Provide an Analytical Review What Is the Distinction Between Videoconferencing and Telepresence?

What is video conferencing software?

Video conferencing software is a tool used past two parties to communicate via video and audio using an Internet connection. Information technology enables the parties to initiate and comport live conferences and remote meetings past transmitting audio, video, and text. This type of software has grown in popularity not only among individuals but businesses besides, and besides includes auxiliary features like file sharing, electronic whiteboards and file transfer.

Are you planning to apply a video conferencing app for an upcoming remote meeting but you don't know which to choose? Or are you using 1 because there is nothing else installed on your figurer or because it's the popular brand? As ubiquitous equally they are, video conferencing apps vary greatly in feature set, pricing and overall capability. And so, before y'all settle down for a solution, you might want to learn more about this type of software and then y'all tin choose the best-fitting one and maximize its functions.

Some video conferencing apps are integrated into a complex business organisation communication system, while others offer just the blank-os features. Information technology is important to sympathize first how these tools piece of work, how much they cost, the benefits and cardinal features of video conferencing apps and the problems involved. In this guide, nosotros will get through the essential information on video conferencing software. We will likewise present examples of the all-time apps in this field, which may be a good starting point for your product research.

What are the Types of Video Conferencing Software?
What are the Benefits of Video Conferencing Software?
What are the Features of Video Conferencing Software?
What are the Examples of Video Conferencing Software?
How Much Does Video Conferencing Software Cost?
What are the Potential Issues with Video Conferencing Software?
What are the Trends in Video Conferencing Software?
What are the Things to Consider When Buying Video Conferencing Software?

Video conferencing tools are known to aid companies connect with their partners and employees around the world, resulting in increased productivity and lower communication costs. In addition, most video conferencing platforms enable users non only to communicate merely also to collaborate effectively.

For video conferences with multiple participants, users are allowed to sit down side past side in a virtual conference room and communicate. Video conferencing software has become a staple in the business world, accessible on computers and mobile devices. Deject-based virtual meeting places have also been established, allowing companies to apply video conferencing without investing in numerous hardware systems.

With the benefits offered by video conferencing software, it's not surprising that many companies have been adopting the tool. It is primarily used for communication with both domestic and international suppliers and customers. Proof of the software's increased popularity is the fact that the global marketplace for video conferencing software is forecast to aggrandize by a CAGR of 14% and reach a market size of $20 billion past 2024. Such growth is seen to be driven by the use of cloud technology, which has enabled companies to apply the software at minimal cost. The development of new innovations in video conferencing volition besides fuel this growth.

Source: SearchUnified Communications

Types of Video Conferencing

When it comes to video conferencing, in that location are a diversity of options available, depending on the purpose of using the tool. Here are some of them:

Desktop Video Conferencing.Perhaps the most pop form of video conferencing, desktop video conferencing is known for existence piece of cake to use and affordable. You lot merely need to download and install a video conferencing app and you're prepare to go. It allows anybody to host a video conference from the comfort of their desktops. However, you must have a reliable Internet connection, a webcam, a microphone, and loud speakers to make sure yous become high-quality calls. This type of video conferencing is not bars to desktops. Y'all can as well make and receive calls from mobile devices which come equipped with cameras, microphones, and speakers. They are also capable of holding video conferences from virtually anywhere.
Room-based Video Conferencing System. Room-based video conferencing is also a common method existence used by businesses. It is essentially a software-based video conferencing blazon. It employs video conferencing endpoints, multiple control units, and an Internet connectedness. It requires video conferencing equipment and delivers high-quality calls.
Telepresence Video Conferencing System. A normally used video conferencing method, telepresence video conferencing involves technologies that allow participants to experience as if they are truly present even from a remote concrete location. In this type of video conferencing, phone and network connections are used with monitors and cameras positioned over conference tables, giving the illusion of actually sitting in the room with participants. Fifty-fifty though the applied science is expensive, it provides a high-quality and richer video conferencing experience.

