Recession increases video conferencing opportunities

Forty percent of New Zealand companies have adopted video communication technology in the past 12 months, a recent poll has indicated.The findings are the result of an October poll of 35 senior New Zealand IT professionals undertaken by video conferencing company Tandberg.Phil Siefert, Tandberg Regional Director ANZ, believes that despite the recession, the results show that video communications technology can offer value.“New Zealand has always been an early adopter when it comes to technology,” he says. “That is why we have been surprised that until recently we haven’t seen the same trend as we have in other parts of the globe when it comes to embracing this technology. With tight economic times New Zealand businesses seem to have now grasped that video conferencing offers a sure way of improving employee productivity while maintaining tight cost controls.”Desktop video communications also appear to be coming of age in New Zealand, with 46% of respondents anticipating that their organisation will implement video communications technology onto their desktops within the next three to five years.The results suggest companies are turning to video communications to not only reduce travel expenses and reduce employee or executive time away from the office, but that they are also seeking to introduce greater flexibility in work locations.