Posts Tagged ‘Web Conferencing’

Web Conference – Rapid and Reliable Way to Connect People

September 22nd, 2010

In recent days, due to the economic condition, companies are forced to cut unnecessary expenses and improve productivity as well. According to recent findings, almost 80% of the companies spend much on traveling that is for attending or hosting meetings. One best way to control such unnecessary cost is using web conferencing technology.

Web conference is perhaps the best alternative for face to face physical meeting. This technology is not only easy to use and deploy but also inexpensive. For web conferencing, all you need is just a computer, a web camera, microphone with speakers and an internet connection.

The major benefits of using web conferencing technology are;

Save time – Conducting online meeting saves time by avoiding traveling
Save money – Since web conferencing cuts traveling costs, it automatically saves money in lodging accommodation, food, and other expenditures.
Increase employee productivity – With web conferencing, employees can share ideas and information instantly online, quicker than meeting in-person. So, decisions can be made much faster.
Improve relation – Employees can keep in closer contact with customers, clients and co-workers as well.
Understand clearly – Since web conferencing is the best alternative for face-to-face physical meetings, the person you are meeting with could understand what you are trying to say more clearly by seeing your gestures, expressions and so on.
Greening your business – The major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in the atmosphere is due to vehicles. By meeting online instead, you will be cutting down on thousands of pounds of carbon monoxide pollution every year.

Web collaboration software vendors such as RHUB’s TurboMeeting are available in the market that serves its best to the users. Overall, this technology saves time and money, which is what a good software should be all about.

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Web Conference Makes Life Easier

September 14th, 2010

Business life these days has become very different than what it used to be 20 years ago. Every now and then meetings with clients and co-workers become difficult to arrange with employees based all over the world. But thanks to the web conferencing services you can easily communicate without having to visit in-person quite often.

Today, web conferencing is readily available throughout the world. For video web conference all you need is a computer with a browser, a web camera, microphone with speakers and an internet connection. Video conference is perhaps the best alternative to face to face physical meeting. It helps us truly understand what the other person is saying and makes us comfortable when explaining things.

Web conferencing helps in reducing the cost of travel, cost of accommodation and the time taken to travel. It could prove to be a very convenient way for organizing interviews, especially for candidates living in far off places. In face, many organizations have started using video conference for interviewing their candidates.

Telemedicine is an application where the doctors of one place are able to view the patient’s ECG, X-rays CTs and MRI scans from a hospital at the other part of the country or in another country. This technology is also used to beam back live pictures of road accidents, which enables the accident and emergency department to examine the injured person at the roadside. In the field of education, video- and data-conferencing technologies are being used for training programs, with the limited availability of teachers a constraint for many school and it is also used for distance education programs. Teachers can provide online demonstrations of applications real time to a large number of students.

There are a lot of internet video conferencing accessories, tools and services available in the market for a reasonable price due to the rising demands. One such service is RHUB’s 4-in-1 TurboMeeting appliance. It offers the first solution ever to deliver four collaboration technologies in one application – allowing users to not only do web conferencing, but also to conduct webinars, deliver remote support to clients, and to have remote access to personal PC capability – all with one box. They even offer free trials.

Once you start using online conferencing services, then you will understand that there are more important features of a web conferencing tool available to make your conferences and webinars more successful and effective.

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Tips on Choosing a Web Conferencing Vendor

September 6th, 2010

Web conferencing is claimed to be one of the most revolutionary development in communications technology and offers major advantages to businesses in terms of reduced costs, increased employee productivity, enhanced customer support capabilities, and reduced time to develop products and communications.

A webinar is a neologism to describe a specific type of web conference which can be collaborative and include polling and question & answer sessions to allow full participation between the audience and the presenter. In some cases audiences participating in a web conferencing make use of telephone lines for audio communications and make use of the internet to transmit visual elements.

Also users can participate in a web conferencing in the comfort of their living rooms and need not travel to a common location for conference which reduces travel costs and saves fuel. Conventional conferences take a lot of time for preparation but online conferences can be arranged anytime anywhere which reduces the consumption of materials required for implementing face-to-face meetings.

A lot of companies have also acknowledged that their productivity has greatly improved by adopting to web-based on demand conferencing services.

Since web conferencing has become a rapidly growing market there are hundreds of providers to choose from and companies that are considering deploying web conferencing services should look into a lot of factors in order to pick the optimal web conferencing provider.

Here are some guidelines that could help users choose the right meeting software vendor:

- Price – Companies have to analyse the amount they are willing to spend on web conferencing and they have to look for a provider they can afford. Some providers offer different types of services with different price tags and companies can choose the model that satisfies their requirements. Apart from basic charges users should carefully check whether there are additional or hidden costs they have to pay for a web conferencing tool. It is always better to choose a vendor who has a transparent pricing policy.

