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Applications of Video Conferencing
Applications of video conferencing technology for work, home & school
May 5, 2006
By: Alice Osborn
Video conferencing technologies for business and
individuals are being used more frequently in today’s
fast-paced world. These video conferencing applications
bring people together, forge successful collaborative
meetings, and give long distance students the same
opportunities as their counterparts in traditional
classrooms. Applications of video conferencing technology
reach far and wide, and the market has much more potential
for future innovation and growth.
Applications for the workplace
Along with reducing travel and training costs, increasing
decision-making, and bringing remote teams together, video
conferencing allows participants to see each other during
meetings and is an excellent collaborative medium that can
also integrate web-based systems. Today, video conferencing
equipment can include room-based video conferencing systems
over an ISDN or LAN/WAN network with specialized cameras or
desktop conferencing over an IP network with inexpensive
webcams. Desktop conferencing using web-based systems is
much cheaper and can be more quickly configured than
room-based video conferencing that takes place in a
conference room.
However, some companies continue to use room-based
conferencing technologies for regularly scheduled meetings
like board meetings, and use web-based conferencing systems
for ad-hoc meetings or for multimedia presentations. In
fact, a new conferencing technology, called presence, is
being used with mobile devices: Blackberries, laptops, and
cell phones. When the presence selection is made, users let
the network know they are free so that colleagues can
contact them for quick questions or for additional
information. Says Elliott Gold, president of TeleSpan
Publishing, "It's the electronic equivalent of leaning out
of your cubicle to ask someone a question."
Applications for home and personal use
Video conferencing helps connect telecommuters, SOHO
(Small Office/Home Office) owners, and individuals reaching
out to friends and family. A small business owner can
communicate to suppliers and customers, and a writer can
video conferencing with her agent and editor. With video
conferencing technology, grandparents who live in another
part of the country can see and talk to their children and
grandchildren. In this age of web conferencing, which
includes instant messaging, co-browsing, data sharing and
video streaming, users can equip their home office for video
conferencing at a relatively small price. The user only
needs a webcam, a soundcard, software, and Internet access.
Applications for distance education
Through video conferencing and distance education,
instructors can reach students in remote regions and give
them the same access to degree programs as their traditional
classroom counterparts. Video conferencing is becoming a
popular technology for schools and universities to adopt
because it costs less and can connect students to other
teaching locations. The technology promotes small class size
and greater interactivity between the students and teachers,
as well as with guest lecturers. Video conferencing
technology for distance learning can include an integrated
system using ISDN or IP/LAN lines within a designated room,
or it can use web-based conferencing technology and video
streaming.
Future growth -- stay tuned
The video conferencing field is continually changing and
developing. As web-based conferencing systems become the
mainstream, more businesses, schools and homes will utilize
video conferencing technology for work, education, and
communication. Although expensive room-based video
conferencing technologies are still employed, current trends
show that users will adopt video conferencing solutions that
are smaller, mobile, and provide even greater connectivity
than ever before.
About the Author
Alice Osborn is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Video-Conferencing-Guide.com. Your definitive guide to everything you need to know about video driven communications, including multi-view video conferencing solutions for business, broadband video phones and personal webcam chat rooms.
Also See: [
Business
conferencing made easier with video and web-based tools ]
[ Top 7 video
conferencing tips to ensure effective virtual meetings ]
[ What is video
conferencing and what are its benefits? ]
Home Page:
[ Video-Conferencing-Guide.com ]
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