Don't Be Stingy When it Comes to Video Conferencing

There are two things about video conferencing that we can all agree are true: it’s in high demand, and it’s expensive. As such, even managers and business professionals are using free apps and software such as Skype (News - Alert) or FaceTime. But is it enough?

Well, that all depends on a few things. If you want highly reliable video conferencing software with high definition video, they probably won’t be enough. There are systems out there that offer dedicated rooms and high definition screens, projectors, cameras, and more, which create a highly immersive and clear video conferencing experience.

If you just need to quickly speak with someone, sure, Skype should be enough. But if you really need to conference, you’ll need more.

Of course, with the proper video conferencing systems, collaboration can greatly improve. There’s just something about seeing the other person face-to-face that phones can’t replace, and low-quality video can’t provide the same experience as high definition does.

While not everyone can afford dedicated video rooms, it’s still best to try to get the best quality video possible. Still, those who have felt the need to splurge on the rooms have found it to be a good decision. In a business environment, a clear video and clear sound makes for a stronger message, and reliable connections mean less irritation. If a free video chat was to short out or crash in the middle of a meeting, that’s not only irritating for those involved, but also seems unprofessional.

While it may seem like an expensive effort to invest in the bigger, more costly video conferencing solutions, they are well worth the money. Sure, there are plenty of free options – aside from Skype and FaceTime (News - Alert), Google+ hangouts, Tinychat, even AIM or iChat, but they just can’t compare to the quality and reliability of professional-grade solutions. You want to be at your best when in a video meeting, and the way to do that is with quality video tools.