{"id":17032,"date":"2021-02-26T10:09:22","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T10:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?p=17032"},"modified":"2023-01-16T18:05:49","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T18:05:49","slug":"video-conferencing-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/video-conferencing-software\/","title":{"rendered":"Best 17 UK Video Conferencing Software"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developments in technology have disrupted practically every industry. From construction to retail, we constantly find new ways to optimise business processes thanks to technological advances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One monumental shift in the way we work has come in the form of remote working\u2019. We now have the means and machinery to ditch the office altogether and work from the comfort of our own homes. Indeed, from anywhere for that matter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re going to explore <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, analysing how it\u2019s changed our working lives for the better. We\u2019ll then delve a little deeper into how top-notch software like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/office\/features\/video-conference\/overview.html\">RingCentral\u2019s video conferencing solution<\/a><\/strong> can help your business stay on top.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How video conferencing software has changed the workplace<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The introduction of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the working world prompted a dramatic change. It meant that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">face-to-face<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> meetings could actually conduct face-to-face meetings virtually, and commuting to the office for the sake of attending one wasn\u2019t always necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s given the flexibility to both employees and business owners alike. Employees can arrange a work schedule that suits them and their personal life. In fact, they may be more likely to take a position at a job that offers them such flexibility. Some workplaces even provide web conferencing equipment such as cameras and microphones to enable staff to conduct meetings virtually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Job interviews and one-to-one performance reviews are often now conducted virtually. This means that the process still feels personalised, but it saves them time and hassle of getting to the interview or the office. This way of working feels like the new normal, and it seems as though many businesses are investing even more in video conferencing technology to allow this to continue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video conferencing also benefits businesses from an expenditure standpoint. Given that employees are working away from the office, overhead costs such as electricity and heating are often lower. Money that\u2019s saved here can be used in other places, such as marketing and promotion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, remote working is frequently linked to improved employee health. It takes away the stresses of commuting to and from work and saves travel costs. It also means employees can log on from anywhere, which is why some people switch the home office for sunnier destinations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-1536x1536 wp-image-17033\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/male-employee-speaking-on-video-call-with-diverse-colleagues-on-online-briefing-with-laptop-at-home-1536x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Male employee speaking on video call with diverse colleagues on online briefing with laptop at home.-750\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/male-employee-speaking-on-video-call-with-diverse-colleagues-on-online-briefing-with-laptop-at-home-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/male-employee-speaking-on-video-call-with-diverse-colleagues-on-online-briefing-with-laptop-at-home-300x200.jpg 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/male-employee-speaking-on-video-call-with-diverse-colleagues-on-online-briefing-with-laptop-at-home-640x427.jpg 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/male-employee-speaking-on-video-call-with-diverse-colleagues-on-online-briefing-with-laptop-at-home-768x512.jpg 768w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/male-employee-speaking-on-video-call-with-diverse-colleagues-on-online-briefing-with-laptop-at-home-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is video conferencing software?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put simply, and video<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is designed to keep people connected. As we know, technology has vastly developed over the past decade, and it\u2019s now entirely possible to have a virtual conversation with somebody on the other side of the globe. This has changed the way we live and work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can allow hundreds of participants on one call, which is great for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">webinars<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and large scale conferences. You can also use this software to conduct team meetings, 1:1 work reviews, job interviews, and more. In fact, many recruiters prefer to invite a candidate to a virtual interview before an in-person one. This saves time and resources because you can shortlist candidates more quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a world where flexible working is becoming normalised, most workers will now have access to some form of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Simpler options such as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skype<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are often used for connecting with friends. More advanced choices, such as RingCentral, are ideal for small and large businesses alike. This is because it comes with a plethora of features on top of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/video.html\"><strong>HD video<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> calling.<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17037\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17037\" style=\"width: 746px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17037\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/how-to-choose-video-conference-solutions.png\" alt=\"how-to-choose-video-conference-solutions-302\" width=\"746\" height=\"670\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/how-to-choose-video-conference-solutions.png 746w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/how-to-choose-video-conference-solutions-300x269.png 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/how-to-choose-video-conference-solutions-640x575.png 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 746px) 100vw, 746px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17037\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/netstorage.ringcentral.com\/uk\/documents\/video_selection.pdf\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Who can use video conferencing software?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone can use <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software. Here\u2019s<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0a list of those it\u2019s most beneficial to:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Small business video conferencing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not every small company has access to a physical office. Entrepreneurs just starting may not be able to afford the rental costs of an office building, on top of employing staff. Therefore, they may work with freelancers or employees that are comfortable working from a home office. They can then stay connected through video and audio calls. It couldn\u2019t be easy if you have the help of a unified communications solution like RingCentral.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This helps to keep communication high and costs low. What\u2019s more,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> small businesses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may also use <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to stay connected to clients. If they lack a physical meeting space, a virtual meeting is the next best thing. This allows them to get to know their clients and update them through regular catch-up meetings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Enterprise video conferencing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enterprise <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is ideal for business owners and managers who need to stay connected to their team. It\u2019s popular with those who like to remotely manage their teams because you can use it anywhere, on desktop and mobile. Some video conferencing tools also allow you to make most other features, such as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real-time<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> analytics and team <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">messaging<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is ideal for enterprises who require extra features for communication, as well as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HD video<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> calling. All such features are part and parcel of RingCentral\u2019s offerings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Service provider video conferencing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Service providers use video conferencing tools to stay connected with colleagues and clients alike. Through <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video calls<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the team can collaborate on tasks with tight deadlines and discuss upcoming projects. This can help the team bond and work together more effectively, even when they\u2019re not based in the same office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In terms of client contact, video calls can be used for meetings and fix any issues that can not be figured out via audio call. For instance, were <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/screen-sharing-tool.html\">sharing a screen<\/a><\/strong> may be more appropriate to explain a problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17038\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17038\" style=\"width: 639px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17038\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/contact-centre-using-video-conference-solution.png\" alt=\"contact-centre-using-video-conference-solution-468\" width=\"639\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/contact-centre-using-video-conference-solution.png 639w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/contact-centre-using-video-conference-solution-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 639px) 100vw, 639px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/remote-contact-centre-resource-hub\/\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Developers video conferencing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some video conferencing apps like RingCentral allow developers to utilise their APIs. This means they can build on their platform. RingCentral\u2019s Meetings API features the ability to host and start meetings, password protect meetings, and access meeting information. You can use the API to finish meetings when you\u2019re done and cancel or remove any old meetings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To access RingCentral\u2019s Meeting APIs, you\u2019ll need a subscription to RingCentral Office Premium or Ultimate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other industries that benefit from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other industries can benefit from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Communication is vital in many sectors, and video conferencing technology can help to bring people together from across the world. Here are some of the industries that utilise the power of video:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Real Estate <\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Estate agents are among those who greatly benefit from <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When a client cannot travel to viewing but is still eager to look around the house, a video allows them to do just that. Estate agents can give them a virtual viewing, showing them each room and giving the client an idea of the space as they walk through the building.