Mobile apps are making the process of engaging in business easier than ever. Today, businesses can work with people from all over the world without ever leaving their office. Remote and work-from-home teams are becoming even more common, thanks to the ability to use video conference solutions to connect over video, telephone, and even instant message. Companies are now creating social media intranets that encourage coworkers to work together, using the power of a friendly platform to ensure that they are able to enjoy their work while staying efficient.
Video conferencing is also becoming very common through the evolution of the remote team. At its most basic, services like Skype allow people to connect one-on-one. Choosing an excellent video conferencing solution can help business executives to host virtual face-to-face meetings, and can even provide businesses with a way to interview new employment candidates or clients. It has allowed many companies to provide face-to-face customer service from a distance, and has given people the ability to offer free seminars and knowledge workshops. With so many benefits, and such an easy way to get started, it’s an easy change to adapt to.
If you’ve been considering video conferencing for your business, have a look at the solutions below to find out how they can help. Even if you decide that apps simply aren’t for you, there are alternatives available for better flexibility.
Google+ Hangouts
Although Google+ itself hasn’t really done that well, aside from forced use through Google’s mandatory signup to access services like YouTube and Gmail, Google+ Hangouts does have practical applications in business. Firstly, it’s free; this makes it more accessible to the average small business. Secondly, it can be used to connect up to nine team members anywhere on Earth. This is ideal for remote team meetings or even consultations.
Skype
Skype is better used for one-on-one conversations, but it’s easy setup and compatibility with many different systems makes it an excellent choice for small and large businesses. Add to this the ability to structure group chat sessions, and it can actually be a reasonable choice for virtual meeting spaces. Skype’s only downside is that it requires you to have a premium account in order to make video calls; that being said, even if one person in the group is a premium member, video calls will work.
ooVoo
The ooVoo platform is free, but it provides a very surface-level product. If you simply need a way to connect with up to 12 people, this may be an efficient choice for you. ooVoo also allows you to send video messages, which can be a more efficient way of disbursing important information to a team. For a free service, the quality is decent; most individuals on a broadband connection will find it very clear. It comes complete with screen-sharing services, allowing for easy training and development of skills. Just as with Skype, it comes in a downloadable program; this can be time-consuming if you have a large team, but the installation process is fairly simple.
When Simple Apps Aren’t Enough
Applications are great because they can be deployed in a hurry, and they are relatively inexpensive for small business. Unfortunately, they lose their ability to keep up with the needs most businesses have after a certain growth point. For larger businesses, or businesses who require face-to-face video conference solutions, purchasing equipment and running an internal video conferencing service can be very much preferable.
With these more easily customizable solutions, businesses can structure video conferencing to be:
- More secure
- Privatised
- Accessible to specific people
- Accessible to the public
- Only available on an intranet
This can allow systems to break free of traditional setups, and can be an excellent choice for those who work with sensitive information.
Available equipment is compatible with many different connections or networks. It can also negate the need for a separate cloud service provider. It’s possible for businesses to purchase their own cloud servers, hosting all video conferencing off of the public internet. While it can be difficult to choose between creating your own solution and choosing an already available solution, it’s important to choose carefully between wants, needs, and budget for best results.
