After preliminary fumbling trials at replacing face-to-face meetings with video calls, people and businesses have chosen to settle into the new routine; virtual communication.
Video conferencing application software has had massive downloads in recent months. Covid has seen people settling for alternative means to keep life moving.
For most of us, life now gyrates around a screen, from socializing, business to working. Video conferencing has become a massive part of us. It's no longer an option but a necessity. Likely, the tools will remain a deep-seated part of our ordinary lives even after the end of coronavirus.
You are probably conversant with video conferencing etiquette. - having vast knowledge about the conferencing tools is equally important.
Hosting meetings with your clients, employees, and partners is possible anywhere at any time. Video conferencing supports any available device, including smartphones and laptops.
As a business, company, or employee, it is impossible to maintain cutting-edge competition without infusing the best meeting room solution. Starting means choosing the premier conferencing way out for your company. Which platforms befit your requirements? Which tools will make you hold flawless meetings?
Here's what to consider before deeming a tool effective and productive for a smooth meeting:
Attendees
The number of attendees is a crucial factor you will need to confirm. Apart from their location, try to find out the type of devices they will be using to ensure the meeting runs smoothly. Much of the considerations heavily rely on the size of the attendants.
For a large-scale conference, you will need a more secure and superior platform to manage the numerous connections involved. Cisco Webex is a fantastic platform for more extensive meetings. It has the power to host separate split-screen presenters at once and host several different video feeds. Smaller meetings and conferences can use uncomplicated, more streamlined platforms which efficiently function on a cross-device level.
Hosting a meeting on a platform that does not uphold the standards of the meeting makes you look unprofessional. To show your team that you have all it takes, choose the right tools that keep the discussion on track.
Cost
The cost of specific technologies is a big concern to most businesses. Incurring unexpected has made about 56% of companies abandon video conferencing. Not only is this an issue of concern but also an indication of a business collapsing. Fortunately, most video conferring tools are available at no cost. That is if your company is lenient on the requirements or it is small.
Before settling for anything, gauge how much you will comfortably spend on the software for appropriate budgeting. Purchasing without prior planning can make you get something that is unnecessary. Keeping in mind that 95% of marketers plan to plan their video spending this year, invest in that which will be of great value to you.
Features of the software
The features are unvarying for your company. As some can't do without the live session recording feature, some want to chat during the sessions. This way, it is easy for you to make the best decision for your company.
Some of the sought-after features you may contemplate include:
- Screen sharing: Many webinars and reviews will require you to show the attendees your screen. Screen sharing is essential rather than taking users through tons of words and instructions.
- Chatting: Chatting reduces interruptions during meetings. People share their thoughts in the chatbox. Speaking up wastes valuable time and drives you from the topic of discussion.
- Recording: Many companies opt to record longer meetings so that they can be used as reference points. It's also vital for those that couldn't attend the conference and desire to learn from the session.
- Emojis: Specific software allows the participants to express their feelings using emojis to curb interruptions.
- Background images: Companies like Zoom have come up with the background-image feature for customization of backgrounds.
Customer Support
Customer service is essential when using any video conferencing software. Things can get messy if your customer support does not respond to a tech problem within ten minutes. Ensure your video conferencing software dispenses unsurpassed customer support.
Compatibility
Different operating systems run different kinds of services. Therefore, whether your client is using an Android phone or PC, the application has to be compatible with both. A video conferencing software that fulfills this requirement serves a great purpose.
Application integration
Most video conferencing software allows you to combine third-party apps like PowerPoint. In turn, importing documents and presentations becomes hassle-free.
Ease of use
For any design, the user interface has to be easy to navigate. A poor one is most likely to affect the productivity of your business. You probably don't want to spend half an hour at the beginning of the meeting confirming if you are audible. With the array of available tools, blind-choosing is unnecessary. Also, check if the software you are eyeing has a free trial offer.
