FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions
- What is WebEx?
- What is web conferencing?
- Do I need software?
- How do I use WebEx?
- What about audio?
- How do I get pricing?
- What is on-demand?
- Is it video conferencing?
- What are the system requirements to use WebEx?
What is WebEx?
In the simplest terms, WebEx is the leading provider of web meetings and web conferencing software. This answer most often leads to another question…
What is web conferencing?
Web conferencing make it possible for you to share what’s on your computer desktop with people in other locations--in real time, over the web. Typically this happens in conjunction with a phone call or audio conferencing session, so you have the ability to show and tell.
If you haven’t participated in a web meeting before you can see one in action now. Just join our live online demo or join a free webinar.
Some web meeting services just provide simple desktop sharing. Others give you the added capability to select and show a specific document or application only. With WebEx web conferencing you can also pass control to an attendee in your web meeting, making that person the presenter.
You can use web meetings for a variety of purposes. If your project team is made up of people from different locations, and even different companies, communicate and collaborate online. It's much more effective than teleconferencing alone or emailing files back and forth.
Interested? Get free web conferencing for 14 days and hold unlimited web meetings for the next two weeks, absolutely free.
Sales people use web meetings to make presentations to remote prospects, or demonstrate applications they are selling in real time. Training professionals use web meetings to deliver live and on-demand training to learners across the map. Marketers use web meetings to get their message out to large audiences faster, and at less cost. Customer and IT helpdesk reps use web meetings to support remote users without going on site.
WebEx offers specialized web meeting services for marketing, sales, training, and support, in addition to general web meeting services. You can try these specialized services free, too. Sign up for your choice of free trials.
Do I need software?
WebEx is not a standard software product that you purchase and install on your computer. It’s delivered as a service through your web browser. People like this model (known as software-as-a-service or SaaS) for a number of reasons:
- There is no big upfront investment. Users simply pay a set monthly fee for access to the service. It’s affordable, predictable, and easy to manage, accounting-wise.
- It’s easy to implement. No need for new capacity, new servers, or other new equipment. Users simply sign up and start using the service. * Users don’t have to worry about maintenance and support. This is included with the service, making WebEx readily accessible to non-technical users, and low-impact for overburdened IT departments.
- Users can access their service from any computer with Internet access. Since it’s web-based, not loaded on a specific desktop, WebEx is readily available from any location.
- Users can expect better support and service. Because users pay on a subscription basis (vs. a one-time big price for standard software) it is crucial that users are happy, so the company continues to earn their business. For example, WebEx provides a terrific knowledge base, round-the-clock support, and unlimited free training for users to help them get the most out of their service. Plus, WebEx has fully redundant systems, to ensure the service is reliable.
See for yourself how easy it is. Sign up for a free trial and start using WebEx today.
How do I use WebEx?
You can subscribe to WebEx service and get unlimited use for a set monthly fee. Or you can use our meeting service on a pay-per-use basis.
Either way, you access WebEx through your browser. Start an impromptu meeting, or schedule ahead. Invite attendees to join you in your web meeting. Then, using the simple interface, share your desktop, any document or presentation, or an application. Or pass control to make an attendee the presenter. It’s very easy.
Simple integrations with other applications are also available. Download these free integrations and you can start your web meetings directly from Outlook, Lotus Notes, or your Microsoft Office applications.
What about audio?
Audio is a vital component of a web meeting. An integrated solution that provides both web and audio conferencing services creates the best experience. WebEx offers integrated audio, giving users the choice to engage the capabilities they need on a flexible basis.
Options include:
- VoIP, standard phone service, audio broadcast, and hybrid services.
- Toll and toll-free calling.
- Call-in and call-back capabilities
See how our basic WebEx audio works—free. It’s included in our 14-day free trial. Start your free trial today.
WebEx integrated audio gives users several advantages over other audio options. In addition to the flexibility mentioned above:
- Scheduling, starting, and joining meetings is simpler for both meeting hosts and attendees.One invitation covers both web and audio conferencing portions of the meeting.
- Meeting hosts can view and control audio activity from within the meeting environment, seeing who’s on the call, and muting or expelling specific people, for example.
- Purchasing is simplified with a single vendor for both web and audio. That said, you can also use WebEx meeting capabilities in conjunction with other audio services you may already be using in your business.
How do I get pricing?
WebEx services are sold both as standalone applications and in packages that provide comprehensive solutions for a variety of situations. It’s easy to get a quote for the specific services you need. Just call our sales hotline at 1800 493 239 or submit your enquiry online.
Buying options for WebEx products and solutions »
Try WebEx free for the next 14 days »
Some applications are available for online purchase. You’ll see pricing information for these products when you select the “Buy” button or review the “Buying info” on these product pages.
Something to keep in mind:
WebEx services are sold on a subscription (or software-as-a-service) basis, for a predictable monthly fee. No new hardware or big initial investment is required to get started. Users are very often surprised to discover how affordable WebEx is, and how quickly it pays for itself.
What is on-demand?
WebEx is delivered ‘on-demand’ which means it is available when you need it, where you need it. Unlike traditional software, you don’t install it on your desktop. It’s provided as a service that you can access from any browser, any time, from anywhere you happen to be.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is another name for this on-demand delivery model. For more information see ‘Do I need software?’ above.
Is it video conferencing?
Web meetings are simpler to use and offer far more functionality than old-style video conferencing. No special room is required. There’s no special equipment to learn. And no need to make big advanced plans.
You can conduct a web meeting (or web conferencing) right from your desktop. You can include video from a web cam for a more face-to-face interaction. (Multipoint video, supporting up to 4 web cams is available with WebEx Meeting Center, on request.) Plus, you can share documents, presentations, applications, your browser, video—anything on your desktop. This is far more productive, and far more collaborative than meeting via videoconference.
See for yourself. Try WebEx free web conferencing for the next 14 days.
What are the system requirements to use WebEx?
All you need to use WebEx is a standard web browser and any telephone connection. See our detailed system requirements, including platform and browser support.