As the name suggests, Web conferencing services are services offered by vendors in terms of arranging online conferences between groups of people who may be situated at different geographical locations. Web conferencing services are increasing in popularity because they allow sharing of information in multiple formats such as presentations, text, voice and even video. Web conferences also allow users to share applications such as a spreadsheet and co-browse Web sites.

Considering the cost savings that Web conferencing can deliver, the market is geared to take off in the next few years. According to a prediction by the Radicati group, a consulting and market research firm, the Web conferencing services market could grow to $2.2 billion by 2007.

An increasing number of companies are now present in the Web conferencing marketing. Some of the leading names include Cisco, GoToMeeting, IBM, Oracle, Batipi, Centra, Elluminate, Genesys, iLinc, Intercall, Interwise, iVocalize, Voxwire Web Conferencing, Linktivity,Raindance Communications, Macromedia, LiveOffice, Netspoke, OpenSpace-Online, WebDialogs, WiredRed amongst several others. In 2003, Microsoft acquired a company called PlaceWare which offered Web conferencing software and renamed it Microsoft Office Live Meeting. It also began phasing out support for NetMeeting.



Web conferencing service providers have different models for charging their customers. Some service providers may charge based on the number of participants in the conference, others may charge based on the usage in terms of time.

While selecting a service provider one must take into consideration the features, cost, and the references given by the service provider. The reputation and experience of the provider are important because most of the group communications require that the conference proceeding be secure and free of technical glitches. The conferencing service providers are responsible for security, including SSL encryption, management tools for administration, and installation of solutions that can be set up behind a corporate firewall.

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