Networking

6 Steps to Develop A Successful Video Conferencing Guide

Use these tips to develop a successful program.

With the growing accessibility of affordable solutions, videoconferences are quickly becoming the medium of choice that businesses look to when connecting people on the go. Videoconferencing saves time and travel costs, and its inherent convenience makes it exponentially easier for business professionals to collaborate on demand, giving them more flexibility to respond to market conditions and growth opportunities. If your company is considering videoconferencing, here are six steps to success that will help you get the most out of this technology:

- Step 1: Do Your Homework
  
  Shop around to find a package that is right for your company’s needs. First, determine the level of functionality required and also what you are willing to spend. Once you have a general idea in mind, start looking. Solutions come in all shapes and sizes, from more comprehensive, outsourced packages to less expensive do-it-yourself offerings.
  
  Obviously, such a comprehensive turnkey solution is going to come at a premium, but for companies that rely heavily on videoconferencing, it may prove well worth the cost. On the other hand, companies looking for a cost-effective system might want to consider a more hands-on approach by providing their own webcams and microphones. Whatever you choose, do your homework so that you can choose with confidence.
- Step 2: Standardize Equipment
  
  Unless you select a turnkey system, you will likely need to purchase and support your own equipment. Ideally, you should try to stick with standard tools as much as possible.
  
  For more basic systems, companies need to focus primarily on standardizing equipment for individual end users. User webcams range in price from about $30 for more basic models, such as the Logitech QuickCam, to about $300 for more feature-rich models, such as the Ken-A-Vision 7890U. Also, many notebook manufacturers, such as Acer and Sony, make units with built-in webcams, which makes standardization automatic and cost-effective.
- Step 3: Research Bandwidth Requirements
  
  When purchasing a higher-end videoconferencing system, standardization doesn’t apply just to what you are buying; you also need to make sure that your entire infrastructure meets the prerequisites of the new equipment. If your corporate headquarters is hosting a videoconference on a 1.5 megabits-per-second T1 line and the connecting clients are coming in on a 256Mbps fractional T1, you might run into problems. Apply the “weakest link” theory when choosing a solution by researching its bandwidth requirements and being mindful of your ability to fulfill them in every situation. Take corrective action, if necessary, by either upgrading communications on your slowest clients or purchasing a videoconferencing package compatible with your current infrastructure.
- Step 4: Focus on Software Requirements
  
  Most videoconferencing systems require either an Internet browser plug-in or a standalone software installation on user machines before the first meeting. IT is responsible for taking care of this, so make an effort to inventory and prepare your clients. Many software packages that normally would be downloaded by the user and installed from a website can also be downloaded as a standalone package, called a “redistributable,” that can be placed on a network share. Find out if this can be done for the software you need; it will be faster for users and will save bandwidth.
  
  Also, if your IT department normally uses imaging software to prepare and deploy client machines, coordinate with them so that in the future new-user machines will automatically come with client software or browser plug-ins preinstalled.
- Step 5: Address Security
  
  Today, every machine should run client security software. This protection can be a double-edged sword when it comes to third-party communications software. Be sure your software isn’t introducing any problems when your clients try to send or receive data over a custom port.
  
  Potential pop-up blocking issues also must be addressed. Pop-up windows are prevalent in many web meeting packages, and teaching users how to enable them will minimize problems when you go live. It also makes sense to document how to disable third-party pop-up blockers that connecting machines may come across.
- Step 6: Do a Test Run
  
  No matter how prepared you think you are, you aren’t going to know that your solution works for certain until you test it. Try connecting to a test meeting with as many different client configurations as you can think up: notebooks, desktops, LANs, WANs, VPNs, and especially machines running different browsers and operating systems. Because every different configuration introduces variables, you should test as thoroughly as possible.

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Webcams Go Live

Use these five tips to select the right webcam.

Just a few years ago, webcams had little place in the corporate world and were primarily associated with social networking. Videoconferencing and video web meetings have since come a long way. Prices have dropped - webcams now range from $30 to $300 - and the products have carved out a solid niche in the business world. Today's IT decision makers now realize the value of the enhanced communication this relatively modest investment offers. If video communication is on the horizon for your company, consider the following five points when evaluating webcam hardware:

Have plenty of choices available to meet user needs. There are basically three types of webcams: units that plug into a USB or FireWire port and are bus-mastered (powered by the controller through the data cable itself); devices that are wireless and exclusively battery powered; and webcams that are wireless and can be powered by either a battery or cable. Although the latter option may be the most flexible and universally appealing choice, it is also typically the most expensive. Because of this, you may want to consider deploying and supporting two different camera lines for your users: a basic model for desktop clients and teleworkers who rarely travel and a more versatile model for your road warriors, whose busy routines could benefit from a camera with a redundant power source.

Choose a unit with a higher frame rate. When choosing a webcam, it pays to spend a little more for a better frame rate. The higher the frame rate, measured in frames per second (FPS), the more seamless and natural your meeting will be, and the better your communication.

Webcams come with a variety of frame rates. At the very least, you should look for a camera that can give 24 FPS, though we recommend at least 30 FPS if the camera will be used to film a lot of motion. Frame rates can be affected dramatically by the line speed at which users connect. A strong broadband connection will be needed to achieve the higher rates.

Consider the cosmetics. Although this may seem superficial, it should not be overlooked. The camera's base will play into whether the user has a positive or negative overall experience with the camera. With the growing popularity of LCD screens in office environments, simple flat-panel grips should be a practical choice for most desktop and notebook users. However, if some of your users are in environments where clipping is not practical, you will want a base that allows for free-standing use. Some bases are convertible, offering both clipped and free-standing use, which may be the best choice if you want a universal solution.

Opt for the glass lens. Many low-end cameras come with plastic lenses, which typically do not provide the crisp, clear image that glass lenses offer. For the best picture quality, choose a camera with a glass lens whenever possible. If the camera has a glass lens, it will usually be listed among the product specifications. If glass is not specified, you should assume that the lens is plastic. Also, webcam lenses will be either autofocus or manual focus. Before buying a webcam with a manual focus, be sure that it is easy to use.

Look for models with a built-in microphone. Many webcams come with audio capabilities, allowing input through either a built-in microphone or a headset plugged directly into the unit. For the sake of convenience, you may want to consider choosing a webcam with a built-in microphone: Not only will an integrated model pack more easily for traveling professionals, but it will also help standardize the audio side of video meetings, making for easier technical support and a consistent user experience.

Jason Holbert is a Tier II desktop support technician at Harcros Chemicals, a chemical manufacturer and distributor in Kansas City, Kan. He has worked in IT for over 10 years.

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