Videoconferencing options for small biz
Ask Annie takes on videoconferencing options. What do you recommend?
From John Wabel Well Annie video-conferencing is not brain surgery.
If you need:
16 peoples faces on the screen at once
A Whiteboard that is available to all
Application and screen sharing
24/7 tech support and low cost
There are several options Google Robin Good.
From Robb Shelly, Milpitas CA Want something with great video quality, portable, Wi-Fi, and super easy to use…
Check this out:
http://inperson.creative.com/
From Alvin, Cleveland, OH I think that either Cisco or Polycom gives the best video conferencing and voice conferencing systems. They have very high quality cameras and they have been in the video conferencing market for many years.
Moreover, with more and more discount polycom products that are out there, it is relatively inexpensive to own a video conferencing system.
From Meridith Levinson, Arlington, VT We've reviewed a lot of videoconferencing technologies at CIO.com, and we've come to the conclusion that video conferencing is just plain complicated. One video conferencing system we liked that was reasonably affordable was LifeSize. Polycom also has a good system.
From Craig Poschmann Instead of talking about $300,000 pieces of equipment, and some less expensive videoconferencing items – - why wouldn’t you bother to mention something like this, for less than $50/month?
http://www.packet8.net/equipment/business/video_systems.aspx
Craig
From Jan Why was there no mention of Packet8's suit of Virtual Office business products in your latest Fortune article on videoconferencing?
http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/30/smbusiness/103191453.fsb/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote
If you are unaware of their products, please research them at http://www.packet8.net and the company http://www.8×8.com for more info.
They carry the perfect SMB's videoconferencing solutions and have been in business for over 20 years doing related products.
Just a concerned 3rd party, who loves their service and this article was void of any mention of them, which is sad!
-Jan
From Mike Pihlman In addition to renting rooms, just about any WiFi location can support
videoconferencing (either H.323 standards based or Internet based
products such as ooVoo or SightSpeed). Think of the freedom one now has
for videoconferencing?!! You are no longer tied to high cost rooms and
can video from virtually anywhere. And have your coffee too! 
See this mini-study I conducted in several Tracy, CA WiFi locations…
http://yeoldetechy.blogspot.com/2007/11/are-all-wi-fi-hot-spots-created-equa
l.html
Note: Video quality is great (and many people seem to desire that above
all else), but, there is great value (in my opinion sometimes greater
value) to being able to meet from your desktop (or phone or other
device), on an ad-hoc basis, and share data as well as see and hear your
colleagues or family….think telephone or cell phone but with video and
data sharing.
Mike
From s mukkudan I read your piece on Video conferencing. I think you should check out the free collaboration products from Damaka http://www.damaka.com
They are into collaboration and communication software. They offer free IM, audio, video, audio/video conference, Phone to Phone, Phone to PC, file sharing, voice mail all this stuff for free. They have all these applications on mobile PDA's also for people on the move. They can do video calling over the mobile PDAs too PDA to PC, PC to PDA etc etc.
This kind of application is ideal for folks like Adam Zak, Managing Director, Adams & Associates International
check em out: http://www.damaka.com
From Victoria Erinle In response to your article on 'Videoconferencing', we use and market
the exclusive Globalinx Videophone. It works via the Internet (Voip
technology). This videophone only cost $199.99 and is portable. We use
it for distance learning programs or just to see distant relatives
across the globe for $24.95 a month. To use it for interviewing, you
will need to mail one to the candidate if they don't alrealdy have one
at home. With technology the world is getting smaller!
Victoria Erinle
Owner
VOEShop
Texas
From Gleb Esman, Ottawa, Canada One of the interesting alternative WEB conferencing solution is manufactured by Canada based Epiphan Systems. The device intercepts all VGA video (whatever is on your screen) and broadcasts it through the web to your viewers. Viewers needs to know password to connect to your screen presentation.
Advantage of this solution is that it does not require any modifications or software installations on presenter's computer – nothing to install. This works well in secure environments and in cases where corporate policy prohibits install of any additional software.
Additional advantage is that you can actually make presentation of otherwise difficult to capture screens – such as BIOS settings, software and operating system crash scenarios.
This solution also allows to transmit over the web screen captures from non-computer devices, such as medical ultrasound devices, high res CCTV cameras and any other equipment that has standard VGA out connector.
Here is the schematic of this:
VGA2WEB Web Conferencing
Gleb Esman, glebesman@gmail.com
From Stacey C in Plano, Texas We are currently looking at MS'snew Round Table videoconferencing for a client to have weekly meetings with investor group in another state. It ties in with Live Meeting and can cover a full 360 degrees in the conference room. It keys on the speaker, so you can get a good view of who is presenting at that time. The cameras are about $3k each, but others can join in with webcams if wanted.
From Tom Klein, Atlanta, GA We're currently using Acrobat Connect from Adobe. It works well, impresses, clients, and is easy to use. Also, an important thing for us – it works with Macs and PC's. Nice, huh?
It costs about the same as GoTo Meeting and those other guys.
Oh, and by the way, I'm not connected with Adobe in any way (though I wish I were a big shareholder : ) ).
If you're looking for collaboration ideas, be sure to check out our free site that highlights a ton of similar tools.
You can find them at feed growth!. It's a lighthearted site for people who are looking for growth ideas and inspiration.
From Steven, Boston Ma We use SnapYap for our company because you can use it anywhere without having to install software. Works really well, and is way more effective than a phone call.
From Kerry Collins, Long Valley, NJ Video conferencing for small businesses can yield many benefits such as cost savings & enhanced productivity. It can also cost a small company money and a productivity if not done carefully.
There are several variables to ensuring successful video conferences. Equipment, network and support should be three that are heavily considered. Small companies need to be sure to assess their needs and experience level with video before making a purchasing decision.
There are many companies that provide video conferencing equipment and network, but not many that provide a plug in play service to make video work. One company that takes the headache out of video conferencing for small companies is Glowpoint; http://www.glowpoint.com . Glowpoint has the network, equipment and staff that makes video work.
If you dare to venture out on your own with video, consider your bandwidth needs carefully and make sure you have the staff that understands network and video, or you could sour your users perception of video.
Last week, CoroWare announced an affordable Personal Telepresence Service that is powered by Vidyo's award winning products and technology.
Monthly service plans can scale from individual desktop video conferencing to complete telepresence rooms. Customers can select from a range of monthly plans instead of purchasing and maintaining their own telepresence system and network infrastructure. CoroWare's high-definition (HD), multi-point video conferencing service can be delivered over broadband and 3G wireless Internet connections.
In addition, CoroWare, in cooperation with Vidyo, is offering one free month of its Personal Telepresence Service to any business or organization that needs to reduce business travel because of health risks or budgetary concerns.
For general information, please visit http://www.coroware.com/telepresence. For subscription pricing and to take advantage of the one-month free trial offer, please contact us at sales@coroware.com.
With best regards,
Lloyd