However, web conferencing can be used well beyond sales or product demos. It can be used by almost every employee in your organization. For example, your HR department can use to train employees. Your top executives can use to discuss company financials and proposals. Your engineers can use to collaborate their work. Your customer support staff can use it to train and support customers.

Web conferencing use cases

The RHUB web conferencing appliance allows you to deploy web conferencing function to everyone in your company. Its floating licensing only controls the concurrent number of meetings and participants. There is no limit to the number of users who can host meetings. That is, the other 90% of your employees can take advantages of web conferencing once you deploy the RHUB appliance. This is the first step to show how the RHUB web conferencing solutions boost 1,000% of productivities by hosted services.

To facilitate the deployment to all employees, the RHUB appliances (in 1U form factors only) come with very easy integration with your LDAP. You don’t need to input every employee profile to the appliance. Just input your LDAP IP address and one user credential and all employees will be able to use web conferencing right away.

In addition to web conferencing, the RHUB appliance comes with other real-time collaboration applications:

• Remote Support – support PC and Mac users remotely
• Remote Access – access your office or home PCs from anywhere anytime
• Web Seminar – provide online seminars without download of any kind for view-only attendees

without any additional cost. That is the next step to show your boss how the RHUB web conferencing solutions boost OVER 1,000% of productivities by hosted services.

To learn the details about the RHUB appliance, visit this URL:

http://www.rhubcom.com/v4/web_conferencing/4-in-1-web_conference.html

I would be interested in your opinion.

Understanding Sales

The salesperson’s function is so vital that they must be well trained so they can perform at the highest level. In fact the training of the average salesperson is often ongoing. They are constantly updated on new sales techniques or company product offerings as they become available.

Sales interact with customers, resellers and sometimes suppliers. As would be expected, this involves a lot of man hours to schedule and take part in meetings. Travel time is another major issue for anyone involved in sales. These days, many companies have seen the value of web conferencing in helping salespersons to get more done.

Greater Efficiency

The salesperson can meet with one or more clients at the same time thus greatly improving efficiency. This will basically cut the workload of anyone involved in sales as there is no need to travel to meet with just one person. Time spent moving around could be time spent in productive meetings.

Simply put, web conferencing helps salespersons get more done. Whereas, initially the job demanded a sometimes hectic commute, now almost everything can be done from a single location. Even with a basic web conferencing product a web meeting can be scheduled and hosted quickly.

Today thousands of companies turn to meeting software vendors for conferencing solutions that will deliver. While salespersons clearly benefit from using web conferencing, they offer benefits in many aspects of modern enterprise. The usefulness of web conferencing tools cannot be overstated. It can even be considered a salesperson’s best friend.

The Path to Reducing Consumption

These days the idea of cost savings has taken on a life of its own. This is largely due to the worldwide economic recession which has affected many companies worldwide. Catastrophic events such as the recent eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland have companies seeking viable alternatives to business travel. Simple routes to minimizing consumption include:

• Cutting down on paper usage: Some experts predict that eventually everything will be stored digitally. Until that day comes, companies can begin by eliminating paper files where possible. For added protection a policy of backup and retrieval should be put in place.
• Using web conferencing tools: From real time collaboration to meetings and webinars, web conferencing software does it all. It also virtually eliminates the need for business travel saving millions of dollars in the process. Web conferencing plays a vital role in the current green movement since it cuts fuel costs. It can also reduce the need for printed material for meetings.
• Embracing alternative energy: Companies that are located near lakes can explore the option of geothermal energy. Solar and wind energy are also attractive options currently being used by many institutions.

Utilizing these solutions is well within the reach of many companies. It is even beneficial for many companies as it helps to bring down the operating cost. Even small businesses are currently using meeting software with great effect. With alternative energy the initial capital outlay can be substantial, but this depends on each company’s energy needs. Cost savings from alternative energy usage are usually realized within months.

