As you all know from reading our blogs and following us on social media that we are avid fans of Lifesize Video Conferencing. We not only believe in the technology and support the brand, we also use it ourselves in our office. Whether it is conducting a meeting within the company, or reaching out to a customer, we incorporate video conferencing into our work routine on a day-to-day basis. Without it, operations at the Genesis office would be less than exemplary which is what we strive for each day. Which is exactly why we believe in the product so much that we are proud to suggest it as a telecommunication solution to any and every customer we have that are looking into making operations at their office run more smoothly. But what exactly should one consider before they invest in the Lifesize technology? After all, the issue isn’t about whether or not the product is good, because we all know that it Lifesize Video Conferencing will deliver when put up to the challenge with exceptional quality.
Below we have listed the top 8 questions to ask yourself when thinking of purchasing Lifesize Video Conferencing:
1) Will it be incorporated wholly?: As mentioned previously, the question of whether this product is good or not is not in question. Everyone already knows that it’s a great addition to any office. The question lies in whether the tool will actually be used. With Lifesize, you get what you pay for. So you want to make sure that the investment that you will be making will be worth it in the long run. You need to consider your office’s work flow and if your employees are open to incorporating new technology into their routines. Because if you know that once purchased, Lifesize Video Conferencing will be utilized effectively, it can improve employee engagement, quicken decision making, collaborate more, replicate in-person meetings, bring together remote or mobile users, reach out to customers, partners, and suppliers, improve training, as well as record meetings. The possibilities are endless, but it’s up to you and your employees to take the initiative to use the various functions of Lifesize Video Conferencing, then will it only be worth the investment.
2) Compatibility: Next is to see if everyone has the ability to take advantage of the video conferencing solution. Lifesize has the compatibility to fit any device: desktop, laptop, tablet, smart phone, TV, etc. Lifesize is only worth the investment if everyone that needs access to it has access to it without difficulty.
3) Costs: As time goes on, things change. People change jobs, businesses take on new projects or visions, and new technology can come in and knock out its predecessor. With Lifesize, know that you are investing in the forefront of HD video conferencing, so you’re already getting the best for your money. Also, when you invest, keep room to grow. This is great because Lifesize is scalable and can grow or get smaller with your company. Incorporating Lifesize can also significantly cut down on travel costs since you can host virtual meetings with great quality. There’s also the matter of cost in regards to opportunity cost when you choose to do things like hold a virtual meeting with anything other than Lifesize, or if you’re trying to collaborate with your staff through email instead. The amount of efficiency, productivity, and collaboration you gain when you can clearly hear, see, and connect with people cannot be measured. Lastly, the most important thing to consider cost-wise is your internet connection. In order to experience the best of Lifesize, you need to have a good quality internet connection or else what’s the point?
4) IT: It’s important to make sure your IT Department will comply with the Lifesize technology. They would be the ones that would have to know the ins and outs of the technology. First thing, have them try it out with the Lifesize Free Trial. Once they’re on board, have them get accustomed and let them know how even they will benefit from the technology. Imagine how Lifesize could affect their processes, how they can incorporate video conferencing in technical troubleshooting issues, etc. IT involvement is crucial in a successful implementation of Lifesize into any business environment.
5) Picture quality: As previously mentioned, with Lifesize, you’re getting the best quality, but in order to facilitate it, you first need good internet connection. Of course, video conferencing can’t compete with having the luxury of being face to face with someone, but it is the next best thing. So making sure your video and sound quality is top notch is crucial, and that can only happen when your network can handle doing the work.
6) Web vs. Video Conferencing: “Is Lifesize worth it when you have other options out there that are free?” We get asked this question a lot. So much, that we dedicated a whole blog comparing the two options. When you consider “free” you’re choosing price over quality and are sacrificing your time and effort.
7) Promote & Train: Just purchasing Lifesize and expecting your employees to adapt the next day is silly. It’s difficult to change the status quo, let alone introduce new technology and ask people to learn it and use it efficiently. It will take a little time and effort on your part to get people accustomed to it. What you can do is first introduce it to your employees and make them excited about it. Offer training so that the fear or hesitation goes away from using it. Become a proficient user of it yourself so that you can lead by example. Also, if you’re going to go and purchase Lifesize, make sure you train all those who will be using it so that there is no room for confusion or error. It’s all a matter of getting accustomed to it. Once the doubt and fear is gone, then your staff won’t even be able to imagine a day without Lifesize. It also has one of the easiest user interfaces around that training, although necessary, is very minimal. It’s practically foolproof and, in fact, fun to use!
8) Buy from the best: Last but definitely not the least important, is when you’re looking into investing in Lifesize, where you buy it from matters significantly. You want to buy from a trusted advisor/consultant, not just a salesman who’s looking into making a profit. Do your research, find a supplier that is concerned about your issues, interested in your needs, and has a genuine and thorough understanding of the product. Also, make sure they have a history in selling Lifesize in the past and have been successful. Remember, the Lifesize product is so good that it can truly sell itself, but what you’re looking for at the end of the day is not to be sold (because you’re already clearly interested in the solution), but to find a reliable advisor that understands your wants, your needs, and how to best incorporate the Lifesize technology into your business structure.
Want more information on Lifesize or other solutions we offer? Contact us! We’d be happy to help.