Video Conferencing

Used effectively, video conferencing has a dramatic effect on the way people do business and the productivity they deliver. So, how are these improvements achieved? Video conferencing today is more than simple "talking heads" on a screen. The ability to easily share any type of information has added another dynamic previously only possible in an actual meeting. The result - decisions are made faster, costs are lower and staff are happier.

Although productivity increases are the most valuable, an additional tangible effect of using video equipment is that you start saving substantial money due to reduced travel.  In today's environment, where many employees, particularly the senior “expensive” staff, are sick of travelling, video conferencing will benefit your company in ways you would never have imagined.

Video conferencing can be used to achieve significant benefits beyond increased productivity and reduced costs. Notable examples are reduction of "downtime" and increased "quality of life" for travelling personnel, and shortening hiring cycles for key employees.  Video conferencing should also be viewed as a telephone, a "video phone" and a travel enhancement—a way to strengthen bonds with remote colleagues and customers between personal visits and telephone calls.

Who needs Video Conferencing?

Video conferencing solutions will greatly benefit organisations where the following apply:

• There is regular travel interstate or overseas to meet staff, customers or suppliers
• Your business is developing “silos” and staff are not as productive as possible
• There are specific skill sets in different offices and the organisation could benefit from those skills being more broadly available
• Staff are “burnt” out from travel and productivity is dropping or worse, you are losing staff
• There are business opportunities in other states that you struggle to campaign because the key people you need don’t live in the right place

Benefits of Video Conferencing

Increase productivity

The ability to be in several places at once without leaving your office is the next frontier. The goal was to do more with less. Websites and the Internet let us quicken the speed of communication. The use of video conferencing systems will be the next driver for productivity because you will be able to keep in closer contact with customers. This closeness will lead to new ideas on how to speed up the development of new products and services.

Improve communication & reinforce relationships

During a video conference you can see the facial expressions and body language of conference participants. These are both important aspects of communication that are lost with a basic telephone call. Video conferencing also allows the opportunity for more of your staff to have contact with your customers. From your customer’s perspective, the only person ever seen is the salesperson from your company. Wouldn’t it improve your business relationship with your best customers if they got to meet more of your internal employees?

Reduce travel expenses

In today’s economy, cutting down on company travel expenses is usually a real attention grabber. In practice, the results are mixed. Individuals still like to go places and visit clients and associates in person. Nothing can replace meeting someone face to face for the first time and shaking hands. There are, however, numerous situations where you can save a lot of money on airfare and hotel costs, not to mention saving the loss in productivity from being out of the office.

Allow multi-point meetings across time zones & international boundaries

Video conferencing lets you put together a meeting of various people, from different locations, for a common discussion. Participants can be across the country or on the other side of the globe. For example, you can have sites in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland participating in a video conference.

Improve effectiveness

We all know that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Video conferencing is the perfect example of how true this statement is. A live video phone call is much more effective than a phone call in many situations. For example, your engineering staff need to show one of your vendors a problem with a purchased component. Visually seeing the part during a video conference is far more effective and meaningful than trying to describe it over the phone.

Why is Generation-e the right company to call?

Generation-e’s sales and technical staff install and support telepresence, video conferencing and IP Telephony network projects across the country and around the world.  Working with Tandberg - the world leader in video conferencing technology, Generation-e designs, builds then supports your organisation with video conferencing.

At Generation-e we understand the driving factors that will help to ensure your investment achieves its return in the shortest time. We have the tools available to measure usage, as well as report on this and monitor the types of conferencing being used in your company. When you are faced with the choice of which system is right for you, many people often assume that the video conferencing system is all they need. At Generation-e we will help you make the right decision and answer the following questions you may have:

• Do I need an appliance or PC-based video conferencing system?
• Can I benefit from a full collaboration solution?
• Do I need to buy a Multi Point Control Unit (MCU or bridge) or should I engage an outside service?
• Should I use ISDN or IP?
• What do I need to know about in terms of Quality of Service (QoS)?
• How do I design my room?

With Generation-e's experience, we will help you make the right choice and design the best video implementation for your company.