How to Compare Audio vs. Video Conferencing
When deciding what plays to make on organizing a conference schedule or routine, you have to think about how either audio or video conferencing will meet the needs of your remote staff. There are lots of things to consider when making the decision, and the difference between audio and video is not always cut and dry. In fact, you may end up switching from one to the other in the future, or feeling the decision may not have been quite right, but it's often hard to tell at the outset how audio or video will work for any given group.
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Instructions
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Look at your budget. If you find you cannot afford video conferencing, which comes with a much higher price tag, then the decision is made; you'll have to go with audio and make the best of it.
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Think about issues of control. If you have the choice between audio and video, consider whether you feel those moderating or in control of the meeting will need video, in which they can keep visual track of how others are responding. For a controlled group, this is not necessary, but some groups respond poorly to audio and delight in the chaos audio conferencing can cause.
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Think about how the group will be changing. Will members of your teleconference group be meeting new people? If so, video is vastly important in establishing recognition and new contacts between people who are, after all, working together, even if not in the same room. On the other hand, for a group that already works well together, and knows one another's voices, video may be completely unnecessary.
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Resolve questions of access. If many of your group members only have cell phones, it's not worth setting up some elaborate video system that they may not be able to use. Consider what resources are at the disposal of each of your group members wherever they may be.
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Consider features like file sharing. If you think your group members will need to reference a lot of materials, it may be necessary to go with an upscale video system that really facilitates this process well, even if you have to get resources to group members or lean on them to find access points.
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Tips & Warnings
Respect the group. Always take care to avoid the appearance of making draconian decisions despite the needs of your staff. Try to make the process transparent and respectful of each person's needs, and get lagging or poorly equipped members engaged to help solve their problems.
