Learn More About Screen Sharing Software
What is Screen Sharing Software?
Screen sharing is the process of viewing or sharing access to a user’s window or desktop for the purpose of collaboration, presentation, IT support, and so forth. Screen sharing tools allow a user to present their screen onto another user’s laptop or mobile device, to a group during a video conference, or even to a public digital display in the office.
Most screen sharing tools are available as a secondary feature of comprehensive software solutions, typically video conferencing software. Depending on the nature of the software, screen sharing is a feature that often supports a larger intended use case. Screen sharing is commonly used in collaborative settings but is also used during presentations, product demos, and employee training. If a product is a standalone screen sharing solution, its supporting features are often specific to a particular use case.
What Types of Screen Sharing Software Exist?
There are many different screen sharing solutions available. Some of these products allow screen sharing as a feature of the overall solution, and others focus on screen sharing as the primary function. As demand for this kind of software has increased, it’s important for buyers to understand the difference between screen sharing as a standalone product versus screen sharing as a feature of a larger product.
Standalone screen sharing software
Many screen sharing solutions put that functionality at the forefront of their product. Standalone screen sharing tools typically focus on a particular type of use case, like team collaboration and sales demos. While screen sharing is the main function of these standalone solutions, they often come with secondary features to support their intended use case. For this reason, buyers must ensure that a standalone screen sharing tool is a good fit for their particular use case.
Screen sharing as a feature
Screen sharing is a popular feature within other software, particularly inside video conferencing software and visual collaboration platforms. Visual collaboration platforms provide flexible digital workspaces to whiteboard, attach documents, and communicate with teammates. In the case of visual collaboration platforms, users will often have the option to share their screen to a shared workspace, to another device in a room, or through a video conferencing feed.
What are the Common Features of Screen Sharing Software?
The following are some core features within screen sharing software that can help users with collaboration, presentation, remote assistance, and other practical tasks:
Video conferencing: Screen sharing software often allows users to communicate via video channels. Since most screen sharing options are attached to a larger video conferencing platform, these features are often found together. Even standalone screen sharing solutions will include a lightweight video conferencing feature to allow users to communicate.
Audio conferencing: This software allows users to communicate via audio channels. Similar to the video conferencing feature, screen sharing tools are often paired with audio conferencing capability. In the case of video conferencing platforms, users will usually have the option to select audio conferencing without a video feed, but will still have the option to share their screen or desktop.
Group live chat: Screen sharing software provides a live chat feed during a screen sharing session. Live chat is particularly useful if users are utilizing screen sharing software to collaborate. In this instance, participants can discuss the presented content without interrupting the speaker. This is a popular feature seen in screen sharing solutions built into more comprehensive video conferencing platforms.
Switch presenter: Screen sharing solutions allow presenters to relinquish presenter access to another user in a call. This feature has contextual benefits depending on what the user is leveraging screen sharing for. In the case of collaboration, switching presenters allows multiple people to share information from a single slide deck without switching devices.
Live preview: Screen sharing software provides users with a live preview of what viewers are about to see. This allows presenters to ensure they are sharing the information they intend before making their screen viewable. This is a useful feature that can help protect user privacy.
Notification blocker: This software blocks notifications from other applications from appearing during a screen sharing session. This feature is especially popular in sales demo-specific standalone tools since sales representatives don’t want notifications to appear in the middle of client calls. Additionally, this is helpful during important presentations, webinars, and employee training sessions in which notifications would be an unwelcome distraction.
Remote access: Screen sharing solutions allow users to give audience members control of cursors or tools on the shared screen. Similar to notification blockers, remote access features are popular in sales demo screen sharing tools for B2B and B2C software vendors. Remote access allows clients to interact with prospective software on a call with a representative without requiring them to download anything on their own device. In addition to sales, this is a very useful feature for IT support as the representative will be able to access the device and resolve technical issues more quickly.
Password protection: Screen sharing software provides password protection to access screen sharing sessions. This is often a secondary feature within video conferencing platforms. Password protection ensures that only intended participants join a given call.
Recording: This software allows users to record screen sharing sessions for later review. Some products will even automatically send a recording of a call to participants once the session ends.
