Benefits of Web Conferencing

There is no better tool on my computer desktop at work than Gotomeeting. It is a web-conferencing tool that allows users to meet in a virtual setting. In a matter of minutes I am able to connect with my entire project team in five different locations across the United States. This is an awesome tool because we are living and working in the age of 'work from home', virtual project teams and working with people whom we have never physically met and probably never will.

Using gotomeeting, I am able to connect to other users' computers, allow them to be meeting presenters and make changes to documents residing on their workstations. The tool offers the choice to use phones or instant messaging to keep our conversations flowing. Training and software testing are easily conducted with everyone sitting comfortably at their desks and in their own spaces.

Let's face it, we are working and competing in a global economy, and many organizations are utilizing project teams in other parts of the world to get the job done. In these days, when airline fares are astronomical and travel conditions are less than ideal, companies are finding new and innovative ways to meet their goals. Tools like these are making this easier to accomplish.

Web conferencing tools are also becoming the method of choice for larger corporations and their support teams. The days of sending a tech guy out to a user site or home to fix a computer or software went out the door with the traveling salesman. Now, all you need is an Internet connection to allow technical staff to 'remote in' to your computer and solve your problems.

Admittedly, there are times when we long for human interaction, but there are video conferencing solutions for that. For those of us with family overseas, Skype and other such tools have proven to be great for making that virtual interaction become more real. Grandparents are now able to see their grandkids and have online interaction with them before they even get on a plane to see them. Kids know their uncles, aunts and cousins long before physically meeting them. What a wonderful world!

New technology has opened so many doors for us. It may seem confusing to some and we may not be able to hug a friend and in some cases, read body language. However, these tools will only help us to communicate more, save time and alleviate the stress of travel. This is becoming our new way of life and a wonderful life it will be.