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Webconferencing Programs

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Web Conferencing Programs

In response to recent inquiries on web conferencing programs available in the market today, I have researched and compiled a list of some of the top competitors based on cost, options, user interface, and support. With these comparisons I am confident our department will select the best web conferencing program to satisfy our needs.
Microsoft LiveMeeting
The first web conferencing program to review is Microsoft LiveMeeting. LiveMeeting is a conferencing software solution that integrates into Microsoft Office Outlook and can also operate as a stand-alone web-based application. LiveMeeting has online conference call registration and can trigger reminder e-mails to recipients prior to the web conference. LiveMeeting basic supports up to 150 attendees, offers instant meeting sessions without the need to schedule in advance, and allows users to share specific applications or their entire desktop.
For collaboration during the conference, users can use webcams and video feeds for a more personal face-to-face interaction, and even share notes during the meeting. There are polling and survey options, virtual breakout rooms so select members can have a side-bar chat, and a pop-out Q and A window for an on-screen discussion. There is also an audio bridge users can add as well as a session recording option for playback later, which adds flexibility of use.
Because LiveMeeting’s can occur at any time, Microsoft also provides live technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week included in the service.
From my own use of Microsoft LiveMeeting, the webcam and live video feed services rely on fast network bandwidth, so even in an Enterprise environment there may not be ample network speed to carry the video signal properly resulting in poor if not unusable quality video. I also found the user interface to be somewhat confusing, and it took a few minutes to even find the exit button that was hidden two menu’s deep.
For the starting cost of $42 a month for basic service, Live Meeting is one of the cheaper conference applications with many options of the more expensive competitors. However, if streaming video and webcam interaction is something the organization relies heavily on, this may not be the best web conferencing application because it requires fast bandwidth for it to function properly.
Cisco WebEx Meetings
The next web conferencing program to review is Cisco WebEx Meetings. Cisco WebEx Meetings has many of the features of its competitors and more. WebEx Meetings offers both web-based and stand-alone conferencing, as well as on-screen white boarding, file sharing, video sharing, and webcam collaboration. Users can share control of the web conference, and even allow a participant to take control of the host’s PC and mouse movements.
From my personal use of Cisco WebEx, this application handles everything well from its usability factor to video feeds and web chats. Features worked seamlessly, and the UI was very intuitive.
Some newer features of WebEx are HD video capability, and mobile apps for iPhones, iPads, and any Android device. With mobile apps users can schedule, host, and attend meetings from their phone anywhere at any time. This includes face-to-face and two-way video with up to five people at once.
Pricing for WebEx is also very low, starting at $0 for small teams of three up to $89 per host user which includes eight additional licenses and supports up to 100 people per meeting. Cisco WebEx is a top contender across all features.
Citrix GoToMeeting
Citrix GoToMeeting is the next web conferencing program to review. Citrix has been in the PC sharing business for many years, and because of increases in the web conferencing segment over the past decade they have expanded their PC sharing offerings into the GoToMeeting product. Similar to other premium web conferencing programs GoToMeeting offers face-to-face HD video conferencing, application and desktop sharing, the ability to record meeting sessions, and change meeting presenters. Users can also utilize keyboard/mouse control sharing, they can draw areas on-screen to highlight information, and chat with other participants via an IM session. Citrix also offers portability apps for use on macs, PC, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices.
Citrix GoToMeeting is also one of the web conferencing programs I have used for personal use. In my experience Citrix was similar to Cisco in that the user interface was clean and easy to understand, while all of the features worked well without error. I found Citrix to be the most user-friendly of web conference applications and never had trouble finding a feature.
Pricing for Citrix GoToMeeting is somewhat less attractive than its competitors with only two main options to choose. Users can pay either $49 per month per user, or they can pay $468 for the full year.
Although priced a little higher than some, Citrix has been in the virtual PC business for many years, and they have used this experience to produce a reliable yet user-friendly web conference program. For users who require heavy use and reliability without much emphasis on price, Citrix may be the ideal program for the department.

Adobe Connect
The last web conferencing program to review is Adobe Connect. Adobe Connect has many conferencing features, flash-based graphics, and customizable screen-sets suitable for any meeting. Adobe Connect has all of the standard features of its competitors, such as instant conferencing access from any PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, or Blackberry device. Other standard features include user generated URLs to join meetings, user privilege control to control access levels of content, and various deployment options for meetings. Users can deploy a pre-recorded meeting, allow meetings with or without a host, and utilize existing password policies an organization may already have in place for single sign-on capability.
Adobe Connect is also based on ActionScript 3.0, which allows external developers to build their own code and add-ons to the Connect software adding more flexibility of use. Furthermore, Adobe Connect includes optimization tools for bandwidth and system adjustments that reduce network traffic on internal systems and additional costs for increased bandwidth. According to Adobe (2013), “Adobe Connect Edge Servers can reduce bandwidth requirements and improve delivery for groups in remote locations.” This feature solves the bandwidth problem some of its competitors have encountered, and can off-set increased license fees by reducing the need to invest on a faster network infrastructure.
If web conferencing software requires flexibility, a full feature set of options, and proven performance with compatibility on almost every mobile device Adobe Connect is arguably the best web conferencing software available on the market today.
Web Conferencing Program Highlights | Price | Mobile Device Compatibility | Flash Graphics Compatible | Customized Layout Compatible | Support | Microsoft Office LiveMeeting | $42 - $199 month, no free plans | None | No | No | 24/7 live support Included | Cisco WebEx Meeting Center | Free - $89 month | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Blackberry | No | Yes | 24/7 live support for Premium and Enterprise only | Citrix GoToMeeting | $49 month | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android | No | Yes | 24/7 live support Included | Adobe Connect | $.32 per min/user or $55 month | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Blackberry | Yes | Yes | 24/7 live support Included |
Thank you for reviewing the web conferencing options. After evaluation of the web conferencing applications I would appreciate receiving feedback on those you have interest in. If you’re still unsure which option is the best, all of these products offer trial periods for potential customers to use for 30 days or more. All have their strengths, but some more than others and when combined with the needs of the business only one is a best fit.

Resources
Microsoft Office LiveMeeting. (2008). Learn, Demo & How to Buy Microsoft® Live Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.livemeetingplace.com
Why WebEx? (2013). Cisco WebEx Meetings. Retrieved from http://www.webex.com/products/web-conferencing.html
GoToMeeting. (2013). Citrix GoToMeeting – Online meetings made easy. Retrieved from http://www.citrix.com/products/gotomeeting/overview.html
Adobe Connect. (2013). What is Adobe Connect. Retrieved from http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeconnect/features.html

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