Videoconferencing

"Videoconferencing is on the rise as businesses struggle to keep up with soaring travel costs on tight budgets.
Worldwide in 2007, videoconferencing grew by 29 percent from the year before, and it is expected to grow by about 21 percent each year until 2012. That's a change from $1.6 billion worth of videoconferencing in 2007 to an expected $4.2 billion in 2012."
MARGARET HARDING-THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

WHAT IS VIDEOCONFERENCING?

Video conferencing is a communications technology that integrates video and voice to connect remote users with each other as if they were in the same room. Users see and hear each other in real-time, allowing natural conversations and more personal communications while miles away.

WHAT IS REQUIRED?

A videoconferencing system requires audiovisual equipment, which includes computer/monitor, webcam/camera, microphone, and speakers, and a means of transmission such as broadband internet connection.

Communications companies have been dabbling in video conferencing technology since as early as the late 50's, but it took the advent of broadband internet and affordable web cameras (late 90's) for video conferencing to really take off. Video conferencing took a serious step into mass use with the release of Microsoft Netmeeting 3.0 in 1999. Now there are dozens of software vendors marketing video conferencing software and investors interested in bringing video conferencing to mobile devises.

WHY USE IT.

To save money; More personal contact; Save time! With the growth of high travel costs, hotels, airfare, and other costs associated with face-to-face meetings, companies are using online conferencing to expand business and allow users to save time and money by bringing people face-to-face, across the country. This is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment.

Video conferencing can be used for sales presentations, training, broadcasting big events, meetings, new product promotions, and interviewing.

Tele-Working using video conferencing and other technologies allows people to work in a variety of professions without the constraint of geographic proximity. Video conferencing, not only broadens opportunities but will also help in the decrease in congestion and save the environment.