There are two types of conferences that can be held over long distances with multiple participants. The first type of conference is a traditional audio conference, sometimes referred to as a conference call. The second type of conference is a web conference or online conference. The web conference is held with video cameras, audio equipment, and an Internet service of some sort. What type of conference you choose to hold depends on many things.
First, consider the level of comfort the main participants have with technology. If the main, crucial participants are not comfortable with Internet technology, then you might have to hold an audio conference in order to make sure they participate. However, if everyone is comfortable with technology, then a web conference can be a more effective way of communicating.
Second, consider what the goal of the conference is. If everyone has the same document, and the goal is to have the participants discuss the document and the next steps, an audio conference is sufficient. If the goal of the conference is to collaborate to create a document or presentation, then a web conference is more effective because a web conference combine audio and visual communication with online document sharing services which allow everyone to edit the same document in real time. Depending on the goal of the conference, different audio conferencing solutions and web conferencing solutions can be used.
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Third, consider what kind of solutions are already in place. If your company already has an audio conferencing solution in place, it can be more effective to make use of the technology already in place. However, if an audio conferencing solution is not in place, a web conferencing solution can be put in place quite easily. All that is required for most web conferencing solutions is a webcam, a microphone, speakers, and an Internet connection. The actual web conferencing will take place on the web conferencing solution platform used by the provider of the web conference.
Fourth, consider what the benefits of each type of technology are. An audio conference solution will allow people to participate in a discussion. However, when the people are not participating in the discussion, they can “mute” their end of the phone and listen while doing other work. Additionally, an audio conference solution works with the telephone lines, which are reliable and dependent and can use a mobile phone or a landline. A web conferencing solution requires Internet access and some other technology. This can be difficult for someone who works from a roaming office to set up and participate in while they are roaming. Additionally, since a web conference uses a video camera, anyone coming and going from the conference is noticeable. Lastly, web conferencing solutions use the Internet, and is one participant’s Internet connection is a mobile connection, the connection can be weak or lost more frequently than a landline connection.
When you are considering an audio conferencing solution or web conferencing solution, these four points are where you should start the analysis of which solution will work best for your meeting.