Gotomeeting is the Web Conferencing Champion of 2011

Posted on January 23, 2011 by staff

Web Conferencing Opportunities On the Rise in 2011

With the increasing popularity of high-speed connections, 3G and higher mobile communication, and the growth in mass acceptance of using high-tech devices to network for social or business purposes, web conferencing services like Gotomeeting are expected to expand in the decade following 2011. Millions of consumers have already quietly been acclimated to the concept of the Internet-based meeting through television news shows, that frequently show parties separated across the country on the same screen, debating each other on current issues.

The public is more ready than ever before to participate in conferencing via online or other remote formats, and have adjusted to the concept of treating the video or audio format for meeting as equally valid compared to traditional conferences. Software providing web conferencing services has also become more user-friendly and flexible since the launch of such online utilities 10 to 12 years ago. The introduction of larger mobile handheld devices such as the iPad has also made the display of remote images and documents in a virtual meeting more readable with the purposes of smoothly conducting the online conference.

Web conferencing recently has been subject to more innovative uses that will likely continue in 2011 and beyond. Use of the medium as an instruction tool outside of a business context (in many distance learning courses, medical training, or political rallies) hold the potential to explode the use of such services in upcoming years. Many businesses have found the service useful as an additional means of making client or customer service contacts with the customer base, and many doctors hold “virtual house calls” to provide instruction to patients who are physically unable to attend a clinic setting.

How does WebEx Compare to GoToMeeting?

Rivalry has already arisen among competitors in the new web conferencing field, so they quick comparison may be helpful. WebEx and GoToMeeting are classed as “collaboration services” in that they host a virtual meeting where information can be demonstrated or explained in an interactive format. From there, the products diverge in different directions.

In the words of Dan Chambers of InvesCo:

GoToMeeting is designed to be the easiest program to install and understand, which are given a thumbs up among businesses that would prefer a highly intuitive to navigate program. Of the two programs GoToMeeting also has the most affordable interface.

Many do like the screen sharing and remote control interface of GoToMeeting better, though. It’s just a little slicker and more intuitive. But WebEx has it beat in terms of collaborative utility. WebEx can be a little bumpy, and not very user friendly. Yet that learning curve is offset by the flexibility and set of features it offers, which goes beyond that of the competitor. When video is used within a WebEx conference, for example it can be shown from six different web cams. WebEx also supports Linux, Solaris, and UNIX operating systems. GoToMeeting is limited to Windows and Mac.

In overall simplicity and friendliness, GoToMeeting tends to prevail over WebEx among many users. If one is choosing the latter program, one workaround might be to have one “heavy” person handle navigating the features of WebEx while making it as simple as possible for other participants to use the system to meet the web conference. In all, if you have a small to middle sized business, you may become more comfortable with GoToMeeting than with its competitor, but it’s up to you to figure out which of the two has a feature set that is most compatible with what you want to get out of web conferencing.

5 Tips for Effective Online Meetings

Posted on October 1, 2010 by staff

When was the last meeting that you conducted online? Was it successful? Did you learn something from that meeting? Were you able to accomplish what you set out to do? Did you feel that the meeting was unnecessary?

You might be a person who spends a lot of time with meetings – organizing or conducting them. You may also have experienced or felt that the meeting you just attended/conducted is of no practical use. Perhaps, the meeting was not well planned or didn’t go as planned. Whatever the reason, if you conduct a meeting it should present at least one benefit for the attendees. It all depends on what kind of meeting you organize. This video gives a short example:

Are meetings all that bad? Of course not! They are handy many-a-time. They are the ones where essential knowledge is disseminated. Meetings are the ones that can save your time and money too. It is there that you generate new ideas and get your team working together to achieve more. This is the typical meeting – in room and online.

If you want to get the most out of your online meetings, read on:

1. Outline the goal of the meeting. Determine whether the meeting is a necessity or not. Well, you have to get your goals down. If you don’t jot them down somewhere, you may forget why you called for the meeting. Determine the meeting’s necessity – can you do without it? Think about it: can you send a mail and pass on the same message even quicker? Organizing online meetings is not an easy job.

2. Set an agenda. You need to have a well-organized meeting plan. Online meetings should have a well-written meeting plan. This meeting plan should be in line with the initial goals thought of.

3. Start and end online meetings on time. This point is of utmost importance. If you start your meeting late and end it late, as a result, there will be unnecessary commotion and stress. The unrest you will notice on your web cam will not be a pleasant thing.

4. Don’t get diverted. Diversion is easily created in online meetings. Since you are not facing the crowd eye-to-eye, there are chances that you will get distracted by anything happening in the area. Start with your objective and stay on track – don’t deviate.

5. Follow-up plan. Ensure that you have a list of assignments that you want your attendees to perform. Your online meetings should never be conducted without a game plan.

If you want to conduct successful online meetings, following these five helpful tips will prove to be diamonds in the rough.

