Even though PowerPoint files are normally used in live presentations, they are extremely common on the web. But the normal PPT format that Powerpoint generates, cannot be used online without using a lot of bandwidth and extra software to make it work. Although there are ways to improve the accessibility of PowerPoint files, the only way to ensure that a PowerPoint presentation is truly accessible is to create an HTML alternative instead of or in addition to the PowerPoint file.

People who use screen readers will need to have the slides in HTML format in order to access them. Online presentations using VOIP conference solutions will also need the presentations in HTML to enable the moderator to run the presentation easily.

The major problem with generating a HTML presentation suitable for the Internet is, not only must the HTML files be generated, but they also have to be uploaded to a server to be available for use online. Although most people can make their own presentations with a little practice, the technical side of publishing a presentation for use online is beyond the majority’s capabilities. Usually this means you have to get the IT department to upload the presentation or at least get someone who is Internet savvy to do it for you.

This situation has changed, as there is now a simple to use software tool which can do this for you. A website called Presentation Profits.com, offers a service which will not only upload the PPT file but also convert it for use in HTML format. With just a couple of “point and click” actions, anyone can publish their Powerpoint presentations online within a couple of minutes and without a lot of technical knowledge. It’s convenient and can be used immediately.

On top of this, the presentation can be directly accessed using a simple URL generated by the system. The moderator sees the typical HTML navigation generated by Powerpoint and can control the presentation easily as he or she speaks. Regardless of which online conference system is used this works with them all.

In my experience, the one major problem with hosting Powerpoint HTML files on my own server, was the bandwidth needed to serve the presentation to the viewing audience. This adds up quickly when you have 50 or more people attending an online seminar. If your server only has a limited amount of bandwidth available every month, you can end up with your server not being available at all, simply because the bandwidth has run out. This is not only annoying, but does cost you money to upgrade your available bandwidth not including any loses made through lost sales because the website was not reachable. The Presentation Profits.com account covers the bandwidth you need, regardless of how many viewers have access to your presentation.

Let’s face it, PowerPoint is a wonderful software for presenting your works, but for some uses you need to have the right tools to make it perfect.

I can’t cease to be amazed at what our customers are achieving by using Conferentia. It ranges from private and business meetings to full blown conferences with anything up to 200 to 300 people attending online.

Personally I believe that almost every customer will find ways of earning money using Conferentia. Let’s face it, we do just the same by doing our Workshops and Training Sessions online using Conferentia to reach our students, regardless of where they are in the world.

I must admit the only major problem is finding suitable times, due to the time spans we cover. Just to give you an idea: 12 am here, is 6 am in New York and 7 pm in Beijing! You just have to offer alternatives, so that people wanting to take part, don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to do so!

Other then that, we manage to get our meetings set to times where we can reach the USA early birds and the Australian night owls at the same time!