Finding the right PowerPoint presentation tool to fit your online presentation

September 23, 2023
By:  Alice Osborn

Finding a suitable PowerPoint presentation tool that is easily accessible, cost-effective, and loaded with the right features won't be too hard a chore: the interactive software market offers online PowerPoint presentation tools for all sized businesses on every budget. Designed to convert PowerPoint files into web-based files, these software services use Macromedia Flash to add energy to PowerPoint presentations.

In fact, creating PowerPoint presentations online via these Flash-based presentation tools gives web slides additional animation, sounds, and motion. Examples include Macromedia Breeze, Articulate Presenter and PresenterNet, which can respectively be used for a large, medium, and small business. Although not a Flash-based presentation tool, Groove is another excellent choice for conducting online PowerPoint presentations between members of internal workgroups.

Since PowerPoint native files (.ppt) can't be viewed within a web browser, users need to find a software resource that will convert their PowerPoint presentation into a Flash presentation for use on the web. Robin Good, who is an expert in new media technology, addresses Macromedia Breeze, Articulate Presenter, and PresenterNet as some of his best online presentation tools in his Rich-media online presentation tools report.

  • Macromedia Breeze -- the brand leader for rich-media online presentation tools
    Macromedia Breeze is used for web meetings and group collaboration. Although it is an expensive tool that is better suited for a large enterprise than a small business, Macromedia Breeze features an easy-to-use and customizable interface, plus screen sharing, whiteboard, and live audio and video tools. Robin Good states that this tool is one he considers the "more sophisticated and capable in delivering high quality rich-media PowerPoint presentations".
     
  • Articulate Presenter -- an extremely powerful PowerPoint to Flash conversion utility
    Articulate Presenter is an add-in solution to an existing PowerPoint application. Presenters at any computer skill level can insert voice narration, animation, music and movies to the presentation using the existing and Articulate added pull-down menu functions. Presentations can be distributed to CD-ROMs, zip files, and e-mails by converting the PowerPoint presentation into a Flash format that is readable by the Flash plug-in installed on virtually all PCs. To view a PowerPoint presentation online, a user simply uploads an Articulate Presenter presentation folder to their web server and links to the index file in that folder's root directory. This is a moderately-priced solution for mid-sized businesses that allows one to fully customize a presentation by automatically adding a photo and bio to the presentation, along with links to an e-mail address and web site.
     
  • PresenterNet -- an affordable, but high-quality online PowerPoint presentation service
    Along with producing a high-quality online presentation, PresenterNet features unlimited conferencing for subscribers, a low flat rate, and no software to download. Robin Good raves about this solution's control panel that allows the audience to see what the presenter is seeing and he praises its interactive controls that give audience members the ability to offer immediate feedback. This feedback is then captured into a database, which will make the conference members more productive when they need answers for their project questions.
     
  • Groove from Microsoft -- a sophisticated group collaboration solution
    Focusing on online group collaboration, Groove is a peer-to-peer based desktop solution that offers file sharing, meeting and file management, and co-editing features. This tool is ideal for small businesses that need a cost-effective and reliable presentation solution that doesn't require a lot of set-up and continuous fees. With Groove, PowerPoint presentations are run in their original format using a special presentation window separate from the Groove Workspace Explorer window. Robin Good recommends using Skype's voice over IP services to power a live audio presentation.

Which online presentation tool is right for you?

Knowing your specific needs and online presentation goals are necessary before shopping for a presentation tool. Users interested in online software solutions that convert PowerPoint presentations into a web-based format have software choices that range in price and in feature complexity.

Small businesses should look for a solution like PresenterNet that doesn't require software installation and has a low flat fee, and Groove which is easy to use, offers support, and starts at $69 per user. Medium-sized businesses should ask for a free trial of ArticulatePresenter since it is a leader in customizing presentations. Lastly, larger businesses that need a stable online solution should take a look at Macromedia Breeze that offers a complete package of presentation tools.

About the Author
Alice Osborn is a successful freelance writer and contributor to Web-Conferencing-Zone.com.  Your definitive guide to web conferencing services, online collaboration software and web meetings for business.