- Scalability – it is imperative to look for the number of participants that a web conferencing service can support. For instance there are some providers who even offer conferencing service for free but they support only a limited number of participants. If a company schedules a conference for limited number of persons than they can opt for the free service but if they expect a lot of participants to join in then they have to look for a model that scales accordingly. Or, can the service be expanded to be used for video conferencing.

- Demo – Users should attend a product demonstration if it is available to get more detailed information about a product. A real-time live demonstration is the ideal time to check the vendor’s potential to be a stable, supportive and a long term partner. At the demo users can also query about the product and try to figure out whether a vendor is willing to take in customer feedbacks and is able to distinguish their solution’s advantages from products offered by other competing vendors.

- Review – Users cannot acquire a detailed view about a service by looking only into a prospective vendor’s marketing brochure. They have to see into the expert reviews and other users’ comments about the web conferencing tool that they are considering to buy. Doing a web conferencing comparison of service from different vendors will also provide users with the knowledge about the additional or lack of features that a web conferencing service has.

- Advanced functionality – users need to check the technology behind the web conferencing service they are going to pick because high-end technologies enable high quality conferencing even at lower internet speeds. It is also beneficial if they pick a service that is web based as there is no need for any software or hardware to be deployed at the desktop side. Users should also check the security measures that a vendor has implemented in order to protect the systems and privacy of the user and their web conferencing participants.

A serious and reliable vendor will always offer a solution that is both flexible and beneficial to the customers. Also a good product will get rave reviews from users who have already used it. A company that is planning to deploy a web conferencing service should acquire it from vendors who are serious, reliable, and flexible and have also proven themselves as efficient providers.

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Web Conferencing – the Little Tool that Could

May 28th, 2010

The introduction of web conferencing has not only helped companies cut costs; it has also opened doors for new opportunities. Web conferences, while not initially wholeheartedly embraced, has emerged as one of the few positives of the current economic slump. Conducting meetings on the web has not only made geographical borders irrelevant, but even smaller enterprises can now get in on the act.

It has become increasingly clear that a successful web meeting is more dependent on quality content than anything else. For example, it is easy to see the kind of confusion caused when reviewing documents in an audio conference call.

One of the big pluses with web conferencing is that it incorporates a number of different formats. These include one on one meetings, team meetings, inter-departmental meetings, webinars or public presentations. The beauty of the format is that you are not limited by your physical size. Even the smallest company can present their big ideas using web meeting. Naturally, some basic planning is needed to help make your web conference a success, including:

Plan the talking points beforehand
Prepare and organize documents
Send email notifications and reminders to ensure full attendance
If possible keep it short and to the point
Use bullet points to make the presentation easy to follow

The Right Meeting Software

While just about any web conferencing product can be used to run an online meeting, shortcomings can quickly become obvious. The safest bet is to know what you need and expect from the product and try to acquire one that meets your requirements. With all the options available today, it is important to do a trial of the software before the actual purchase. This way you will be able to evaluate the product in the actual setting in which it will be used.

Understandably, cost is always at the forefront of considerations for any small businesses. Thankfully, many web meeting solutions are affordable these days with pricing tailoring business of all sizes. Some of the more practical options of online meeting software include

Whiteboard: This allows all participants to use a common space in real time. It is particularly useful for a free flow of ideas.
Slide shows: These can enhance any presentation.
VoIP: This is an essential aspect of a successful meeting software today. Via the computer participants can communicate with the help of headsets and speakers.

In a web conference setting, your counterparts will not care about the size of your business or even your office. Making a good impression is still important, however, within a web meeting setting. A quick search online will turn up recognized names in web conferencing solutions. Read about the solutions provided and determine the best fit for your company. Then you are on your way to hosting a big and successful web meeting, regardless of your company’s size.

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Web Conferencing – A Viable Online Learning Tool

February 17th, 2010

More and more universities are benefiting by using web conferencing. The days of jerky videos and erratic audio are long gone. The web conferencing tools available today from companies such as RHUB are better and brighter than ever.

Until recent years, when someone thought of online conferencing, what came to mind were images of choppy video feed that was worse than a bad cartoon. With the web conferencing tools of the past, voices could be heard, but no movement would be seen on the screen. More often than not, the video feed would freeze. Anyone attending a web conference in the old days had to have an abundance of patience as they waited idly by for the sound and picture to sync up.

Students and faculty at colleges access teleconferencing tools for simple online setup, instant messaging for group discussions and uses that are even more sophisticated. Web conferencing at universities make it possible for students to view slide shows, post on an interactive whiteboard, watch videos, chat and share files and other information with meeting participants in real-time.

Most of the time, all of the participants of an internet video conference will have a web cam, a microphone, speakers and a software bundle to support web conferencing. Technology advancements such as voice-over IP, makes it possible for the speakers and the microphones to be housed within the computer. However, telephone technology and regular computer speakers are still used by many users.