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s more, agents can stay connected to their colleagues in the office when they\u2019re out and about. So, if any questions arise about the property or the clients want to find out more information, the estate agent can make a quick call to the office with just a few taps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Education <\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the education sector, not all lessons are taught in physical classrooms. <strong><a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/hub\/virtual-learning-resource-hub\/\">Virtual classrooms<\/a><\/strong> are becoming standard, especially when you\u2019re learning from another side of the world, like a Spanish teacher in Spain with English students in the UK, with lessons being taught via a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video call<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you use, you can have up to 200 participants in one call. This is more than enough to teach your average class size. You can even host lectures for more students using this technology.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Healthcare <\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nowadays, doctors are taking advantage of modern developments in technology and computers. You can access your doctor from home using a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">messaging<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> service and even arrange a video call where necessary. Doctors can see more patients in a shorter amount of time thanks to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/cloud-communications-solutions-for-healthcare.html\">Some platforms<\/a><\/strong> have even been designed with industries like Healthcare in mind. Take RingCentral, for instance. They offer advanced security when it matters the most.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Law <\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The law industry was one of the earliest to adopt video calling. Some people prefer to appear via a video link in court. This can only be done by using <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video calling software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. What\u2019s more, with lawyers working on cases from across the globe, it can also be a useful tool for them to keep in contact with their clients.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At any one time, there are potentially several lawyers and paralegals working on one case. That means video communication is key. Using <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help with this because you can schedule update meetings and ensure you\u2019re all working together on important tasks and deadlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financial services<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether it\u2019s for banking, investment, or insurance, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/office\/industry-solutions\/business-communications-for-financial-services.html\">many financial services roles<\/a><\/strong> can benefit from using video calling technology. You can stay in touch with clients and report back to the office all from your mobile device.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With bank-grade security for every conversation and TLS and SRTP encryption between all endpoints, you can feel safe to discuss intricate financial matters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t<div class=\"cta-banner  CID-2FdM5dTp IID-69d0d6319ab82\"\r\n\t\tdata-dl-custom-type=\"ctaButton\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"cta-banner-img-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"cta-banner-img\" style=\"background-image:url(\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/young-man-is-working-from-home.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"cta-body\" data-dl-custom-type=\"ctaButton\">\r\n\t\t\t<span class=\"cta-sub-heading\">Plan for the future of WFH<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"cta-heading\">Introduce future-proof, secure and reliable solutions<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<p>Keep your team connected and collaborating as they continue working remotely.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<a class=\"rc-cta-shortcode btn btn-primary btn-lg\" data-dl-element=\"button\"\r\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/why-use-ringcentral-desktop-app.html\" class=\"btn btn-primary\"\r\n\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-dl-additional-info=\"Introduce future-proof, secure and reliable solutions\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-dl-name=\"Introduce future-proof, secure and reliable solutions | Find out how\">Find out how<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\n<h2><strong>Benefits of using video conferencing software<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are so many different industries embracing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing systems<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Because <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing services<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> deliver a whole host of benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. You can use it anytime, anywhere<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most obvious benefits of using video calling software is that it allows you to connect to the other person no matter where you are in the world. This can be useful if you often work away from the office but still need to keep in touch with your colleagues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many professions are less office-based than before; even marketing and finance jobs can be done away from a desk. It also works well for jobs with more unsociable hours, especially if you manage several clients in different time zones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. It connects teams and improves communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teamwork isn\u2019t easy at the best of times in larger businesses, but it can be increasingly difficult when you\u2019re working remotely. However, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/video-call.html\">video calling technology<\/a><\/strong> helps with this. If you choose software available as an app and on a desktop, it becomes even more flexible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teams may already use chatting software, but sometimes it\u2019s difficult to articulate what you\u2019re trying to say over text. That\u2019s where video calls come in. You can speak <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">face-to-face <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and work on projects even when you\u2019re far apart. The best software will combine team messaging, audio calls, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video calls<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> into one unified and integrated system &#8211; as RingCentral does.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-1536x1536 wp-image-17039\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/over-gray-background-photography-of-five-handsome-millennial-multiethnic-guys-1536x1024.jpg\" alt=\"online-meetings-with-RingCentral\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/over-gray-background-photography-of-five-handsome-millennial-multiethnic-guys-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/over-gray-background-photography-of-five-handsome-millennial-multiethnic-guys-300x200.jpg 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/over-gray-background-photography-of-five-handsome-millennial-multiethnic-guys-640x427.jpg 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/over-gray-background-photography-of-five-handsome-millennial-multiethnic-guys-768x512.jpg 768w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/over-gray-background-photography-of-five-handsome-millennial-multiethnic-guys-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. International companies communicate from across the globe<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast developments in technology are making global communication much easier. Employees no longer have to hop on a flight to a quick conference, only to return home within 24 hours. Now, it\u2019s as easy as turning on your computer and video calling from wherever you are. This has been extremely beneficial for many businesses, but especially those companies that operate on a global scale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, if your business has offices in London, Tokyo, and New York, keeping the team connected can be difficult. By introducing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your team can stay in touch with ease. Not only does this save time and money, but it also helps lessen your impact on travel emissions, which are damaging to the environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. It saves commuting time and money<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most underrated benefits of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the time and money it saves on commuting in and out of the office. It can be frustrating heading all the way to work just to attend a meeting or two. It also adds to traffic pollution if you drive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a business, it\u2019s best for your employees and the environment if you utilise video calling software to its full potential. You can still conduct meetings but without the need to commute. Reliable HD <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will ensure the call quality is great, and you won\u2019t miss out on any important details in the meeting with the rest of your colleagues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. You can use it in conjunction with other software<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video meeting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">platforms also integrate with other useful software so that you can combine your business tools into one. Take RingCentral, for instance. With RingCentral, you can video call, audio call, team message, track <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real-time<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> analytics, and integrate with plenty of other office tools. Salesforce, Trello, GSuite, and more can all be integrated with RingCentral.