In theory, a virtual office based on cloud computing is a wonderful thing, with remote workers spread out across the globe collaborating on projects as if they were in the same building.
But in practice, it’s not that simple, as most small firms know. Communicating exclusively via the Web takes planning, and actually getting work done takes careful coordination. What’s more, online meeting software can be expensive, hard to use, loaded with confusing features and difficult to set up, especially for large teams.
Now, a new online collaboration tool is attempting to make working together on the Web much easier. The desktop-sharing and conferencing software, called join.me, is made by LogMeIn Inc., a small company in Woburn, Mass. It offers a free version with basic functionality. If you want a souped-up version that also includes international conference calling, it will cost you $30 per month.
Here are the details for the small business user:
What is it: For starters, join.me is a ridiculously simple app that runs straight from your browser -- no pesky software installation that’s required in competing tools such as GoToMeeting or WebEx. It allows you to share your screen with up to 250 users. The app also generates a conference call-in line and supports many forms of chat and screen sharing.
What’s Free: A one-button startup at the join.me website generates an online meeting with a code that other participants can use to enter and begin chatting, for quick and dirty desktop collaboration. The app also generates a dial-in code for teleconferencing and offers full desktop sharing, simply by clicking the option in join.me’s control panel. The app also allows for multiple monitors and sports a useful pause function, in case you have to send an email or respond to a message mid-meeting.
What’s Not Free: The Pro version, at $30 per month, includes access to a meeting scheduler and calendar that will send email invites to participants. It also allows you to create a customized link and background for your meeting, lets you add multiple presenters to your account and provides an added layer of security called “meeting lock,” which lets you approve or lock out meeting participants, even if they have the access code. If you want to have international workers call in to the meeting, you’ll need the Pro version.
Small-Business Feature We Loved: Besides the basic desktop-sharing functions, join.me also sports iPhone, iPad and Android app versions, so your collaborators can be mobile. The apps work on and across the different mobile platforms, and, at first blush, these all work at least reasonably well.
Bottom Line: For simple online meetings that are easy to set up -- and free -- there is no reason not to use join.me.
Considering making the switch to a virtual office? Tell us why in the comments section.
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Comments:
It is not easy to set up a virtual office and make sure that all team must cooperate and gather is setting up a good virtual office for the benefits also of your team.
I worked as a w2 employee for an insuance company which had me use a virtual office out of my home. How do I claim business use of my home efficently. |I need to get a Virtual Office Address in London and need to know of any good companies that provide this, also I need my post to be forwarded. Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated. |Just started a business looking for an inexpensive virtual office/virtual receptionist service. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the info, I believe thevirtual office is probably how its gonna be like in a few years
It should be clear that virtual office space is actually a physical, and usually not a “virtual” or online space. One thing companies may run into when starting up is that things like post office boxes may signify they’re not as professional as they should be. Conducting all work in telecommuting fashion can rob a workplace of its professional appearance, and meetings at home may suggest the company is not as well funded or organized as required. Since companies may still want to give a professional appearance even though they all come to work in footy pajamas (at home on their computers), they may occasionally require officespace, and a physical address.
Hi, I think this is very well explain article on Virtual Office. How the Virtual office is important in for spreading business in the world. We can do business work anywhere in the world from our local work station.
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Technology is moving at blinding speed. Before I can learn to use one app effectively, 10 more are coming over the horizon. This article is very helpful in giving a "heads-up" of what's available.
Looks like Join.me is quickly becoming the software of choice for remote testing.. Join.me is a web application that I use to save my time, and also that of my clients. A nice alternative to GoToMeeting and WebEx.. Using something like Join.me for virtual businesses can maximize sales and profits. Have a look these other applications and software tools that we use to increase productivity and save money, and can help in making your virtual office a successful business venture: Great virtual office software solution These tools are free and also allows businesses to work on projects, even when they are not in the same place.
I wholly agree that running a "virtual office" is more easily said than done, but the tips and software ideas presented in this article were very useful in terms of making a virtual office seem more plausible and simple. One issue that the piece brought up but failed to present a solution to was the lack of a uniform notation between workers (especially those working together from different countries). Especially in documents, it can definitely be a hassle trying to synchronize the different formats of information workers are using. A solution that I see having great potential to eliminate this problem would be to have "standard" templates used throughout a virtual office to help keep everyone on the same page. I have found great templates for information at http://www.oneclickstatements.com/free-spreadsheet-templates.html/?c="entrepreneur-02". These could be very useful in helping make the "virtual office" a productive reality.