According to recent research by Ovum, a third of businesses surveyed are already using professional, business-grade video conferencing services, with an additional 34 per cent expecting to use it in the next 12 months.
The research findings come as Telstra today announced availability of a new cloud based video conferencing and collaboration service provided by Blue Jeans Network. The product allows businesses to use the internet to connect face-to-face while sharing content and presentations with staff, customers and suppliers, regardless of their size or location. As a web-based solution that works with most video systems and devices, Blue Jeans makes it easier and more cost-effective for businesses to adopt video conferencing, or make better use of their existing video equipment.
Will Irving, Group Managing Director, Telstra Business, acknowledges the pain you go through when you are not able to do business with who you want, when you want: “Telstra provides services to more than one million Australian businesses right across the country; from Bruny Island to Broome and back again. So we understand that doing business across this massive continent is often hampered by the long distances you need to travel for face-to-face meetings.
“Face-to-face communications are invaluable. In fact, 55 per cent of communication is visual – your body language and eye contact – and 38 per cent is vocal – your pitch, speed, volume and tone of voice. Using video can help you to build deeper levels of trust in shorter amounts of time which means you’re able to reach decisions more quickly. For example, one quick five minute video conversation could eliminate 15 back and forth emails. It is also a far more engaging medium for sales and purchasing discussions or HR and training activities.
“The flexible workplaces of today are more successful when employees working from home can see their colleagues and customers, and for local businesses to thrive in an increasingly global market, tools like professional video conferencing are an absolute must. With this new solution employees at work, at home, or on the road can connect face-to-face with their colleagues, partners, and customers whether they are in a boardroom, an office, a living room, or a coffee shop,” Irving says.
Blue Jeans video technology, combined with the reach and reliability of Telstra’s networks means businesses of all sizes can now take advantage of reliable video conferencing and content sharing. Customers opting for Blue Jeans with Telstra gain the benefits of a local point of presence in Australia maximising best possible internet performance and reliability.
Stu Aaron, Chief Commercial Officer of Blue Jeans said, “Cost effective yet professional video can be a great equaliser that opens up opportunities for businesses to connect with organisations of any size, anywhere in the world. With Blue Jeans video conferencing all you need is an internet connection and a compatible device with a camera. As the service is hosted in the cloud, there’s no software or hardware to install or manage. You can connect up to 25 people in the same meeting, whether it’s from a conference room, or from their desktop or laptop computer, tablet or smartphone.
“With full compatibility with other industry leading video conferencing providers and an ability to dial in from a phone line if no video options are available, Blue Jeans makes it possible for billions of devices which were previously incompatible to now join together in an easy video call,” Mr Aaron added.