It is easy to get confused about the differences between web conferencing and webcasting.  At AudioFile Solutions, we record, edit and produce business presentations which can cross the boundaries of both technologies.

I think of web conferencing as a collaboration between many individuals; hands-on training is a good example.  Let’s say your company has developed new software and you want your sales force to learn it before they sell it to others.  A web conference is a great way to demonstrate the software and then allow participants to take control over that software and give it a test drive.

Webcasting, on the other hand, is more of an event broadcast.  It is well suited in the education market—to name just one—which commonly uses it to capture lectures for both live streaming and on-demand playback.  There is no collaboration with webcasting.

At the Audio Video Expo in Denver this year, Terri Douglas and Guy Murrel from Catapult PR-IR discussed these differences in more detail.  Their focus, however, was on webcasting.

According to Terri and Guy, an overarching strong point of webcasting is that it is easy to use.  Companies that sell the hardware (Sonic Foundry, Accordant) supply it as a self-contained briefcase—similar to the nuclear football carried by the U.S. President.

Other key points:

  1. High quality
  2. Automated production
  3. Reasonably priced

Why do customers like webcasting?

  1. Enhanced communications with video
  2. Reach a wider audience
  3. Branded events—logos, colors, and messages
  4. Offers a proven ROI

You can get started webcasting by contacting a vendor/service provider like Sonic Foundry, Accordant, BxVideo, Catapult, or OnStream.