Instead of paying for high-priced web conferencing solutions, use an enterprise IM to streamline set-up time and at a fraction of the cost.
Check out these four favorite enterprise IM clients and the cheap and free web conferencing solutions they provide business owners and organizations big and small:
- 24im. One of my favorite features on 24im's enterprise client is the ability to share images and files within the chat window for a fully interactive chat experience. Although 24im does not support audio chat, this file sharing/presentation sharing via chat room could be utilized for quick web conferences where a tremendous amount of discussion would not be necessary.
- AIM Pro. For businesses seeking to stretch their budget, AIM Pro's enhanced video and voice conferencing paired with instant file share via WebEx Meetings provides users with a robust web conference environment without the cost of traditional Internet conference services.
- Brosix. One of this year's hottest IM features, as recognized by About.com readers in the 2009 Best IM Awards, is Brosix’s whiteboard capabilities, allowing businesses to launch a virtual whiteboard to draw on during a web conference. Additionally, check out Brosix’s live conference features, allowing screen sharing, voice chat and more. Highly functional at a cost suitable for businesses looking to cut costs.
- Yuuguu. A serious IM and cheap, free web conferencing tool with a funny name, Yuuguu (Japanese for "fusion") meshes a high-powered IM with a stellar web conferencing experience, complete with telephone conferencing bridge, for only $15 a month. Yuuguu Basic accounts offer 100 minutes of free web conferencing for up to five participants, not including host.
