Advantages and disadvantages of video conferencing

Video conferencing was once the domain of big corporate only but advances in technology and reductions in price now put videoconferencing within the reach of every business. For some the decision is an easy one, but other companies struggle to understand why they would benefit from using video conferencing in their business. In this article we take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of video conferencing to help you make an informed decision.

How to Plan a Successful Video Conferencing

Have you been assigned to be the overall in-charge to plan a successful video conferencing for your company? If so, you are at the right place. Although it is not as easy to plan a successful video conferencing, you can do it if you know the key factors for a successful video conference.

These factors are so important that if you do not get them right, your video conference experience will be a nightmare that you want to forget as soon as possible. Now, let me share with you some tips to plan a successful video conferencing:

Work with IT, adjust settings to safeguard video conferencing systems

Video conferencing technology allows enterprises and individuals to connect and interact in face-to-face dialogues while being located remotely. The services can reduce travel costs, increase productivity and encourage collaboration between employees, partners and customers. But video conferencing technology, like other advanced technology services, could be vulnerable to cyber attacks if users don't take the appropriate measures.

Utilize Video Conferencing Technology

The business world revolves around image. The services that thrive are those that provide the most innovation and are the most technically advanced. When it comes to holding online meeting with clients, the companies with the most reliable service often make better impressions. It is a subconscious phenomenon, but it is just as essential to success.

Video conferencing is revolutionizing the world of education

One of the greatest tools of the Internet is the opportunity it provides for people to learn about anything they are curious about. As long as a user has the patience to search through the “facts,” the material available is endless.

While the Internet is filled with infinite information, when it comes to online education, there is a lack of personal interaction online. However, personal interactions can make all the difference in how well a person learns. Before the advent of the Internet, people who wanted the best education had to go out of their way to find it and, generally, pay a lot for it. So if the student couldn't afford the trip, he or she would lose out on a great experience. Thanks to Web-based video conferencing, all this is changing.

Physicians can improve their care and offer more convenience

Now Physicians can improve their care and offer more convenience because they can consult between clinics using VIA3 Video Conferencing Software

VIA3 Video Conferencing increases personnel flexibility for doctors, employees and their patients by removing the constraints of physically being at each clinic. By allowing a patient to schedule an appointment at one clinic while consulting with their doctor who’s at another location brings a new level of care and convenience to a physicians practice.

Using Online Meetings you’ll expand your ability to remotely consult and support other clinics without actually having to be at each location. You’ll be extending your skills to your patients virtually.

Review records online and discuss follow-up with patients in real-time
Using VIA3 you can check in with your patients in between visits
Save yourself and your patient’s transportation time and costs
Use video with your consultations as a way to help with patient care
Allow your patients to meet their doctor from the comfort of their homes
256 bit security ensures patient security and confidentiality
VIA3 Video Conferencing is also HIPAA Compliant 

Virtual appointments are easily made from the patients desktop computer using VIA3 Video Conferencing. As a Doctor, your staff can set up the meeting with your client and all you have to do is login and you start your consultation.

You can record the meeting if needed and allow your patients to use video and text chat while you display charts and records. You can even use the built in notation tools to draw and illustrate your thoughts to help aid in the discussion. Display and discuss documents that demonstrate methods of care and even give them a copies during your session.

Revolutionize your medical practice by purchasing your VIA3 Video Conferencing Software today! Start off by trying it out for free here!! Or use code BOGO to purchase your account and another for free, for ONE year!!

VIA3 Web Conferencing Receives Gold Seal from the HIPAA Certification Council

The HIPAA Certification Council has recently announced HIPAA Certification for VIA3 from the VIA3 Corporation. This certification is based on technology testing and assessment done on VIA3 secure communications, conferencing, Instant Messaging, and Workspaces. VIA3 uses a combination of SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and end-to-end Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption for 100% of all data, including audio and video. Prior to being HIPAA Certified, the VIA3 cryptographic module was certified to meet Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2, a government standard for cryptographic module security requirements as defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Video conferencing demand continues to grow in the enterprise

The emergence of smartphones, tablets and a number of other tools in the enterprise has blurred the definition of "work." Traditionally, the term specified a place where individuals had to go to perform business tasks. The proliferation of innovative solutions, however, has changed the word from a place to an action, as more employees regularly perform operations outside the conventional boundaries of an office.

