Meetings get a bad rap. When forces no less than "Dilbert" line up against meetings, decrying same as wastes of time and pointless babbling of buzzwords--there's even a whole game devoted toward the mockery of meetings called "Buzzword Bingo"--but there are ways to make meetings a whole lot more valuable and productive thanks to the concept of the VoIP conferencing suite.
There are a lot of ways to keep in touch with colleagues, no matter where those colleagues are located. Cell phones, laptops and more all go into the standard communications mix, but what some businesses don't consider is the value of using a business VoIP video conferencing system to get the most bang for the buck. VoIP video conferencing systems can provide a lot of added benefits that aren't commonly found with many common communications systems.
One great advantage is that location stops being a problem with VoIP video conferencing. With VoIP video conferencing, users can call in personnel from around the world for discussions, and have the option of bringing video into the picture if there's a perceived value to do so. A VoIP video conferencing system will allow for voice-only options as well, so having both methods on hand is added utility for the business that uses it. Of course, the savings also come into play, since the need for business travel and the accompanying reimbursements is cut back.
There's also plenty of versatility involved in terms of payments. VoIP providers can offer, as mentioned previously, the voice and video options, or just a voice option for companies that don't need the video. Plus, those companies that need large-scale plans, with 15 participants or more, can find those options available as well, meaning that, whatever the company's needs may be, there's likely to be a plan to fill the bill. Versatility goes even farther when determining the infrastructure needed to set it all up. Entire conference rooms--sometimes called telepresence--can be devoted to the conferencing process, or it can be reduced to something as simple yet pervasive as an IP phone at every employee's desk. Many current systems can be adapted for use in a VoIP setting, offering further potential savings.
Remote employees also get a better chance to keep up, which allows better access to a distributed workforce that can supply work at various times of the day. This can be advantageous if used correctly, and also allows access to talent pools that may not have been previously available. A conferencing solution can allow for a better, more personal connection that allows users to convey information that couldn't be done over an e-mail using things like tone, body language and similar nonverbal cues.
There are a lot of potential points of value when it comes to conferencing, and as many or as few of them as a business could want or need can be made available. It's flexible, it's powerful, it can even offer some substantial savings under the right circumstances, and that's why a look at a VoIP video conferencing system is going to be a project well undertaken.
Edited by Rachel Ramsey