Elements in Place for Growth in Video Conferencing

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., January, 2008 - Strong efforts from major companies like Cisco, Microsoft, and IBM to promote media-rich productivity tools are boosting the prospects for video conferencing, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). The driving factors behind increased adoption and use are technology, bandwidth, and convergence, the high-tech market research firm says. According to a recent In-Stat survey of US businesses, the decision to use or not use video conferencing is no longer based on uncertainty over the quality of the experience among those who have tried it lately. Furthermore, cost alone does not seem to be a hindrance of adoption or use.

“The shift to an IP environment that enables unified communications, presence, and mobile integration provides a technological environment where traditional video conferencing, as well as telepresence can become synergistic elements,” says David Lemelin, In-Stat analyst.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

* Current users of video conferencing are generally satisfied with their system and find value in the experience.
* Past users are willing to reconsider video conferencing if the quality, usability, and cost are reasonable.
* Video conferencing is beginning to resonate as a part of corporations’ commitments to “green” environmental issues, though this benefit can be leveraged more aggressively in the future.

Recent In-Stat research, Video Conferencing: US End-User and Decision Maker Perspectives (#IN0703829CT), covers the US market for video conferencing. This end-user and decision-maker analysis explores how video conferencing is currently used, the drivers of adoption and use, as well as challenges facing decision-makers. Current and planned capabilities, specific facilities and environments where video conferencing is used, as well as corporate policies, and satisfaction levels, are explored. Analysis includes the opinions of former video conferencing users, those who choose not to use available video conferencing capabilities, and those planning to adopt video conferencing capabilities.

For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/pcatalogue.asp?id=18 or contact Elaine Potter at 480-483-4441; epotter@reedbusiness.com

The price is $3,495 (US).

This research is part of In-Stat’s Business IP Communications service. Growth in the business IP market has tremendous potential to disrupt the traditional telephone industry on multiple levels. Service providers, equipment manufacturers and systems integrators are increasingly offering different types of business VoIP solutions. IT managers and C-level executives recognize the cost savings and flexibility that VoIP solutions can bring to their businesses, but issues remain before comprehensive adoption takes place, such as security, integration and end-user transparency. Business adoption of IP communications will also be influenced by how companies integrate other communications functionalities, such as wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi and WiMAX, IM, and video applications.