Web Conferencing Blog

Testing appliances is currently not on our to-do list. And here’s why: To thoroughly test an appliance for online conferencing a complete in-house test environment needs to be set up. That is a very time consuming procedure, which directly leads to the fact that our focus is on easy to install SaaS (Software-as-a-service) solutions, since small to medium sized businesses hardly have the need for any online conferencing tool that requires the installation of hardware within the company’s infrastructure.

So we have to turn down the request for evaluation of the RHUB web conference appliance for now. However GoMeetNow, the SaaS offering from RHUB, is on our backlist of online conferencing tools to be tested.

We have been asked to evaluate Communique’s web conferencing solution. Communique does offer web conferencing solutions – developed by other providers. More specifically: Microsoft’s Office Live Meeting 2007 and WebEx. These solutions are both already included in our ranking. And since Communique doesn’t offer a distinct solution for online collaboration we will not evaluate the company’s services.

We have been receiving requests to evaluate AT&T’s web conferencing solution. Our comparison of web conferencing tools focuses on solutions for smaller and medium-sized companies and the self-employed, and AT&T doesn’t fit this profile with it’s enterprise solution (q.v. entry below „Manipeer’s software vzRoom will not be rated” for further preconditions to evaluation).

Manipeer has approached us with a request to rate their web conferencing tool vzRoom. Our preconditions for evaluation of online conferencing solutions are that the vendor at least offers direct access to an online trial version and publicly available price information. Since vzRoom does not meet with this minimum standard we will not evaluate the software.