What is Web Conferencing? Much more than just a Webcam

  

  

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How do you bring all of the stakeholders on a project together if they are in different parts of the country? How about, different parts of the world? You could have them jump on a plane and fly to one central location. You could arrange a conference call. Or, you could give them the capability to share ideas through both audio and visual means. That last method is what Web Conferencing is all about. Often, a browser and Internet connection are enough to get started.

A multi-use tool; web conferencing offers many benefits
Web conferencing allows the participants to hear each other, see each other and see graphics or illustrations all at the same time. It is the total collaboration tool and it doesn’t require a dime for airfare.

Companies, who regularly have to provide training to their employees, will find that web conferencing offers many benefits and cost savings. This interactive form of communication includes a number of methods to enhance discussion and collaboration. For graphical illustration, Power Point slides can be used. A virtual whiteboard, Word document or text message can provide visual information also.

The uses of web conferencing are varied. As a company-wide training tool, the trainer can poll participants afterwards to gauge the effectiveness of each session. Participants can also use private messaging to ask the trainer questions during or after the web conference.

While intra-company training is a likely candidate for the medium, collaboration between two separate companies can be enhanced by using web conferencing. Companies working together on the development of a new product can coordinate their efforts and development teams through web conferencing.

Selling through web conferencing
For a company’s sales force, web conferencing offers a panacea of opportunities. Sales presentations can be made to prospective clients globally. The presentation can be illustrated with charts, graphs and testimonials that drive the product or services’ benefits home. Product photographs and specifications can also be employed.

If the company’s prospect isn’t fully ready to buy, the company has not depleted part of their budget to fly salespeople across the country or around the world. A lost or delayed sale is limited to disappointment and not the cost of plane tickets, accommodations and time away from the office.

Companies that sell software or a physical product can use web conferencing to demonstrate usage and provide product training to customers near and far. Product questions can also be addressed by way of video conferencing in order to provide a quick answer when time is crucial.

A complete solution
Web conferencing can combine a view of the presenters’ or participants’ desktop with VoIP or telephone for a complete audio/video exchange. The participants can view each other or the presenter by using webcams and view websites, documents, videos or slides online.

As a technology that is now in its second decade, web conferencing has been tweaked and perfected to provide companies of all sizes with a reliable, cost-effective means to interact for participants in multiple locations or sitting at hundreds of workstations.