Citing a recent study by Ragan Communications and Qumu, Employee Benefit News reported the growing presence of video conferencing in the enterprise is personalizing and improving collaboration and communication in the business landscape, regardless of where employees work from. While many survey respondents said it is difficult to connect with individuals outside the office, video technologies represent a huge opportunity to eliminate this gap.

Video Conferencing-Easy to Invite Others

Hosting a Google+ Hangout can be good way to have a video conference with a small group, but only if everyone you want to join you has a Google account. VIA3 doesn't require every user to register at all which could make it a great alternative to Google+ Hangouts.

VIA3 allows you to invite guests into your meeting. You can start using VIA3 by simply registering yourself  for a free trial, then start or schedule a meeting, send invites to everyone's email address.  The invite will have a meeting code that will allow them to join your meeting.  Once the meeting starts, you're in business to collaborate, share, record and take voting polls.


Applications for Education
VIA3 has screen and file sharing, recording, PowerPoint presentation and more.  VIA3 is a good way to host a small video conference with students, parents, and colleagues. VIA3 is also useful for hosting parent-teacher conferences with parents who cannot come into your school.

Video conferencing steps out of the office

Video conferences have largely been confined to offices. Not anymore. New technologies developed by Polycom and other video-conference vendors let employees use smartphones and tablet devices join in no matter where they are.

Virtual field trips are using video conferencing to provide educational experiences

Today, a Florida classroom got to see the latest in robotic technology in action thanks to a virtual field trip using video conferencing.

Venice High School's Medical Academy was able to observe a partial gastrectomy, a minimally invasive robotic surgery. Additionally, students could interact with the doctors and surgical team in real time. The video conference is part of a collaborative effort between Sarasota County Public Schools and the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

Louisiana Parish approves video conferencing equipment for courtroom

The Lasalle Parish in Louisiana will soon be innovating their judicial approach by implementing video conferencing equipment to interact with individuals who are summoned in front of a judge.

According to local paper the Jena Times, the Lasalle Parish Police Jury approved the purchase of the new system for the parish's courtroom. The technology will allow arrested individuals to appear in front of a judge for bond hearings and arraignments, rather than have to appear twice in person at the Jena courthouse.

Four million UK library users will be able to access free legal advice via webcams

Birmingham and Westminster city councils are teaming up with Instant Law, which recently launched its first video conferencing kiosk in a shopping centre before Christmas. The pilot service – which will include a direct link to http://www.thejusticegap.com/ – goes live on March 5th.

The 1-minute guide to the mobile classroom

Wondering how to start introducing elements of mLearning (mobile learning) into your language classes? Here are five ways to do so, starting from simple recognition type activities to more complex project work.

Work with IT, adjust settings to safeguard video conferencing systems

Video conferencing technology allows enterprises and individuals to connect and interact in face-to-face dialogues while being located remotely. The services can reduce travel costs, increase productivity and encourage collaboration between employees, partners and customers. But video conferencing technology, like other advanced technology services, could be vulnerable to cyber attacks if users don't take the appropriate measures.

Dehli district courts implement video conferencing to help rape victims

The New Dehli government recently deployed video conferencing technology in all district courts in the city, allowing rape victims and children to give their testimonies without having to come to the courtroom. This is important because many victims and children are afraid to confront their attackers and feel more comfortable sharing their stories from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Numerous travel benefits from video conferencing

Many companies today are now focused on tightening their budgets to combat the tough economy. One area they are looking to cut costs is travel expenses. Reducing travel not only saves companies money, but it also reduces carbon emissions.

Video conferencing services enables sharing of 'ideas and passions'

Students throughout the United States are using video conferencing technology to take classes remotely, connect with students all over the world and learn from teachers and resources virtually. Educators and schools are embracing the technology because it improves coursework in current events, historic milestones, economic trends and cultural norms. Students can interact in discussions, collaborate on projects and investigate further on a variety of topics.

