Compare teleconference and web conferencing using Zoom. Which one should we introduce?

Compare teleconference and web conferencing using Zoom. Which one should we introduce

Notes
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*Zoom and services that include the name Zoom are services provided by Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

From July 15, 2022, Zoom will have a 40-minute limit even for meetings with two participants if you have a free subscription. (Previously, it was only for meetings of 3 or more people.)
Companies and organizations using Zoom for business should consider switching to a paid license at this opportunity.

This article provides basic information on what telecoms are, and compares the features of telecoms and the web conferencing tool “Zoom”, which has been rapidly spreading recently.In this day and age, it is an urgent task for companies to work on work style reforms and work efficiency improvements.

This is a must-see for those who are thinking about introducing telecoms and web conferencing.

What is a telecom

Teleconference is a teleconference by voice using a telephone.

There are various theories about the etymology, but it is said that teleconference, telephone conference, and telephone conference, which means remote conference, are the most likely.

The phone line can be a company phone, and now it is very easy to do it with a smartphone such as an iPhone.

You don’t need anything special to hold a meeting, so just by applying for the telecom service in advance, you can easily get started, and anyone can hold and participate without initial costs.

What is the web conferencing tool “Zoom”?

There are many web conferencing tools, but the representative one is probably “Zoom”.

Zoom is the only one that has been introduced to more than 1 million companies and organizations worldwide.

This is Zoom, but you can use it by downloading and installing an app on your computer or smartphone.

The setup is very easy, and even people who are unfamiliar with IT tools can easily operate it.

In addition, unlike conventional video conferencing systems that install dedicated terminals in conference rooms, etc., it is also equipped with functions such as document sharing and screen sharing.

What are the benefits of remote meetings and conferences?

What are the advantages of working from home or remote work (telework) with employees at overseas branches?

There are many advantages, but I have listed the most important ones.

  • Fixed costs such as offices can be reduced
  • No need for commuting time
  • You can work in a way that suits your lifestyle
  • With tools, you don’t always have to be in the office
  • Able to manage risks such as epidemics of infectious diseases
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Fixed costs such as offices can be reduced

By working remotely, you can streamline your office, conference rooms, and even your company’s equipment.

You can save not only on your desk and PC, but also on your utility bills.

No need for commuting time

If you go to the company every day, you need transportation expenses and commuting time.

You don’t necessarily need them for remote work.

You can work in a way that suits your lifestyle

With the promotion of work style reform, work styles that suit each individual’s lifestyle are recommended.

For example, it is preferable to work from home for families with children or those who need to take care of relatives, and if you can work remotely in cases where you work while attending a side job or school, the hurdles will be lower.

With tools, you don’t always have to be in the office

Until now, communication has tended to be lacking when working remotely.

However, now, by using web meeting tools such as telecom and Zoom, you can report and consult anytime, anywhere.

Able to manage risks such as epidemics of infectious diseases

2020 coronavirus or annual flu epidemic. It is possible to manage the risk when these infectious diseases are prevalent.

Employees who normally commute to work can now work flexibly, such as by switching to working from home during epidemics.

Working remotely like this, so-called remote work, is likely to become a mainstream working style in the future, and it seems that there are actually many benefits for both the employee side and the company side.

Now, the main subject is telecom and Zoom, both of which are remote conferencing methods that allow meetings and conferences to be held without being there, but which one is the recommended method?

Let’s compare Telecom and Zoom.

Telecom or Zoom, which do you recommend?

When comparing remote conferencing methods, I will first list some comparison points.

The following points should be kept in mind as tools (methods) for teleconferencing.

  1. Ease of deployment
  2. cost
  3. function
  4. communication quality

Compare each of these points.

Ease of deployment

Ease of introduction is an important point when conducting remote conferences and meetings in companies and organizations.

Telecom uses a phone line, so you can use a landline phone, a smartphone, or a mobile phone called a flip phone.

I don’t think there are people who don’t know how to use the phone, and all you need to do is apply for the service in advance.

The web conferencing tool “Zoom” can be used if you have a PC such as a PC or Mac, or a smartphone such as iPhone or Android.

When installing, download the app and install it on your computer or smartphone. Anyone can start without any difficult setup.

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There are many people who lean on their smartphones now, and most people use computers for work, so it can be said that there is no problem with the ease of introduction.

Telecom Zoom
OK if you have a phone line. However, prior application is required for telecom service You need to download the app to your computer or smartphone. No pre-registration is required and you can start immediately

cost

The cost is a concern when it is actually introduced. What about telecom and Zoom?

In many cases, the cost required for telecom is only the call charge for telecom.

Most telecom services do not charge a monthly usage fee, but set a fixed call charge.

Depending on the telecom service, international call charges may not be required even if there are people participating in the telecom meeting from overseas.

Zoom requires a paid license contract if 3 or more people participate in a meeting without time limit.

However, since the line used is the Internet line, there is no communication charge if it is from a personal computer.

If you are using a smartphone, packet communication charges may be required if Wi-Fi is not used.

Telecom Zoom
Call charges are required depending on the time. About 20 yen/minute at the general market If you want to have a meeting with 3 or more people and no time limit, you need to subscribe to a paid plan.

function

Telecom is a meeting with only voice communication, so it is very simple to use, but there are no special functions.

On the other hand, Zoom has many functions necessary as a web conferencing tool.

A screen sharing function that allows you to share your screen and show it to meeting participants at the same time, a document sharing function that allows you to share materials on the spot, a whiteboard function that allows you to copy handwritten characters etc. on the screen on the spot, a chat function, etc. , the list goes on and on.

In addition, the recording function that allows you to record and save meetings and conferences that you are doing is very convenient.

Also, unlike telecom services, Zoom can also show facial expressions, so it can be said that it is a function that allows you to hold meetings and conferences while watching the reactions of participants and hosts.

Telecom Zoom
No function Screen sharing function, document sharing function, recording function, whiteboard function, chat function, etc.

communication quality

Needless to say, telecom is more stable in terms of communication quality. This is because Zoom, a web conferencing tool, exchanges not only audio but also video data, so the amount of data tends to increase accordingly.

However, that does not mean that Zoom will not be stable.

There were concerns about the quality of communication with some conventional video conferencing tools, but with Zoom, you can use not only fixed lines in your company or home, but also mobile lines such as iPhones such as 3G and 4G (LTE) with high quality. Clear communication is possible .

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Telecom Zoom
Since it is audio data, the amount of data is light and stable. Stable not only for fixed lines but also for mobile communications

summary

How was it? This time, I touched on telecoms and the web conferencing tool Zoom, and talked about which one is recommended based on the characteristics of each.

As we have seen, Telecom has the advantages of Telecom, and Zoom has the advantages of Zoom.

However, considering the variety of functions and the amount of information that can be conveyed, it can be said that Zoom, a web conferencing tool, is suitable for modern times.

Also, to be honest, the call charges when using telecoms are relatively expensive, which is honestly painful.

The web conferencing tool Zoom is very simple and easy to use.

With Zoom, you can share documents and data online, and you can also share screens and work while showing each other, so it is a perfect tool for remote work .

In fact, more than 1 million organizations and companies around the world have introduced Zoom, and the movement is expected to accelerate further.

If you want to have smooth communication with remote workers and clients, we definitely recommend introducing the web conferencing tool Zoom.