The report states that behind this exponential growth is that managers have started to realize that collaboration and web conferencing tools increase employee and business productivity. In the future, according to MarketsandMarkets, increasing productivity and cost control will determine how web conferencing software and appliances will evolve.

These tools and appliances already play an important role in businesses around the world but it is a market with an exponential growth capability. With many companies looking forward to expanding globally, web conferencing tools are the solution to overcome distances and time zones, bringing people together to work collaboratively in real time. Collaborative remote support appliances are also great to train employees and to supervise their work, allowing an employer to train and manage a team on the other side of the world.

With this exponential growth it is expected that over the next few years remote working and web conferencing systems will change the landscape of the traditional working environments. Companies with implemented remote solutions will tend to grow faster and create more jobs becoming dominant in the markets they’re in.

Appliance-based Solution: Lower your cost of collaboration

The web conferencing market is divided into three different types of service delivery: hosted, software and appliance-based services. While hosted services are the most common service available, there are some companies who provide software,  with appliance-based solutions being still relatively unknown to managers and IT professionals worldwide.

While still relatively unknown, the appliance-based systems offer the most reliable web conferencing and remote collaboration solutions.

When comparing RHUB, the leading provider of web conferencing and remote support appliances, with hosted services like WebEx, Citrix and LogMeIn, it is noticeable the RHUB’s appliance is a better solution for companies than the others because it offers more features and better quality. For example, the image quality is better over an appliance-based web conference than at a hosted solution, the same with audio in VoIP. Security wise the appliance is also a better product offering firewall protection for internal meetings and an SSL & Proprietary transmission security. RHUB’s appliance also allows to monitor employee desktops and has an unlimited number of users who can host meetings.

With the market growth with a 10.4% annual growth rate, it is expected that managers will be looking for the better solutions to implement in their companies and so it is anticipated that appliance-based systems such as RHUB will grow over the competition.

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.

Hear the difference when you collaborate online

Project Management Tools – A Necessity?

There is an entire software industry devoted to streamlining project management. Before the advent and growth of web conferencing, project completion relied on the standard methods of communication. Introduction of collaboration tools helped to streamline the workflow, cutting down the time between stages in projects.

In the current economic environment, even large corporations can scarcely afford to waste money in its operations. Project management allows companies to hold down on spending while ensuring targets are met. Web conference tools allow for greater efficiency in this regard. In a wired world, the ability to manage projects from a single central location means significant cost savings.

Web Conferencing’s Impact

Benefits of web collaboration tools are best exemplified through its features. Some include:

• File sharing: team members can share documents easily for feedback and track progress within each stage of the project.
• Presentations: this covers any number of files that need to be seen by those involved in the project. During the presentation the presenter can also discuss each slide with attendees.
• Recording: collaboration sessions can be recorded and archived for later use.

Web conferencing plays a vital role in all stages of the project, from planning to completion. Keeping in constant contact with all members allows the project manager to monitor the key aspects of the project such as:

• Timeline
• Cost
• Resources
• Size and goals of the project

With the right tool in hand, collaboration management software can facilitate the progress of projects easily. Helping a job done right, the first time.

Making a List and Checking It Twice

Thankfully, making a checklist is as simple as using most web conference software on the market today. The equipment necessary to facilitate the meeting experience includes:

• Telephone lines and internet: This is where it all begins since web conferencing takes advantage of existing internet service. High speed internet will make it possible to take advantage of all the features most programs provide.
• System requirements: This is not of much concern these days as most software providers try to ensure compatibility with various operating systems. It still doesn’t hurt to make sure beforehand whether your operating platform will pose potential issues for your web conference software. Other things to check for:
  • Operating system
  • A top-of-line sound card
  • At least 128 MB of RAM
  • Processor speed of no less than 233 MHz
  • A high resolution monitor
• Microphone, headset and speakers: These devices are all integral to the web conference experience. As is usually the case with technology, pricier items tend to equal better sound quality. The type of these devices purchases will however depends on the budget of the individual or company.
• Web cam: While optional, a webcam makes the difference between a video web conference and an audio conference. Most users are likely to be more comfortable if they can see the person they are talking to. For this reason, consider investing in a web cam.

