title: Cloud and traditional videoconferencing technology for telemedicine and distance learning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cloud-based videoconferencing versus traditional systems are described for possible use in telemedicine and distance learning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differences between traditional and cloud-based videoconferencing systems are examined, and the methods for identifying and testing systems are explained. Findings are presented characterizing the cloud conferencing genre and its attributes versus traditional H.323 conferencing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Because the technology is rapidly evolving and needs to be evaluated in reference to local needs, it is strongly recommended that this or other reviews not be considered substitutes for personal hands-on experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review identifies key attributes of the technology that can be used to appraise the relevance of cloud conferencing technology and to determine whether migration from traditional technology to a cloud environment is warranted. An evaluation template is provided for assessing systems appropriateness.
authors.affiliation: Office of High Performance Computing and Communications, National Library of Medicine , Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Wei-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Locatis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ackerman
mesh_terms: D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D018511:Systems Integration; D013672:Technology; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: cloud computing; distance learning; technology; telecommunications; telemedicine