Video conferencing is now the new normal. It is increasingly the “new voice” and is practically ubiquitous. However, there are certain points to keep in mind when choosing and installing a video conferencing system for your business.
A white paper by Polycom explores the role of the user experience in video conferencing. It is now well understood that video conferencing boosts productivity, cuts costs, decreases cycle times, speeds decision-making and ultimately impacts the bottom line.
However, while video conferencing offers significant, measurable benefits to companies and their employees, all video conferencing solutions are not alike. In order to ensure and maximize return on investment (ROI), managers should choose their video conferencing system wisely.
In essence, companies should look for video conferencing systems that are easy to use, that integrate well with existing communication platforms, and that require little or no management support for day-to-day use. Also, video conferencing should become as comfortable as placing an audio call or sending an email or text message.
Points to keep in mind when installing a video conferencing system
1) The video conferencing technology should be easy to use. The video conferencing solution that you install should have good end-user design. The video conferencing solution should be naturally intuitive. Increasingly, employees expect a high level of simplicity in the tools they use at work, including video conferencing. For example, new video technologies should have interfaces that work at the touch of a button. All devices and applications should be designed in a way that makes employees feel in command and makes them want to use the technology even more.
2) The video conferencing system should have good management and administrator design. Employees should be able to launch a video conference on their own, without the need for intense training or IT support. However, even the simplest video conferencing tools should give IT good management and administrative controls.
3) The video conferencing system should give reliable performance on any network, at any scale. The system should take into consideration the fact that today’s employee is just as likely to work from home or an airport lounge as from a corporate conference room. These employees should be able to participate in a video call with their colleagues or customers from a variety of devices, such as notebook PCs, smart phones and tablets.
4) The video conferencing system should be able to integrate with other communication tools. Unified communications (UC) is the new normal for most businesses. UC involves integrating a suite of communications capabilities, including voice, email, instant messaging, audio, web, video conferencing, and social media. UC gives users a single interface from which to access these communications capabilities. With advanced UC, employees can launch a video conference from within another application, without having to leave the environment he is working in.
So, now you know more about what it will take for users to adopt video conferencing technology. Increasingly user interfaces will be intuitive and well-designed, thereby making the use of the technology not just effective, but also fun. This is what will drive adoption and use and will increase productivity and dramatically improve ROI. Here’s to seamless and smooth video conferencing!
For more information on setting up a video conferencing solution for your business, contact Actis at 022-30808080 or at contact@actis.co.in.
(Content and images courtesy: www.polycom.com)