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This helps you keep everything in one place and saves your employees from switching from application to application. Not only does this increase productivity, but it can also save you money in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. It provides flexibility for employees<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another big benefit of video calling software is that it allows for a more flexible way of working. People have been moving away from typical 9-5 office positions searching for more flexibility in recent years. Whether it be heading into the office part-time or working remotely for five days of the week, people now prefer to work when it suits them. This lifestyle change has prompted a further uptick in the use of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17040\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17040\" style=\"width: 1066px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-17040 size-full\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/flexible-online-meetings.png\" alt=\"flexible-online-meetings-997\" width=\"1066\" height=\"634\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/flexible-online-meetings.png 1066w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/flexible-online-meetings-300x178.png 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/flexible-online-meetings-640x381.png 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/flexible-online-meetings-768x457.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1066px) 100vw, 1066px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17040\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/netstorage.ringcentral.com\/datasheets\/meetings_datasheet.pdf\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>7. It can be more engaging than audio calls<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people may zone out when on an audio call, as it\u2019s often more tempting to multi-task. However<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you\u2019re much more engaged in a video call because the person is directly in front of you, and you&#8217;ve made to make eye contact. You\u2019re more inclined to use communication skills when on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video calls<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The dos and don\u2019ts of video conferencing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whichever of the many <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing options<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you choose to use, there\u2019s some straightforward etiquette that you ought to follow:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Do<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Send an invite beforehand &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Software like RingCentral integrates with Gmail so you can send invites directly to your colleagues or clients\u2019 email addresses. Even if your<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn&#8217;t have this useful function, you should still send an invite with the meeting&#8217;s date and time (including time zones).\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ensure you have a good internet connection &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is key because nobody wants to be the person that keeps dropping in and out of the call. Good internet connection goes hand-in-hand with good software, preferably one that has proven limited downtime.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Sit in good lighting &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To keep it as professional as possible, ensure you are sitting in good lighting. This may be in front of a window or with additional lightings, such as a ring light.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Make sure your microphone is working &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The phrase \u2018you\u2019re on mute\u2019 has become synonymous with video calling. Check the microphone settings on your laptop before you hop on the call, or buy an external microphone for even better sound quality.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Take notes where necessary &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video call<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can sometimes replace what would have been an email. This means that you won\u2019t have anything to refer back to unless you take notes. However, only do this when you have time, such as when another conversation is taking place. You don\u2019t want to look distracted when on the call.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Don\u2019t<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Multitask during meetings &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re on video, you can\u2019t appear distracted. Unlike an audio call, you can be seen by everyone else in the meeting. Only take notes when there\u2019s an opportunity to do so, don\u2019t open any emails, and leave your phone to one side until the meeting has finished.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Position your camera too low or high &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The angle of your webcam is critical on a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video call<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0because a poor angle can look sloppy and unprofessional. Keep your shoulders and head in the frame, and try to avoid any distractions in the background. A <a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/virtual-background\/\">plain background is best<\/a>, preferably in a home office or lounge with a table.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Delay start times &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019ve sent a meeting invite for a specific time, people will arrange their day around this. Try to stick to the start time, and if you must delay the meeting, let all attendees know with plenty of notice.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>The difference between free and paid video conferencing software<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be good for basic communication. At its best, it can connect you to family, friends, and occasionally colleagues when you need to get in touch in a pinch. It\u2019s ideal for personal use or sometimes 1:1 meetings when you don\u2019t require any <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">file sharing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> capabilities or other office features. In short, it\u2019s good for a quick catch-up conversation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, paid <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can do all of that and much more. The likes of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoom<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allow you to call colleagues to discuss daily tasks, software like RingCentral allows you to assign such tasks, screen share to explain, and send files to help. You can also hold webinars for up to 200 attendees, useful for larger businesses and corporations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main difference between free and paid <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is call quality and the number of features. Free software is often less reliable than paid software because it doesn\u2019t guarantee or promise to live up to. Whereas tools like RingCentral offer the \u201cFive 9s\u201d &#8211; 99.999% &#8211; of uptime. RingCentral has delivered nine consecutive quarters of this uptime SLA for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/office\/product-overview.html\">RingCentral Office<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-1536x1536 wp-image-17041\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/confident-mature-doctor-at-desk-in-clinic-1536x1024.jpg\" alt=\"teleconsulting-using-video-conferencing-solution-for-doctors\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/confident-mature-doctor-at-desk-in-clinic-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/confident-mature-doctor-at-desk-in-clinic-300x200.jpg 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/confident-mature-doctor-at-desk-in-clinic-640x427.jpg 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/confident-mature-doctor-at-desk-in-clinic-768x512.jpg 768w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/confident-mature-doctor-at-desk-in-clinic-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some typical features of free video calling software:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video calls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Audio calls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen sharing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group chat<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what to expect with a RingCentral software subscription:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HD video and audio calls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Team <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">messaging<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 4000 inclusive minutes per user (Ultimate plan)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call logs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call recording\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlimited audio conferencing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Popular app integrations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Key features when choosing video conferencing software.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Searching for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but don\u2019t know the key features to look out for? Here\u2019s our pick of crucial features to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>Reliability<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is perhaps nothing worse than audio or video lag when on a work call. It disrupts the meeting, wastes time, and can be inconvenient for the other attendees. Therefore, one of the most important features when selecting video calling software is reliability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To judge how reliable the platform is, you can look at reviews, case studies, uptime, and downtime. RingCentral has roughly 5.26 minutes of downtime on the app per year, a number that many other companies find hard to achieve. That\u2019s pretty impressive considering the volume of customers and the demand for video calling. For instance, saying that the company has 95% uptime sounds good, but that could equal about 18 minutes of downtime per year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>Integrations<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking for standard <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that simply lets you make video calls whenever you need to, then you may not be overly fussed about integrations. On the other hand, maybe you just aren\u2019t aware of the benefits they can bring to your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrations can help to make your workday run smoothly. You can access emails, make calls, assign tasks, and more in one place. Popular integrations that work well with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apps include Gmail, Dropbox, Mailchimp, and Google Drive. The more integrations, the better. Your team will find it easier to access the tools they need, boost productivity and save you money in the long run.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t<div class=\"cta-banner  CID-2FdM5dTp IID-69d0d6319abd4\"\r\n\t\tdata-dl-custom-type=\"ctaButton\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"cta-banner-img-wrap\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"cta-banner-img\" style=\"background-image:url(\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/ringcentral-security.