Not long ago, there were few options for organizations interested in a quality video conferencing experience.
Happily for today’s shopper, implementation choices range from free(ish) web-based options to dedicated conference room systems to managed cloud-based services.
So where — or how — to begin?
Some people start with a budget figure, but that can be a pitfall. Most video conferencing projects fail because the user experience is poor. If no one uses it, then no matter what you’ve paid, you’ve paid too much.
Our advice to clients has always been to start by asking what you’re trying to accomplish.
Do you simply want to provide a service for internal business meetings? Or do you have more exacting requirements? Healthcare, for example, will have very different audio and video quality needs than the average business user requires.
And beware of buying a technology instead of a capability. Make sure the options you choose will deliver the video conferencing experience you expect.
Before you sign a contract, ask what your organization, not just the technology and its provider, must do to make that expected experience happen.
The answer will tell you a lot about what you need — and don’t need — to spend your money on. And if you still have questions or concerns, seek advice from a reliable technology partner.
