Jumping on a video call has now become a regular experience for millions of people but successful and rewarding remote meetings don’t just happen by chance. Manufacturer Boom Collaboration has been engaging with resellers and their customers around the world, to pinpoint some of the many secrets of success and the top pitfalls to avoid.
1 – Overcomplicating the set-up Complicated systems discourage use, increase support resource, and create failure points. Keep it plug-and-play where possible – ideally with a one-cable Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) set-up.
2 – Not matching equipment to room size Using a huddle room camera or even a videobar in a big boardroom leads to poor framing and audio issues. Choose equipment (camera field of view, mic pick-up, speaker range) that fits the room.
3 – Running too many devices through USB without a hub Laptops have limited USB bandwidth. Multiple AV devices can cause dropouts or incompatibility. Use a dedicated conferencing hub to manage multiple connections reliably.
4 – Using passive cables for long USB runs USB signals degrade over distance. Passive cables over 5m often cause intermittent or total failure. Use active USB extenders or solutions like USB over IP.
5 – Forgetting about cable management Dangling cables create a mess, trip hazards, and poor reliability. Plan cable routing in advance and use hubs or wall plates for tidy, permanent installs.
6 – Using built-in laptop mics and cameras Built-in components often deliver poor audio and video quality, especially in group settings. Use an external camera and speakerphone or video bar designed for conferencing.
7 – Ignoring room acoustics and lighting Even the best hardware struggles in echo affected rooms or poorly lit spaces. Use soft furnishings to reduce issues and ensure faces are well-lit (ideally with natural or front-facing light).
8 – Using consumer gear for professional meetings
Devices made for gaming or casual chats often lack features like beamforming mics, noise cancellation, or PTZ controls. Invest in purpose-built conferencing gear suitable for the room size.
9 – Not updating firmware Outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues, bugs, or performance degradation. Regularly check for and apply firmware updates for all conferencing gear.
10 – Skipping device testing before meetings Nothing kills a meeting faster than troubleshooting a camera or mic last minute. Test audio/video devices before important calls and schedule regular system checks.
Texas-based Boom offers the complete array of conferencing solutions, from dedicated kits to videobars, multi-camera controllers, in-room systems and cutting-edge connectivity. It can be sourced from UK distributor Aldous Systems.
Boom Co-Founder Fredrik Hörnkvist says the world of conferencing continues to evolve but many fundamentals remain the same. “At Boom, we’ve seen it all. From the tiny camera in a massive boardroom to the spaghetti mess of cables nobody dares touch. So we’ve developed a list of the Top 10 mistakes we see again and again – and how to fix them.”
He continued: “I think there are many different components that need to be brought together to create the ultimate collaboration experience – from furniture and room ambiance to technology itself and the impact of AI. Keep things simple, reliable and engaging – as using high quality equipment will always produce the optimum results,” he explained. “There remain two distinct choices: a dedicated in-room system such as Teams or Zoom, or a Bring Your Own Meeting setup where users utilize their own laptop or tablet etc. The Boom ZYGO one-cable connection hub and new Boom ARC, that enables switching between both formats, will lead the way. Any device on any platform in any room is our mantra.”
Fellow Founder Holli Hulett highlighted: “It’s about doing your homework first. What room size, how many people will be present and what are they using the room for? No one wants products just gathering dust because they are too complex to use or not the right specification. For us the best advice is demo, demo, demo! Product demonstrations are the best way to capture new sales and show customers just how good today’s video conferencing systems can be. Set up online meetings and show different cameras, with support from a manufacturer such as Boom. Seeing is believing!”
