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Web Conferencing - Web Conferencing Services As the name suggests, Web conferencing services are services offered by vendors in terms of arranging online conferences between groups of people who may be situated at different geographical locations. Web conferencing services are increasing in popularity because they allow sharing of information in multiple formats such as presentations, text, voice including even video. Web conferences additionally allow users to share applications such as a spreadsheet including co-browse Web sites. Considering the cost savings that Web conferencing might deliver, the market is geared to take off in the next few years. According to a prediction by the Radicati group, a consulting including market research firm, the Web conferencing services market could grow to $2.2 billion by 2007. An increasing number of companies are now present in the Web conferencing marketing. Some pertaining to the leading names include Cisco, GoToMeeting, IBM, Oracle, Batipi, Centra, Elluminate, Genesys, iLinc, Intercall, Interwise, iVocalize, Voxwire Web Conferencing, Linktivity,Raindance Communications, Macromedia, LiveOffice, Netspoke, OpenSpace-Online, WebDialogs, WiredRed amongst several others. In 2003, Microsoft acquired a company called PlaceWare which offered Web conferencing software including renamed it Microsoft Office Live Meeting. It additionally began phasing out support for NetMeeting. While selecting a service provider 1 must take into consideration the features, cost, including the references given by the service provider. The reputation including experience pertaining to the provider are important because most pertaining to the group communications require that the conference proceeding be secure including free of technical glitches. The conferencing service providers are responsible for security, including SSL encryption, management tools for administration, including installation of solutions that might be set up behind a corporate firewall. Web conferencing service providers have different models for charging their customers. Some service providers may charge based on the number of participants in the conference, others may charge based on the usage in terms of time.
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