Introduction
When we’re asked what the best video conferencing software is by our clients, it’s a very difficult question to answer. Depending on your business needs, infrastructure, size, and budget will determine which video conferencing platform you should choose.
We’ve put together a list of five video conferencing solutions that have become most popular with our clients over recent times. All software solutions are great for collaboration and can provide high quality video, especially when combined with the correct video conferencing hardware; Remark Group can work with your business to determine the right video conferencing solution for your company.
Zoom
One of the most popular platforms at the moment; Zoom is one of the leaders in the video conferencing industry. The conferencing solution allows for simple one-to-one chat sessions, group calls, training sessions and webinars, from both internal and external participants alike. Zoom sessions can hold up to 1,000 participants and as many as 49 HD videos on-screen simultaneously.
Zoom meetings can be started in a web browser or in the dedicated app for desktop and mobile, with end-to-end encryption. The platform is great for collaboration with the easy to use screen sharing tool. Additional hardware such as a dedicated in-room tablet can allow for ‘Zoom Room’ meetings to be joined and controlled through a simple, easy to use interface. Meeting invites can also integrate seamlessly with your calendar system and you can even record the meetings with searchable transcripts.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a successor to Skype for Business, and is a feature of Office 365, which tells you a lot about its design and who its features are best suited for. Microsoft Teams provides guest access, one-on-one and group video and audio calls, shared files, screen sharing, and document collaboration using online Office apps.
For a business that uses Microsoft Office, the conferencing software is a great fit and very simple to use. Microsoft Teams Room Systems have also become a popular solution for businesses using Teams, this allows Teams meetings to take place via an in-room touch panel and has options for instant content sharing.
BlueJeans
BlueJeans is a video conferencing solution that focuses on instant connections, using a mobile or desktop app or directly from the web with no download required. Like with most business-use conferencing software, the audio technology within the platform includes background noise cancellation, which is great if you are working from home and have a busy household. Likewise, in a meeting room, this technology would work well when paired with sound masking to ensure a completely private and clear conference call.
Much like Teams and Zoom, BlueJeans has a full array of whiteboard and screen sharing tools, adding collaboration to any meeting
Cisco WebEx
Cisco WebEx has a free conferencing plan with up to three users, and is surprisingly full feature with HD video, screen sharing on desktop, and mobile devices, but with limited recording options. The free version supports up to 50 participants per meeting, with meeting times capped at 40 minutes. For a smaller business, the free version is a great addition, but for a larger business there are paid plans available depending on the number of attendees and users you will have. Each step up includes additional cloud storage and features.
Google Hangouts Meet
Google Hangouts Meet is the business version of Google Hangouts video conferencing. The platform enables video meetings for G Suite subscribers with external participants also having the ability connect.
The platform is designed to work in the Google Chrome browser, with apps available on iOS and Android. The exact set of features will depend on your G Suite version, the number of participants for the G Suit Basic solution is limited to 100, but if you have the Enterprise solution then you can have up to 250 participants.
If your business is already running on Google productivity and email tools, then this video conferencing solution should be the one for you.
COVID-19
COVID-19 has drastically increased the number of offices that have needed to implement video conferencing solutions, and choosing the right software for your business is vital. With many employees wanting to remain remote, or at the very least have a hybrid working system, now is the time to implement a video conferencing software into your businesses meeting room.
What Next?
We have been installing video conferencing, telepresence and audio-visual equipment into many businesses over the past 25 years. We are firm believers that there is no one solution to fit all, which is why we work with your business to tailor the video conferencing requirements to suit your environment and employees.
