Best Web Conference Solution: Gold Award for Netviewer
toptenreviews.com Carries out Extensive Test of Leading Providers

Following a wide-ranging test comparing products from different providers, Netviewer Meet 6.0 was presented with the Gold Award for the best web conference solution by toptenreviews.com. On its website, TopTenREVIEWS, headquartered in Ogden, Utah, features in-depth technology tests and product comparisons in more than 350 categories. Recently it undertook a comparison of twelve products marketed by the world’s foremost web conference providers. The only product which received the highest rating (“Excellent”) for all criteria and which therefore came out top in the comparison was Netviewer Meet. TopTenREVIEWS’s verdict: “We ranked this product #1 because it is the only service that we felt deserved a perfect score for ease of use”. Netviewer Meet emerged from this test ahead of web conferencing products offered by Adobe, Microsoft, Cisco WebEx and Citrix.

Netviewer is Europe’s leading producer and provider of web collaboration solutions, offering visual real-time communications by means of user-friendly web conferences – ad hoc and without any technical impediments. Netviewer Meet is already available to business clients in software-as-a-service form for a monthly fee of €29.90 (USD 39,90). Netviewer is free for private or non-commercial usage.

http://web-conferencing-services.toptenreviews.com

http://www.netviewer.com

WMV Converter Console (left image), HFP Files (upper right image), Single WMV file with HFP content included (lower right image)

A Clear Skies’ customer recently asked why the WMV created by the “Recording Converter for Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007″ which you can download here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA101215971033.aspx was so big.  This was my reply:

I can see why you might be confused with differences in WMV file sizes.  First, all recordings are available in HFP (High-Fidelity Presentation) format and WMV format, directly from the Live Meeting recording page.  If you are logged in as an organizer in Live Meeting and have download recordings enabled, both formats will be available to you.  However, to see the WMV format as an option, you must be logged in using Internet Explorer browser.

Secondly, this WMV version is smaller because it only captures a flat image of the slides (and does not include builds and animations).  Although it also captures application sharing, it does not capture presenter video, multimedia video, or survey links (if applicable).

And lastly, the “WMV converter” that you used takes the HFP file which includes all the builds and animations, plus presenter video, multimedia video and survey links and converts it into a WMV file with everything still intact.

In general, file sizes increase in size with duration, application sharing, video, and presenter video used.  If you are not using rich multimedia and you can break out your builds into separate sizes, I would advise using the WMV file available from your LM download page.  It will have the smallest file that you need to host.

This comparison website has been assembled by a company named Publicare, an online marketing agency based out of Frankfurt Germany. Publicare has taken 22 web conferencing platforms and ranked them on a scale of 1-10, on various categories: User friendliness, Number and scope of features, Pricing/cost transparency, etc. In addition to a numbered ranking, Publicare posts comments about their testing of the product and provides links to the vendor website, or free trial. Publicare’s efforts have yielded a comprehensive, informed and useful comparison of platforms that can be of great benefit. First time users of Webinar technology will admire the overall ranking system to quickly identify various costs and strengths of platforms, while seasoned webinar jockeys can dig deeper to uncover specific features that may help determine future purchasing decisions.

We should point out that this comparison is aimed at the collaboration use-case of webinars – smaller, less structured environments where collaboration is key (note WebEx MeetMeNow 2.3 is tested, not WebEx Event Center; no distinction is called out between Live Meeting Standard or Professional for example). Our use of webinar technology – the “One to Many” model – therefore is not discussed or ranked. Furthermore, we feel it’s this focus on collaborative environments that has lead Publicare to not include some of the streaming platform providers who are doing business in the “One to Many” world, like ON24, Stream57 or TalkPoint. Finally, the creation and maintenance of this website is funded by affiliate partnerships – if a visitor visits one of the ranked platforms and happens to purchase the software, Publicare receives a small finders fee. Publicare is quick to stress that this financial support does not affect their rankings, but is simply a means to recover some of the cost.

Overall, this is a great comparison tool, and we are grateful to Publicare for their time and efforts. While the comparisons are not an exact match to our business model, they none the less provide valuable information and insight into an otherwise cluttered, and noisy marketplace. Take a look, enjoy, and let us know what you think.

Web-based conferencing systems use Internet browsers and servers, specific software selections, and other equipment to allow home-based individuals and businesses to interact with one another.

On the market, a multitude of web conferencing companies offer a wide range of services.

When it comes to the best, a careful analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of top products is necessary to come to a conclusion based upon individual or corporate needs.

In helping consumers locate best web conferencing software and services that cater best to their requirements, a few factors help make the decision much easier to accomplish.

The Top 7 Web Conferencing Solutions are as follows:

Here you will find some of the best web conferencing software options on the market, offering a variety of pricing options and convenient features to consider.

