Connecting Remotely: Getting to know video conferencing

Video conferencing uses VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol, which allows video calls to take place over the internet by converting analogue voice signals to digital signals that can be sent over the internet. Traditional telephone systems, on the other hand, use analogue lines and a series of exchanges (physical switchboxes) to carry voice signals. Through this two-way passage of digital signal, video conferencing allows for interaction between two or more people across the world.

Getting the right equipment or hardware in place largely depends on the size of your meeting rooms - the area you need to cover - and if your staff are working from home, the office, or a combination of both. For conference phones, consider the following:

At home:

• A wired (USB) or wireless (Bluetooth) personal speaker phone.

For the enterprise:

• DECT wireless conference phone powered by a rechargeable battery.
• A wired SIP conference phones powered by POE adapter.

To talk “face-to-face”, one of the most important parts of a video conferencing hardware is a camera, either plug-and-play or a room system. Built-in computer webcams, like those found on smart devices, offer basic functionality. Different web conferencing solutions support different video resolutions which is why purchasing a separate, dedicated webcam may be beneficial. Omni-directional rotating webcams, for example, work well in setups when you need to showcase a product.

Video conferencing can transform an organisation by offering an in-person experience to virtual meetings. Some of the benefits include easy-to-access features such as:  

• Virtual workspaces
• HD video streaming
• Noise-reducing audio
• Scheduling
• In-app chat
• Recording
• The ability to join via telephone

What this means is that the success of video conferences often depends on the software used paired with the right equipment. Picking video conferencing software is an important decision and user experience is key. Distributed teams need to join a platform seamlessly and across any device - users expect plug-and-play functionality that’s flexible, yet failsafe.

Video conferencing provides the means to:

• Streamline collaboration
• Improve efficiency and increase productivity
• Increase team communication and understanding
• Save time and money - say goodbye to commutes
• Build relationships inside and out of the company

Learn how to increase employee productivity with communication tools like video conferencing.