Video conferencing expected to grow in the business sector in 2012

According to an industry forecast, the use of video conferencing for business purposes is expected to increase in 2012, as more companies want to encourage collaboration and improve productivity while reducing costs associated with travel.
The forecast placed particular emphasis on the growing use of personal video conferencing for business operations, which will increase as more tablets, personal computers and smartphones are equipped with video conferencing tools. The main demand that is driving the adoption of video conferencing technology is a desire for real-time interaction while staying connected to a company network.

The report predicts video conferencing will evolve into on-demand video conferencing in conjunction with unified communications networks. Providers will be able to rent out video conferencing capabilities to companies as they need them.

President Barack Obama is already leveraging the technology to stay in touch with voters during the campaign season, while continuing to work from Washington, D.C. The Quad-City Times reported that the president's campaign advisers tweeted to supporters that Obama will be making an appearance at caucus sites in early January through the use of video conferencing technology.