Now that you’ve decided you need interactive video conferencing for your business, where do you go? Choosing the right video conferencing equipment may seem like a daunting task, but with this guide you’ll find it to be a breeze. Here’s what you need to know about interactive video conferencing equipment and how to decide what will best fit your business needs.
Your Current Network
If you’re going to use interactive video conferencing to connect employees, expand customer service and increase cooperation with business partners then you need to look at your current network. You can buy Blue Jeans best video conferencing equipment, but if you don’t have the network to support it then it might become a frustrating endeavor. Think about how the additional traffic on your network and video connection will affect your existing set-up. You might need to consider adding or updating devices you have in your network to support the video conferencing system.
It’s also important to look at the components of your system, such as desktop computers or laptops. Are they currently equipped with web cams? If you don’t have the right equipment already in place you may want to consider a fully installed system that includes video cameras, microphones and monitors. Buying an installed solution could end up saving you money if your components are not up to snuff.
Employees Needs
The people who use the interactive video conferencing system the most are going to be able to tell their needs the best. Find out if they run small or large meetings and if they tend to be long meetings or short ones. Do they schedule them ahead of time and if so, how far in advance? Or are the meetings more spur of the moment or organic in nature? Are the meetings recorded? It’s also a great idea to try and find out if your outside partners will be able to interface with your video conferencing system. All of these questions will help you to find the best video conferencing system to suit your needs, as well as a system that will integrate well with systems from other vendors.
How Hi-Tech Do You Go?
Many video conferencing systems offer support for your hardware and software used for the video conferencing. It’s easy to get software for desktops, laptops and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, but if your business requires executive videoconferencing capabilities then you may need more. You can have a room wired to monitors, stereo sound and even voice-locating cameras. It all depends on your individual needs as a company.
Keep It Simple
If you want your employees to easily adopt the video conferencing system and use it to its fullest potential, then the experience of using it has to be simple. The larger the manual, the more daunting the system might feel to employees and in turn they may shy away from using it. Systems that are intuitive to use and don’t need a user manual are one of the best ways to go. Everyone can be trained on the system in the beginning and then it can be used to improve collaboration and save your business money.
Room to Grow
Choosing a system with the capability to upsize is really important. If you anticipate your business growing over the next several years then you need to choose a system that not only meets your current needs, but your future needs as well. Make sure to inquire about how easy it will be to upgrade the system, get more bandwidth and add more equipment as your business grows.
Keep It Secure
It has to be said that using video conferencing requires diligent security on your end. Make sure that any traffic your business creates across a video conferencing system is encrypted when sensitive information is being discussed. This is especially important in legal matters or in product development. Remember to keep your network as secure as you can.
You’ve Got the Look
Aesthetics are important, especially to potential clients. Walking into a cramped and unorganized space will not garner favor with any potential business partners or clients, so make sure that when you choose a video conferencing system that you choose one that will fit discreetly into your office setting. The goal of any video conferencing system is to enhance communication across distances, so your employees should feel natural in using the equipment. If they have a large camera or too large monitor in their face that will not facilitate a natural feel to the system.
Overall
Video conferencing has many benefits to your business, but just as with every other detail, integrating a system into your office should be thought out carefully. As long as you plan well and make smart decisions about the system you invest in then you are making a big investment in your business that will bring it well into this century and keep you at the cutting edge of technology.
Selecting right video conferencing tool is very important as right selection of tool provides various benefits in terms of cost, security, flexibility, productivity etc. By keeping in mind above mentioned points, one may select from a wide range of tools such as R-HUB HD video conferencing servers, webex, gotomeeting etc.