Canadian banks connecting with customers through video conferencing

Bank customers in rural areas of Nova Scotia are able to connect with financial experts without traveling to a bank branch thanks to video conferencing services. The Bank of Montreal recently launched the high-definition video technology to connect its financial resources to residents of Canso, Port Hawkesbury and Sydney.

Courts in Missouri use video conferencing to stay connected

Judges in Missouri's 4th Judicial Circuit no longer have to drive all over to attend hearings and other legal proceedings. Rather, the court system has deployed video conferencing technology to allow hearings to take place virtually.

Seattle government warming to video conferencing after enduring snowstorm

The Seattle area was recently hit with a heavy snowstorm, making it difficult for commuters to get to work and city officials to complete assignments. The weather-induced travel disruption made a number of city departments aware of just how useful video conference technology can be for maintaining consistent communications.

2012 Political Candidates are Making Video Conferencing Part of their Victory Plan

When it comes to political campaigns, candidates do a lot of talking, but do not always make meaningful connections with voters. While we are still gearing up for the 2012 US Presidential and Congressional elections, many state and local voters will be electing local public officials. Just like the candidates for President and Congress, state and local leaders are under significant pressure to communicate that they understand and appreciate voter concerns, and that they have solutions for the problems voters really care about. This level of voter connection cannot be achieved without meaningful, face-to-face contact with as many constituents as possible. VIA3 video conferencing helps bring people together and makes important connections and conversations possible.

Telemedicine takes off in Northeastern Ontario

The North East Local Health Integration Network in Ontario, Canada, is encouraging healthcare providers to adopt video conferencing technology to improve patient care and reduce overall costs. The network expects video conferencing to enable 30,000 virtual doctor visits in the region this year.

Red tape holding back telemedicine from enhancing patient care

A recent study from researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, C30 Medical Group and the UCLA Medical Center found administrative burdens and limits on reimbursement are some of the numerous obstacles standing in the way from more health providers deploying video conferencing solutions to improve patient care and reduce overall costs.

Stroke network saving more lives with video conferencing services

The National Health Service Cumbria and Lancashire Cardiac and Stroke Network is now able to connect patients with remote doctors in the time-critical early intervention stage of stroke through the use of video conferencing services. The network has saved more lives since it deployed mobile pratictioner carts, video collaboration software and laptops with video conferencing solutions in its various branches and in doctors' homes.

IRS launches e-filing program

The Internal Revenue System recently started accepting e-filings from taxpayers, while using video conferencing services to offer real-time customer service online.

According to the Orlando Sun-Sentinel, the IRS office in downtown Miami is one of 12 sites throughout the United States that will use video conferencing to interact with tax payers during the business tax season. While submitting forms, users can ask questions in real-time while agents process the information.

Students taking advantage of video conferencing

Two high schools in East Tennessee adopted video conferencing services, allowing the facilities to share resources, information, faculty and increase collaboration. The schools are able to use the technology to create integrated classrooms for niche subjects and topics.

Australian telehealth shows importance of interoperability

Healthcare providers in Australia now have access to a telemedicine solution that combines secure messaging with video conferencing services.

The solutions provide healthcare professionals, facilities and patients with highly secure and user-friendly interoperable technology. Through video conferencing solutions, physicians and specialists can make video conference consultations with general practitioners and patients. These interactions can take place in real-time, resulting in improved patient care and cost reductions.

Optimize network performance with real-time applications

Organizations are implementing unified communications networks to increase collaboration, enhance productivity and reduce costs associated with travel and managing more than one server. As these companies transition to a unified communications network, they are discovering best practices to optimize the new technology through real-time applications.

Video conferencing expanding education for Chicago high school students

Students at the Walter Payton Preparatory High School in Chicago, Illinois, have been traveling all over the world to explore new resources and topics via video conferencing services and student exchanges. The school has taken a global approach to prepare its students for a future in an interconnected, tech-savvy world.

Army signs cloud computing contract

The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced it will spend $250 million on the implementation of a cloud-based unified communications network. The advanced communication technology will allow the Army to reduce costs through server consolidation and optimize its fixed and containerized data centers.