While it is true that hosting a web conference is not a major challenge, to be able to use the meeting tools to it fullest capabilities, the technology has to be understood. New customers are often wary of new technology and might shy away from adopting a new system. Below are commonly asked questions which address the concerns many potential users of web meeting software may have:

1. What exactly is a web conference? It is the ability to host a live meeting via the Internet. It offers real time discussions online often involving people from various locations, sometimes the audience is spread across continents.
2. Is it safe to use? This is a perfectly understandable concern as many operating system vulnerabilities are exposed by going online. With web conferencing, this is no different since despite the best efforts, unauthorized persons can sometimes enter a meeting. This kind of intrusion is extremely rare. The majority of users can rest assured that their computer firewalls and internal network security settings offer adequate protection.
3. Is it expensive? Utilizing technology has a cost, but web meeting software pays for itself due to the cost savings it generates. The web meeting option chosen depends on a company’s specific needs and its budget. With this in mind, many providers offer attractive options that are within the reach of even small businesses.
4. What features do I get? For the most part, basic features are the same across the board regardless of provider. These include live chat, webcam viewing and PowerPoint presentations. The differences arise with issues like guaranteed number of attendance, audio and video quality, image sharpness and speed of data transmission. When web meeting software options are compared, the differences quickly become apparent.
5. What equipment is needed? Access to the Internet is essential for the deployment of web meeting software. Other useful pieces of equipment include speakers, headphones and microphone and sometimes a web camera. Downloads are not always necessary, as there are hosted web conference options online. Many companies may choose to use appliances which eliminate monthly user fees.

Today it takes very little time to set up a web conference. Web meeting software is experiencing increased market awareness as more companies seek ways to cut costs. There is a wealth of information online about these products and the associated benefits.

Attending a Web Conference

The quality or success of a web conference will be evaluated differently depending on the person. While the overall success is largely determined by the host, there are some things you can do to get the most out of your web meetings. Factors you can control that are needed for a web conference include:

• Internet connection: High speed is preferable as it will enable faster downloads. It also enhances video and sound quality.
• Speakers and microphone: A microphone is optional as it depends on the format of the particular conference. Speakers are essential.
• Webcam: This depends on whether you are supposed to be seen in the web meeting. In many instances this is not necessary.

Making Your Contribution

It’s true that the web conference is different from the standard meeting setting, but rules of good etiquette still apply. If you are expected to log in at a certain time, do so. Make note of any email reminders of the conference so you won’t miss the date.

If it is supposed to be an open discussion, prepare some quick points beforehand. Make notes during the session if you think it necessary. Take advantage of chat function during meeting to post questions without disrupting the presentation.

Avoid straying off topic. It might be a big money saver, but with web meetings time is still money. Using tools that enable collaboration and free flow of ideas will make for a more meaningful session. Some features you might want to look out for include:

• Whiteboard
• Text chat
• Live video

As with face-to-face meetings, you typically get from a web conference what you are willing to put into it. Luckily, attending a web conference is not a technical issue, so you can concentrate on what is important. So before you attend your next webinar or web meeting, think about what you will contribute.

A Brief History of the Gaming Console

The video game console represents possibly the best example of the meeting know how and imagination. Like so many tools being used today, game consoles had a relatively humble beginning with the release of the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. This was followed by the Atari Pong in 1975. Subsequent releases by these and other companies included:

• Magnavox Odyssey 100 and the Odyssey 200, both released in 1975
• Atari Super Pong, 1976
• Wonder Wizard 7702, 1976
• Atari 400, 1979
• Vectrex, 1982

Most would agree that the era of the modern console began with the introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. This sparked something of a race with other developers such as Sony over the following years. Bringing along and aiding the growth of the multi billion dollar gaming industry today.

Enhanced Communication Capabilities of Consoles

Not satisfied with groundbreaking graphics and enhanced game play, developers sought to take advantage of the growing Internet audience. Online gaming basically means that the game is played over a network. This can be anything from World of Warcraft to Xbox Live. The real time interaction is no different from the collaborative capabilities of web conferencing software.

Gamers have been able to test their mettle against other players on PC and console games for some time. Additionally, headsets allow them to maintain constant voice communication with team members. Like web conference tools many online games played on the PC have a live chat feature. Players can form teams or go one on one using online communication capabilities.

