Choosing an Enterprise Webcasting Solution

—Security, Security, Security: Protection is paramount among more advanced and experienced users of webcasting systems. In addition to keeping prying eyes from proprietary online video information, decision makers also seek guarantees that webcasting will not introduce new vulnerabilities into existing corporate networks.

—Seek and Ye Shall Find: As companies implement online video on a more widespread basis, the volume of content they must handle can grow exponentially. As a result, experienced users of webcasting place high priority on technologies that help to search and manage content effectively.

—Measurement Tracks Results: Technologies that help track the ways in which audiences view and interact with online video can pump up the perceived value of online video solutions. Organizations that are advanced in webcasting deployment even employ tracking systems to monitor and record how individuals perform in viewing and understanding content presented in online training sessions. Such information can be used as evidence in regulatory compliance situations.

Certainly, no one size strategy fits all when it comes to implementing online multimedia. An organization’s perception of each of the variables that goes into the purchase decision and implementation process will influence the webcasting technology that fits the needs of a specific company.

Perhaps the only mistake companies can make in today’s environment would be completely ignoring the possibilities of online video. While free—or nearly free—platforms that enable online video distribution may not mesh with specific corporate needs, they at least offer a venue for experimenting with a new form of business communications.

Even companies that are not ready to take a six-figure dive into investing in a state-of-the-art, end-to-end webcasting solution should look for ways to experiment with rudimentary alternatives. As executives learn what they like (and don’t like) about business webcasting, they will have better working knowledge that will help them make strategically sound, savvy investments in advanced webcasting capabilities down the line.