The use of video conferencing has the potential to increase productivity and efficiency by reducing unproductive travel time, preventing meeting delays, creating shorter and more structured meetings and allowing for greater reach of a message. It also allows for an increased number of participants. It is often difficult to get information to everyone at the same time, but with conferences via video, all individuals who need data can get the information when it is easiest for them. Many organisations have realised a real competitive advantage using video conferencing.
Products are developed and introduced to the market more quickly, problems are resolved faster and everyone needing to be involved in a decision can be without the need to travel or wait for an in-person meeting to take place. Video conferencing has been commercially available since 1982. Since that time, video technology has become available on a variety of devices, from room-based to handheld. The technology has also reached the point that it is viewed as a necessity and not just a nicety. Most agree that video is effectively used to supplement travel, increase productivity and improve efficiency. With video conferencing, meetings are more productive, better decisions can be made more quickly and true collaboration at a distance is possible.