Pennsylvania high school using video to enable professional role playing

Students at William Tennent High School in Upper Southampton, Pennsylvania, are participating in a educational simulation that utilizes video conferencing solutions to let students step into the shoes of medical researchers and doctors. Using video conferencing technology, the students are given a medical problem they must solve, and are then asked to present their theories to a medical professional located in another state.

Video sectors report growth in 2011

A report from AccuStream Research found online and mobile video chain sectors generated $4.3 billion worldwide in 2011, a 45 percent growth in sales compared with 2010. The study predicts the market will continue to grow 30 percent annually across all sectors, valuing $10 billion by 2014.

The study showed video platforms including video conferencing services accounted for 19.7 percent of market revenue in 2011, and are expected to continue to grow in the next two years.

The growth of video conferencing usage can be seen across all industries including business, education and legal systems. The state of Nevada recently announced members of board of directors and board committees can participate in meetings via video conferencing to enhance collaboration while reducing travel costs, JD Supra reported.

California also implemented a similar measure, allowing directors to participate in meetings using audio and video conferencing technology. The California Corporations Code Section 307 aims to allow numerous participants to interact virtually even if they're not all physically present.

Governments encouraged to increase video use for health and justice departments

The American Telemedicine Association is encouraging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to equip hospitals with video conferencing services and tools to improve patient care and reduce spending.

ATA president Jonathan Linkous requested the CMS review its regulations of video conferencing technology in hospital systems, to allow more providers to leverage the technology for its numerous health and administrative benefits. Linkous said telemedicine technology should be encouraged by the CMS in the areas of emergency medicine, stroke care, intensive care and critical care services in particular, InformationWeek reported.

Governments are also being encouraged to utilize video conferencing services for justice and corrections. The city of Conway, South Carolina, is planning to implement video conferencing technology throughout its legal system, allowing judges to communicate virtually with inmates at a local detention center virtually. The technology will enable defendants to attend hearings without having to be transported to and from detention facilities, saving law enforcement precious time and money, Conway news source WMBF news reported.

Report expects streamlined video conferencing in 2012

A recent report from Aberdeen Group research analyst Hyoun Park compared the operations of companies that provide video conferencingsolutions to all employees with those of companies limiting video conferencing usage. The companies that allowed video conferencing throughout all operations of the business experienced more benefits from the technology, particularly in customer service, business-to-business sales and business-to-business marketing.

Video conferencing services part of Alabama jail expansion

Six months ago, the Russell County Sheriff's Office in Alabama started working on its jail expansion project to improve the legal and corrections departments in the county, and the workers are already ahead of schedule. The $2.9 million expansion, which includes the construction of a new facility that will add roughly 13,000-square-feet of extra area, is expected to be completed before the August 2012 deadline.

With video conferencing, medicine goes global

Content, collaboration and connectivity are at the core of the Seattle Science Foundation’s mission. So it’s no wonder that the organization uses high-definition video conferencing to enable medical professionals from around the world to work together.

Advanced video conferencing software creates virtual care solutions for healthcare

The healthcare field is benefiting greatly from video conferencing services and unified communications networks that connect healthcare providers with patients over long distances and encourage other physicians to collaborate on treatment plans and scientific discoveries.

Software companies are developing new products to leverage video conferencing services and unified communications to create a virtual care solution for healthcare organizations. These products integrate video, messaging and collaborative applications to improve care delivery and increase operational efficiencies. The technology has been proven to reduce overall costs, while meeting regulatory compliance and improving patient outcomes.

From India, the $1 Doctor’s ‘Visit’

A private hospital, a for-profit microfinance company and an information technology company have joined forces to attempt what state and local governments have struggled to do for decades – bring quality, affordable medical treatment to India’s hundreds of millions of poor people.

Interior could save millions with better use of videoconferencing

The Interior Department could save millions of dollars in travel expenses every year by using video teleconferencing, but various issues prevent the department from reaping the benefits the technology offers.

Interior’s inspector general found that although the department has 315 video teleconferencing endpoints nationwide, the equipment is not being used to its full potential. The department also lacks policies on the use of the technology as a viable alternative to travel, and has no rule requiring compatibility of equipment, the IG reported.

