As business video conferencing becomes more ubiquitous, there is a need for video conferencing software developers and technicians who can operate and repair the equipment. To get into the field, look for training that prepares you for the new protocols and standards used in the web video conferencing industry.

You could begin your career by earning a technical degree that incorporates video conferencing equipment to get you started and add professional development courses in areas such as network administration, software development and systems analysis. Watch for training for video conferencing in a number of places.

1. Earn a technical degree to get a business video conferencing job.

2. Add additional training in video conferencing equipment to diversify your skills and move up in your organization.

3. Participate in trade groups to find professional development opportunities to learn more web video conferencing tools.

Action Steps for Acquiring Video Conference Capabilities
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for training through a computer degree program that emphasizes video conferencing

While you're working on your degree, look for practical training courses that will keep you updated on the most recent developments in video conferencing services. Take additional courses to learn the latest voice over Internet provider (VoIP) techniques and platforms to be ready for the modern video conferencing equipment.

I recommend: Get a bachelor's degree in business administration technical communication from DeVry University to get you started. Western Governors University offers an online bachelor of science in information technology that can serve as a basic platform covering all aspects of the field.

Keep up with industry innovation with expanded training for video conferencing services

The Internet video conferencing industry is packed with new platforms and applications that you must keep up with through current training programs. Look for classes that keep you updated on issues such as adding event participants, creating controls and displaying data.

I recommend: Check out the advanced courses and training sessions offered online by FVC, a leading company in video conferencing technology. Polycom provides a large number of advanced technical training programs to help professionals learn to work with the latest video conferencing tools.

Join associations that offer members training in video conferencing technology

Most trade associations offer continuing education and professional development courses for their members. Look for groups that involve Internet technology training to keep you updated on the latest web video conferencing products. Look for professional development training for your business, whether you are a computer technician who needs technical training or a small business owner in need of new marketing strategies.

I recommend: Participate in training seminars and conferences that are sponsored for members by the Computer Technology Industry Association. Attend the seminars and listen to the industry experts at meetings and webcasts put on for members of Information Technology Association.

Tip & Tactics for Video Conferencing

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure that, if you are taking video conference call services training online, you have access to live equipment so that you can get hands-on experience.

Video conferencing tools have finally become fast enough to be considered efficient. The growing range of video conference equipment and services all radically exceed what was available just a few years ago, whether software, hardware or a mixture of both. Video conferencing can be used as:

1. A way to include off-site employees in meetings or connect a diverse group of employees.
2. Make presentations to clients and customers.
3. Educate employees, distributors and others without everyone traveling to one site.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Out-of-the-box video conferencing solutions

The latest operating systems tend to come preloaded with some basic video conferencing tools. These are fine for small-group meetings of familiar people.

I recommend: Microsoft Corp.'s NetMeeting is preinstalled with Windows. Apple's latest computers have built-in cameras, iChat and other tools for meeting electronically.

Video conferencing for the masses

For video conferencing that will involve a lot of clients or a larger group, you may want professional help and to use more sophisticated hardware.

I recommend: Some leading vendors in this area include PolyCom and Tandberg.

Web-based video conference offerings

Some companies prefer to buy hosted, or Web-based, solutions for video conferencing that they can start using immediately.

I recommend: One company offering this is Camfrog Web; another is WebEx. Or check out the listings on Business.com video conferencing software page.

Use manners

Video conferencing does require following rules of etiquette, such as making sure your image is received well on the other end.

I recommend: Free tips on video conferencing etiquette are available at the Video Development Initiative and Emily Post Institute.

Consider video conferencing equipment

Another option to consider is the lease or purchase of video conference equipment, especially if a high-definition experience is what you're after.

I recommend: Comparison shop the listings on Business.com video conferencing equipment page.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to have good lighting and remove distracting items from the background. If the program you are using has a 'self-view' function, use it.
• •  Make use of tools such as chat functions and document-sending to improve communications and keep the meeting going.
• •  Don't forget to take breaks, just like an in-person meeting.

It's a virtual world, and in almost any business, video conferencing can bring people together across time and space to get things done. Whether you are a provider of video conferencing services, a business leader looking for video conferencing equipment or video conferencing services or an investor looking to profit from advances in video conferencing technology, you'll need access to solid information.

With video conferencing developments exploding to embrace not only traditional video conference call services, but also web video conferencing and even the use of virtual reality sites like Second Life to create realistic telepresence, you can stay ahead by selective monitoring of video conferencing news and trends.

1. Sign up to receive daily video conferencing news feeds by email or RSS.

2. Track the latest developments in video conferencing services with specialized publications.

3. Get an industry-wide view of the way video teleconferencing and collaborative technologies interact with the whole telecom sector.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get video conferencing technology news delivered to your desk

Instead of scanning the web for video conferencing news and trends, let a news service do it for you. The best sites screen for the latest, most useful news about all aspects of video conferencing. Check out the headlines online, and sign up for free email newsletters and RSS feeds for even more convenience.

I recommend: Add the Video Conferencing News Radars RSS from Kolabora to your desktop, or sign up for a daily or weekly email newsletter. Conferencing News offers blogs and videos on the world of video conferencing, headlines delivered by email.

Follow new developments in business video conferencing

As businesses explore the ever-widening potential of using video conferencing services, they need to stay on top of the latest trends, which include HD, virtual telepresence and maximizing the environmental advantages of video teleconferencing. Specialized online publications help you keep up.

I recommend: Video Conferencing Review offers in-depth guidance on trends in online video conferencing, video conferencing equipment and other topics vital to your business use of a video conference system. VideoConferencing Insight Newsletter collects news on global developments in telepresence, and stresses the green advantages of video conferencing technology.

Track video conferencing industry news

Look to sources of video conferencing news and trends that locate the information in the larger context of the telecom and IT industries. You can also get industry insight by tracking news releases from leading video conferencing companies.

I recommend: CNET, a leading technology information website, devotes a channel to news about video conference equipment, video conferencing software and other pertinent topics. Get wider context by clicking on cross-links and key words. IVCi, a leading distributor of products from video conferencing companies Polygon and TANDBERG, provides an industry news feed that covers competitors' products and video conference call services as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You'll get a wider perspective and more objective information by monitoring several different sources of video conferencing news and trends.