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"cta-body\" data-dl-custom-type=\"ctaButton\">\r\n\t\t\t<span class=\"cta-sub-heading\">Top industry security rating<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"cta-heading\">End-to-end security<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<p>The RingCentral platform utilises multiple layers of security to protect your data and communications while also guarding against fraud and service abuse.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<a class=\"rc-cta-shortcode btn btn-primary btn-lg\" data-dl-element=\"button\"\r\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/technology\/security.html?\" class=\"btn btn-primary\"\r\n\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-dl-additional-info=\"End-to-end security\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-dl-name=\"End-to-end security | Find out more\">Find out more<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>Security<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/technology\/security.html\">Security is a vital feature<\/a><\/strong> to consider when looking at <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing solutions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Security threats are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially if you start using <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that\u2019s only designed for personal use as a business solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, many commercial solutions are cloud-hosted unified communications as a service (UCaaS) platforms, offering even better protection. For instance, all data is often held externally, and users need special permission to access it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for apps that include firewalls and access management. This means that only those with exclusive access can enter the app, and there are several overlapping layers of protection. It helps to protect against growing cyber threats, eavesdropping on conversations, and other security risks.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>Pricing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most software packages are sold as subscriptions, where you pay monthly or annually for the service. This helps with budget control, and importantly gives you a level of flexibility with how you pay. It also means switching can be easier if the software isn\u2019t right for you. Some video calling platforms are free, which means you simply have to create a log-in and sign-up. You can make calls, but you may need to pay extra for additional features if you want to make the most of the software.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, tools like RingCentral offer an all-in-one solution. They have Essentials, Standard, Premium, and Ultimate packages depending on your needs. You pay a monthly fee, starting at \u00a37.99 per user, per month for the Essentials package. The Standard package includes video calling capabilities at \u00a314.99 per user per month. This includes up to 750 minutes per user, HD calls, call recording, and meetings with up to 100 participants.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>Customer support<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, technology isn\u2019t going to run smoothly 100% of the time. Inevitably, you will come across issues that may need addressing, whether this is something as simple as a feature, not working or something more serious like a security breach. Either way, it\u2019s reassuring to know that your software provider is on-hand to help when problems arise. Ensure you opt for a platform that offers sufficient support, 24\/7 where possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-1536x1536 wp-image-17042\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/indian-woman-teacher-wear-wireless-headset-video-calling-on-laptop-1536x1024.jpg\" alt=\"customer-support-at-home\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/indian-woman-teacher-wear-wireless-headset-video-calling-on-laptop-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/indian-woman-teacher-wear-wireless-headset-video-calling-on-laptop-300x200.jpg 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/indian-woman-teacher-wear-wireless-headset-video-calling-on-laptop-640x427.jpg 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/indian-woman-teacher-wear-wireless-headset-video-calling-on-laptop-768x512.jpg 768w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/indian-woman-teacher-wear-wireless-headset-video-calling-on-laptop-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>Types of meetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple, free plans of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may be adequate for one-on-one meetings. For more advanced features, such as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">webinars<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and company-wide meetings, you may need to invest in software with paid plans. So, if you\u2019re a business that typically <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.officespacesoftware.com\/blog\/how-to-run-effective-hybrid-meetings\">hosts various meetings<\/a><\/strong>, such as Q&amp;As, seminars, board meetings, and so on, choose software capable of accommodating your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>Mobile experience and ease of use<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For people who work remotely, mobile phones are sometimes the preferred choice over laptops for communication. This is because they can make and take calls anywhere, allowing them more flexibility in the working day. If you are away from your desk, look for software easily accessed on your mobile <i>and<\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0desktop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask yourself; does the video calling software offer an app? Do you need to download the software before you can make a call? If possible, you should also look into the usability of the app. Is the user experience good on mobile, and will the rest of your team find it easy to use?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why RingCentral helps you work from anywhere<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral is the epitome of \u201cwork from anywhere\u201d. It\u2019s designed for those who enjoy remote working flexibility but still need to stay connected to the team. Employers who want to offer staff the chance to work from home need to invest in safe, reliable software to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A platform like RingCentral is the first choice for many businesses, not least because it can be accessed on any device &#8211; no downloads necessary. This level of flexibility means that you can call on a train, at the airport, on a beach, and just about anywhere that has a good internet connection, all from your mobile device or tablet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The features &amp; integrations that make RingCentral stand-out<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral has several notable features that make it even easier for businesses to keep communication running smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>HD video and audio calls<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First and foremost, RingCentral is loved for its video and audio calling capabilities. Unlike some other <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, RingCentral has a range of features that work well alongside <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video calls<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For instance, while on the call, you can share your screen with other participants, send documents, and switch to an audio call.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some features of RingCentral Video:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 200 attendees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlimited audio conferencing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call recording<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Document sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 24hr meeting duration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Employee engagement<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another feature that makes RingCentral stand out is the ability to optimise your workforce. In the admin portal, you can track team members and monitor service quality. You can also view RingCentral usage across your team, giving you a better idea of how your employees are using the app. This allows you to delve into employee behaviour and trends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/employee-engagement-tools\/\">Tracking employee engagement<\/a><\/strong> is important because it allows you to understand which elements of the app they find most useful and which integrations they use the most. If you realise that your employees are hardly using an integrated tool that you pay a subscription for, you may decide to cancel it to save costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some more ways that RingCentral helps you to optimise your workforce:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CRM integrations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automated alerts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Team chat rooms\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meetings dashboard<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17043\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17043\" style=\"width: 471px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17043\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/analytics-portal-call-tracking-metrics-call-history-and-real-time-analytics-ringcentral.png\" alt=\"Analytics-Portal-Call-Tracking-Metrics-Call-History-and-Real-Time-Analytics-RingCentral-621\" width=\"471\" height=\"432\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/analytics-portal-call-tracking-metrics-call-history-and-real-time-analytics-ringcentral.png 471w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/analytics-portal-call-tracking-metrics-call-history-and-real-time-analytics-ringcentral-300x275.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17043\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/office\/features\/analytics-portal\/overview.html\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>Team messaging<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With RingCentral <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/team-chat.html\">team chat rooms<\/a>, you can stay in touch with colleagues even when it\u2019s not convenient for you to make a video or audio call. With team group chats, you can create conversation threads, start new groups, drag and drop files, and share agendas. You can even switch to a meeting with just one click.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Noteworthy integrations<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrations can transform almost any app into one that feels more personalised to you. