Desktop video communications on the rise – 200 million workers will use desktop video conferencing by 2015!
According to Gartner, more than 200 million workers worldwide will use corporate-supplied video conferencing from their desktops by 2015, compared to just 7 million in 2008.
Video conferencing and in particular telepresence systems, have long been regarded as exclusive to the Fortune 500 and more commonly used by the more senior executives within these larger global organisations. Both Cisco and Polycom have acquired video conferencing software companies recently, and have focussed on making video communications more accessible to the masses. Video communications adoption is increasing in response to several converging trends; video quality is improving as the costs are declining, internet speeds and networks are now able to offer an improved collaboration experience for remote workers and video conferencing is replacing travel in tough economic conditions.
Within the larger enterprise, the industry is starting to see video deployed across all levels of the organisation – not just in the boardroom or in the CEO’s office. More and more companies are starting to see the collaboration benefits of desktop video endpoints and software-based video conferencing platforms.
Products like the Cisco TelePresence EX Series now means that staff across all levels and departments can visually communicate without having to step away from the desk, whether they are joining a meeting in a telepresence suite or collaborating with a colleague on the other side of the world using a webcam. Cisco TelePresence Movi enables remote workers to stay visually connected to colleagues, customers, partners and suppliers regardless of location by simply using their laptop or tablet.
Cisco announced this week that they are taking further strides forward to extend their telepresence technology beyond enterprise meeting rooms, by introducing a free client application for ad hoc participants to download. Cisco Jabber Video for TelePresence, is a free application designed to let just about anyone with a PC or Mac join a telepresence session. An enterprise or small business with an in-house or hosted telepresence capability can create an invitation that can be sent to participants by email and includes a link to download the Jabber Video software and join the meeting. Cisco Jabber Video for TelePresence will go into testing soon and is expected to have a launch date early next year.
This move itself clearly outlines Cisco’s strategy to make video more accessible, and it also point’s towards a clear demand for desktop video conferencing. By making high-definition video communications available to anyone, whether through deploying more endpoints or through video conferencing software on desktop PCs – companies will benefit from a more productive, efficient and happier workforce.
video communication is the need of the age… a cheap and smooth technology wud help the people and their business hugely!
By Tania at 5:52 am on Nov 10, 2011