Web Conferencing Software

Web confe­ren­cing soft­ware is an example of SaaS that allows users to host audio visual meetings via the Internet. Through the use of webi­nars and web confe­ren­cing soft­ware, compa­nies can disse­mi­nate infor­ma­tion to their employees, custo­mers, share­hol­ders or other persons of inte­rest in a timely fashion at low cost.

Uses of Web Conferencing Software

Web confe­ren­cing soft­ware can be used for conduc­ting online meetings, disse­mi­na­ting share­holder data, e‑learning, instruc­tional videos, sharing slide presen­ta­tions, online trai­ning, file sharing, and other forms of web colla­bo­ra­tion. Web confe­ren­cing is neces­sary for sharing the visual compo­nent of an online presen­ta­tion that cannot be commu­ni­cated through voice alone.

Advantages of Web Conferencing Software

Web confe­ren­cing soft­ware allows compa­nies to save time and travel expenses by meeting virtually. Web confe­ren­cing differs from tele­con­fe­ren­cing by incor­po­ra­ting the inter­ac­tive human or visual element. The infor­ma­tion is commu­ni­cated in real-time, as if the parti­ci­pants of the meeting were in the same room. The mode­rator can use a white­board to under­line, draw or commu­ni­cate ideas and can execute most actions that indi­vi­duals would perform in a board room, aside from shaking hands. Almost an unli­mited number of users can connect using the soft­ware. To save costs even further free web confe­ren­cing solu­tions are also available for profes­sional use.

How Web Conferencing Works

Web confe­ren­cing soft­ware works simi­larly to tele­con­fe­ren­cing. Typi­cally a web confe­rence allows for 10 of fewer parti­ci­pants to colla­bo­rate at one time. Webinar soft­ware allow for hundreds to listen to a few mode­ra­tors speak in turn. Both, web confe­rences and web semi­nars are imple­mented by the same soft­ware with diffe­rent settings. The audio aspect of web confe­ren­cing is imple­mented through confe­ren­cing tools or Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

Indi­vi­duals are typi­cally invited to web confe­rences via email, phone, or text message. During this commu­ni­ca­tion, the attendee is given the infor­ma­tion neces­sary to connect to the Webinar. This infor­ma­tion usually consists of a login and a pass­word. Once the invi­ta­tion is accepted, the parti­ci­pant can log onto the system up to an hour before the confe­rence occurs.

When a majo­rity of the atten­dees are connected to the online confe­rence, the mode­rator will begin the confe­rence. During the confe­rence, parti­ci­pants will exch­ange infor­ma­tion through file sharing tools, white­boards, via voice, via instant messa­ging or desktop sharing.

Web semi­nars are often recorded and used later as instruc­tional videos for those indi­vi­duals unable to attend the live seminar.