1) WebEx MeetMeNow

WebEx produces the MeetMeNow web conferencing software, which is quite user-friendly, with easy software installation and meeting setup capabilities.

WebEx is quite accommodating, as it caters to individual needs, small-to-medium business ventures, and large companies and enterprises. Consumers are often satisfied with the price of the software.

2) Citrix GoToMeeting

One of the best web conferencing options is GoToMeeting, where potential buyers may try out services over a free trial period lasting 14 days.

A wide range of features is offered, accompanied by a high level of user friendliness, effortless meeting setups, easy installation of software, and a decent cost.

The latest version of the software also gives Macintosh users a chance to participate, but not organize meetings. GoToMeeting allows consumers to purchase a monthly plan of $49.00 (annual cost of $588) or an annual plan with a savings of 20% ($468).

With one flat fee, the hosting of unlimited online meetings is made possible with up to 10 attendees per meeting. Integrated voice conferencing services are also included.

3) Microsoft Office Live Meeting

Live Meeting offers a number of convenient, wide-ranging features with an exceptional range of system requirements, including Mac OS X 10.3 or higher, Windows 98 2nd Edition, Netscape 7.2, Solaris 9 with Netscape 7 (or Mozilla 1.4), and Sun JVM 1.4.2.

Since there are so many features associated with the software, this option may appear difficult for some users, although it is quite easy to set up a meeting.

The price attached to Microsoft Office Live Meeting is often seen as undesirable because it is centered on a “per use” basis. Beneficial features include anytime-meeting scheduling, satisfying interactivity, and an overall increase in productivity.

4) WiredRed e/pop Web Conferencing

The e/pop Web Conferencing offers high-quality sharing of PowerPoint, documents, desktops, and applications.

Buyers also receive audio and video conferencing capabilities, where consumers may enjoy quick access to web meetings with a full line of features that makes the overall process fast and easy.

The server software installs in under five minutes with clear interactivity. Additional features include enhanced video quality, real-time Powerpoint sharing, and convenient records/playbacks.

Fixed pricing supplies two different purchase plans: hosted services with monthly fees ($350 to $900 on the average) and annual installable software with licenses ($3,000 to $9,600 on the average).

5) Acrobat Connect Professional

Acrobat offers many different features with their web conferencing software, which accommodates a wide range of operating systems, as well as provides a high–level of security.

Many consumers enjoy the ability of customizing and elevating their functions through the Collaboration Builder SDK. The software quickly helps buyers generate, establish, and track online meetings, trainings, and on-the-spot presentations.

Convenient pay options include software licenses, annual subscriptions, monthly payments, or pay-per-use arrangements.

6) PGi Netspoke Web Conferencing

Customers are blown away with the effective visual presentation, audience involvement, and live feedback associated with PGi Netspoke web conferencing software and services.

Handling anything from small member meetings to large Web debates involving up to 125 participants, PGi Netspoke is ready to offer a wide-range of features including application sharing, Q&A, chat, polling features, rapid agenda transmission, and satisfying demonstration software.

Additionally, a flexible pricing schedule is set to accommodate the varying needs of consumers.

7) MegaMeeting

When using MegaMeeting, the ease of services is seen through the many different companies and individuals who benefit from the software.

The effective marketing tools allow small, medium, and large businesses to thrive across the Internet. Face-to-face web conferencing, video conferencing services, and VoIP capabilities are just some of the things offered with MegaMeeting.

The price is also decent, as unlimited meetings are supplied for $75 per month. Additional features include the allowance of up to 16 simultaneous video participants, free integrated toll conference calling, unlimited logins, and the ease of not having to deal with contracts.

For example, individuals are able to enjoy unlimited meetings with up to 10 participants for $39 per month with an annual commitment or $49 per month without a commitment. This service also provides access to document sharing, presentations, and decent customer collaboration.

Weighing the Pros and Cons Of Web Conferencing Companies

When scanning the benefits and setbacks associated with a particular web conferencing company, you may base your final decision on budget, while another will spare no expense for decent operating system support. Each decision is based upon individual expectations and limitations.

To date, web conferencing companies may offer their services for free, while some costs thousands of dollars to acquire. The operating system often becomes a concern of buyers, as numerous selections cater to Unix servers and most Windows servers, while Macintosh users face limited choices.

A buyer may analyze the compatibility of web conferencing options with other environments, as well as the level of administrative capabilities.

Browser support, search and filter tools, access control, speed, host tools, overall level of performance, and the ability to customize are also additional elements and factors that influence a final web conferencing selection.

Overall, what makes a decent conferencing system for one does not necessarily translate into the same for another. It is important to remember that there is no one single solution that effectively satisfies the demands of all.