What is Video Conferencing?
Video conferencing refers to a technology which allows users from different locations to hold face-to-face meetings. It eliminates the need for everyone to travel and meet at a single place to hold the discussion.
This technology is especially convenient for businesses where different users stay in various cities or even in different countries. It saves time, efforts, expense, and trouble related to business travel. The video conferencing has many benefits, such as holding routine meetings, negotiating business deals, interviewing candidates for a job, company meetings, job training sessions, and addressing board members.
In recent times, video conferencing can be adopted to connect a traditional classroom with students who are taking the class remotely or virtually.
There are various ways of initiating a video conference as it can be held by using smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers. Smartphones having cameras may be used to connect for video conferences. In such cases, a software-based platform usually is used to transmit communication over internet protocols.
Understanding Video Conferencing
The principal advantage of video conferencing over teleconferencing is that users can see each other. It allows them to develop stronger relationships.
Some businesses use specially-designed video conferencing rooms equipped with high-grade cameras and screens to assure that there is clarity in the conversation with minimal technical faults. Third-party service providers usually install and set up the hardware needed to attend the video conference.
Hotels and conference centres make video conferencing services available to guests who need such services. This service may be allowed in suites or conference rooms that have been equipped specifically for this purpose.
A video conference that is held informally is called as a video call or video chat.
Application of Video Conferencing
Corporates with multiple offices may set up direct video communications between their locations to support their teams to function more collaboratively.
Video conferencing can also be applied as a means for conducting training, with the instructor training a remote class from anywhere. The academic system can also make use of video conferencing for students to connect with traditional classroom setup, especially for those who are at a considerable distance from the school.
Additionally, a video conference may also be used to carry out regular meetings with a company staff or to discuss with shareholders about the latest activities at the business. It may be used to announce important changes to the company.
These include instances, such as the introduction of a new CEO. It collaboratively presents information allowing all participants to engage in discussion about what they view on the screen.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, SAARC countries had an emergency meeting together via video conference on 15th March 2020. It was called in by India's PM Narendra Modi and portrayed the adoption of video conferencing as a critical medium of communication at times of largescale global emergencies.
