New govt ‘Virtual Meeting Rooms’ to save taxpayers' money?

A leading Kiwi video communications company has launched a new video conferencing service in the hope of cutting New Zealand taxpayers’ costs.

Asnet Technologies unveiled VideoNet Unite, a high-definition service allowing government ministries and agencies to connect in ‘Virtual Meeting Rooms’ saving travel time and expenses.

The cloud-based service, trialled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, hopes to change current government practices through inter-agency video conferences.

The Auckland-based company says users can gain access by signing in through a pin number at their respective locations.

“Currently, most government departments are unable to independently connect with each other using their existing video conferencing technology,” says Eric Greenop, managing director, Asnet Technologies.

“This makes frequent travel and its associated financial and time costs necessary for government departments when required to collaborate on wider government projects.

“VideoNet Unite effectively allows these public entities to share infrastructure, delivering internal value and saving money for the taxpayer.

“This is a great example of a ‘real world’ application of the Department of Internal Affair’s guidance to ministries to seek out Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) options when evaluating future IT requirements. This managed service will effectively rationalise the delivery of ICT infrastructure for the government.”

Asnet has invited all government agencies to use the service without charge until 2013.

What do you think? Will this technology help cut down government expenses? Let us know your comments below.