SolveYourProblem
eLearning Series
Web Conferencing
Reasons
Not To Avoid Web Conferencing
Web conferencing has come a long way; previously
web conferencing is a term that has been limited to message
boards, mailing lists and non-public chat rooms. Today, web
conferencing is a multimedia platform that enables people from
different parts of the globe to converge within a virtual environment,
and exchange information in real time without ever having to
leave the office.
Convenience,
economy and practicality are the main appeal of web conferencing. Web conferencing cannot be beat in terms
of convenience; meetings and trainings can be held without
leaving the office, at home or even in places of leisure if
the need arises. All a participant needs is a computer, desktop
or laptop, a camera, a headset with a microphone or its equivalent,
software for web conferencing, and a high speed internet connection.
Web conferencing takes advantage of the latest technologies
telecommunications can offer; it may seem daunting for the
technologically challenged but the reality is these technologies,
though of the highest level, are competitively priced. Technology
and competition make it possible for the softwares and hardwares
necessary for web conferencing to be affordable.
One of the most important reasons why web conferencing has
been embraced by businesses and private individuals alike is
that it eliminates the need to fly or drive to the
meeting location; this is not only convenient but cost-effective as
well since airfare and fuel prices have soared dramatically
over the last few years. The other costs for meetings and trainings
include lodging, food, and materials; in contrast, the only
major costs web conferencing incurs are the initial investment
for the equipment and the license fee for the software or service
fee for the web servers, which typically range from 30 cents
a minute to a flat rate of $99 a month.
Another benefit of web conferencing is it offers
efficient and cheap exchange of information in real time; this is critical
in times when an urgent issue arises and needs to be resolved
quickly. Mother companies and their various offices scattered
in the different parts of the globe; companies strategically
aligned; companies and their suppliers, distributors, retailers
and customers – any issues that arises between them can be
easily and immediately conveyed to the concerned party; and
the information that can be used to solve the problem or may
be the basis for arriving towards the solution can be accessed
from the relevant department, office or person through web
conferencing.
The immediacy of information exchange and its multimedia platform
generates a semi-personal feel. Unlike ordinary chat rooms
and message boards, web conferencing creates an atmosphere
wherein the person you are having a conference with who may
be a continent away, feels as if he or she is in the same room
with you. This hint of personal touch is enough to foster goodwill
among participants without compromising their personal space;
it also facilitates a more energetic exchange of ideas; and
familiarizes participants with each other similar to the level
they experience on actual, non-virtual meetings.
Despite all the advantages web conferencing brings, there
are causes for pause. Web conferencing is a new technology;
it is still evolving and right now, there are no national and
international standards for it. It is also a technology that
renders itself obsolete at a rate faster than Nokia phones;
software updates, upgrades, patches and new versions on web
conferencing are churned out by vendors almost on a monthly
basis. The existing technology infrastructure of the company
must also be taken into consideration; how many of the existing
equipments can be retained and how many have to be replaced;
will the company license a web conferencing software or will
they subscribe to a conferencing service; and do the existing
technical personnel have to be trained and if they do, will
the training be conducted internally or externally.
For the
meantime, although its popularity increases exponentially
with each day, web conferencing appears to be a mere supplement;
a meeting of minds, sealed by a handshake remains the de rigueur.
But the changes it has brought about; the costs reduced; and
the growing appreciation for the technology itself are real
enough to prickle a reasonable man’s Spidey senses about its
impending evolution in the very near future from a supplement
to a valid alternative to live meetings. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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