Video conferencing has come a long way from its grainy origins.

Many major organisations have been conservatively using Video Conferencing for some time; however recent developments in quality, flexibility and affordability mean the technology is now relevant to small businesses alike.

As the hype around video conferencing grows, so does its commercial benefits. Video conferencing solutions have become more reliable, easier to use, and even portable. While today it is predominantly used by multi-office firms to cut the expense and time out of travelling between branches, the potential extends far beyond this.

Staff can not only leverage from an enhanced internal collaborative network, they also gain global access to experts, training and education.

HR practices can be restructured to streamline processes and even extend the reach of recruitment. Perhaps the most notable trend on the horizon however, is the potential to improve client service.

While many are concerned with a loss of rapport with clients, the benefits can balance this out. Web Based Video conferencing allows more frequent meetings, utilisation of expert resources who may be interstate or overseas, and assists to trim the budget for cost conscious clients. Some savvy thinkers have even embraced video conferencing as a marketable tool to gain a competitive edge in client service.

A smart approach is to decide on a ratio of video conferences to face to face meetings, which strikes a healthy compromise between leveraging the technology’s efficiencies whilst still getting the chance to shake hands regularly.

The choice of solution is absolutely crucial to successful meetings. With a wide variety of products available, some important features to consider are:

1. Scalability to meet varying work loads

2. Broadly compatible with other business video conferencing solutions, as well as individuals using Skype

3. Flexibility for mobile devices, including iPads and smart phones to empower mobile workforce

4. Number of parties allowed to participate per group call

5. Boardroom set up – dual screens are recommended with one for the video, and the other for reviewing documents such as PowerPoint presentations

6. Internet link requirements –video and audio puts a heavy load on bandwidth which may be at the expense of computing performance To find your best fit and understand what benefits you can truly achieve, a low risk approach is to arrange a loan kit to get hands-on experience. While some traditionalists may fight the transition, this new generation of meeting is here to stay – and with the right strategy you can reap significant benefits.

Article Source: Will Video Conferencing replace the handshake in the corporate world?