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| | | Video conferencing software along with basic hardware enables online conferences for friendly chat sessions or for conducting meetings, training sessions, sales presentations and so on. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Nonprofessionals seeking to conference one-on-one should first try out free messenger software from AOL, Yahoo or Microsoft.
- WebEx is a leading conferencing and desktop sharing application that offers several pricing plans starting at $69 for a "pay as you go" plan with no long-term commitment, and $59 a month for a prepaid annual plan. Both plans include unlimited online meetings and phone conferencing for up to 25 users. For larger capacities or details about a pay-per-use account, e-mail the company's sales office or call 866-833-3910.
- GoToMeeting video conferencing suite charges $49 per month, with no long-term commitment. Its fixed annual plan costs $39 per month, with a one-year commitment yielding a 20 percent discount, for an annual cost of $468.
- MegaMeeting is a competitor that requires no downloads or installation. It charges $45 a month for its professional version, per-seat with a three seat minimum.
What should be included: | - Key software functions include a live meeting and webinar platform, instant messaging and permission-based file sharing, which allows authorized workers to access and alter sensitive documents.
- Free trial service, ranging from two weeks to 30 days.
Additional costs: | - A broadband Internet connection is a necessary upfront cost for those without at least DSL service. At a minimum, video conferencing can be accomplished with an inexpensive webcam, a microphone or headset, and a simple knack for camera composition and audio.
- Most up-to-date PCs, Macs and laptops have decent built-in microphones. If not, webcam manufacturers sell them. CNET offers a thorough comparison chart that covers the bases from $20 to over $100.
- If your computer requires external speakers, go to TestFreak's review of speakers and costs, bearing in mind that an $18 pair by Creative is an adequate starting point.
- For privacy, a better option would be a headset (headphones with an attached microphone), which range from $5 to $50 and up.
- Certain teleconferencing functions, such as acquiring secure meeting-participation passwords for more than the plan's allotted 25 users, may be billed as a separate charge (for example, $7 per connected seat at a highly-attended shareholders conference).
Discounts: | - Subscription prices should decrease incrementally as the number of users (or seats) increases.
Shopping for video conferencing: | - Check to see how the manufacturer structures its pricing plans based on the number of planned users.
- Make sure your computer hardware and Internet bandwidth meet the minimum requirements for the software to operate properly.
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Article updated August 2009 |
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