Users use video conferencing as a productivity tool

The latest survey conducted by Wainhouse Research and Polycom highlights the deployment of videoconferencing systems as one of the fundamental applications of organizations.

Cost and time savings, Greater productivity and direct relationship with customers are some of the main benefits of videoconferencing systems, already converted into a priority application in the daily operations of organizations, both internally and externally, whose deployment will continue to grow in the coming years.

The “End-user survey: the ‘real’ benefits of video” (End User Survey: the real benefits of video conferencing), carried out by Wainhouse Research y Polycom, on a sample of almost 5.000 end users (specifically 4737) global business video conferencing, points out the rapid development in the use of these systems as a productivity tool, both in the way and the place in which it is used, as by those who use it and for what purpose they do it.

According to the sample data, The business benefits of video conferencing systems are clear and evident, in light of usage trends, its adoption and future growth prospects. So, for him 94% of the sample, The main benefit of video conferencing is increased efficiency or productivity; followed in a 88% due to the increased impact on meetings; in it 87% for the speed of decision making, and in the same percentage for the reduction of expenses and savings in travel costs.

As Ira M points out. Weinstein, analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research, “There has been a misconception for many years that reducing travel time is the only “real” factor in video conferencing. However, study shows that minor benefits include improved efficiency and productivity, as well as increased impact during meetings, which plays an important role in the videoconferencing value proposition”.

How to use video conferencing

One of the aspects consulted has been the way in which companies are currently using videoconferencing, whose predominant response (71% of the sample) It was for the meeting with clients and partners. In this sense, and 25% use these systems daily, and 39% weekly; he 21% monthly, and a 14% every two or three months.

Interoperability in its use is the most common, according to sample data, so that a 60% ensures that you primarily use more than one vendor equipment or software for video conferencing and a 32% use three or more. Desktop PCs and laptops are the most common devices used for video conferencing (71% of respondents), followed by group video systems in rooms (65%), pills (34%) and smartphones (33%).

At the moment, Conference rooms are the most common environments for video conferencing. He 79% of respondents use this system, while the 69% use video conferencing in offices. Another relevant fact is that the fastest growing videoconferencing environment is on the road or travel., which includes airports, hotels and client facilities.

A growing market

No wonder, therefore, Most respondents expect the use of mobile devices for video collaboration to continue growing over the next year. Yes ok, For video conferencing to continue to develop, it needs to be available to more people and integrated into business processes..

Primary drivers for increased video conferencing use among end users include providing video to more people (94% of the sample); better video accessibility (85%); Greater integration of video into business software (83%), as well as the availability in clients of unified communications and instant messaging systems such as Microsoft Lync (80%).

Finally, Ira M. Weinstein notes that “the survey highlights the value that end users place in several core areas of Polycom., including ease of use, integration with presence and instant messaging, as well as the support of mobile and video devices”.