Getting Started

Videoconference Planning

There are many facets to videoconference planning. The method that you select for your videoconference will depend heavily on what videoconference technology you have readily available to you, the technology being used at the sites being invited to the videoconference, and the number of participating sites.

1. With which site(s) are you videoconferencing?

You can videoconference with people who are across campus, across Cleveland, across the United States and around the globe. Our high speed network lets us connect to distant locations with high quality video and audio. Members of our campus regularly communicate with videoconference sites in Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia, and Oslo, Norway. We also arrange videoconference meetings with groups in separate buildings on the CWRU campus. 

Are you connecting to one other videoconference location or several other locations?

CWRU's videoconference technology allows units to be connected by calling a single videoconference number, called a bridge. A bridge must be scheduled within Zoom - Email help@case.edu for assistance.

If you are connecting to just one other location, you can call that site directly or that site can call you at the number or address designated for your room or desktop software.

D = Direct Connection B = Bridge Required X = Not Compatible
  Connecting To:      
  Scopia Desktop Scopia Room XT5000 Polycom Lifesize Cisco Telepresence
Scopia Desktop D D D D B
Scopia Room XT5000 D D D D B
Polycom D D D D B
Lifesize D D D D B
Mondopad B B B B B
Cisco Tandberg D D D D B
Jabber B B B B D
Cisco Telepresence B B B B D
Adobe Connect X X X X X
Google Hangouts X X X X X

2. When will your videoconference take place?

Work with the participating videoconference locations to determine a mutually agreeable time for your videoconference. If necessary, take time zones of participating locations into consideration. UTech Videoconference Services can accommodate most requests for videoconference assistance both during and after normal business hours.

3. Where will your videoconference take place: on your desktop or in a videoconference room?

To choose your on-campus location, first think about how many other people from the campus will be participating in the videoconference with you. If you're the only person attending on campus, you can use desktop software to connect. If one other person is attending with you, you can request a videoconference room that comfortably seats two or more people.

Deciding on a location: do you have a meeting room with videoconference technology available to you?

Most videoconference-enabled rooms on campus are managed by a department. If your department has its own videoconference equipment, you can use it to call any other videoconference site in the world (directly or using Zoom bridge, Email help@case.edu for assistance).

If your department doesn't have its own videoconference equipment, you have a few options:

  • Use the Zoom videoconference software.
  • Request the use of another department's videoconference room. See the Rooms list for options and contact information. Rooms are loaned at each department's discretion.
  • Purchase videoconference equipment for your department. UTech can assist by recommending videoconference equipment. Email help@case.edu for assistance.

4. Send these details to Videoconference Services through help@case.edu

If you need assistance or to reserve a bridge number, Email help@case.edu for assistance. If you are already familiar with videoconferencing, or do not require a bridge, you can work with the participating locations to schedule the conference on your own. See the FAQ for more details.

To create a meeting room in which to hold a Zoom web conference, go to cwru.zoom.us. Directions for use are available here.