By Rory J. Thompson
Web Editor
Conferencing continued to expand and explore new facets this week, and we have all the details.
For example, TrueConf recently concluded its round of annual video conferencing research, as expressed by the Video+Conference 2014 event, and what the research had to say was something most of us had suspected all along: video conferencing is a technology that’s clearly becoming more accepted. The study, which included responses from over 100 separate information technology specialists as well as CEOs and IT leaders across the Eastern Europe, showed that 60 percent of the respondents had had some kind of video conference on currently-operating PCs. What’s more, the overall popularity of video conferencing had, based on the study, doubled since just 2013. The study offered up other insights as well, noting that there was increased interest in cloud-based video conferencing solutions over the on-premises equivalent, and the numbers of those willing to own a video conferencing system were actually down over previous years and represented a clear trend. In 2012, for example, 70 percent of respondents were interested in owning such a system, but that number dropped to 49 percent a year later. Now, only 44 percent are interested, showing interest on the rise again.
Elsewhere, it was noted that when it comes to the business travel industry, there are a number of people who think the industry might just need to figure out a way to reinvent itself. Luckily for this particular industry, the same people who want the airlines to change themselves are offering up ways to actually accomplish this reinvention. While costs for air travel are only going up, the Fiscal Times points out that solutions like video conferencing become a service that at some point is almost no cost. There are some, like Google (News 
– Alert) and Skype, which are completely free of charge. One way companies have taken advantage of this is by also embracing a BYOD policy that allowed their workers to use their own mobile devices.
On the technical side, TMC’s (News – Alert) Steve Anderson noted that not all video conferencing services are created equal, so there are some key points to consider when planning to make the move to video conferencing and take advantage of the developments therein. For instance, will the service be used just as a video conferencing tool, or will it ultimately be the primary method of communication both within and without the business’ normal operations? Knowing that can impact what choices are made, so be sure to understand just what this system will be used for so the best fit can be found. Those planning to use it for everything, for example, need to understand that the purchased system needs to work well in the background so as to be available at all times. Steve’s full insights can be accessed HERE.
As this industry is constantly evolving, be sure to check back often for updates.