Case Study Question:

4. If you were a small or medium-sized business, what criteria would you use to determine whether to use Zoom videoconferencing?

When it comes to collaboration, videoconferenc-_ of hardware and software technology to power physiing is becoming a tool of choice for organizations cal conference rooms. Zoom Meetings can be actiof all sizes. In the past, videoconferencing was lim- vated with just a tap of the button on a tablet. All of ited to the very largest companies that could afford the video and audio is integrated into the conference dedicated videoconference rooms and expensive room equipment and calendar systems. networking and software for this purpose. Today, Austin, Texas-based Nepris is a web-based service networking and software for this purpose. Today, Austin, Texas-based Nepris is a web-based service videoconferencing has been democratized. There's that connects teachers with industry experts to make something for everyone. curriculum topics mone relevant for students. Nepris The cost of the technology has radically fallen; uses Zoom for this purpose. Employees in major corglobalInternetanddesktoptransmissionofvideoandaudiodataisaffordable.Thereareinexpensivemobileporationstypicallylackthetimetovisitmanydiffer-entclassroomspersonally.TheZoomvideoconferenc- and desktop tools as well as high-end videoconferenc- ing software is easy for teachers to use and to install, ing and telepresence systems to manage business and can work on almost any device, inclucling tablets, processes and to connect and collaborate with others- smartphones, or desktop computers. Industry experts even customers - around the globe. The current genera- can use Zoom to share what's on their screens, such as tion of telepresence platforms provide much more than presentations or demonstrations of certain processes. video collaboration, with the ability to coordinate mul- Zoom can provide high quality video streaming, tiple rich data streams that integrate digital information but it can also scale down to lower video resolutions fiom mobile, desktop, and video; create a collaborative if classrooms lack the transmission capacity for highenvironment; and move the information to where man- end video. Nepris also finds Zoom useful for connectZoombecametheonlinemeetingtoolofchoiceforclassroomsandofficesallovertheworldthatingteathers,students,andexpertsinawaythatcom-25videostreamstojoinameeting,sothatmultiple had to operate remotely from people's homes dur- classrooms can interact with an industry expert at the ing the 2020 coronavirus shutdown. Zoom is a cloud same time. Users can also record a Zoom meeting for ingthe2020coronavirusshutdown.Zoomisacloudplatformforonlinevideoandaudioconferencing,sametime.UserscanalsorecordaZoommeetingforlateruse.Industryexpertsdonotneedtostayallday collaboration, chat, screen-sharing, and webinars or travel to different sehools for their presentations. across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and Foom systems. Zoom allows you to conduct a video a leading US ATM (automated teller maroomsystems.Zoomallowsyoutoconductavideomeetingorwebinardirectlyfromyourcomputer,inLosAngelesandanofficeinLasVegas.Italsocol-chine)networkandserviceprovider,withheadquarte mobile device, or Zoom configured conference room. laborates with contractors in Guadalajara, Mexico. FCTI Zoom software is available in a number of different was recently acquired by Seven Bank in Japan, further price and packaging models. There is a free Basic increasing the need for long-distance communication version for short personal meetings with a maximum and collaboration. FCTI believed videoconferencing of 100 participants, and more full-featured business would help employees collaborate more effectively versions ranging from $14.99 to $19.99 per month than email, text messaging, or phone calls. It had tried versions ranging from $14.99 to $19.99 per month than email, text messaging, or phone calls. It had tried per online meeting host. Zoom can accommodate to host video conferences with an Internet video call up to 1,000 video participants, 10,000 viewers, and as service, but this required too many configurations to many as 49HD videos on-screen simultaneously. use the product. There were constant dropped connec- The two core pieces of Zoom technology are tions, and the quality of the video was quite low. Zoom Meetings and Zoom Rooms. Zoom Meetings FCTI adopted Zoom to make video conferencing supports online, video-hosted meetings that are free more streamlined, easier, and affordable. Management to join for users with Zoom video conferencing soft-_ especially appreciates the high-quality video Zoom deware installed on their computer or mobile device. livers. FCTI now hosts board meetings on Zoom every ParticipantscanjoinZoomMeetingsfromdifferentlocations,regardlessofwhethertheyrejoiningthemonthfromconferenceroomsbuiltatafractionofthecostofhigh-end,enterprise-classtelepresencemoms. meeting from home, in a conference room in the Zoom's tablet and smartphone compatibility enables office, or on their mobile phone. Zoom Rooms consist participants to join conferences from remote locations. Chapter 2 Global E-business and Collaboration 61 For instance, some FCTI employees at busy airports Sources Ed Bott, "Best Video Conferencing Services for Business: have joined Zoom conferences using their tablets and Zoom, WebEx, AnyMeeting, Slack, and More." ZDNet, February were able to collaborate in smooth, high-definition 5,2020; "Leading ATM Provider Builds Employee Relationships video. Board meetings can take place even if some par- www.zoom.us.com accessed February 11, 2020. ticipants' airline flights are delayed or cancelled. CASE STUDY QUESTIONS 1. How do the videoconferencing tools described in organizations in this case improve their operations this case promote collaboration and innovation? and decision making. 2.Howisvideoconferencingrelatedtothebusiness4.Ifyouwereasmallormedium-sizedbusiness, models and business strategies of the organiza-_ what criteria would you use to determine whether tions described in this case? 3. Describe the specific ways in which videoconferencing technology helped each of the