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microsoft <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">365, Google Workspace, Slack, and more, can all be integrated with RingCentral. This can help you stay organised and focused, as all of your resources are in one place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>How business communications have improved with RingCentral<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wondering how your business communications can be improved with RingCentral? Just take a look at some case studies from our customers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Walker Crips<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walker Crips Group plc is a London-based diversified financial services group. When they realised it was time for an upgrade on their phone system, they searched high and low for a company that could deliver what they needed. Finally, they found RingCentral and haven\u2019t looked back since.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sean Lam, Managing Director, said: \u201cRingCentral is way ahead in terms of innovation. It has plenty of<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> functionality<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It brings big-company systems to smaller companies. There\u2019s a lot there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He also noted that using cloud-based conferencing systems has benefits for his employees, \u201cPeople are not tethered to their desks, and they are absolutely more efficient,\u201d Lam says. \u201cThey could be working from home or meeting clients where the clients want to meet. And everything is recorded centrally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>TechnologyOne<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TechnologyOne is Australia\u2019s largest enterprise software company. Over 1,000 leading corporations, government departments, and statutory authorities are powered by their technology. As the company began to grow, they found their old phone system couldn\u2019t support them anymore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Richard Nicol, Group Director, Support &amp; Enhance for TechnologyOne, explains, \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video conferences<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> caused us a lot of grief. We\u2019d have 30 people join our meetings from multiple regions, and it wasn\u2019t uncommon for it to take 15 minutes to get the software working for everyone. That was very disruptive and unprofessional, especially when you\u2019ve got customers in those meetings. It was a combination of these factors that led us to say, \u2018We need to go and get a unified communications solution.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having switched to RingCentral, taking calls and speaking to clients is a much smoother process. They\u2019ve even integrated RingCentral with their Microsoft Office 365, allowing them to schedule meetings more easily. They now host more than 4,000 meetings a month.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Triumph<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Triumph Motorcycles is a leading motorcycle brand. Initially based in the UK, they branched out to the US in 1994. Their rapid growth since they found them looking for a better communications system. After trying out RingCentral, they knew it was the perfect solution for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brandon Keller, Operations Manager, Triumph Motorcycles America Ltd, said: \u201cWe wanted a solution that would be flexible enough to offer lots of communication features to our teams that needed it, but at the same time just be an easy-to-use phone for employees who didn\u2019t want or need more than that\u2026it wasn\u2019t until we started talking with RingCentral that we realized how much we could also benefit from additional services.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral also helped their employees become more efficient, \u201cWe use RingCentral Meetings to host online <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferences<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with our dealers across the US. We work with 160 dealers, and what we realized was that we could host a live training session\u2014say, to tell our dealers about the details of a new bike\u2014and RingCentral Meetings lets us record that entire video and show it on-demand to our other dealers. This is another game-changer because it frees our people up from having to host that same training session over and over for every dealer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>How can I start a meeting with RingCentral video conferencing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a meeting with RingCentral <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is easy; check out this step-by-step guide:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1XYh46RTmKw\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" align=\"center\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Are RingCentral video conferencing solutions secure?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral\u2019s seven layers of security and redundant data centres ensure user protection. In other words, RingCentral\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing solution<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is very secure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your company is looking to move to cloud-based software, security may be something that\u2019s holding you back. As a UCaaS provider, RingCentral understands this, which is why they go above and beyond to ensure your business is safe when using the software.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are just some of the security features that RingCentral implements:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strong access controls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Threat detection and mitigation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customer admin and user controls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-built integrations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Service operations controls<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below is the security model illustrating the approach RingCentral takes to ensure strict security goals are met:<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17044\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17044\" style=\"width: 575px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17044\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cloud_communications_security.png\" alt=\"cloud_communications_security-461\" width=\"575\" height=\"294\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cloud_communications_security.png 575w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cloud_communications_security-300x153.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17044\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/netstorage.ringcentral.com\/documents\/cloud_communications_security.pdf\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, for each concern or potential issue, there is an action that RingCentral has taken to ensure extra security. With this in mind, you should feel reassured that RingCentral software is safe and reliable, no matter how large your business is.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 30px;\">Get details on the security and trust built into RingCentral products and services.<\/span><span class=\"text-center\" style=\"display: block;\" data-dtm-element=\"button\" data-dtm-context=\"bottom-cta\" data-dtm-additional-info=\"Get the guide\"><a class=\"btn btn-primary btn-lg\" style=\"margin-top: 16px; font-weight: bold;\" title=\"Read the eBook\" href=\"https:\/\/netstorage.ringcentral.com\/uk\/documents\/cloud_communications_and_collaboration.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-dtm-name=\"Bottom CTA\">Download the white paper<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Optimising remote work with RingCentral<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral video is more than just <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">face-to-face <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">meetings. It can be synced with multiple other important business communication methods, from group chats to audio calls. That\u2019s just one reason why many businesses choose RingCentral over other <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apps because it has everything they need in one place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remote working can be difficult, especially if you\u2019re not used to it. For those who\u2019ve decided to switch jobs to an employer that encourages remote working, or those who have been forced to work from home because of a natural disaster, it can be challenging to adapt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral aims to make this transition as smooth as possible, both for your business and your employees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Audio calls<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long before we had the ability to video call, businesses were audio calling to keep in touch with clients and employees. Audio calling is still an in-demand function, which is why it\u2019s RingCentral\u2019s main feature alongside video calling. At its heart, RingCentral is a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/office\/features\/voip\/overview.html\">VoIP<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provider. The standard package features unlimited audio conferencing as well as<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> video meetings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You can also switch from an audio call to a video in just a few taps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Workforce optimisation<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral is the chosen tool for many remote customer service providers. It allows businesses to provide customers with excellent service, even when they are working remotely. Agents can chat with customers, make calls, and take calls, all in one place. Team leaders can also analyse this call data to see whether KPIs are being met.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can prepare a script and optimise your workforce, so no agent is ever idle. It boosts agents&#8217; productivity and increases customer satisfaction as they are quickly and efficiently connected to someone who can help with their enquiry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_17047\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-17047\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-17047 size-large\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ringcentral-call-centre-script-640x593.png\" alt=\"RingCentral-call-centre-script-605\" width=\"640\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ringcentral-call-centre-script-640x593.png 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ringcentral-call-centre-script-300x278.png 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ringcentral-call-centre-script-768x711.png 768w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ringcentral-call-centre-script.png 1164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-17047\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/remote-support-customer-service.html\">Image source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Unified communications<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, keeping everything in one system is what RingCentral is all about. It brings together your work tools through clever integrations and provides you with a base. From here, you can add even more integrations and upgrade your subscription as the platform grows with you. It\u2019s ideal for small and big businesses alike because the features are universal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of having one app for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">messaging<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and making <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video calls<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it simplifies things using one software piece. It can also save you money on numerous software subscriptions when you pay for one that has it all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is the best video conferencing software?