What is video conferencing?

The term video conferencing is referred to in a number of ways, including: video chat, web conferencing, virtual office, online video meeting, or video calling. All these terms refer to the same underlying technology that allows people to communicate in a face-to-face manner virtually. To do so, users just need an internet connection and video conferencing software like Kumospace. When picking a video communication tool, it's important to get an enterprise-grade solution that offers security and privacy. Many video conferencing tools are available from both a web browser and native apps. In the case of Kumospace, our video chat product is available for all major web browsers as well as available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS operating systems.

When was video conferencing invented?

The early 1990s. Students at Cambridge University in the Computer Science Department invested in the first web camera in 1991. This primitive but highly innovative device could only provide 129×129 pixel grayscale pictures at one frame per second. This invention, which is now standard on most new computers, paved the way for online video conferencing. In the early 1990s, a student at Cornell University wrote a program called CU-SeeMe. This became the first video conferencing platform and was released on macOS in 1992. Two years later, in 1994, the software program became available on Windows.

How does video conferencing work?

Video conferencing is a meeting with two or more participants who are participating from different locations. They use a computer connection, audio, and video to connect. Video conferencing can be used for team meetings, webinars, product demos, job interviews, and more.

How to add video conferencing to Google Calendar?

To add Kumospace video conferencing to your Google Calendar, first, install the Kumospace extension from the Google Chrome Web Store. Once installed, open your Google Calendar and create a new event. In the event details, click on 'Add Kumospace Meeting.' The link to your Kumospace meeting will be automatically generated and inserted into the event description. Now, you can invite attendees who will receive the link to join the meeting.

How is video conferencing beneficial?

Video conferencing, like that offered by Kumospace, enhances communication by facilitating face-to-face interaction, irrespective of geographical boundaries. It fosters collaboration, increases productivity, and saves time and travel costs. It's particularly beneficial for remote or hybrid teams, enabling real-time discussion and decision-making. Additionally, visual cues enhance understanding and engagement, leading to more effective meetings.

How to set up a conference room for video conferencing?

Setting up a conference room for Kumospace video conferencing requires a stable internet connection, a device with a webcam and microphone, and a large screen for group viewing. Download the Kumospace app or use the browser version. Log in and create a new space or room. Share the generated link with participants. Ensure the room has good lighting and minimal background noise for the best video conferencing experience.

Enterprise-grade video conferencing software

Free video conferencing built for team collaboration

Access award-winning video conferencing software designed for remote and hybrid teams.

Get your Space Schedule a demo

Recording

Record meetings using the Kumospace video conference app for future reference and to share with work colleagues.

Whiteboard

Our built-in digital whiteboard feature makes team collaboration easier and more productive for distributed teams.

File sharing

Easy platform-agnostic file sharing makes collaborating with internal team members and external vendors a breeze.

Noise cancellation

Minimize distractions to other participants

Custom background

Take a video call from anywhere with the ability to ensure privacy

Hand raise

Allow participants indicate to speakers they have a question

Built for Virtual Meetings

No Zoombombing

Multiple ways to safely share the link for online video conferencing including password, guest list, known users, unique and expiring links.

Custom destination meeting links

Hosting a larger event or meeting, but only want some people to go to a specific place? No problem.

Team huddle

Easily host re-occurring meetings that allow colleagues to come and go as they please to the virtual meeting room.

Google Cal

Allows users to view and create online meetings. Get notifications in your workspace and never miss a meeting again.

Screen Share that Drives Teamwork

Presenter pop-out

Automatic video pop-out window for presenters to look at their materials while still seeing and engaging with participants.

Participant pointer

Easily draw on the presenters slides or meeting materials to help spur team collaboration and eliminate blockers.

Remote screen control

Request access to control the presenter's screen for better collaboration, troubleshooting, and over-the-shoulder work.

Closed captioning

Live transcription for meeting captions delivers real-time by AI and supporting real-time multi-language translation.

Supports 10,000s of participants

Invite up to 10,000 webinar attendees who can easily join via browser with no downloads required.

Up to 8 presenters

Participant reaction

Group breakout

Chat history

Run more communicative online meetings with video conferencing software that offers persistent chat history.

Channel, threads, and direct messaging

Administrative controls

Security

Encrypted

Enjoy secure online video conferencing that leverages end-to-end encrypted webRTC providing users with the highest level of data security.

Administrative controls

Built with compliance in mind, easily manage team member and guest roles to ensure a safe and more compliant video chat experience.

Single sign-on

Keep your hybrid or remote team working all in one place with a single secure and compliant company login.

Compliance

SOC 2 Compliance

Kumospace has successfully undergone SOC 2 examination and audit that demonstrates we hold security and data to the highest standards.

HIPAA

Video conference while adhering to the standards set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

GDPR

Kumospace delivers frictionless video and audio communications that abide by the data privacy obligations in the European Economic Area.

“I worked with the Kumospace team to create a virtual floor that mimicked one of our floors that we have in our office. What people really liked was the ability to go through the room and climb in and out of conversations as we would in a physical space.”

Manpreet Jandu-Gil, KPMG

“Kumospace doesn’t need a whole tutorial; it’s very easy to use. The ease of setup is definitely a primary reason I would recommend Kumospace to others — and I really appreciate the customer service team’s swift responsiveness and creative problem solving.”

Mahiri Wise, Google

“It felt almost like being face to face. One thing that I really appreciated with Kumospace, is that every time I log in there’s more functionality and more options for things.”

Jeff Nason, Canada Life

“With Kumospace, we finally have a home base for our fully remote global team! It’s been amazing to have a place we can go to every day that enhances our company culture and helps bring the team together.”

Stephen Racano, Geologie

Improved team collaboration

Remote and hybrid work is highly productive, but team members can run into challenges with quick problem solving and removing blockers. Having your team in one signular video chat application can allow team members to instantly gain alignment and answers to questions.

Build positive team culture

A majority of employees love the benefits of hybrid and remote work schedules, but isolation is a real problem. Gathering your distributed team online in one virtual workspace can help team members feel more connected and part of a team again.

Increase visibility and team equity

Give team members a place to to be seen, be heard, and where the company can be accountable. Using virtual office video conferencing gives users a place to see whats happening around them, easily resolve problems and get their best work done.