Video-Conferencing : Less Travel, More Meetings

Technology is constantly evolving and changing the way people do business.

Dedicating our annual issue to the top 10 technologies can not be complete
without giving out some space to one of the most fascinating and efficient
technology: Video-conferencing.

Video-conferencing as a solution is divided into two parts-equipment and
software. Both of these together form the whole solution. For these both vendors
and SPs play an important role as the end result is essentially. the right
combination of both.

As globalization makes the workforce more geographically dispersed, virtual
technologies are connecting them. Video-conferencing allows employees, partners,
clients and suppliers to work from anywhere in the world, and still have the
ability to instantly connect with one another.

The growing virtual workplace presents significant opportunities for
businesses. New markets can be entered with very little start up costs, and the
best and most affordable employees can be hired from anywhere in the world.
Also, the best suppliers can be located anywhere, and the product can easily be
promoted to an unlimited number of clients. Video conferencing will make it
possible to interview, train and conference with the remote workforce and
suppliers, and make personal presentations to clients. And that is not all, by
adopting this technology one can also save on costs and contribute to the
environment as well.

STATUS QUO

Video-conferencing is growing at a great pace. Its growth can largely be
attributed to the growing broadband availability. Where earlier it was available
to only big corporations, now small and medium businesses and home users also
have affordable access to it.

The actual growth in the recognition and acceptance of video-conferencing is
very recent. Though it has been there for a while but adoption, usage and
acceptance has gone up in the last few years.

Agreeing with this notion, Anshul Dhingra, Senior Marketing Manager-India and
SAARC, Polycom said, “Video communication has been hyped since the 50s, but is
finally coming

of age. Video traditionally was only used by large corporations but a noticeable
trend is that now it is enabling new business models and giving small companies
big presence and reach.”

He also stated that this growing adoption in SMB segment is very encouraging
as the technology is still taking off and there is a lot of untapped potential.
“As businesses look to remove the barriers of distance communication, it is
becoming evident that visual communi­cation solutions are mission-critical for
competitive advantage. Realizing the vast benefits of visual collaboration
solutions, the SMB market is fast adopting this technology now,” he added.

Though the current economic situation is often attributed for the growing
adoption of video-conferencing, it is not the only reason to be given all the
credit. “Adoption of video-conferencing has been growing significantly over the
past 18 months and the trend is continuing. Having a good HD VC deployment
within an organization just gives them an advantage during this phase of
slowdown,” agreed K Shivashankar, Country Manager, Lifesize.

On the same note Dhingra of Polycom said, “The current situation is acting as
a catalyst for the business growth. However, attributing the growth completely
to recession would be an incomplete story. Travel savings are just the tip of
the iceberg when it comes to telepresence RoI.”

Major drivers of this technology are:

Saves time

“Today, the time executives in an organization save by not traveling is more
valuable than the dollars saved,” quipped Dhingra of Polycom.

Cuts down travel costs

Video-conferencing helps save a lot of money put into traveling and trying
reach the far ends of the globe for meetings. “Yes, with the slowdown really
hitting businesses worldwide, there is a growing demand for telepresence since
it can help cut costs on travel,” stated Minhaj Zia, National Sales
Manager-Unified Communications-India & SAARC, Cisco

Green factor

By traveling less one can cut down on the CO2 emissions which in turn can be
calculated as a huge contribution to the environment.

Though the investments are huge and it is expensive to deploy, but, the RoI
is fast and also owing to the drivers of the technology it has somewhat become
essential for all kinds of enterprises.

AS A SOLUTION

Video-conferencing is fast catching up with the tier-2 solution providers (SPs).
Various SPs either have already added it or are keen to add video-conferencing
to their portfolio.

On being questioned why they think the technology is gaining popularity SPs
mainly gave credit to the benefits this technology offers in terms of increased
productivity and RoI for the customers.

“Productivity increases are the most valuable, an additional tangible effect
of using video-conferencing is that you start saving substantial money due to
reduced travel. Reduction of downtime and increased quality of life for
traveling personnel are other effects,” said Anupam Bhatnagar, Group Product
Manager, Team Computers, New Delhi mentioned.

“The technology is gaining popularity because of the simple need for better
communication. Seeing a person while talking leads to effective and fast
communication and in turn good decision making,” quipped Anil Gupta of Artek
Enterprises, New Delhi mentioned.

“The green technology is also making a huge impact across a host of verticals
in markets and industries from distance learning, banking, telemedicine to TV
broadcasting and the satellite industry,” stated Niranjan Limaye, Telecom Head,
Enkay Enterprises.

From training programs to certification programs, vendors are doing it all to
secure a place for this technology and propagate it as a wholesome solution.

“Vendors play an important role and as this technology is comparatively new
they are providing us with relevant trainings, product certifications and
sharing RoI,” stated Bhatnagar of Team Computers.

Today, Indian courts are appointing video-conferencing to decide crucial
cases in which criminals can not travel much due to security issues. The case of
the 26/11 captured terrorist Ajmal Kasab was also conducted using telepresence.
Recently, another case was decided in this fashion. Telemedicine, a name given
to various operations and treatments carried out on video-conferencing is also
gaining ground rapidly. Education is another vertical which is keenly adopting
the solution to have guest lectures scholars from all over the world. Also, in
India government is a vertical which is fast adopting this technology for
various deployments and projects.

Video-conferencing is fast gaining popularity. The right kind of solutions
for India's price-sensitive market is the key to increase its marketshare.

Sonam Gulati

sonamg@cybermedia.co.in