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To find the best software for video, you need to consider the conferencing features your company needs. We\u2019ve gathered information on some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the market, giving you an overview of what they can offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>RingCentral Video<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RingCentral is the preferred <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tool for thousands of businesses, and it\u2019s easy to see why. For those who require a sophisticated way of collaborating with colleagues and communicating with clients, RingCentral is the perfect all-in-one solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many businesses, the more basic <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tools available simply won\u2019t suit their needs. Businesses looking to invite multiple participants to the meeting send invites, schedule dates, and share documents will appreciate a more comprehensive system like RingCentral.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With countless integrations from Slack to Trello, RingCentral Video is far more than just conferencing software. It offers a new way of working, complete with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HD<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video meeting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> capabilities and smart team chats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some RingCentral Video features to consider:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automatic call recording<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlimited audio conferencing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24-hour meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video meetings with 200 attendees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Custom roles and permissions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24\/7 customer support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Analytics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>LifeSize<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LifeSize is a platform that provides HD video calling for its users. It\u2019s a cloud-based video collaboration tool, mainly designed for small teams who want simple software. They do have a free option that lets you add up to eight users per meeting. Aside from this, they have a tiered paid system depending on your budget and needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their \u201cPlus\u201d package for small and medium-sized businesses has a range of features. However, unlike RingCentral, it does not offer unlimited audio conferencing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24-hour meeting duration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encrypted meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting analytics\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>BlueJeans Meetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded in 2009, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BlueJeans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was an early adopter of video calling. Like many others, it\u2019s a cloud-based platform. You can join a meeting from<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Android<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> devices, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">iOS<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> devices, and a computer. It comes with a 30-day free trial and some helpful but limiting features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking for a platform that offers more than just basic video calling, an all-in-one solution like RingCentral may better suit your company&#8217;s needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30-day free trial<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting analytics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calendar support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dial-in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">numbers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Cisco WebEx<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cisco acquired WebEx in 2007. Since then, it has gone on to offer customers <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> capabilities, as well as audio. There are private chat rooms for 1:1 meetings and the option to meet with up to 100 participants on the free version. There are <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cisco<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mobile apps available, but most users have a smoother experience with the desktop version.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High definition video calling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Document sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1GB cloud storage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private chat rooms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Join.Me<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Join. Me is a basic, user-friendly version of some of the more sophisticated video calling platforms. It\u2019s part of the GoTo Meeting family. You can meet with friends, family, and colleagues with this app. The layout is somewhat novice, with each attendee appearing in a bubble. This may come across as slightly unprofessional in a proper business environment, particularly for webinars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy-to-use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Team chat rooms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business analytics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Zoho Meeting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoho is another video tool that offers meetings of various sizes for both business and personal use. Though Zoho has some good features on its own, Zoho may be limiting for those who need a range of features to effectively and efficiently run a larger business. To make the most of Zoho, you can take advantage of its many integrations, from email to project management. Apps like RingCentral offer HD video calling, audio, calling, and workforce optimisation. Integrations are a bonus, not integral.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secure meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Record and download meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Host<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> webinars<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chat rooms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>ClickMeeting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ClickMeeting is a tool used by many businesses that want to connect with clients across the world. It integrates analytics and marketing tools to give you accurate and useful data, handy if you have a large business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also a 30-day free trial to test it out before you commit, which is useful because the lowest starting price is \u00a320 per month for 10 attendees. As it\u2019s mostly focused on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">webinars<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there\u2019s less emphasis on team collaboration and team tracking, which can be a downside for some businesses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presentation mode<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen control<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q&amp;A<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>InterMedia AnyMeeting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">InterMedia AnyMeeting is, as you may have guessed, a merger of two <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video meeting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">businesses. It\u2019s a collaboration platform that offers video calling and chats. The focus with this app is more on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video calls<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so if you want to switch between video and phone calls seamlessly, a tool like RingCentral may be a better option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Record meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Custom branding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting transcripts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>U Meeting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U Meeting is a web browser platform mainly used by businesses and corporations whose employees are still very much based at the office. It\u2019s easy-to-use, and there is a free plan. Without a fully functional app, this can be quite limiting, no matter what other features U Meeting may offer. For those who want a more flexible way of working, RingCentral could be a more useful alternative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free version<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting analytics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encrypted meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Send invites through Google Calendar.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"rc-inline-read\" href=\"https:\/\/netstorage.ringcentral.com\/uk\/documents\/calculating_real_cost.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"ctaText\">Download Whitepaper <\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Calculating the Real Cost of a Business Phone System<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>GoToMeeting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GoToMeeting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tool that can be accessed on a desktop app and mobile. There are numerous integrations, such as Salesforce and Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). You can also try it out through the 14-day free trial before making any commitments. Similar to other video calling platforms, it focuses on video rather than audio. So, it is more limited for audio calling than the likes of RingCentral, which offers excellent quality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free trial<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One-click meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">meeting rooms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen drawing tools<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>ezTalks Meeting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This software is great for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">small businesses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and entrepreneurs who want to discover how <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can change the way they do business. It\u2019s easy-to-use and offers meeting controls so you can regulate the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conference room<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In future, an upgrade to a more well-rounded solution such as RingCentral may be necessary because ezTalks features are limited for growing companies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online cloud storage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting controls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interactive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">whiteboard<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call recording<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>StarLeaf<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">StarLeaf describes itself as offering Enterprise-grade <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conference rooms<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It offers meetings for up to 100 participants and 3,000 viewers, audio capture, and a team chat. With RingCentral, you can have up to 200 meeting participants, which may be preferable for larger businesses who regularly host conferences and webinars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secure meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call recording<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">100 participants<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Team chat<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>FreeConference<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the name suggests, FreeConference is a free online video platform with some premium options. In the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free version,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can make calls, share files, chat in the team message section, and more. It\u2019s good for smaller businesses or 1:1 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online meetings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and reviews because the maximum number of people in a meeting is five.