TeleCollaboration Supported by North American Business Employees

  

  

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Collaboration is an important element in driving productivity and efficiency in any business, but especially those corporations that traverse international borders. This collaboration is truly only possible with the use of conferencing solutions such as audio and web conferencing.

In a recent survey conducted by Harris/Decima, North American business employees support the use of TeleCollaboration in the workplace. In fact, 68 percent of survey respondents support the investment in TeleCollaboration, which is defined as the combination of collaboration tools with multi-party, high-definition, conferencing software.

Value of TeleCollaboration Tools

These tools are designed to provide full visual interaction with real-time desktop sharing, collaboration and recording. Each of these functions can be essential in driving effective collaboration by way of robust conferencing solutions.

Such solutions are essential in today’s business environment and when asked whether or not collaboration tools such as conferencing would benefit their businesses, almost 70 percent of respondents confirmed that it is the new way to meet and communicate with clients and colleagues.

Another 68 percent of respondents agree that they would use TeleCollaboration at least once a month in their business operations. Such a response is indicative of the growing necessity for conducting business over a disparate workforce. TeleCollaboration is also growing as the preferred means of connecting employees, customers and partners.

The Demand for Conferencing Grows

The demand for new tools is increasing, especially among those business users who rely on newer communication tools such as instant messaging and social networking sites. In fact, 57 percent of respondents report a growing demand for desktop audio and web conferencing.

For softphone users, 50 percent have reported an increase in the overall use of collaboration tools. With the rapid growing rate of adoption among this segment of users, it is easy to assume they are becoming more mobile and are capturing the benefits from collaboration tools so they are more accessible and productive.

Even with the proposed cost benefits in TeleCollaboration, there is still debate over its implementation. Of those who participated in the survey who travel for work, 39 percent would prefer communication and/or collaboration tools in place of travel. With the advancements in technology, face time can still be a reality. The challenge is overcoming initial costs in implementation.

"Surveys of this nature are great because they offer a bird's eye view into an organization's thoughts and priorities regarding its collaboration needs," said John Fricker, SVP technology of Harris/Decima. "Our work [highlights] the pulse of what North American business employees think about collaboration tools, and provides valuable insight for addressing the rapidly changing needs of today's businesses."