If you are thinking of going into the web and video conferencing then it is important to know what is required to operate any proposed conferencing system. Some systems run on proprietary software and need special equipment, while browser-based systems generally don’t require special software or equipment to be installed. Many organizations and individuals will find browser-based solutions easier to use. Here are some reasons why this is so:
1. They work on all operating systems. Do you have some users on Mac and some on PC? Do you have some users who have Linux? If you want to connect all these people in a conference, it may be impossible if you have to install special software to run your conference. In this case, a browser-based system that can run on all operating systems and all browsers allows you to connect with all of your staff or clientele without worrying about the type of computer they’re operating.
2. No need to download and install software. Sure, people are becoming more computer literate as time goes on, but downloading and installing software and getting software to work properly can be a hurdle for some people. The good news is that with many browser-based systems there is no software to download, because the installation is done on the technology provider’s host computer. Participating in a conference is as easy as going online to view a website.
3. People from anywhere in the world can connect and join the conference. With no equipment setup or software installation to worry about, the door is wide open to broad participation in your conferences. All you have to do is notify your people and provide them with a URL and password so they can join.
4. No problem with firewalls. Most offices and many people protect their computers and networks from hackers by using a firewall. This is good for security, but can become a problem if you’re trying to bring people together in a conference. Many web and browser-based systems are not affected by firewalls, and there is no need to give special instructions to conference participants whose computers may be protected by firewalls.
All of these factors add up to a huge advantage of using browser-based conferencing systems: they allow you to get maximum engagement at your online events. With few or no technical hurdles, these systems make it easy for large numbers of people to participate in online meetings, using a variety of equipment and with varying degrees of computer literacy. So take a look at the various conferencing packages on the market today and choose one that is easy to use and powerful enough to meet your communication needs.