Real-time collaboration at universities make it possible for students to view slide shows, post on an interactive whiteboard, watch videos, chat and share files and other information with meeting participants in real-time. Bringing students together as they collaboration online.

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Web Conferencing Brings Health Care Information to the Masses

January 22nd, 2010

For many organizations, the decision to use web conferencing is based on increasing productivity and cost savings. It is clear, however, that conferencing solutions has many real world applications as well. Many of these benefits are found in unsuspecting areas. One recent example of this is an undertaking by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) in Suffolk exploring elderly care options.

The NFCA in collaboration with Home Instead Senior Care put on a free web conference in November. Its aim was to help families coping with caring for elderly parents to make decisions and understand potential problems. The 45-minute conference addressed vital issues and featured well known professionals in the field of senior care.

Senior care is a growing concern in the US. Using free webinar software to enhance care and making decisions is a giant step in the right direction. The facilities of a good netmeeting software can also be applied to other areas. These include:

Distance education
Sales team mobilization
Product promotion
Customer service
Staff training
Technical support

Other areas of the health care sector can also be improved by the use of conferencing software. Today’s webinar services are not clunky or as pricey as before. Providers like RHUB Communications have created products that give any company or organization the ability to be flexible.

The web conference systems today are based on speed, reliability, and enhanced communication. Some of the features of the best web conference services are:

Remote desktop control
File transfer and remote printing
Multi-tiered tech support
Recording of conferences or webinars

A webcast like the one put on by the NFCA in Suffolk creates opportunities for other areas facing similar decisions. Not surprisingly, the decision to have the web conference was largely influenced by the current economic climate. This factor has also helped to spur interest in the growing crop of web conference services.

Users have the option of hosted services, downloadable software or internet video conferencing appliances. RHUB appliance is an example which many companies find to be preferable to hosted solutions. However, even the most basic web conference systems have helped companies streamline their operations and improve productivity.

As other cash strapped communities look to provide care for the elderly, online conferencing will likely set a new trend for other. Special needs organizations, private health care providers and similar groups could also explore the use of conferencing software for delivery of information.

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Steps to a Guaranteed Successful Video Conferencing

January 7th, 2010

You may or may not be familiar internet video conferencing tools and appliances, such as TurboMeeting from RHUB, that allow you to connect with employees and associates through the Internet and specialized software.

When planning a webinar that involves several people, you will want to ensure that things will run smoothly from start to finish. The technology that is at your disposal these days can be the best thing in the world for your business. However, if you do not use it correctly, the result could be detrimental.

Keep in mind that your online live meeting should have the feel of a live meeting in the real world. Therefore, it is important to remember to be well dressed and neatly groomed when conducting or attending a net meeting. It is also important to pay attention, refrain from doing things that could be distracting when you are supposed to be participating in a web conference.

First of all, you need to make sure that you use a web cam that has a resolution of 1.3 or higher. It is important that all of the members of your web conference are able to see you clearly. It is also important that you are able to see everyone else clearly as well. A quick search on the Internet will provide you with information regarding the highest rated webcams available on the current market.

Shut down all other applications you have running that may interfere with your RHUB TurboMeeting web conferencing software. You also want to turn off any programs or applications running in the background that may open automatically or show pop-up messages on your desktop. In addition, all of your instant messaging programs should be closed on all computers participating in the online meeting.

Your conferencing solution should be compatible with the computer platforms that are being used by everyone attending your web conference. Your web conferencing services must be coordinated carefully. RHUB TurboMeeting lets users host web conferences on their PC or Mac without anything to download and no monthly fees.

Especially when using VoIP, you will want to use a headset or USB speakerphone to cut down on background noise and provide crisp, clear audio for your emeeting. Audio is vital component to a successful online meeting.

Finally, ask that everyone attending the web conference show up at least ten minutes prior to when the meetings start. This will give you time to handle any last minute preparations or unexpected problems without delaying your web conference unnecessarily.

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Getting the Most Out of Your Audio Conferencing

December 30th, 2009

More and more individuals and businesses are ditching their landlines and conducting business over wireless networks. Internet web conferencing and cell phones have taken over, so it is important that you are able to get the best possible reception for your mobile network indoors.

There are a few tips that you can follow to ensure that you are getting the best indoor mobile reception possible, such as:

Pay attention to the signal indicator. If your calls are being dropped and your reception is poor, you cannot dial out or there is a lot of static on the line, peek at the signal indicator. You may need to try using your device in another room of your home or office. Sometimes, the reception will improve simply by moving around the room. Large buildings, dense trees and exterior walls containing metal rebar blocks your signal and keeps your device from working as it should. In addition, metal roofs will also affect reception. Near a sliding glass door or large window may be the best place.