These are only some of the near common types of video conferencing. They accept their own strengths and weaknesses. It'southward up to you to choose which one suits your needs.

Benefits of Video Conferencing Software

So why utilize video conferencing software? Such tools have a lot to offer your organization, ranging from price reduction to improved productivity. However, it'south upwards to you to explore and exploit all the potentials of video conferencing tools. A myriad of benefits awaits your arrangement from using such platforms. Here are some of the advantages of video conferencing software:

Border over the competition. Video conferencing can exist a benefaction for product development teams seeking to bring fresh ideas into the market. The utilise of video conferencing tools helps to share cognition more than quickly, making team members more than informed. It tin do good customer support as the tool can assist representatives build relationships with customers through contiguous conversations.
Minimize travel costs.Beingness able to meet and talk to people in different locations from the comfort of your desk is amongst the cardinal goals of video conferencing tools. It is the closest affair to being in the visitor of your partners, customers, and co-workers. The costs associated with traveling to business concern conferences have always been high. This is why video conferencing has sparked the interest of many businesses. Because the expenditures that come with travel, i is bound to choose video conferencing over alive meetings any mean solar day.
Telecommuting fabricated piece of cake. Video conferencing tools are as well very useful for home-based workers. Information technology is capable of promoting interaction amid telecommuting workers. It helps in delivering reports and instructions clearer.
Increment productivity.Conventional methods of advice such as email, telephone calls, and instant messages could entail misunderstanding, especially for businesses that run on a global scale as they lack face-to-face communication. The employ of video conferencing is known to help staff stay focused, resulting in faster project completion and increased productivity. Participants are also e'er on the same folio, along with vital advice that you lot want them to understand.
Ameliorate advice and relationships.Video conferencing can significantly improve collaboration equally participants can see each other's facial expressions and trunk linguistic communication – essential factors that commonly get lost during phone calls. It can likewise facilitate meetings with suppliers, which can greatly assist in boosting production.

The GoToMeeting dashboard enables efficient communication via video conference.

Features of Video Conferencing Software

What does video conferencing software do? It is known to have a myriad of features that, when used properly, can effect in a rich video conference experience. More and more functionalities are in the pipeline with software vendors coming up with new and amend functionalities every 24-hour interval. Hither are some of the tool's basic features:

Chat software. A typical component of near video conferencing tools, chat software is meant to function as an culling communication channel in instance bandwidth limitations hinder video and audio calls. It is likewise meant to give participants a secure environment to communicate. Every bit most chat sessions are restricted to only two participants, security is assured for both parties. Furthermore, you can save chat logs for future use.
Application sharing.Any platform that promotes collaboration should never be without an awarding sharing characteristic. It enables multiple participants to interact using a plan running on a unmarried machine. With this characteristic, other participants are able to view files fifty-fifty if they do not have the software needed to open such files on their estimator. Awarding sharing boosts collaboration amid staff in the same manner as contiguous communication does.
Electronic Whiteboards. This characteristic enables conference participants to type or draw on the board and fifty-fifty upload an paradigm or document. Some apps even have the capability to host more than pages that participants can hands access. One can highlight or draw circles on specific areas of images. Boosted functionalities such every bit zoom control, pointers and shape makers may be available.
File transfer. A tool that has been in use for collaboration for a long fourth dimension, file transfer functionality enables users to send files to any video conference participant. All that'due south required is an FTP server and FTP clients. The server lets clients connect and asking needed files. As most video conferencing solutions have both customer and server, the need for a separate FTP server is eliminated. All the same, you should be careful in using such a tool equally file transfers may involve significant risk.

