects of their interest. And all this is being achieved because they have access to the required technology. Inter-active video, audio, and online media are being deployed today by many institutions to impart knowledge to adult students on various subject matters.
Within the communication technology available today, audio conferencing is considered to be a lower form of interactive technology. Nevertheless, audio conferencing is one of the top business solutions of today. Audio conferencing is extensively used in distant professional development programs and helps in communication over long distances.
Business enterprises have today spread their nets all over the world. Hence, they need to keep in touch. Professionals in those business houses are required to meet to carry out discussions and to make decisions. Sales conferences are increasingly being held by enterprises. Many of these conferences are conducted by audio conferencing. The business world is truly reaping the benefits of audio conferencing. Real time interactions, faster decision making possibilities, and a huge reduction in cost and travel expenses have made the audio conference call the darling of business meetings.
Audio conferencing provides us with the benefit of a substantial reduction in cost. This goes a long way in enhancing business processes, fostering better communication, and collaboration. It is general practice for many organizations to outsource their audio conferencing needs to service providers. This facility can be utilized by paying a fee to the provider company each time that the audio conferencing network is hired.
There are also service providers who offer pay-as-you-go services. An organization can also build its own audio conferencing system. This can be done by purchasing the equipment and implementing a teleconferencing network within the enterprise.
Thanks to Ajeet Khurana for contributing this article to our Conferencing blog:
For an audio conferencing and web conferencing guide, go to audio conferencing.