While most players might not stop to think about it, when they go head to head with others at distant locations, they are in fact conferencing.

This overlapping of technology is good not only for the gaming industry but also for web conferencing companies as well. While gamers and web conference users wait for the next big development, one thing is clear, the sky is the limit.

In spite of their obvious technical know how, IT staff is sometimes at odds with the company’s decision makers. Not surprisingly most of these little squabbles revolve around money. IT department strive to bring the best products to the company but often overlooking the staggering price tag that comes along with a top of the tier product. With communications technology there are lots of grey areas where cost is concerned. Sometimes it makes sense to go all out, sometimes it doesn’t.

The Web Conferencing Dilemma

Deciding to use web conferencing is not much of a quandary these days. There is ample evidence that supports the idea that this one of the best routes a company can take for communications. However, with there being so many vendors out there, making a decision can be hard. Just remember that certain features are considered essential, such as:

• Audio conferencing integration
• Screen sharing or remote desktop
• File transfer
• Text chat

These are pretty much standard with most web conferencing solutions. Just keep in mind that the quality of these features varies depending on the provider.

The Clash over Web Meetings

The thing to remember is that IT staff usually knows what they are talking about. It is what they were hired for. Still, it never hurts to do your own research. A more informed buyer is a better buyer. With web meetings, higher cost does not always translate to quality. Start by defining the need of the company. Once you start out with a clear picture of what your company needs, choosing a conferencing solution becomes simplified.

Choose a solution that is scalable, that is, capable of growing as your company does. You’ll find that on this issue, you and the IT department will be on the same page.

Using a hosted service means that the service is operated from a server controlled by the vendor. Thus, the flow of the meeting is largely dependent on the vendor’s capabilities. Pricing for hosted services is generally based on the number of attendees. So the end user is dependent upon the provider for performance issues such as having the appropriate bandwidth and to quickly fix bugs.

Making the Tough Decision between Conferencing Services

In deciding between the two types of web conferencing services, what boils down is how much control the user would like to have. What some consider a negative to the hosted option is the fact that the vendor needs to stay on top of potential issues that may arise. Bugs must be reported quickly, and the vendor must also respond quickly. The performance and usability of the service is almost entirely dependent upon the provider. Also, users need to stay on top of upcoming updates as it could also cause compatibility issues with the user’s operating system. As such, there is the need for constant communication between the vendor and the end user.

On the other end, on-premise solutions performance is dependent on the user. Users will also have more control in allocating resources to support their communication needs. Appliances are attractive options as they require no manual software updates and brings down the cost of ownership through elimination of monthly fees.

The success of your real-time communication will depend on variety of factors. Even within hosted or on-premise solutions, features and offerings will vary by provider. Learn more about what each supplier has to offer and try the product before you make your decision. This way you can avoid headaches later and ensure smooth communications with your online meetings.

The Revenue Fallout

According to some reports, airlines were losing as much as $200 million a day due to cancelled flights. Business travel in the areas affected by the volcanic ash also resulted in huge losses for companies around the world. In total, the airline industry is believed to have lost $1.7 billion. This is a harsh blow for an industry struggling to get back on its feet.

How Conferencing Can Help in the Next Eruption

The halt in flights for many part of Europe left travelers stuck in airports around the world. Travelers had to pay exorbitant rates for cab and train rides to get home where possible. For others, web conferencing become a great way for stranded travelers to stay in touch with family and work. All of this means one thing; companies must explore and embrace other ways of conducting business globally, such as webinars.

As the Iceland volcano eruption has taught us, regardless of nature’s whims business has to get done. Sending employees to various destinations around the world has already lost favor with many companies. Now due to the lessons learned from Eyjafjallajökull, it has become clear that business travel is a somewhat outdated concept.

With a good web conferencing product, meetings can be easily planned and executed. File transfer, session recording, seminar with thousands of attendees are all possible with web conferencing tools.

Now that flights have resumed and special flight zones have been established, the airlines will have to dust themselves off and move on. Web conferencing companies should now be poised to further prove their worth to the modern business environment. So the next time your company outlines major travel plans, don’t hesitate to step up and save them a bundle.