Co-Browsing

What is co-browsing?

Co-browsing is a technology that allows multiple users to simultaneously view and interact with the same web content in real time. The screen content of one user is shared without the need to install software or plugins.

Companies can use co-browsing to address interested parties and potential buyers as soon as they have been on the company's website for a while, for example. They offer help or information. Conversely, customers can use co-browsing to request help from customer service if they cannot find what they are looking for on a website.

With co-browsing, VIER offers a software for live consulting in which customers and service employees can visit and use websites together.

Co-browsing technology

Co-browsing technology sits between the user's browser and the website they are visiting. It receives all the content that makes up the page and replicates it temporarily. This gives you the ability to share it with multiple participants and overlay collaborative features on top of it (co-browsing, screen sharing, video chat, annotations, etc.) or even change the entire experience without changing the original code.

Co-browsing vs. screen sharing

Unlike normal screen sharing, co-browsing allows simultaneous interaction on a website instead of just sharing the screen. Co-browsing is focused on collaboration and navigation support, while screen sharing is more of a passive presentation.

With screen sharing, the entire desktop is shared, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, i.e. snapshots of the entire screen are taken and streamed over and over again. With co-browsing technology, only events are streamed, which does not require much bandwidth and is much more secure.

Advantages over screen sharing

Compared to screen sharing, co-browsing offers some clear advantages:

Technology

• Co-browsing technology sits between the user's browser and the website they are visiting. It receives all the content that makes up the page and replicates it temporarily. This gives you the ability to share it with multiple participants and overlay collaborative features on top of it (co-browsing, screen sharing, video chat, annotations, etc.) or even change the entire experience without changing the original code.

Interaction vs. presentation

• Unlike normal screen sharing, co-browsing allows simultaneous interaction on a website instead of just sharing the screen. Co-browsing is focused on collaboration and navigation support, while screen sharing is more of a passive presentation.

Performance and security

• With screen sharing, the entire desktop is shared, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, i.e. snapshots of the entire screen are taken and streamed over and over again. With co-browsing technology, only events are streamed, which does not require much bandwidth and is much more secure.

Simple and secure

Easy to integrate

• Co-browsing is web-based and does not require access to the user's computer, and no software needs to be downloaded or installed. The technology is plug-and-play while being completely secure, so you can instantly add Co-Browsing to your website and use it in conjunction with tools such as Salesforce, other CRMs or contact center platforms.

Collaborate via Link or your web application

• You can start co-browsing by simply sending the Space link or integrating Surfly into your own web application via API.

Shared workspace

• A shared space is created for each co-browsing session. Collaboration on websites, documents or other digital files takes place within this space. Users can securely upload files from their device to a new tab in the space so that everyone can see them.

Surf together or edit documents

• Multiple participants can surf websites, edit documents or fill out forms together. The electronic signature feature allows users to securely sign a document or contract in a Space.

Recording the interaction

• With an audit log, you have a record of who did what within a session – even if it was on a third-party website. This means that companies in highly regulated industries such as insurance or financial services can comply with regulations when their employees browse websites together.

Secure and data protection compliant

• The co-browsing software only shares the original tab of the browser window, so other tabs containing sensitive information are not visible. We also recognize and mask sensitive information such as credit card details so that participants can enter their data without worrying about privacy issues.