Examples of Video Conferencing Software

There are a lot of solutions out in the market place today, each has its own set of features that tin can do good your company. Here are examples of video conferencing software:

RingCentral Office

RingCentral Office is a complete web conferencing solution that combines the features of video conferencing, screen sharing, and team messaging in a single, integrated platform. The software delivers a powerful online meeting feel via conference tools such as video, conversation, web meeting, and file sharing. Using RingCentral Office, you can host web meetings for up to 200 participants all across the world. You can too connect and collaborate with team members via Hard disk-quality video calls or host webinars or trainings for large groups.

RingCentral Function can likewise be used for online demos, real-fourth dimension reviews, and face-to-face up meetings. The screen sharing feature provides uninterrupted access to shared presentations then you can read, annotate, and interact on the content.

GoToConnect

GoToConnect is a unproblematic cloud-based conferencing software loaded with features for communication and collaboration such as audio and video calls as well as VoIP. With its international coverage, it makes information technology highly suitable for businesses that have foreign operations and professionals who deal with multinational clients. Its interface is convenient and able to initiate meetings in seconds. GoToConnect is very flexible and can seamlessly integrate with different third-party applications, including Zoho Desk, Slack, and GSuite, among many others.

GoToConnect is platonic for use by businesses that need more the average video conferencing tool every bit it is built for heavy utilize. Information technology can run on any device running on Windows, Mac, and Android, enabling users to bring together meetings using any device someday, anywhere.

Skype

Skype is a spider web-based video conferencing solution that offers functionalities such as video chat, international calls, and Instant messaging. It besides offers features that foster collaboration similar document and paradigm sharing. Information technology is capable of connecting to landlines and mobile devices at very low rates.

The awarding is offered for free but a paid plan offers more functionalities like business conferencing, MS Office compatibility, and third-party app integration. It also takes security seriously, employing pinnacle of the line authentication and encryption technologies.

Zoom

Zoom is created specifically for webinar hosting, online didactics and training, video demos, and video conferences, Zoom shines as an easy-to-use online video conferencing and meeting solution. It combines online meetings, video conferencing, and coming together tools in a unmarried cloud-based software. It is beneficial to modest to medium businesses, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions.

Zoom is capable of hosting meetings that can accommodate up to 100 participants, including 10,000 viewers. It offers quality audio, video, and screen sharing features while fostering collaboration amongst teams and employees in far off places. Its content sharing feature further boosts access to web conferences and webinars.

Cisco Webex

Cisco WebEx is a robust audio and video conferencing platform, Cisco WebEx is targeted at businesses of all sizes and combines data, voice and video capabilities in a single solution. It is highly-useful in product launches and educational sessions. Yous tin can use it to better group collaboration and brainstorming activities. It is a stable solution that also works perfectly with different productivity tools.

Scheduling a video conference is a breeze with CiscoWebEx, all you need to practise is prepare an invitation to Microsoft Outlook and the software does the rest for yous. Attendees can be invited through email and can bring together conferences via phone, figurer or video systems. They tin also access meetings, becoming agile participants in the process. The tool improves collaboration with its Training Center, which automatically assigns screen view, with the tool of choice readily accessible.

Workplace by Facebook

Workplace by Facebook is a popular online work collaboration platform, Workplace by Facebook is used by organizations of any industry and size to streamline advice and improve collaboration. The software'south Live Video lets you communicate with your team direct and immediately and then you lot can hold a two-style conversation someday. Audiences can leave feedback through comments and reactions in real-time.

The video conference feature of Workplace by Facebook allows 50 users to antipodal on HD alive chat using desktops or mobile devices. Team members from any part of the world can stay connected and engaged in an instant through face up-to-confront sessions. Additionally, the software has features for groups, org charts, news feeds, and car-translation.

WebVideo

WebVideo is created for freelancers likewise every bit SMBs, WebVideo is a software that combines video conferencing and video streaming in one user-friendly interface. It comes with an easily navigable interface that can be accessed by both desktop and mobile devices, making information technology great for companies with remote employees. Moreover, this platform is equipped with tight protection protocols and layers to go on you protected from any online threats. What'south more, WebVideo supports multiple domains and provides its users with built-in credit card processing and affiliate marketing systems to streamline your business operations.

