Why do I Need Videoconferencing?
Increased Productivity
When considering travel costs, the productivity lost from an employees ‘down-time’ is a soft cost that is difficult to incorporate in a cost justification analysis. Productivity of employees is increased during a videoconference since they do not have to worry about travel to and from the airport and waste time on such things as preparation for the trip.Other productivity gains are achieved by:
Broader Staff ParticipationPeople who wouldn’t normally travel to participate in a meeting can now be included in the decision-making process.
Accelerated Decision Making
Videoconferencing facilitates ad hoc information exchange; and there is no delay in time when the decision to have a meeting arises to the time the videoconference happens.
Increased Inter-Company Communication
Bringing employees together from around the globe; branch offices, subsidiaries and business partners is only a videoconference away. Improve departmental decision making and decrease your organizational time to issue resolution.
Reduced Travel Time and Fatigue
Less travel wear and tear on employees results in better performance at the office and improved quality of life.
Strategic Gains
Another factor that must be considered when looking at the benefits of videoconferencing are the competitive advantages realized. While these may be considered “soft savings”, these strategic gains often yield the greatest benefits.These types of benefits include:
Competitive Advantage
Maximize the functions and services of your company allowing you to adapt quickly to the technologically advanced and rapidly changing business environment.
Improved Customer Service
With customer service becoming a larger focus, videoconferencing brings you closer to your customers, enhancing customer satisfaction.
Faster Time to Market
Allows a company to bring together Procurement, Design Engineering and Product Marketing, quickly and efficiently.
Leveraging of Scarce Resources and Emergency Response
When an expert has to be brought in or a local Engineer has to be in two places at the same time, along with the added visual dimension ensures ready-response crisis management.
Better Quality Decisions
Videoconferencing reduces organizational complexity and miscommunication by bringing information to the decision-makers.
Improved Training
More timely manner and consistent message.
Eliminated Work Build-up During Employee Absence
Reduced Travel Costs
Many videoconferencing systems are used with one goal in mind; to reduce employee travel expenses. This is the easiest cost justification and the first one most companies examine.
- money (airfare, travel and accommodation costs)
- time (away from office)
- energy (reduction in fuel consumption)
- personal (personal wear and tear and travel fatigue)
- lodging, meals, car rentals
- scheduling
Increased Communication
- more frequent meetings can be held
- more people can be involved
- junior people who would not normally travel can attend
- non-participating staff who could benefit from hearing the meeting first hand mcan attend
- people who do not have the time to travel can attend
- distribution of the material is uniform and simultaneous
- everyone hears the same thing at the same time
- the number of point to point calls is reduced
- responsiveness is increased
- sense of well-being is achieved by the user having used a new technology
Greater Efficiency
- meetings can be arranged more quickly (good for emergency problem solving)
- meetings tend to be shorter
- meetings are more orderly
- people adhere to the agenda with fewer digressions; there are more conclusions
- attention is focused on the material
- preparation before the meeting is usual greater
- more staff can participate