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The Benefits of Online Meetings
by Mark Vandorone
http://www.fivemarketing.com
The rising price of fuel is encouraging all businesses to
look at different ways to reduce business travel.
The use of multi-media web conferencing applications is one
option that is becoming increasingly viable. Savings of
$2,000 per year per executive can be achieved according to
certain technology experts.
The advent of high speed broadband connections has shifted
web conferencing to a higher gear. Colleagues thousands of
miles apart can work on the same files by combining real
time video, audio, instant messaging and application
sharing. Apart from possibly a webcam, the only equipment
needed is a headset with microphone.
There are more sophisticated services available that allow
participants to online meetings using laptops and 3G phones.
The quality experienced of both audio and video was
notoriously poor due to slow internet connections. There
were also severe restrictions on numbers attending online
meetings due to strains on the limited bandwidth available.
Security concerns were another disincentive to conducting
online conferences. Potential threats to confidentiality
existed when private meetings were held over an open
network. On top of this encryption also consumed more
bandwidth and slowed down the process even more.
The good news for business is that these problems have now
largely been sorted out, and a fiercely-competitive market
is growing rapidly attracting internet giants such as
Microsoft. Even better news is that prices are being driven
down by this competition, and fully managed online
conferencing services are now within the grasp of even
the smallest business.
However, tread carefully before you start booking that
first online conference. Establish which elements of these
services will really improve the efficiency of your
operation.
Services such as live video conferencing are simply not
required by most businesses. Many organizations will get
most benefit from using a service such as VoIP ("voice over
internet protocol") or an instant messaging facility.
Either could easily be combined with application sharing to
enhance the benefits.
Another word of warning. If you require outside parties to
participate in online meetings be careful not to use a
provider who insists on all participants using their
proprietary software.
A final word, ensure that all media being used in the
conference are encompassed by any encryption facilities
that are being used.
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