There was a time when video conferencing was a luxury that only large corporations could afford. Smaller businesses that lack the resources to deploy complex equipment and hire technical experts used other forms of communication (like audio conferencing).

But video conferencing has now become more accessible and affordable. (And sometimes free!) This is mostly thanks to the continued development of Voice over IP or VoIP—more on this later. These days, you can literally carry this powerful communication and collaboration tool inside your pocket.

Types of video conferencing

• Point-to-point conferencing

In point-to-point video conferencing, there are only two participants communicating from different locations in real time.

Example: Employers can speed up the hiring process by conducting job interviews online. This has become a pretty common practice especially for companies that offer remote flexibility.

• Multipoint conferencing

Multipoint video conferencing involves three or more participants; that’s why it’s also called “group video conferencing”. This is different from the three-way calling that comes as a feature with many business phone systems.

Example: A webinar is an online presentation that aims to educate participants. Unlike team meetings, which are open discussions, webinars put the focus on the speaker or facilitator. Businesses typically use this format for product launches and demos.

Video conferencing benefits

The benefits of video communication are as follows:

• Improved productivity
• Humanized conversations
• Superior communication
• Well-structured meetings
• Time and cost savings
• Remote workforce support