Video conferencing: Which software is right for your business?

Video conferencing: which software is right for your business?

In a hybrid world of work, it’s all about flexibility. With employees being able to work from pretty much anywhere – and sometimes at different hours of the day – this comes with challenges. Now, businesses need to balance giving employees the flexibility they need, while making sure goals are met, which isn’t as straightforward as it sounds.

That’s why good hybrid working requires effective tools. At the centre of this is finding the right video conferencing software that’ll suit your business and help your team be as productive as possible, wherever they’re based. But with so many solutions out there, it can be hard to know where to start. So, we’ve put together a handy guide on what to look out for when you get searching .

Individual Solution vs a Suite Solution

The first step when you’re on the hunt for video conferencing software is thinking about what you really need from the software. Many providers offer suites with multiple capabilities, covering areas like team chats, softphone solutions, as well as file and screen sharing. While all useful on their own, you need to consider what will really benefit your staff and your business. While suites can be cost effective, you don’t want to be paying for add-ons that your staff won’t use – it’s all about making the most of your money.

Cost

An obvious, but essential, element to consider is the cost of the solution and what you’re willing to spend. A lot of video conferencing software can be downloaded for free, with very basic functions – but this might be all your business needs. So, if your business would benefit from video calls only, you may not need to pay at all.

At the same time, a basic package might only support a limited number of participants within a specific country, so you may need to consider how many people will need to join calls and where they’ll be joining from. So, think about what you need and do your research to match the right package to your business.

Safe and secure

Like with any private business documents, you want to make sure any video calls you make are as secure as possible. After all, cybercriminals can infiltrate calls, risking leaks of confidential information and data theft. With employees working away from the office, this adds an additional layer of vulnerability and increases the risk of attack. So, to make sure your calls are secure and stress-free, look out for features like data encryption and third-party certificates, verifying the platform’s security.

Device compatibility

Another important element to consider is the compatibility of video conferencing software with the devices your business uses. To begin, look at whether the software can be used with different laptop models as well as mobile phones. If you use meeting room schedulers or conferencing cameras, you’ll want to check whether the software you choose supports this too.

Added extras

When investing in a solution, even if you don’t need it right now, you should consider what it can offer beyond video calling. Many providers have additional and customisable features that will help you take meetings to the next level and make sure your employees are staying engaged. So, when you’re making the investment, consider looking out for features like digital whiteboards for brainstorming and interactive group work, polls to get your team’s input, and breakout rooms for smaller, highly-focused group work.

Virtual meetings are here for the long haul, so making sure you’ve got the right software in place is essential. By following this guide, you’ll know what to look out for, helping you choose a platform that will make your video calls as smooth and productive as possible.

If you’re ready to commit to finding the software, but aren’t sure where to start, check out this article to make the most of your video conferencing solution.