GSA telepresence centers coming soon

Virtual meeting rooms will be available to other agencies by October

The General Services Administration plans to have 15 telepresence sites – or virtual meeting rooms in federal buildings – up and running in April or May of this year, according to a senior GSA official.

Mary Davie, assistant commissioner in GSA’s Office of Integrated Technology Services, said the agency is opening four telepresence centers in the metro Washington, D.C., area and one site in each of its 11 regional locations.

How to Follow-Up After a Webinar

Once you have successfully prepared for and presented your webinar, you may think it is time to sit back and reap the benefits of your hard work; not so fast your work is not quite finished. As with any sales and marketing seminar, the follow-up is one of the most important elements to its success – hosting a webinar is no exception. If you don’t take advantage of the leads generated from your webinar, all the hard work and effort you put into preparation and presentation will be for nothing.

BMO Uses Videoconferencing to Extend Financial Planners' Reach

In the rocky plateau of Northern Ontario, where bank branches are few and far between, it's not easy for a financial planner to reach all of his or her customers. Bank of Montreal is virtually shortening these geographic distances with the use of videoconferencing.

One financial planner struggled to cover five far-apart branches. "She would get out to those branches once a month and try to set up her calendar to meet all her clients during those short windows of time," says Paul Dilda, head of branch channel for North America (including the U.S. and Canadian banking franchise) at the $403 billion-asset Toronto bank. "Our hypothesis was she could be much more productive if a great deal of the time she was servicing customers with the help of technology."

Video Conferencing-How it Evolved Online Gaming

Most of us know about Video Conferencing using internet. But majority of us may not be aware of this interface in online games except the users of these online gaming. This seems to be thrilling, isn't it? I have heard from my elders who do not play these online games or even do not what is it all about, that playing such games is mere killing time and has no definite purpose defined to these games. But these gaming users do say that they are most pleasure by playing these games. Among them, few also feel guilty for playing games but cannot resist themselves from playing. Here is a content to show that, playing online games are not waste of time, instead it will help a person to become a more capable than before.

Security For Federal Video Conferencing

The use of high-definition video conferencing is an area of growth for many federal agencies. With an increasing emphasis on budget-cutting and belt-tightening, federal executives have embraced the new technologies to help realize savings and boost productivity. Video conferencing, cloud computing, and teleworking are just some of the ways that federal agencies are taking advantage of technology to meet the demands of the changing work environment.

Videoconferencing Put to Great Use in Neonatal ICU

Neonatal ICUs bring parents and their babies together with babycams-By Tom Green

A neonatal nurse in NICU at Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ works with an infant as a camera mounted above incubator provides parents access to a live video stream that they can watch anywhere from phone, laptop or computer. 

Every moment of separation while their newborn is in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can feel like an eternity to parents. Many infants, immediately postpartum, spend hours to maybe a day in a neonatal ICU,

IDC study highlights importance of customers identifying communication needs

A recent study from the International Data Corporation identified the leading vendors of unified communications and video and voice infrastructure market, as well as important strategies customers should implement when selecting a provider and service.

Rich Costello, senior research analyst at IDC, said customers are looking for unified communications networks that integrate all applications, including video conferencing services, onto a single platform and provide a measurable return on investment.

Telemedicine championed as cost-efficient tool for better healthcare

According to Dr. Cathleen Carr, executive director of CerfifiedCare.org, video conferencing services used for telemedicine practices can improve the quality of care for homebound patients while reducing costs for both patients and providers.

Carr said it is very expensive and disruptive to call an ambulance when an elderly patient needs to see a doctor in a non-emergency situation. Deploying video conferencing solutions is affordable and saves money in the long run.

Schools and research groups receive enriched programs via video conferencing

Video conferencing solutions that have been implemented in schools are offering high definition imaging that is changing the way students learn in the classroom. Students are now able to see nature, experience history and study biology using new technological resources, and connect with other educators through video conferencing solutions.

Medical providers use video conferencing to improve care, reduce readmissions

The use of video conferencing solutions to provide medical care to patients, or telemedicine, is becoming more popular all over the world, as its associated benefits increase. Not only does telemedicine enable populations in rural areas to receive high-quality healthcare, but providers can also offer continual care and reduce readmissions with video conferencing technology.