Proficonf

Proficonf is a lightweight video conferencing solution that lets you create virtual meeting rooms and add together participants with ease and speed. With this web-based solution, participants don't need to brunt themselves with whatsoever application downloads or sign-in process to get inside a web briefing. They simply need to click a meeting link to join your virtual meeting. Furthermore, you lot tin can wait high-quality audio and video, even with low internet speeds. Proficonf features screen sharing, file sharing, slide presentation sharing, HD recording, participant management, and more than.

Things to Consider in Purchasing Video Conferencing Software

As video conferencing solutions vary in their functionalities and pricing, at that place are a number of factors that y'all should consider before committing to i. Here are some of them:

Features.While most video conferencing tools share mutual bones features, you lot should yet have time to research what functionalities a tool has to offering and how they can help your visitor. It will also give you a heads upwards if additional hardware and equipment are needed as some solutions require them to implement certain capabilities that are non native to their production.
Integrations.Yous need to take prior knowledge of whether a platform can run smoothly with your existing architecture. A solution's integration with your existing system will surely issue in a smooth functioning. Yous should know a prospective solution's technical requirements, so you can seamlessly integrate with your devices, which include UC platforms, phone equipment, and directory services.
Return-on-Investment. One area that you should wait into in a video conferencing solution is its features and functionalities. This is important because a tool's features can significantly touch on costs and later on sales and revenue. This is why y'all should only invest in one with has features that suit your system's needs and goals. Remember that the costs of many solutions do not end when you buy the product, it may come with additional hardware that could take you investing more than than what you planned.
Employee participation. You should consider getting your staff involved in evaluating and researching potential candidate software. Your goal should be for a product to be both intuitive and easy to use. However, you lot also need to know if using a platform would require vendor preparation and what complications may arise from setup and integrations.
Vendor/Service Provider.Business needs differ, hence, finding a suitable vendor could spell success or failure in investing in such a solution. What exactly does your business organization need? Would information technology require high definition or conventional viewing limits? How many users will in that location exist? And what is the goal of using the production? These are only some of the questions you should answer before procuring a video conference tool. To ensure that the purpose of video conferencing software is fulfilled, you should sign up for free trials that almost vendors offering so you tin determine if the software suits you firsthand.

How Much Does Video Conferencing Cost?

The cost of video conferencing software largely depends on the type of solution. They can range from a few bucks to hundreds of dollars. Information technology is imperative that y'all make up one's mind which solution would suit your organization best. To give y'all an idea of the market for such tools, here are pricing samples of the bones and premium plans offered by leading vendors.

RingCentral Office. RingCentral Office's subscription plans start at $29.99/calendar month per user or $19.99 a month for every user if billed annually. The starting plan can accommodate a maximum of 20 users with access to essential phone phone call, messaging, and document sharing features. Video conferencing capabilities is included in the Standard, Premium, and Ultimate plans which price $39.99, $44.99, and $59.99 per user per month, respectively.
GoToMeeting. Depending on the number of participants, yous can choose from scalable plans called Starter at $14/month (10 participants), Pro at $29/month (150 participants), and Plus at $39/month (250 participants) billed annually.
Workplace by Facebook. The Standard program is free. For enterprise features, the Premium programme costs $iii/active user/month.
Skype. Using Skype to Skype is complimentary. Monthly calling plans are bachelor if you lot need to call a landline or mobile using Skype. Subscription starts from $ii.99/calendar month depending on the location.
Zoom. Starts with a free plan. Premium plans cost from $xiv.99/calendar month/host up to $xix.99/month/host based on your number of hosts.
Cisco WebEx. The starting plan is at $24/calendar month for up to 8 people in a meeting. Larger teams tin can opt for plans priced at $49/calendar month for 25 people and $69/month for 100 people in a coming together.
WebVideo. A one-time license with hosting option is available for $3,995 and comes equipped with all of its core functionalities as well costless technical back up, templates, and a yr of free updates. A $395 monthly license is also available and comes equipped with all available functionalities.
Proficonf. A free selection is bachelor with limited functionalities and a 45 minutes cap per meeting. The Pro plan costs $25/month and supports up to 100 participants. If yous're looking to hold a briefing with up to 250 participants, you lot can opt for their $l/month Premium plan.

