Johan Oberg

Croydon, UK

Marketing Manager Europe, Genesys Conferencing, part of InterCall.

Improved technology and higher bandwidth services have undoubtedly increased the value of video to today’s commercial businesses. Yet in looking to improve the organisation’s internal and third party communications, why stop there?
Greater bandwidth opens up opportunities for other established communications tools such as web-based and multi-media collaboration, enabling staff cost-effectively to share and work on spreadsheets, presentations and other documents in real time.

The flexible use of multimedia collaboration technologies – including voice, video and web conferencing functionality, ideally available through a single provider – can impact significantly on the way a business operates, allowing everyone within the business to collaborate online, with or without access to video.
Some of the latest collaboration offerings also offer a Software as a Service (SaaS) option, minimising upfront investment – a valuable alternative for many businesses in today’s hard-pressed commercial environment. And, with the ability to measure RoI when using collaboration services, the decision as to when to meet in person or go ‘virtual’ is no longer just a judgment call but can be based more closely on an accurate assessment of the cost - in terms of both time and associated environmental impact through a reduced carbon footprint.
Yet it is also essential to remember that any technology, no matter how impressive, relevant or easy to use, is merely an enabler. In order to ensure full usage throughout the enterprise, effective training is key to ensuring maximum awareness and understanding of how such tools can benefit both the individual and the business.