implementing a communication system in your office
With many teams unable to meet in person during the global health crisis, it’s no surprise that video conferencing is booming. But even in non-pandemic times, more than 90% of surveyed companies said that video conferencing helps their employees be more productive and can accelerate projects too. Now more than ever, it’s critical that employees are able to easily communicate and collaborate with each other, no matter where they are.
AVDG has more than twenty years of experience providing reliable video conferencing solutions for companies of all sizes. We customize solutions to meet the specific needs of our clients, integrating today’s best video conferencing platforms with robust technology like HD displays, participant video walls, distributed audio, and more.
Which video conferencing platform is the best option? Truth be told, there is no “one size fits all” answer to that question. We work with several leading platforms and can integrate the solution that best fits your needs, budget, or the nature of your video calls.
Use this overview to learn more about three of the top video conferencing software options that we work with.
Zoom
Zoom has more than 12 million active users (and upwards of 300 million daily meeting participants), and has quickly become one of the biggest players in videoconferencing over the last few years. During the pandemic, Zoom became a household name as companies and schools moved quickly to deploy video calls. But it was already the video conferencing tool of choice for international business giants such as Delta Airlines, Uber, and NASDAQ.
Zoom offers a versatile platform that can be suited to the needs of various users, such as educational institutions, financial companies, and medical facilities. What’s more, it integrates seamlessly with a wide range of tools, including Skype, G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, Dropbox, Slack, Salesforce, and Facebook.
Zoom is available in four price points. The basic version is free, as is Zoom for Educators.
Zoom offers a wide range of features to make video-conferencing convenient and time-efficient. The whiteboard feature makes it easy for a meeting organizer to write notes during the video call so everyone can view important data at a glance. What’s more, the organizer can speak to a large group and then break users up into small groups to collaborate on projects. Other great features include the ability to record meetings, generate live captions and transcripts, engage in video-conferencing from just about any device, and a live chat feature that allows attendees to type messages while on the call. Zoom even offers meeting analytics and reporting tools so managers can gauge attendance, engagement, and interest in a business meeting.
Among the top video conferencing systems, Zoom doesn’t get the highest marks for cybersecurity. While Zoom does generate unique URLs and allows users to set up two-factor authentication, it only recently developed end-to-end encryption, which is not yet available on Apple devices.
Additionally, depending on your network and the status of Zoom’s servers, the audio and video quality during a call has been known to dip if there are a large number of users on the platform at any given time (though Zoom has been working to address this, as its user base has surged in 2020).
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is an extremely popular tool for business collaboration, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s ideal for anyone who uses Microsoft Office 365, because Teams integrates with many of the Microsoft Office apps to streamline work procedures and save you time and hassle. With Teams, you can not only engage in videoconferencing but also access important information to share with teammates or jot down notes from the call for later reference. What’s more, Microsoft is a trusted technology giant that is continually updating its products, adding helpful new features and amenities to benefit business owners from all industries and walks of life.
An added benefit of using Microsoft Teams is that Microsoft puts a premium on cybersecurity. In fact, the tech giant has committed itself to investing over $1 billion in cybersecurity every year. If you need to share confidential information via video, Teams is likely the platform of choice for your firm. Other great perks of using Teams include excellent audio quality, background blur for video conferencing, file and screen sharing abilities, and the ability to access the platform from any device.
While it’s possible to use Microsoft Teams even if you don’t use the Microsoft operating system, doing so isn’t as convenient. Some users also say the interface and overall UX tends to be compartmentalized and overly formal. What’s more, it’s not exactly the cheapest option on the market. With a starting price tag of $5.00 per user, per month, the service is more costly than platforms like Zoom, but keep in mind that Teams offers more collaboration tools and tight integration with other Microsoft products.
RingCentral
RingCentral is perhaps the priciest option of the three, depending on which package you choose. With a minimum price tag of $19.99 per user, per month, the platform may be out of reach for cash-strapped entrepreneurs and small business owners. However, those who do opt to use RingCentral won’t regret their choice. The platform offers everything one would expect from a top-tier video conferencing tool. It’s easy to deploy, can be used on any device, and offers reliable audio and video quality to users all over the world.
RingCentral’s platform can be integrated with many commonly-used business platforms, including GLip, Microsoft Outlook, Trello, Salesforce, Zendesk, Microsoft Teams, and MailChimp. Users don’t even have to download the software program to join the meeting; they only need the link to the meeting from the meeting organizer. What’s more, RingCentral gets high marks for providing good cybersecurity tools to users. It offers reliable end-to-end encryption, TSL, and SRTP cybersecurity, making it an ideal option for business owners who want to keep company data secure at all times.
take video conferencing to the next level with AVDG
Videoconferencing, on its own, isn’t enough to boost in-house efficiency and business growth. In addition to helping your teams connect with each other efficiently, you need a top-tier video conference platform that will enable you to showcase your business in the best possible light as you talk to suppliers, business partners, and potential customers.
Let AVDG help you identify the right solution for your business. Request a free consultation with our video-conferencing experts to learn more about these platforms and other AV tools to help your business connect, collaborate, and grow.