WebConferencing - Features on Offer

What Can It Offer?

Web Conferencing is available to anyone using a broadband enabled PC and offers a rich combination of features such as integrated audio with video. It also allows access to capabilities such as sharing of desktops, applications & browsers. People can therefore see and talk online to one another with real functionality as if round a table.

Those participating are able to interpret facial expressions & body language, just as they would in a normal face to face meeting. It's great too to be able to put a face to the voice when you've not previously met up. A good solution should operate over any PC type platform in terms of operating system, browser, & PC or MAC.

Each of the systems out there is unique in its own way and offers a feature set which you as a potential user must consider when deciding on the most effective solution to utilise. These features should include:


Basic Installation

• Software Downloads - is it a simple matter for attendees joining the meeting to do so using only their browser or must they download and install a client application?
• Meeting Invites - can meetings be scheduled and set up from within the likes of Outlook with meeting invites generated automatically?

Online Collaboration

• Desktop Sharing - is it possible for users to present and share their desktop documents and applications with each other?
• Presenter Role - can the presenting and sharing role be passed between users in a meeting?
• File Transfer - how easy is it to transfer files and documents between users without leaving the online meeting environment?
• Annotation Tools - will it be possible to highlight points or overwright notes on shared content for all users to see simultaneously?
• Whiteboard & Notepad - what capability is there to take notes or to layout ideas during a meeting and which can be referred to later?
• Breakout Meeting - can larger meetings break down temporarily into multiple smaller meetings to strategise before coming together again into the original meeting?

Communication

• Text Chat - what facility is there for users to put questions without verbally interrupting the presenter and can users keyboard chat privately between one another?
• VoIP or AudioConferencing - can users speak without the necessity of using a chargeable audio service and can a mix n' match approach be taken to verbal comms?
• Video - it may not always be necessary for all users to see one another but is it a standard feature that is always available?

Other Considerations

• Session Recording - can online meetings be recorded for later viewing, or as minuted versions of events?
• Payment Options - is payment on the basis of Pay as You Go or by subscription, and if there is a setup charge what are you paying for?