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This may be difficult for those who regularly host meetings with significantly higher numbers than this. RingCentral could be a better option in this case, as it has a capacity for 200 people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy-to-use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1:1 meetings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Document sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call recording<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Skype for Business<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skype is perhaps one of the more well-known videos calling platforms on this list.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The standard version is used primarily for personal communication. Microsoft has, though, had a Skype for Business offering for businesses of all sizes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It allows you to chat with emojis, share your screen, and customise your calling background. As well as this, you can personalise your availability, with options to appear offline or as \u201cDo Not Disturb\u201d. However, this app is being rolled up by its parent company and has an end-of-life date of 31st July 2021.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other platforms like RingCentral include features far beyond those of Skype for Business and have a long-term future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Audio calling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instant messaging<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile app<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen share<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Google Meet<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previously known as Google Hangouts, Google Meet is Google\u2019s latest video calling offering. It\u2019s used by many businesses that already utilise Google\u2019s other office software such as Google Drive, Chrome, and Gmail. RingCentral features integrations with Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Sheets, plus more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Group message<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy-to-use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Workspace integration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No software download<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>BigBlue Button<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BigBlue Button is a video calling tool specifically targeted towards online learning. The uptake of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in education is high because it can be an easy way for students to learn without physically attending lessons. As it\u2019s more geared towards learning, some business features may be lacking, such as analytics and team tracking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">APIs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open-source<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Audio and video capabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Zoom<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoom <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has risen in popularity in recent years. It\u2019s used both for friendly catch-ups and business meetings. It\u2019s easy-to-use, and you can send Meeting ID invites. On one screen, you can view up to 49 users, which is handy for team meetings. However, security features are limited to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoom<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. So, if you\u2019re concerned about sensitive company data, it\u2019s best to opt for a tool like RingCentral that prioritises security.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free tier<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">User-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screen sharing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dial-in<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> numbers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chats<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meetings can switch to one-on-one calls.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Microsoft Teams<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the solution Microsoft launched to take over from the aforementioned Skype for Business. As you\u2019d expect, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microsoft<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Teams comes with full<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Microsoft <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">365 integrations. You can schedule video or audio meetings and add external guests through an email invite link. What\u2019s more, it\u2019s capable of holding up to 10,000 meeting viewers. RingCentral also seamlessly integrates with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microsoft<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 365, joining forces to create a powerful business communications hub.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Features:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule invites<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Share screens<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blur your background<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call recording<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>How can you choose the right video conferencing software for your needs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With so many options out there, choosing the right<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> video conferencing software <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for your needs can be tough. There are lots of aspects to consider to make sure you are getting all of the features your team needs. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is as much about collaboration as it is communication, so finding a solution that can do it all is ideal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To best determine whether it\u2019s right for you, ask yourself the following questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>How many participants does it need to hold?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are a small company that only really needs a few attendees per meeting, you may be able to get away with a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free version<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the software. However, this can be limiting if your team expands or if you suddenly require additional features to best support your workflow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally speaking, the more participants the app can hold, the better. You need to ensure that even with multiple people tuning into the call, the software remains reliable and secure. An app like RingCentral can provide you with 200 participants while maintaining the call quality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-1536x1536 wp-image-17048\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/business-people-having-a-video-conference-meeting-1536x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Business people having a video conference meeting-858\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/business-people-having-a-video-conference-meeting-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/business-people-having-a-video-conference-meeting-300x200.jpg 300w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/business-people-having-a-video-conference-meeting-640x427.jpg 640w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/business-people-having-a-video-conference-meeting-768x512.jpg 768w, \/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/business-people-having-a-video-conference-meeting-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Can it integrate with our existing tools?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You likely use plenty of different tools to help you with your business processes as a business. Whether you\u2019re a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/contact-centre\/overview.html\">contact centre<\/a> using Salesforce or a freelance graphic designer using Trello, these apps can be crucial for helping you run your business. So, why not team them up with software that will also enable you to make video and audio calls?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bringing your tools together can streamline your workflow and help you save money in the long run. Check whether the software can integrate with your tools and whether you have to upgrade to a premium plan to achieve this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Is it budget-friendly?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does the app have all the features you need within your budget? Even a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free version<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the software may require upgrades or add-ons that can eventually become expensive to maintain each month. Choose a platform with no surprises, with a flat monthly fee for the features you require. It\u2019s also worth looking into tools that offer annual savings. So, if you do want to commit, you can save money each year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Does it offer superior security?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security is increasingly important for any business. Opening your business up to security breaches is a fear for many. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to choose a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> platform that has tough security measures, like a firewall and multi-level <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/office\/features\/online-meetings\/overview.html\"><strong>password protected <\/strong><\/a><\/span><strong>online meetings. <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">small businesses<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and entrepreneurs should be looking for conferencing software that offers superior security.