Videoconferencing is a technology that allows people at multiple locations to interact with each other via real-time audio and video transmission. If more than two locations are involved in this interaction, it is called multi-point conferencing. This technology enables people in different locations to connect to each other in a very real way – much better than what a telephone can do – simply because the ability to look at the person while talking, enhances the personal touch and takes the communication to a whole new level. No wonder videoconferencing is a booming industry, and its global revenues are estimated to touch $5 billion by 2015.

Videoconferencing can be effectively used by companies in several ways:

1. Managing employees working remotely,
2. Participation of telecommuting employees in internal company meetings or presentations,
3. Company-wide announcements from the top management or the executives,
4. Client project review or status meetings,
5. Product training sessions for employees and clients,
6. Interviewing and recruiting prospective employees,
7. Accessing various business experts, legal experts, or other professionals who don\’t work for the company.

There are several reasons why companies are quickly adapting videoconferencing technology, and most can be boiled down to these three:

1. Money: The biggest measure of a new technology\’s success to a company is how it improves the company\’s bottom line – and videoconferencing does this in a big way by significantly reducing the travel related expenditure. Many companies can cut their travel and accompanying expenses down to at least 50% by adapting videoconferencing technology. Business travel involves not just the transportation expenses like airfare, car rental or taxi fare, but also associated expenses like business meals and accommodation, not to mention the lost employee-hours during the travel time. By substituting videoconferencing for most work related travel, and leaving the actual travel for only business critical needs, companies can save considerable amount of money.

2. Time: Close on the heels of money savings, comes the equally important time savings. For one thing, with the travel time gone or reduced considerably, employees can now have much more time in their hands to focus on actual business needs. This can directly translate to an increase in their productivity. Videoconferencing also improves the use of executive time, as they can quickly and effectively communicate with various employee groups sitting in multiple locations.

3. Convenience: Last, but certainly not the least in priority, is everyone\’s convenience. Videoconferencing can be a boon to the company and its employees simply because it reduces or even completely eliminates the need for everyone to be at the same place at any given time. With the world becoming smaller, and employees scattered around the globe, it can be a monumental task to have everyone gather at a certain location for as mundane thing as a meeting or a presentation. Videoconferencing completely bypasses that need, and meetings can become much more easier to arrange by using this technology, even on a short notice.

Additionally, by using videoconferencing for something like weekly status meetings with their clients, companies can build their credibility and trust factor, which can eventually translate to a better working relationship with their clients.

Author Bio: Edward Kendricks writes on behalf of CTS, UK suppliers of Video Conferencing equipment.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: video conference, audio visual, audio visual equipment, AV equipment, digital projector, LCD TV