Video conferencing demand continues to grow in the enterprise

The emergence of smartphones, tablets and a number of other tools in the enterprise has blurred the definition of "work." Traditionally, the term specified a place where individuals had to go to perform business tasks. The proliferation of innovative solutions, however, has changed the word from a place to an action, as more employees regularly perform operations outside the conventional boundaries of an office.

Citing a recent study by Ragan Communications and Qumu, Employee Benefit News reported the growing presence of video conferencing in the enterprise is personalizing and improving collaboration and communication in the business landscape, regardless of where employees work from. While many survey respondents said it is difficult to connect with individuals outside the office, video technologies represent a huge opportunity to eliminate this gap.

"The use of video means remote workers can stay more engaged. They can watch an employee all-hands meeting while on the bus or at their kid's soccer game or anywhere they happen to be," Qumu executive Chris Zaloumis said, according to EBN. "They get real-time information and are able to engage and ask questions, just like full-time employees and employees based at the main office do."

EBN noted that nearly two-thirds of survey respondents said they prefer video-based communication tools over non-video alternatives. The biggest demand for these solutions is the need to remain connected with colleagues on a project. Other uses of conferencing included the unique ability to ask questions during training videos and see CEOs and other decision-makers announce company news.

Another report by Infonetics Research noted that companies using video conferencing can enhance collaboration because of the technology's ability to mimic face-to-face meetings. Even though these interactions are often seen as the most effective way of communicating, adoption of video conferencing tools in the enterprise is slow.

"Communicating via video continues to be one of the top trends in telecom, as evidenced by strong growth in the enterprise video market," Infonetics Research networks and video analyst Matthias Machowinski said. "Businesses worldwide are looking for richer means of communications with their employees, partners and customers and enterprise video conferencing solutions are a natural fit."

As mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, continue to disrupt the private sector, video conferencing applications and unified communications will likely be leveraged more often in an attempt to boost mobile worker efficiency and productivity.

Submitted by Teo UC News on Thursday, July 5, 2012