If Made a Priority, Conferencing Can Deliver Measurable Benefits

  

  

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The conferencing market is growing rapidly throughout the world. The global recession is certainly lending to this trend as companies are finding it more and more difficult to fit travel costs into their budgets. At the same time, conferencing solutions are becoming more reliable and more reasonably priced and therefore, a more viable option for the small business.

According to Frost & Sullivan's new report, Asia Pacific Hosted Web Conferencing Services Markets, there was significant growth of 37.6 percent over 2006 in the Asia Pacific market for hosted Web conferencing. The three major areas driving this growth included emerging markets, local vendors and the SMB segments throughout this region.

Wainhouse Research has also been paying attention to the conferencing industry, noticing the growth and measuring the value that it delivers to customers. When solutions are flexible and scalable, companies are more likely to implement the conferencing platform and make its use a priority in their communications strategy.

"Our annual survey of North American users of conferencing services reveals that the overwhelming majority (89.1%) believe there is personal value in an integrated audio and Web conferencing service vs. two independent providers," said Andy Nilssen, senior analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research, in a company statement.

"The simplicity of being able to initiate a single conference with audio and Web capabilities combined with the ability to visually present audio control elevates the elegance of the entire virtual meeting experience."

When implemented properly, the goal of Unified Communications - which includes conferencing - is to reduce the time, cost and frustration associated with unnecessary delays that can occur in decision making processes. By bringing together the necessary tools of communication, users can make decisions on how best to communicate with each other and drive business decisions according to company strategy instead of communication capability.

Industry research suggests regular business travelers spend eleven days a year on avoidable or unnecessary travel. With access to a viable alternative that drives fluent communications and proficient decision making, unnecessary travel costs can be cut and business initiatives can stay on track.

Business professionals who have access to high definition web conferencing or high quality audio conferencing are able to save their companies money, time and carbon emissions as they have access to a quality alterative to face-to-face meetings and conferences.

Once these business professionals have access to this technology, it is up to the company to enforce its use. The organization cannot benefit from cost savings if it does not incorporate the technology into the way it does business. Once it is a priority, it can become the norm.