Planning is essential for the successful execution of any web or video conference. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can help you with these aspects in at least two ways:

 

Initial Consulting

Before you begin to use any conferencing tool, feel free to contact us to discuss how you are thinking of using the tool.

Before you begin an event or class, contact the ICT Help Desk to "pre-register" with them for support purposes.

It is also important before you use a conferencing tool to adequately test:

• the functionality and capability of YOUR videoconferencing unit or computer,
• the functionality of the network and INTERNET between you and your participants,
• AND the functionality and capability of the videoconferencing unit or computers of remote participants.

 

Contingency Planning

 

ICT has implemented both network traffic shaping and Quality of Service (QoS) on our campus network to ensure web and video conference traffic on our campus network is able to reach its destination. However, we still cannot guarantee a 100% success rate for your session due to the many external factors impacting the session. For example: 

• the quality, speed and reliability of the internet service that a remote participant is connecting with;
• the videoconferencing unit, computer, web camera and/or microphone that the remote participant is using;
• general congestion on the commercial internet routes;
• firewall and network security policies of the organizations of the remote participants might prevent or slow down conferencing traffic.

As the above factors are usually totally beyond your/our control, it is important for you to consider what "Plan B" you can put into place in the event of a failure.  We in ICT make our best effort to help you choose the tools that will work best to accomplish your goals and to provide other technical advice you may need regarding both using these tools AND having a contingency plan.

 

Contact Us for more information.