Taking business meetings online...

This week we procurred licenses for Microsoft LiveMeeting Professional.  This is an online meeting system that will allow the APA to host meetings over the Internet.  Presenters will be able to share meeting materials such as files from Word, Excel, PowerPoint or other applications with meeting participants.  It has many features, but its key value will be in its potential to lower meeting costs for the association. 

Traditional conference calls cost around $.32 per user per minute.  At that rate, a five person call lasting on hour would cost nearly $100.  LiveMeeting supports computer based audio conferencing using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to allow users to hold conversations via their computers.  Because LiveMeeting is licensed based on meeting organizers at a cost of $18 per month per organizer, using the system for even one meeting each month more than covers the cost of the system.

In addition to voice support, LiveMeeting works very well with webcams to allow for multi-point video conferencing.  This will potentially allow for more personal interactions during conferences. The system also allows for computer to telephone audio conferenceing meaning that users who don't have the needed computer equipment can still participate in confereces that use LiveMeeting.  

We are going to be using the system for some upcoming meetings supporting the DSMV and Budget committees.

More information cann be found at http://www.livemeeting.com