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Bright Ideas for Webinars

 September 06, 2007


Technology's Holy Grail may well be Web conferencing. Whether via Dick Tracyesque wristwatches, telephones or computer networks, we crave the ability to leapfrog miles and visually interact with each other in real time. But historically, clarity of voice and picture haven't been easy to capture.

Most law firms have some form of videoconferencing system -- usually consisting of large-screen television sets on hulking rolling carts. Videoconferences are established over Internet protocol networks or integrated services digital network lines, using primary rate interface. These systems will stay around for a long time, because a whole industry has grown up around them and the standards for communicating with other systems are well established.

But many users are turning to their computers for "Webinars," where participants use their phones for audio and their computers to display the presentation. With the increasing availability of inexpensive, industrial-strength broadband Internet access, the quality of Web conferences is getting better -- fueling a proliferation of services to help users record and broadcast presentations, demonstrate software and even take depositions.

Leading the charge are technology vendors, who often use Webinars for sales and training. The advantages are obvious: The vendor can virtually demonstrate wares without the time and travel costs of an in-person visit. Likewise, these Webinars are being used to provide online continuing legal education classes, through companies such as Legalspan and ALM's Law.com CLE Center a sibling of Law Technology News.

Most services offer similar tools: the ability to demonstrate software, show and annotate Microsoft Corp.'s PowerPoint presentations, share your computer's desktop, use instant messaging, collaborate on and annotate documents and use "whiteboards".

Here are some of the Web conferencing services currently available in the marketplace:

» WebEx provides a broad array of service plans, targeting individuals, small and medium organizations and large companies. For example, large businesses are offered multilayer security, global site backup and other "enterprise" level tools. Its full-services WebEx Meeting Center costs $75 per user/per month (minimum five users) and they also offer bulk pricing options.

If you don't need bells and whistles, choose the MeetMeNow service for $49 per month ($39 a month if you elect an annual plan). WebEx MeetMeNow offers unlimited meetings for up to 10 participants. It also includes a conference-calling service. There's also a pay-peruse service at 33 cents per minute/per participant.

» Microsoft Office Live Meeting. If your firm is a Microsoft shop and has installed Microsoft Live Communications Server, this will be a strong contender. Microsoft technologies integrate, creating a powerful communications infrastructure. It supports PowerPoint and other Office programs, "with high-resolution support for all types of animations and slide transitions," says Microsoft.

Live Meeting is available in standard and professional editions. There are numerous pricing options, including "named user" licensing; room licensing (targeting organizations that conduct occasional large meetings); monthly minutes; and shared seating. For example, the standard edition "named user" price is $3,000 plus $180 per user (minimum five users) and each user can schedule and manage meetings with up to 25 participants.

» GoToMeeting, now part of Citrix Systems Inc., is all about simplicity. The company' slogan, "All you can meet," says it all: You can host an unlimited number of meetings, with up to 10 attendees, for an unlimited time duration. The monthly fee is $49 ($39 annual).

News Source : http://www.law.com/