Enhance productivity and decision-making with video conferences

Video conferencing means carrying out virtual meetings from two or more different locations through video and audio transmission. Also called visual collaboration, the technology for video conferencing was first used commercially during the 1950s. From sending still images every few seconds to live presence, video conferencing has come a long way. Every kind of organization now uses video conferencing to increase productivity, collaboration and decision making among people located across different locations.

Here are a few things to know about video conferencing.

What are the essential tools required for video conferencing?

• A personal computer with a webcam
• High-speed internet
• Any personal device with a camera can also be used for video conferencing instead of a personal computer.

What are the different types of video conferencing options for business?

• Desktop video conferencing system – This system requires a desktop computer (or a laptop, tablet or a mobile phone), a loudspeaker, a microphone, and webcam. With these components in place, this system just requires you to install a video conferencing software to hold an online video conference.
• Room-based video conferencing system – This system of video conferencing is used to connect conference rooms or meeting rooms across different geographical locations. It requires a good Internet connection, video conferencing endpoints, and multiple control units that make up the video conferencing equipment.
• Telepresence video conferencing system – In this system, large monitors are placed around a conference room, and cameras are placed at the eye level. In telepresence conference, it seems like all the meeting participants are in the same room, although in reality, they are sitting at different locations.

Which is the popular video conference software?

• Google Hangouts – The free version lets 20 persons be in a video conference meeting. With a subscription of $9 per month, you have up to 50 people in a meeting. It includes features such as email reminders that can increase the attendance rate of a meeting.
• Skype Premium – With a payment of $9.99 per month, this video conferencing software lets up to 10 persons to participate in a meeting. It has a screen sharing feature that allows collaboration between participants.
• Adobe Connect – With a subscription of $45 per month, Adobe Connect offers some of the best collaboration tools for video conferencing – private chats, breakout rooms, slide sharing, polls and document sharing.
• Cisco WebEx – The premium video conferencing software has subscription charge of $24 per month and supports 8 participants at a time. It includes features such as document sharing, screen sharing, and a whiteboard that lets all the participants write down their ideas. Other features include Event Center that can be used to host webinars and Training Center that can be used for online training.
• ClickMeeting – This video conferencing software has plans that start at $30 per month. It lets you brand your virtual waiting room and meeting spaces, hold private chats, and Q&A sessions under a moderator.

What are the benefits of video conferencing?

• Ease of communication – Video conferencing makes it easy to communicate with people located across various locations. With additional features such as screen sharing, documents sharing, whiteboards and so on, video conferencing is as good as holding a conference with the physical presence of the participants.
• No time restrictions – Since participants can attend virtual video conference from anywhere and do not need to travel, time zone differences do not cause much hassles and video conferences can be conducted during any time.
• No travel time – Since meeting participants can attend a video conference from anywhere, no traveling or business trips are involved.
• More productivity – Due to no restrictions on location and time, meetings can be of shorter durations. With the various collaboration tools available with different video conferencing software, decision making can be effective and quick.

Are there any disadvantages associated with video conferencing?

• High setup cost – Setting up the equipment requires keeping aside some expenditure in the budget. This includes costs for purchasing and setting up monitors and screens if telepresence video conferencing system is needed. If advanced features are required, the costs can go up substantially.
• Technical issues – The various devices may malfunction; internet connectivity may fluctuate, or the software may not work.