Webinar conferencing

5 Lessons From Zoom’s Conference Room Transformation Webinar

Yesterday, David Maldow of Let’s Do Video and Paul Richards of Conference Room Systems joined our own Nick Chong in a lively discussion about the transformation of video conference rooms from fixed physical spaces to cloud collaboration powerhouses. David focused on the big picture of video conferencing solutions while Paul showcased the best in audio, video, and collaboration technology options for your conference rooms.

Here’s the recording of the webinar:

During this entertaining and engaging discussion, we learned five must-know ideas and trends we wanted to share with you:

1.What kind of technology is video conferencing?

David discussed two types of technology: the right kind, which solves an existing problem, and the wrong kind, which is created and then the inventors try to come up with the problem it solves. Video conferencing technology solved a real problem: most communication is non-verbal so phone calls just weren’t cutting it. However, the solution of creating video conferencing rooms didn’t actually solve this problem. It turns out no one wants to meet from conference rooms, or at least not to the extent or in the ways anticipated. The real solution is to use cloud platforms to bring people in from anywhere (not just conference rooms). Zoom’s Cloud Room Connector means that traditional conference rooms and can now meet with anyone on mobile or desktop devices, so your old H.323 and SIP room systems are no longer collecting dust.

2.Talking about work vs. actually working

David asked “Are you going into the meeting room to talk about work or are you going into the meeting room to do work?” Conference rooms had been used to communicate about what you have done and what you are going to do, rather than work on projects together. Cloud meeting and collaboration tools such as ZoomPresence and the tools discussed in trend #5 are allowing people to actually work together virtually from their conference rooms.

Here’s a quick overview of ZoomPresence:

3. All about cameras

Paul showed us a lot of cameras because there is no one camera that fits all conference rooms. He recommended you consider field of view (how far and wide the camera will capture) and the optical zoom (you want more zoom for larger or longer rooms). Paul also discussed the benefits of using a camera with pre-sets. If you typically move between a couple positions in your room – for example, behind a podium, to the whiteboard, and to your seat – it is a more seamless experience if you just press each pre-set as you move.