Could Online Meetings Save You Money?
The significant increase in fuel prices is driving business
to search for cheaper alternatives to executive travel.
One alternative being considered is online meetings. Some
estimates indicate that the use of web-conferencing can
save as much as $2,000 per executive each year.
Web conferencing has been taken to a new level by the
introduction of high-speed, multi-megabyte broadband
connections. A combination of real-time video, audio,
instant messaging and application sharing can enable
colleagues to see and hear each other while working
simultaneously on the same documents anywhere in the
world. All that is required is a headset and microphone
plus optional webcam.
There are more sophisticated services available which
allow people to participate in an online meeting using
devices such as laptops, 3G mobile phones, or video
conferencing facilities.
In the past slow internet connections have given rise to
poor quality audio and video during web conferences. The
number of participants in online meetings was also often
restricted due to the heavy demand on limited bandwidth.
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.
These issues have now largely been dealt with, and this
marketplace is growing rapidly with lots of competition
including online giants such as Microsoft and WebEx.
Excellent news indeed for business. This fierce competition
is having the effect of forcing down prices, thus allowing
even small businesses access to fully managed web
conferencing suites
A word of warning before you dive in and book your first
online meeting. First understand what productivity
improvements your business can achieve through the use of
these facilities, and adopt the services which really
improve your bottom line.
For example, live video conferencing is not for everybody.
Many firms will get the most benefit from instant messaging
or VoIP (”voice over internet protocol”) service, possibly
combined with application sharing.
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.
Author Mark Vandorone is the founder and proprietor of Five
Marketing, a
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