Video Conferencing Equipment for Office
Video conferencing is currently one of the most popular and efficient channels of communication. Students can continue their education on an online classroom platform, business owners and employees use video calls to complete any task possible, and so on. The possibilities of video conferencing software continue to expand, offering quick and convenient communication just like in real life. However, it is also necessary to use the appropriate hardware to keep up with the software. There are tons of video call equipment available on the market today, but what gadgets are actually necessary for your office? Read along to find out everything about video conferencing hardware.
Basic Video Conferencing Setup
When it comes to video conferencing software, it is rather simple to purchase a program or app and distribute it around the office. Cloud-based solutions allow enjoying convenient applications, while the developing company takes care of the technical side of things. However, when it comes to hardware, it is up to the company to create a convenient setup for any occasion. One difficulty is that different equipment is required for specific types of projects or gatherings. For example, a small team working on a project can use one setup, while a meeting with your business partners in a conference hall will require the other. Luckily, it is possible to invest in a versatile setup after considering your specific requirements.
When it comes to the most basic setup for video conferencing, you can simply use a laptop. Of course, a desktop computer will also do, but it usually requires buying a spare cam and mic, whereas laptops come with all the necessary features in one piece. Using laptops for video conferencing is a perfect solution for company employees working remotely or in different departments. Of course, it does not offer the best video quality with a built-in webcam, but it is more than enough to arrange a quick video call and discuss some questions when necessary. In many cases, using smartphones is also fitting. This is especially convenient for those employees on a business trip when there is a need to jump on a video call on the go.
Equipment for a Video Conferencing Room
It is simple to provide the necessary equipment for each employee, but setting up a video conference room requires specific hardware. Here are some pieces of equipment that you will need for setting up a dedicated video call room:
- Computer – of course, it is necessary to have something to run your video conferencing software on. You can use a single computer to broadcast a video call to different monitors, or you can provide a separate computer for each employee. Having separate computers is infinitely more convenient as everybody can use their own chat, document sharing, and other features.
- Monitors – it is important that each employee has their monitor to be able to see the speaker and presented files better. If a monitor is hooked up to a separate computer, each worker can also use it efficiently.
- Microphones – both conference mics and separate professional microphones will do. With a conference microphone, a few employees can share it and turn it on when needed.
- Headphones – these are not obligatory, especially if you have a good audio system with speakers, but it might be convenient to have a set of headphones or even headsets for all workers. Headsets are especially effective as they include high-quality microphones.
- Cameras – based on your requirements, you can either install web cameras for each video call user or purchase a camera that will capture the whole room. Having separate cameras might be convenient for a small team meeting, but broadcasting the whole conference hall is another option for specific video calls.
- Big display – it is recommended to have a big screen installed even if each user has their own monitor. Bigger screens allow broadcasting other people on the call conveniently. They also double as whiteboards and displays for presentations, videos, documents, and more.
Of course, setting up a video conference room from scratch might be rather expensive. However, such rooms increase everyone’s efficiency greatly and can serve for many years. You can start by providing a laptop for all team members and work from there by adding the necessary equipment.
Advantages of Video Conferencing for Businesses
Some people might think that it is not worth the hassle. But video conferencing has great advantages for companies and their efficiency. Here are some of them:
- Better than audio calls – almost nobody uses audio calls today when you can create a video meeting. Video conferences are more engaging and allow sharing and receiving information efficiently.
- High efficiency – from the reduced time needed to arrange a real-life conference to smaller expenses on commute and long-distance trips, video calls are incredibly efficient. They are more accessible to every employee, allowing them to connect to a video call at any time and from virtually anywhere.
- Better communication – all people retain information differently, but research shows that the best way to deliver your info is to use both audio and video materials. People need to see and hear you clearly, as well as have some text in front of them. All of this is possible with the latest video conferencing software.
- Working in teams – whether you need to connect employees from a single team or combine the effort of two or more teams working from different places, this can be done easily via a video call. You can work from different offices but remain on a video conference to communicate quickly and share files within seconds.
- Higher attendance – not all employees or clients can be present at every meeting. Offering a video call option will ensure that everybody can join regardless of their circumstances.
Video calling software is highly important for companies of any scale. Both small local businesses and leading international corporations cannot imagine living without these services today.