Attendees in the web conference do not necessarily have to match the presenter’s hardware. Though the quality of their system will still affect the quality of the presentation on their end. Once you have all the necessary equipment in place, you’re ready to start!

• Flickering or fuzzy images
• Image distortion
• Poor color quality

With the variety of web conferencing solutions available, one would think that these issues were mostly a thing of the past. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth. These problems are not limited to software versions dated back early last decade. To this day, even some established web conferencing software vendors have been guilty of poor image quality in presentations. In fact, below you can see an example of a presentation from earlier this year. On the right is a screen shot of a slide shown using TurboMeeting, on the left is the same slide shown on WebEx.

Why Image Quality is Important

Firstly, the quality of any type of content is essential to a successful presentation. Sharp image, however, can definitely make any conference more engaging, and less likely to lose the interest of participants. With charts and graphs often included in presentations, distortion of numbers on the graphs essentially render them useless.

The bottom line is that more often than not numbers and charts will be featured prominently in web conferences. When the information is hard to see this poses problems not only for the web presentation itself, but also for the company’s workflow.

Here at RHUB, we make it a priority to present to users with quality products we can stand behind. We understand the frustration of having to squint your way through an hour long presentation.

Any solution that does not deliver quality images is not serving its purpose. Sharper images make for a much more effective and memorable web conference.

“We are excited to be recognized as a key contender in the WR report,” said Larry Dorie, CEO of RHUB. “We’ve worked really hard over the years to make our customers and influencers in the industry aware of our unique product offering which exists in a unique market segment that will continue to grow based on the ever changing business climate. We’ve tried to raise the bar in the industry by making our technology “own-able” and affordable, and by giving our customers four complete real-time collaboration technologies all in one appliance.”

In an executive summary, Wainhouse Research forecasts that the conferencing infrastructure product segments covered in their report will grow from $1.9B in 2009 to over $3.2B in 2014, resulting in a 5-year revenue CAGR of 11.2%. In addition, WR identifies drivers that are forcing corporate, government, and educational institutions to look at audio/web conferencing, unified communications, and team collaboration solutions with greater interest than ever before including, globalization, travel disruptions, and the emergence of the virtual business model.

Even given these growing challenges, RHUB has worked to address the demands of globalization and virtual work teams through its solution called TurboMeeting. TurboMeeting is the leading “Collaboration Quad Player” in the market as the solution delivers a 4-in-1 Web conferencing solution that’s fully loaded with four complete collaboration solutions – all in one box. The technology fully delivers Web conferencing that provides Web-based interactive meetings; Remote support which remotely supports PC and Mac users; Remote Access for remotely accessing computers at home or in the office from anywhere, anytime; and, Web Seminars which requires no downloads and delivers meeting access in seconds.

TurboMeeting also overcomes two key barriers found with WebEx and GotoMeeting – 1) the requirement of downloads, and, 2) ongoing monthly fees. Now, for the first time with TurboMeeting’s view only solution, there are No downloads, No Java, No Flash, No Nothing – just online meeting accessibility done fast.

For a full listing of TurboMeeting appliances and specifications or to learn more, visit www.rhubcom.com.

To download the executive summary for the WR report “RMC: Audio and Web Conferencing Infrastructure Products – 2009” visit www.wainhouse.com/reports .

The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, now offers an interactive, online education program called Reinforcing American History through Electronic Learning; or as known as RACHEL, after President Jackson’s wife. For 60 minutes, students worldwide can participate in an interactive program about the seventh president of the United States. Teachers no longer have to worry about student safety, cost constraints, time constraints, and the endless worries that accompany a typical field trip. Instead, they can sit back and enjoy with students as they learn about topics that range from slavery to the election of President Jackson.

