By
Jyoti Tejpal
Free communication solution Allows users to stay in touch with clients & teams globally Works in sync with the Google applications Allows you to present, collaborate and live stream meetings 100,000 viewers at one time
Collaborate to move projects forward faster Teams can work with anyone from browser mobile device video system Integrated audio video & content sharing Keep conversations private Highly secure through Cisco Collaboration Cloud.
Connects organization with Chat Video calling posts and Groups Integrates business tools with already-in-use solutions Simple secure & more productive Share knowledge Work together Build connected communities
Web Conferencing Software provides the businesses to conduct interactive meetings online inclusive of conferences, support sessions, training, and client presentations. The software offers participants to share screens and content and interact using video, audio, and chat options.
Web Conferencing is an online service by which you can hold live meetings, conferencing, trainings and presentations via the internet typically on TCP/IP connections. You can get connected to the conference through by telephone or using the speakers of computer and microphone through a VoIP connection.
Web conferencing generally provides real time point-to-point communication and multi task communications from one sender to many receivers in separate locations. Depending on the service, either an application with additional software is downloaded and installed or a web-based application is launched in the browser of the attendee . The newest open source technology for Web Conferencing is Google’s WebRTC.
Web conferencing offers to give the real-time sharing of computer screens, individual applications or web-based content among two or more computers or mobile devices. Web conferencing platforms can be internet based and delivered via software as a service (SaaS) or may run within enterprise data centers in an on-premises delivery model.
Most web conferencing platforms enable voice and video conferencing. Some platforms also support polling, screen annotation, speaker management, shared whiteboards chat discussions. Platforms that support video conferencing may also integrate with room-based video conferencing systems.
Web conferencing allows users to conduct business meetings and webinars, seminars, provide online education, lead presentations, and provide direct customer support via remote keyboard mouse control. Control of the session can be passed between the users, so all the attendees can act as the main presenter.
Most web conferencing platforms are accessible via a web browser, but downloading and installing a client is often required to take advantage of all features, such as voice and video conferencing and content sharing.
Reduced training costs: Conducting on-site training sessions is expensive, due to the training itself and travel and accommodation costs. Web conferencing software is becoming a method of choice for businesses that need to conduct extensive training sessions as it allows them to conduct training online and eliminate travel-related costs.
Efficient recruitment: Web conferencing solutions allow businesses to conduct job interviews with candidates across multiple locations. This functionality is especially beneficial for businesses with remote employees, as they can conduct interviews and finalize candidates without the need for face-to-face interviews. Web conferencing software also enable client-based businesses to loop clients into the recruitment process as well.
Keep the Staff and Customers Safe : COVID-19 has enforced social distancing and self-isolation to protect ourselves and others. Web conferencing provides a way to stay in touch with work colleagues and loved ones, enabling those vital connections that are paramount to our work productivity and personal wellbeing. Web conferencing also comes to the fore in specific industries such as healthcare. The ability for doctors and allied health professionals to provide consultations via web conferencing allows for patient reviews and removes the need for additional trips to a busy surgery or practise. Read more about Unified Communications for healthcare here
Keep the Workforce Productive : Web conferencing allows you to work from a home office and still meet with your boss, staff or clients over the web. This can reduce commuting time, cut down on office costs and increase productivity. For example, a staff member who has a sick child might be able to make a big meeting even if he or she has to stay home for the day.
Reduce the Travel Costs : Traveling, whether domestic or international, always has a financial impact on the business. Constantly having to pay for air tickets, hotel accommodations and parking tolls can exhaust funds and resources. When a vital person in the business has to travel, you are left shorthanded, possibly for days.
Web conferencing reduces the need for travel : Personal or face-to-face meetings can be conducted through the web, with participants dialing in from locations around the world. Flight cancellations, traffic jams, airport delays, and transportation issues will no longer be reasons or excuses for missing the meetings or conferences.
It would be fair to say that the advantages of web conferencing outweigh any disadvantages. There are a few things to keep in mind. Every software is not free. There are increasingly more sophisticated free offerings that can be used to get a remote workforce up and running quickly. Web conferencing quality can change with the speed of the respective parties’ internet connections. It is more informal than a face-to-face meeting. It needs suitable hardware and adequate training to use. There can be expenses associated with maintaining and keeping up with new technology.
Screen sharing: Broadcasting the desktop and applications to participants.
Real-time chat: Interacting with participants using text chat during a live conference as well as after the meeting.
Presentation streaming: Streaming presentations during a web conference.
Video conferencing: Streaming video during a web conference.
Record or playback ability: Recording live video calls and conferences for later playback.
Host controls: Giving hosts administrative control over certain actions during a call or conference such as muting a participant or setting conference joining instructions.
Video Calling: Making video calls or attending online conferences via a mobile app.
Most web conferencing platforms in the market are priced on a per month, per user basis, and can be divided into three pricing tiers based on their starting price. A premium product, which is priced higher and have additional features like international access, more cloud storage, attendee polls, and CRM integration.
Customizable branding: Many businesses require the online webinar to trace the branding guidelines, having font, logo, and color scheme. Businesses using web conferencing for outward-facing presentations must evaluate products based on the custom branding abilities.
Modes of web conferencing: Web conferencing platforms offer support a number of modes of communication like webinar, video streaming, media streaming, audio conferencing, and instant messaging. Buyers looking for a web conferencing solution should evaluate each of these modes against their requirements and shortlist products accordingly.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will offers users prioritize meetings and events: In age of collaboration, the number of interactions that employee has at work is improving. This trend is also applicable to the web conferencing space, and businesses anticipate an increase in the number of product demos, interviews, support calls, and meetings to be delivered via web conferences. AI, when combined with web conferencing solutions, can help users prioritize their web conference schedule based on a number of factors such as availability of participants, timelines, and revenue impact. With increasing adoption of AI in businesses, we can expect web conferencing solutions to fully leverage this technology in next five years.
IoT made an entry into the web conferencing software : Hosting of business meetings, webinars and conferences in the cloud can expose businesses to a number of web security threats. Hackers can get access to critical business data, files, and documents shared in these meetings. Internet of things (IoT) devices will interact with web conferencing solutions through WiFi or bluetooth to enable businesses to validate the GPS location of participants. Businesses will also issue smart tags, badges, and trackers to employees and use them to validate meeting participants. As IoT will be gaining popularity in the next years in market, we can see more cases utilizing web conferencing in the next five to seven years.