In-browser application: Screen sharing software allows users to access software inside a web browser.
What are the Benefits of Screen Sharing Software?
Convenient: Screen sharing software is versatile and multipurpose. It has a wide range of practical applications and is ideal for virtual meetings, presentations, trainings, technical support, and project collaboration.
Cost effective: Screen sharing software enables companies to cut costs by meeting with clients and vendors virtually without compromising on the effectiveness and quality of a presentation or demonstration. This applies internally as well as when employees travel between a company’s offices, whether domestically or internationally. With the right technology, these trips can be reduced or eliminated entirely.
Saves time: Screen sharing software helps to cut back on the back and forth communication, follow-up emails, and multiple calls that employees often experience. When users can communicate and collaborate in real time, it reduces the need for extensive, time-consuming follow-up communication methods.
Increased productivity: Screen sharing allows users to collaborate in an easy and productive manner. It enhances communication and efficiency, allowing for more effective meetings which can save both time and money.
Who Uses Screen Sharing Software?
Sales representatives: One specific use case some screen sharing solutions target is sales demonstrations. Both B2B and B2C software sellers can leverage screen sharing tools to remotely provide in-depth demos of their products to prospective clients, analyst firms, and other interested parties. Screen sharing tools intended specifically for sales demos often include features like notification blockers, the ability to allow meeting participants to interact with their screen, and call recording.
Team members: The most common and industry-agnostic use case for screen sharing tools is team collaboration. Remote and co-located teams leverage screen sharing functionality for presentations, co-authoring, and a multitude of other purposes. Screen sharing tools are inherently flexible in nature so users have a lot of freedom determining what they want to use them for.
IT departments: The ability to screen share is especially important to IT departments that offer remote support as some screen sharing software allows users to hand off desktop control to their tech teams to diagnose and solve technical issues. This is especially true for remote workers who may not have in-person access to their company’s IT department.
Human resources (HR): Screen sharing is a very resourceful tool for HR departments as they frequently handle new employee orientations, training, and performance evaluations. When working with remote employees, it is helpful for HR departments to have the ability to present documents and review material together in real time.
Software Related to Screen Sharing Software
Related solutions that can be used together with screen sharing software include:
Video conferencing software: Since video conferencing software users are already connected by a video feed, the next best thing is to also include screen sharing capability so users can more easily trade visual information. The vast majority of video conferencing tools will also include screen sharing as a standard feature within their offering. The most popular screen sharing options are often those that are built into video conferencing software since many offer free options and are easy to implement. For some buyers, the ability to host HD video calls, whether for a small team or as a conference call, is a critical feature for their business.
Visual collaboration platforms: Many visual collaboration platforms also include a screen sharing feature, allowing collaborators to host their screen within an infinite canvas. Since visual collaboration platforms aim to be a central hub for all of a business’s collaboration needs, screen sharing functionality fits in well with the plethora of other features these types of tools provide. However, since visual collaboration platforms are mainly intended for internal use, users looking to share their screen with external clients or stakeholders should consider using video conferencing tools or standalone screen sharing solutions instead.
Remote desktop software: One of the main features of remote desktop software is screen sharing. However, instead of being used in collaborative contexts, remote desktop tools are leveraged by IT technicians to help users with computer troubles remotely. In addition to screen sharing, remote desktop solutions provide features like remote control access and integrations with help desk ticketing systems.
Digital signage software: Screen sharing software often functions very similarly to digital signage software in that both allow users to display a given image or message on a designated screen. However, digital signage tools aren’t streaming the contents of one screen onto another, which is the case for screen sharing software. Instead, digital signage software pulls images and videos from a designated content management system to display on one or more digital displays. However, those with one-off digital signage solutions for offices sometimes lean on screen sharing tools.
Challenges with Screen Sharing Software
Connection issues: This technology relies on a strong and powerful internet connection in order to avoid lagging, buffering, or connectivity issues. It is recommended to check the system requirements for the software to ensure that adequate bandwidth is available. Typically, it is recommended that users have an internet speed of 50-150 kilobits per second (kbps) to successfully utilize screen sharing software.
