Introduction to Web Conferencing

New Internet technologies including DSL and 3G mobile technologies together with latest software technologies opens up new possibilities for running virtual meetings over the Web and thus saving on travel time and cost and at the same time doing something good for the environment.

Be more efficient by setting up a short web meeting with collegues to discuss project topics or set up a short sales training for new products independent of where the people happen to be located. Use web meetings to complement your business travel.

Provide easy contact for customers using your web site by adding a contact button, which will give free of charge telephone contact with your company or direct web meeting access.

The process involved in using web meetings is very much the same as for a real meeting. You need to reserve a 'room' from a service provider, invite the participants including date, time and expected duration for the meeting. The participants will receive the invitation per e-mail including the the URL to be linked to. Depending on the number of participants the cost for renting the 'room' differs depending on the service provider. As the moderator of the meeting you need to start the web meeting and let the participants into the meeting 'room'. If you do not want additional participants to join the meeting you could also 'lock' the room. 

Most services available do not require any special software to be downloaded to be able to use the service. Often the meeting service is based on Flash and hence is also platform independent (Windows, Mac or Linux).

Types of web meetings

Depending on the web meeting provider you may set up different types of web meetings:
Normal Meeting - invite and rung the meeting as a normal meeting
Instant Meeting - a public meeting with participant management
Broadcast Meeting - is a meeting with free access