Video conferencing is the conducting of a conference between two or more people at separate locations by using computer networks to transmit audio and video data.
A point-to-point (two-person) video conferencing system works similarly to a video phone call. Each person has a video camera, microphone and speakers mounted on his or her computer. As they talk, their voices are carried over the network and delivered to the other’s speakers, and whatever appears in front of the video camera will appear in a window on the other person’s monitor.
With multipoint video conferencing, three or more people can sit in a virtual conference room and communicate as if they were sitting right next to each other. Due to hardware costs, videoconferencing was too expensive for most organisations until the mid 90s, but this rapidly changing. Recent developments in mobile devices and wireless networks have driven interest in the ability to collaborate, discuss business, and exchange information anytime, from any location.
More and more companies are adopting video conferencing as the numerous advantages become increasingly clear. Straightforwardly, the technology facilitates better problem solving, faster decision making, and true collaboration at a distance.
Further, it delivers the following benefits:
Reduced travel costs
Considering the current globalized economy, travelling is often mandatory for the creation of new market opportunities. With the ability to interact and share information in high definition, it is widely agreed that videoconferencing is efficiently used to supplement travel. Most companies see annual travel costs far outweighing the entire videoconferencing investment.
Connect dispersed staff, workforces and teams
Communication between members of a team residing in different locations tends to be misunderstood, sluggish or lost. Since eighty percent of communication consists of non-verbal visual cues, the ability to collaborate or process information via phone, email, instant messaging or workflow applications is usually encumbered. Video greatly increases productivity across a team by solving this problem and allowing for immediate information exchange.
Improved hiring and retention of employees
Hiring processes can become expensive and drawn-out especially when candidates are based in faraway cities or when several people are involved in the interview process. Companies with video conferencing systems can save time and money by having interviews conducted over video. These interviews can also be recorded, allowing for people who were unable to attend the live interview to evaluate the candidate.
In terms of employee retention, video communication improves cooperation by enabling remote employees to build relationships with other team members. It also assists employees in maintaining work/life balance by reducing travel so they can spend more time with their families. Further, video conferencing allows for employees to work from home, partially or permanently, and alleviates the impact of commuting.
Reduced carbon footprints
Video conferencing is a palpable “green” technology, making it possible for companies to alleviate energy use by drastically reducing the need to travel. By communicating over video, organisations can reduce their carbon footprint significantly. It has been revealed by a study that an hour’s driving uses the same amount of electrical power as 1000 hours of video conferencing.
Improved work/life balance
Constant travel can exhaust employees who are not used to long hours on the road. Mitigating the need for frequent travel can eliminate a great deal of stress for all parties involved in a project.
Video conferencing is an empowering tool that enables people from around the world to engage and interact with each other across any distance, at any time.
Cube Workspace hosts top of the range video conferencing facilities at all of their branches, available at an hourly rate. This includes boardrooms that seat up to 16 people, connection via a 100-200MB synchronous line, and IT support on-site available at all times.