To sign up for an online program, all it takes is a visit to The Hermitage website and a call to set up the online tour. The participants only need to have access to a PC and good internet connection to partake in the program. To promote this new offering, the Hermitage is offering RACHEL at $30 a session, a discount from the usual $60 per session. But hurry, because is only good until February 1^st when prices will go back back to the regular standard price.

So will other museums and points of interest follow in the Hermitage’s footsteps? Only time will tell. Truthfully, it is not an option that is suited to all institutions of this type. Many may simply be unwilling to give up that personal interaction which they see as vital to the learning experience. But whether or not web conference based education programs become a standard part of education, one thing is for sure. This sure beats the alternative, watching a documentary on the life of Andrew Jackson while answering questions on the handout.

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“ITEXPO is the #1 venue where service providers, enterprises, government agencies, resellers, and developers gather to learn from leading organizations, like RHUB Communications, about the benefits of IP Communications products and services,” said Rich Tehrani, TMC Chief Executive Officer. “The evolution in this industry has been monumental and it still continues to grow, outpacing other economic sectors. We are pleased to have RHUB as an innovative participant to share insights during this event.”

ITEXPO is the world’s largest and best-attended IP Communications trade show, drawing an average attendance of 7,000 buyers and sellers of IP Communications products and services. As part of the show, Larry Dorie will serve as a panelist on “The Future of Web Conferencing and Collaboration” Workshop, held on Jan. 20th at 11 am. The session will focus on the “new way” of doing Web Conferencing, including the ability to Web Cam while meeting, and the impact of presence, social networking, voice, video, email and even mobile devices on the conferencing area. In addition, the session will discuss innovative IP-enabled collaboration solutions.

RHUB’s expertise in the conferencing and collaboration arena stems from its solid background in producing a Web Conferencing and Remote Support appliance called TurboMeeting. TurboMeeting is the first solution to deliver four real-time collaboration technologies in one On Premise appliance – allowing customers to not only do Web Conferencing, but also conduct Webinars, deliver Remote Support to clients, and have Remote Access back to personal PCs- all with one box. In addition, TurboMeeting delivers key advantages to enterprises that have transitioned their work teams onto the Private Cloud Computing platform.

ABOUT TMC
Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) is an integrated global media company helping our clients build communities in print, in-person and online. TMC publishes Customer Interaction Solutions, INTERNET TELEPHONY, Unified Communications, and NGN Magazines. For more information about TMC, visit www.tmcnet.com.

ABOUT RHUB
RHUB is a premier provider of on-premise Web conferencing, remote support and remote access appliances, based on the Company’s TurboMeeting software, that meet the needs of any organization. The Company’s end users total over 8,000 in a variety of market segments including services, manufacturing, and government. RHUB is privately-owned and headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. For more information, visit www.rhubcom.com.

Now, with the availability of GoMeetNow on the BPL Network, small businesses
across the globe will have access to a powerful collaboration tool that allows
them to manage a whole host of online business initiatives. Some of those
activities include conducting online meetings with partners and employees,
facilitating live product demos, or even managing sales presentations with new
prospects and customers. Moreover, GoMeetNow complements the rich set of tools
and solutions already provided on the BPL Network.

“GoMeetNow is an ideal platform for hosted partners such as BPL because of its
rich set of features including the ability to broadcast a Webcam of the
presenter and its unique `No Download` mode,” said Jodie Hughes, CEO for IBC
Technology Ltd. “We are pleased to welcome RHUB`s GoMeetNow to the BusinessPoint
Live catalogue of services.”

Users can activate the WebCam feature allowing them to get up close and personal
during their online meetings. GoMeetNow also delivers the first “Guaranteed
Attendance with No Download” Web Conferencing solution in the marketplace,
meaning everyone is guaranteed to be able to join a meeting even if they don`t
have Flash or Java downloaded on their computer.

To learn more about RHUB`s GoMeetNow hosted solution, visit www.gomeetnow.com.
To learn more about RHUB`s TurboMeeting On Premise solution visit
www.rhubcom.com.