Webmeeting Comparison: Gotomeeting vs. DimDim

Posted on September 19, 2010 by staff

Gone are the days when face-to-face meetings were the only way to reach a definite conclusion on a specific business deal. In this age of global communication, everything is available on the information super highway. The best way to save your valuable money and time and reduce the cost of traveling is to get in touch with Gotomeeting.

Gotomeeting, a unique web-hosting service created as well as marketed by Citrix Systems is a one-of-a-kind remote meeting as well as desktop-sharing software that allows users to convene different customers, computer users, colleagues or clients through the World Wide Web in a real-time time sequence.

VS.

The unique service from gotomeeting was originally designed to allow users with uninterrupted desktop sharing facility utilizing the Internet. Gotomeeting in addition provides complete security to users in terms of the encryption and passwords it provides. The technology involved in Citrix’s web-hosting subscription service is exceptional.

Another web hosting service that allows users to connect with other users while staying online and interact with each other using an exceptional new desktop interface sharing facility is Dimdim. A software firm that provides web-based platform to users to utilize a real time and a rich media interface Dimdim poses a challenge to Citrix’s competitor program. However, the unique free web conferencing service from Gotomeeting has a lot of offer to the users unlike Dimdim which has a limited usage spectrum.

Dimdim facilitates free web-conference service to its users where one can share their desktops as well as perform a host of other operations including slide show presentation, online collaboration, online chat facility and unparalleled broadcast option via web cam.

However, Gotomeeting scores over Dimdim in different quarters. The unique facility of the application allows end-to-end encryption as well as system authentication providing users with safety and security through a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Website. Gotomeeting comes with an end-to-end 128-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption security and provides optional passwords to subscribers which is absent in Dimdim.

The other features of Gotomeeting service are its specific application sharing facility that prohibits other users from viewing all applications and utilizing only the selected programs and their attendees. Moreover, the program provides multi-monitor support to users which is absent with Dimdim. To top it, the system allows the unique facility of recording and saving meetings online as well as playback facility to its subscribers which are hitherto unavailable with Dimdim.

With these amazing features in store, conferencing online using the advanced support of Gotomeeting you can be rest assured that your business can prosper in the days to come.

How to Have Effective Online Meetings

Posted on September 10, 2010 by staff

Online meetings are very effective ways to have business conferences and other kinds of meetings. They make sure that no matter where a person is he or she can be present for the meetings. Sometimes though, these online meetings can seem like they are going on forever in a time stretching effect! The trouble with online meetings sometimes, is that the speaker may not be aware of how much time has already been spent in the meeting. And the subtle gestures which would be easily noticed in a regular meeting, don’t work in online meetings; gestures like edging for the door, looking at the time, etc.

What can you do, in order to keep these meetings going on and on track? If you are organizing the online meetings, here are a few tips that will help your online presentation to go on as planned.

• As already mentioned, one of the key problems in the online meetings is the lack of awareness of the time elapsed. Organize an online meeting space, where the time is also displayed along with the time elapsed in the meeting. This will definitely make sure that everyone is aware of the time that passes in the online meetings.

• If anyone is late for the online meetings, it is still better to start off the meeting on time. Unless this person plays a key role in the organization, or is a key person to make decisions based on the outcome of the meeting. If the meeting is set to start at 3PM, then make sure that the meeting starts at 3PM. Of course, this may require that someone should keep notes and update the late comer.

• When people are informed about the online meeting, they should also be informed of the end time. This will make sure that the online meetings move along just fine. There are times though, when you cannot set an end time for your meeting. For example when the online meeting is critical, or the boss may be coming to the meeting as well.

• Sticking to the agenda of the meeting is a problem in many online meetings. This is because in online meetings, people may want to socialize or bring up new issues that are not meant to be discussed at this meeting. You may be looked at as the ‘bad guy’ if you keep insisting that everyone should stick to the agenda, but it is necessary for someone to do it. This will make sure that the time is used well, and not wasted for unnecessary things.

• Finally, it is important to keep the attendees list as small as possible, for the online meetings. Invite only those people who are important for the meeting. Like those, whose opinions and ideas may be important for the items being discussed at the meeting.

These tips should help you get to grips with software like DimDim and Gotomeeting.

Tips on What to Look For in Online Meeting Software

Posted on August 29, 2010 by staff

The ways in which we can use the Internet for communications purposes is overwhelming. A number of companies have introduced online meeting software, targeting not only the businesses, but also the casual users. This software enables people to communicate with one and another through the Internet, allowing presentations, and trainings, etc. to be conducted from right in front of your computer.

There are a range of packages for you to choose from, each offering software with different features. Some of these software are designed for business purposes, and include features such as presentation uploading, screen and application sharing, remote control, teleconferencing, annotations, web-chat and recording. Online meeting software packs have become almost like a commodity in most of the businesses and households.