Potential Issues with Video Conferencing Software

With all the advantages that video conferencing solutions entail, in that location are likewise potential challenges to this engineering. Knowing these disadvantages would requite you a better understanding of some of the software's limitations.

At that place'southward zero like a face-to-face up conversation.Despite its amazing capabilities using such software can never achieve what concrete conversation does for people. Face-to-face interaction can reveal more than most people through the use of body linguistic communication, which ane may not notice when using video conferencing tools. Time delays in responses tin can besides bear upon the flow of conversations.
Video conferencing is non for everyone.Although it does the task, non all people are comfy communicating using the software. Many notwithstanding prefer physical meetings, especially for task interviews.
Technology-dependent. Using video conferencing products makes you rely on engineering science. This may not exist a good matter as the tool could stop working during a meeting. Another issue is although travel costs are reduced, you still pay a substantial amount for such tools, and high-quality systems are known to be very costly.

Trends in Video Conferencing Software

Video conferencing tools have indeed come a long manner since their creation, with new features and technologies constantly pushing the bar higher up to the delight of users. Equally more and more powerful solutions are developed, the time to come of video conferencing is truly bright. The following are trends in video conferencing software that you should watch out for.

Mobile support.Equally the apply of mobile devices keeps growing, the number of users who adopt attention video conferencing through their phones and tablets is as well on the rise. This is too the very reason why software vendors have been coming up with iPhone and Android versions of their video conferencing products. Yet, information technology has yet to become a standard practice owing to technical issues.
More than cost-effective than before.Plush hardware used in video conferencing has taken a backseat with the development of new solutions. New tools provide users with high-performance servers that exercise not need manning by It teams and have plug-and-play capabilities. They are likewise capable of adding thousands of conference participants.
Cloud deployment would be the norm. 2022 is seeing and then much use of cloud technology in video conferencing solutions. Cloud deployment significantly changed the game, with capabilities such as smoothen integrations and high scalability making video conferencing tools better than e'er. However, cloud applied science is hounded by security risks equally third parties are e'er required to provide them.

Sign upwards for a complimentary trial or freemium

Ofttimes, information technology only takes to sign upwardly for an business relationship and yous tin start using the basic features for gratuitous. These include the cadre video/sound options and chat.Merely don't settle for the free version. Employ it while it meets your needs, but equally y'all abound you'll probably crave more advanced tools like analytics, a higher number of users and bigger file storage.

Also, use the free version as a trial phase. Using the app will let you evaluate it better and place its strengths and weaknesses firsthand. Here are some things you should consider when evaluating the free version:

How many participants does it allow?
What types of meetings does information technology handle?
Do all participants go to prepare it upwardly speedily?
Does it allow screen sharing?
Can it integrate with the other apps you are using?

Lastly, signing up for a free account lets y'all compare products downwardly to the details. At that place yous have information technology, the key essentials on video conferencing software solutions in your hands. What used to be an expensive and complex infrastructure is now readily available, and, frequently, for gratuitous at that.

Past Stephanie Seymour

Stephanie Seymour is a senior business annotator and one of the crucial members of the FinancesOnline research team. She is a leading good in the field of business intelligence and data science. She specializes in visual data discovery, cloud-based BI solutions, and big data analytics. She's fascinated past how companies dealing with big data are increasingly embracing cloud business concern intelligence. In her software reviews, she always focuses on the aspects that let users share analytics and enhance findings with context.

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