Security concerns: One main security concern related to screen sharing software is the potential to expose confidential or sensitive information via user error. Many applications give the user the option to choose which screen, desktop, or window they would like to share during a meeting. However, it’s very easy to choose the wrong screen or window, giving the audience access to private information. This is an even greater concern if desktop control is given to an untrustworthy user.
How to Buy Screen Sharing Software
Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Screen Sharing Software
Whether a company is just starting to explore screen sharing software or is looking for a more appropriate solution for their needs, g2.com can help inform buyers of the market and assist them in selecting the best software product for their business.
The first step in deciding which kind of screen sharing software a buyer should look at is to assess the needs of the organization as a whole. Does the organization already use this kind of software? If so, what works and what doesn’t? Is this the first time the organization will be using screen sharing software? If that’s the case, buyers will need to determine how they plan to implement this software and what features the organization will need. Some points to consider are given below:
Company size: Buyers will need to ensure that the products they are looking at will suit the size and need of the organization. When purchasing software, it’s important to ensure the product has the appropriate scalability in order to adapt to changing needs.
Standalone or feature: As mentioned above, an important distinction for buyers to make is to determine if screen sharing is needed as part of a comprehensive product or if this is the only feature they require.
Compare Screen Sharing Software Products
Create a long list
The first step to finding the perfect software solution is to create a preliminary list of products that fit the buyer’s general needs. The next step is to narrow down the list by selecting specific features that are must-haves or requirements for the buyer. G2.com provides information about the best screen sharing software, allowing buyers to filter options as well as user reviews to help narrow down the product list to a more relevant selection.
Create a short list
Creating a short list of software products is an important step in the buying process. While it may be daunting to filter through various products, users can get help by utilizing G2’s compare feature. This feature will take products of choice and display them side by side so the buyer can easily determine which software ticks the important boxes on the list.
Conduct demos
Once the buyer has narrowed down the product list, the next step is to conduct a demo. Demos allow buyers to see a product and its features in more detail. To ensure a buyer gets the most out of a demo, it’s important to go in prepared. Buyers should have a business scenario ready that will fully test each product in consideration. Additionally, buyers should inquire about cost, vendor support, and any concerns they have about the product. Adequate preparation will make it easier for a buyer to compare products after demos have been completed.
Selection of Screen Sharing Software
Choose a selection team
Screen sharing software is very practical and widely used in many businesses. With that in mind, a good starting point would be to select three to five team members from various departments and seniority levels (such as IT, management, sales, etc.) to be part of the selection team. The more varied the selection team is, the better a company can assess how well a product will meet their needs.
Negotiation
Once the selection team has narrowed down their software picks, it’s time to discuss customization options, pricing, and the type of support needed from the vendor. It’s always important to address pricing options, even when they are listed on a vendor’s website. Many software vendors will provide discounts and custom pricing options based on what the buyer is looking to purchase.
Final decision
Once a buyer has made the final decision on a product and is ready to move forward with a purchase, it is recommended to conduct a final demo, inquire about a trial run, and determine what the next steps are if the product doesn’t ultimately fit their needs. These steps can provide a buyer with an additional sense of security and confidence when making a final decision.
Screen Sharing Software Trends
Digital collaboration software, specifically screen sharing software, has been on the rise since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Aside from many using this software for personal use as a way to spend time with family, many companies are looking for the best screen sharing software to suit the needs of their remote teams. Features such as desktop sharing, collaboration tools, file sharing, and messaging tools are often part of a comprehensive product’s offering. These features are in high demand as businesses adapt to the changing workplace.
The new virtual workforce
The demand for screen sharing software took off at the beginning of the pandemic and is not slowing down. Businesses are continuing to assess their software needs which indicates that companies are planning to incorporate remote work as a long-term option for existing and future employees, creating the need to find a permanent software solution.
Aside from screen sharing, many companies are looking for products that offer web conferencing capability, the ability to host online meetings of various sizes, initiate breakout meeting rooms, and find a product that works on a variety of operating systems and devices to ensure that each employee is equipped to utilize the software to meet their individual needs.