Check the battery. Your device needs power in order to receive the signal. The more power your mobile device has, the better the reception that you get from the nearest tower will be. If you begin having troubles with your reception indoors, check the battery. If you have just a couple of bars or less left on the battery indicator, plug your mobile device in and let it charge for about an hour. If you battery continues to lose power rapidly, contact your local mobile store to purchase a replacement.

Install a repeater. A repeater is an amplification device that you install in your home or office. Many mobile devices have repeaters, which are often called signal boosters, consisting of two antennae. The first antenna is rather large and goes on the outside, and the second antenna is smaller and stays indoors. The large outside antenna signal picks up the signal from the tower, and then repeats that signal to the indoor antenna.

If you do not want to worry with finding the best cell phone solutions, but you do not want to use landlines either, interactive web conferencing may be just what you want. Remote computer access and web conferencing solutions from RHUB are quickly becoming the most popular tools for communication between friends, relatives and business associates.

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Sharper Content and Quicker Delivery with Web Conferencing

October 27th, 2009

The term ‘content’ has gained more significance in the context of interactive web conferencing. The idea is of course to constantly find ways to improve on the quality of content and the way it is delivered to the relevant parties in a web meeting. The needs of each company are different when it comes to content, but for every company these needs are also likely to change due to growth and other factors.

What is Content?

To define it simply, content is information. To further refine the point especially as it relates to business, it is information that is important, often vital to a company’s survival. How content is packaged and delivered whether on a website or in a web meeting directly affects the way it is received.

How Web Conferencing has Changed Content Delivery

Some small businesses may need nothing more than simple audio conferencing to get information out. These ranks are thinning, however, as the internet continues to redefine the concept of sharp content. Interactive web conferencing in fact demands a greater commitment to better delivery of information. Now, video conferencing, streaming media, webinars and other interactive web conferencing features are the order of the day.

Web meetings also create an environment in which participants can be quickly notified and gathered for an impromptu meeting. Relevant parties can be notified and reminded by email, ensuring full attendance. Data such as spreadsheets and progress reports can be sent directly to users’ screens with the use of interactive web conferencing technology. This also minimizes the need for hard copies, cutting down on printing costs.

The Evolution of Content

A look at most websites or TV shows will confirm that it is the most visually appealing that are usually best remembered. This applies to web meetings as well. Videos, visually dynamic presentations, file transfer and recording are just a few advantages of interactive web conferencing. Naturally the industry has a number of options that require no software download, making it easy for anyone to start sharpening their content.

Devices like the RHUB Communications 4-in-1 Web Conferencing and Remote Support Appliance pose a number of advantages for today businesses. Apart from the fact that these appliances require no download, it eliminates the need for IT maintenance. Other benefits include recording capabilities and remote desktop control. While the features offered by interactive web conferencing are attractive, the ultimate goal must always be to use them as effectively as possible.

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Keeping Control of Your IT Function

October 19th, 2009

Web conferencing is set to become one of IT’s biggest service offerings, and in companies where it is a facility they wish to employ, the managers who have the responsibility for administering the IT function in the company will naturally have concerns about maintaining control.

By using an ASP or a remotely web hosted conferencing system, the IT function has to relinquish a certain amount control by deferring to the needs and system requirements of the external service provider. This can have serious implications for the proper control, and perhaps just as importantly, the maintenance of the user’s in house IT system. Why should any user be at the whim of the ASP whenever they decide they have a need to carry out some routine maintenance or implement some critical updates?

An IT manager needs to have complete control which enables him/her to action essential maintenance to all parts of the IT infrastructure as when he/she deems it right to do so. This is one of the main reasons why deploying an in-house web conferencing facility that the company actually owns is becoming the best choice solution for many companies.

The other issue with using an external ASP for web conferencing is the concern about security. When an organization deploys its own in-house web conference system, it does so behind its own firewall system and is not reliant on the internet in any way. This in itself is a big plus as it leaves all the protection in place that is safeguarding the internal IT network.

It is then possible for the IT department to allow external participation in the web conferencing services to be granted access via encryption through either SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or the more recent TLS (Transport Layer Security). Also, through internal deployment, any ready made presentations and even the archive records of previous conferences are all held in perfect safety behind that firewall, so everything is properly protected.

So when organizations go shopping for the appropriate web conferencing product, safety and security must be as high on the list of prerequisites as system performance specification. Systems like the RHUB TurboMeeting 4.0 product meet all of the criteria safety conscious IT managers throw at them. They even protect against interactive conferencing where the participants are sending data back along the link. They also have the programming to navigate around the different firewall protocols that the various delegated PCs or Macs have loaded.

RHUB and one or two of their main competitors supply products that provide best in class secure web conferencing backed up with excellent technical support should you need it.

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Tags: asp information technology web conference web conference software Web Conferencing