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Is it user-friendly?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not everyone is super-proficient when it comes to technology. All team members need to be able to use your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of choice. Consider whether it has a simple interface if it\u2019s as easy to use on mobile as a desktop and whether integrations are easily accessible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re unsure, you should request a demo or start a free trial. You can get several members of your team to test it out to see if it works for them. After all, they are going to be the ones predominantly using each aspect of the system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Is the resolution and audio quality good?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arguably one of the most important aspects of conferencing software is the quality of the video and audio. If it\u2019s not HD, do you really want to invest in it? Maintaining a professional appearance while video calling can be tricky, especially if you are limited with your lighting and background. However, when you have a good quality picture and audio quality connection, this can ensure you are being seen and heard clearly. This can make a world of difference when it comes to conference calls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Does it have all the features your team needs?<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on your business&#8217;s nature, your team will need to have access to a variety of different features. For instance, if your employees find group chats help with their workflow, choose <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that can support this. Factors such as document sharing and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">screen sharing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should also be considered here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Frequently asked questions:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>What software is used for video conferencing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will offer video calling capabilities and perhaps audio calling. However, if you\u2019re looking for something a little more advanced, you need to try an all-in-one solution. RingCentral is a popular <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> used by businesses across the world. It provides HD video calling, as well as audio calling, group chats, and more. It also has mobile apps for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Android<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">iOS so that<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> they can be used on multiple devices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This software is referred to as SaaS (software as a service) because it\u2019s cloud-based software designed for business use. It allows data to be accessed from any device that has an internet connection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>How do you choose the right video conferencing camera?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Video calling requires good lighting, a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high-quality<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> microphone, and a great camera. There is the option to use the built-in camera on your laptop or mobile device. Although they aren\u2019t always the best quality, and getting the angle right can be difficult.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A laptop camera is also no good if you want to establish conferencing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">room systems<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. So, look for an external camera that can be attached to your laptop. Find one with decent HD picture quality, preferably one that rotates so you can get the angle to how you\u2019d like it. That will cover activities like presentations, meetings, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">whiteboarding<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> activities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>What is the safest video conferencing platform?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The very nature of video calling is to connect teams across the world. This often means contacting someone externally from business to business, not just internally. So, this could immediately make you vulnerable, especially when making calls outside your organisation. A safe platform like RingCentral has experts who proactively monitor and optimise the platform 24\/7.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only does this ensure the safety of all users, but it also means that service levels are as high as possible. RingCentral offers 99.999% uptime SLA. Their data centres are all backed up and geographically dispersed and undergo touch security processes to ensure they\u2019re equipped to handle security breaches and natural disasters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>Can I use my phone for video conferencing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. Depending on the video software you choose, you can use your phone for conferencing in many cases. In fact, given that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conferencing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is based around the idea of flexible remote working, you may decide to only opt for conferencing software that is also available as an app. If not, you may still feel tied to your desk. Ideally, you want software that lets you <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/video.html\">run and <\/a><\/strong><\/span><strong>join meetings<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> on any device<\/strong> and operating system, from a smartphone to a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mac<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Windows to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linux<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video meeting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tools offer apps for<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> iOS<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Android<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so you can stay in touch no matter where you are. RingCentral\u2019s app is a great solution as it provides <a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/video-chat\/\">good quality video chat<\/a>, audio call, and messaging all in one handy place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><strong>What is the best free video conference software?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video conference<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> software such as Skype and Google Meet can be good for quick, simple <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video calls<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Each offers video calling for both personal and professional uses. However, many affordable plans offer various features for those who require more than just <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">video meetings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including multiple participants, document sharing, and chats. Software like RingCentral, for instance.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can save money by paying for your subscription annually. If you typically use several tools that RingCentral ticks all the boxes for, you could also save money by cancelling your old unwanted subscriptions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also have a post for our US visitors, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/us\/en\/blog\/video-conferencing-software\/\">30 best video conferencing software<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<style>\r\n\t\t\t@media (min-width: 768px) {\r\n\t\t\t\t.bottom-cta .bottom-cta-img {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\r\n\t\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n\t\t\t.bottom-cta .bottom-cta-img img {\r\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n\t\t\t.bottom-cta {\r\n\t\t\t\tbackground: #001138;\r\n\t\t\t\tpadding: 30px;\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n\t\t\t.bottom-cta .bottom-cta-copy {\r\n\t\t\t\tpadding: 0 30px;\r\n\t\t\t\toverflow: hidden;\r\n\t\t\t\tcolor: #fff;\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n\t\t\t.bottom-cta .bottom-cta-copy .btn-primary {\r\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t<\/style>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"bottom-cta  CID-cta-2FdM5dTp IID-cta-69d0d6319ac30\"\r\n\t\t\tdata-dl-custom-type=\"cta\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom-cta-img\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/uk-social-card-for-role-of-video-ebook.png\" alt=\"Call to action banner\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bottom-cta-copy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size: 24px; line-height: 30px;\">What's the role of video in the new world of work? Recruitment, collaboration, continuity and more.<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"text-center\" style=\"display: block;\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rc-cta-shortcode btn btn-primary btn-lg\" data-dl-element=\"button\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"btn btn-primary btn-lg\" style=\"margin-top: 16px; font-weight: bold;\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttitle=\"Download eBook\" href=\"https:\/\/netstorage.ringcentral.com\/uk\/ebook\/role_of_video.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\trel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-dl-additional-info=\"What's the role of video in the new world of work? Recruitment, collaboration, continuity and more.\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-dl-name=\"What's the role of video in the new world of work? Recruitment, collaboration, continuity and more. | Download the eBook\">Download the eBook<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Developments in technology have disrupted practically every industry. From construction to retail, we constantly find new ways to optimise business processes thanks to technological advances. One monumental shift in the &hellip; <a href=\"\/gb\/en\/blog\/video-conferencing-software\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Best 17 UK Video Conferencing Software&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":244,"featured_media":17034,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single-content-hub.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Best 17 UK Video Conferencing Software | RingCentral UK Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"To find the best software for video, you need to consider the conferencing features your company needs. We\u2019ve gathered information on some video conferencing software on the market, giving you an overview of what they can offer.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/gb\/en\/blog\/video-conferencing-software\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"RingCentral Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"42 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Best 17 UK Video Conferencing Software | RingCentral UK Blog","description":"To find the best software for video, you need to consider the conferencing features your company needs. 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