The meeting environment is a large window, with the options cascading one side of the screen. Some software even allows the user to upload content into the meeting room that can be viewed by your audience as well. Other software allows the user to share applications – allowing the presenter essentially project their screen or an application onto the screens of their audience, without the having to upload content through the WebEx system. While the graphics still are not very good, they are within the expectations of a normal online meeting software. The animations are much smoother than some of the effects generated by the uploaded content.

It is important to choose online conferencing software that supports high-end graphical presentations, if you are a corporate user. For example, though WebEx is one of the most used online meeting applications, it is a letdown for the corporate users because it does not support all the graphics and animations used in presentations today. GoToMeeting also has an excellent tool for screen sharing, but it is not designed to support uploading at all. Yet, it provides a good software for online meetings for presenters. On the other hand, Microsoft Live Meeting is an excellent online meeting application that supports the best graphical output, and can deliver any type of presentation. PowerPoint slides with animation are also supported by the software. The only negative side to Microsoft Live Meeting is the time consuming process of downloading and installing the software.

When looking for an online meeting software, look for one that supports every need that you have, in terms of graphics, speed, environment, and the features. It is not difficult to choose the perfect package for you; all you need to do is to enter the websites offering the software, and to compare the features unique to each of the software.

How Will Web Metings Affect Our Carbon Footprints?

Posted on August 25, 2010 by staff

Our planet is an invaluable resource and we must do everything we can to conserve our many natural resources. One important need of the hour is to reduce our carbon footprints. As leaders of tomorrow and as individuals with the responsibility to change the world as we see it for the future generations we need to think of measures by which we can reduce the impact of our wasteful ways and one important step in this regard is reducing our carbon footprints.

One valuable move to this end is by having the business meetings online. Virtual offices and online meetings are growing ever popular in this new age of e commerce and if we can effectively do this then we will have accomplished much. Rather than using up paper each time and recording everything in space consuming files and paper records, we can contribute immensely to reducing our carbon footprint through online meetings. These meetings also add to the advantage by allowing personnel to work from home and not have to travel and carry all around resulting in loss of time and resources. One important way to reduce the carbon footprint and use online meetings effectively is by creating documents on applications that can be accessible to all. Of course, the authorization details need to be taken care of. We can avoid sending multiple emails on and on through shared documents by using a single location accessible to all necessary individuals of a team. Google apps offer just this advantage and help us to reduce our carbon footprint effectively.

Sending online meeting invitations can also be done in a similar way by using the calendar in the mail. An outlook calendar will reach all the pertinent members without sending emails back and forth again helping to reduce the carbon footprint. There is a simple procedure to add the names of people who are members in the meeting, the date as well as the time. Even being away from office is not a problem with all the necessary data on the outlook office calendar. It allows people to attend meetings form wherever they are with internet access and a system. Online meetings can be easily arranged with the right video conferencing tools or even via chat. It is of course not the same as seeing people face to face and gauging reactions but it does a lot in helping reduce the carbon footprint on the environment by making use of these simple tools to promote virtual meetings.

Beginner’s Guide to Web Conferencing

Posted on August 21, 2010 by staff

With the world changing at a faster pace, there are various technological advancements hitting the markets to make our lives smoother. The newest addition to this is web conferencing which has created waves and revolutionized the business industry in big ways. The solution of bringing people together from different parts of the world to share information in an interactive environment over the internet is referred to as web conferencing. It is a boon to the globalized firms.

The participants of web conferencing are equipped with their laptops or computers and are connected internet. They have a web-based application which enables them to interact with each other just by the click of a button. Web conferencing has made its presence felt at large in small and big corporations. Every company is keen to incorporate this technology especially with globalization of their business. This just lets them conduct business across countries with ease and at a great cost.

During the process of running an online meeting, group discussions, seminars, meetings happen much like in the real office room except people are in their own spaces. You can share ideas and views that reach others much clearly and use applications like virtual white boards, VoIP, polling and others for making the interaction much effective. Web conferencing also enables the use of power point for presentations and has the facility to record the meeting sessions.
These web conferencing sessions are interactive and are supported by EMS or the Electronic Meeting System which provides a whole lot of facilities like categorization and brainstorming, a variety of polling ways, web tours, live or streaming videos, text charts and more. You can even choose to remain anonymous if you want to during the polling sessions. Some advance technologies even offer the facility of screen sharing.

There are various softwares used to make the web conferencing a success and they are reliable, dependable and flexible to use. There are various websites that guide users to finding the web conferencing tool or vendor that suits you listing the technological benefits for each business. The benefits of online web conferencing are far-reaching and no wonder the corporate houses prefer it to the traditional way. It is the most effective form of communication with minimum infrastructural investments. It saves both time and travel expenses. These meetings can be arranged anywhere with minimum cost to company and help in fast decision making which definitely increases business and enhances customer satisfaction.