'What is a Zoom Room?': Zoom's virtual meeting room service, explained

In the age of the internet, more and more companies are realizing that not everyone needs to be working in the same office for business to run smoothly. This is especially true at times when everyone needs to work from home.

This is where brands like Zoom come in. Zoom is a remote conferencing service that allows colleagues to hold virtual meetings with one another from anywhere with an internet connection.

A Zoom subscription on its own is free (although you can pay up to $19.99 a month for more features), so it's a great option if you want to start video conferencing.

However, if you want to take your meetings to the next level, you should consider investing in a Zoom Room subscription.

Here's what you need to know.

Zoom Rooms, explained

A Zoom Room is effectively nothing more than a set of hardware that all has a Zoom app installed on it, which allows you to hold virtual meetings. 

With Zoom Room software, many of the web cameras, tablets, computers, phone systems, mics, speakers, displays, and smartboards your organization already has can be synchronized to work together, creating a visual and aural link between people spread far and wide. 

Using your Windows PC or Mac computer, you can install the Zoom Rooms program, which will let you arrange meetings. On an iPad, Android, or Windows tablet, download the Zoom Rooms app. You can then connect a camera and microphone in order to broadcast video and audio. An HD television or other monitor will let you broadcast the video feeds of the people dialing in.

You can use the Zoom Rooms apps to share files, websites, and other content across the internet during a meeting. This means you can communicate seamlessly without stopping the meeting.

You probably don't need to supply remote workers with new hardware — in fact, a good deal of the equipment already in your offices will likely work with Zoom software. 

If you do need to buy additional hardware, you can order a Zoom Room hardware kit that will have everything you need.

Although a Zoom subscription is free, a Zoom Room subscription costs $49.00 a month. You'll receive one month free when you sign up.

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to schedule a Google Hangout using Google Calendar

• How to share your screen on Google Hangouts, and make your next meeting more efficient

• How to record a Google Hangouts session to watch it later or share it with others

• 'What is Google Meet?': A guide to Google's professional video-conferencing service, including pricing options and how to join a meeting

• How to block someone on Google Hangouts on your computer or mobile device