SMBs embracing web conferencing to cut cost

 Web conferencing as a business tool has seen significant growth not only in adoption but also in usage in the last few years. Although, many are of the opinion that web conferencing is primarily a large enterprise application, but it has displayed considerable lucrativeness to the small to medium business (SMB) users.

Emergence of web conferencing as a business tool
Just a few years back, the business organisations were mainly dependent on phone conferencing for organising emergency meetings between individuals who were separated by long distances.
The successful introduction of web conferencing solutions has brought revolution in the mediums of communication, which are used by the different business organisations. All that is needed for organising a web conference is a computer system along with high speed Internet connection and web-based applications.


There are certain similarities in the applications and motivation for using web conferencing between the organistions of all sizes.


SMBs adopting web conferencing
The SMBs have taken up web conferencing for their own set of reasons, mostly driven by their unique circumstances – the requirement to attain results while focussing on minimum in-house resources.


It is time for the SMBs to adopt web conferencing so that it emerges as the medium of choice for conducting meetings. It has been found that large organisations make use of technology to drive business processes and the SMBs need to aggressively use on-line presentations and demonstrations to boost revenue by facilitating meetings with customers and prospects. Some important factors such as the ability to save travel costs and time apart from raising productivity should act as motivating factors for SMBs to use web conferencing.


Web conferencing has gained prominence among some SMBs who have posted solid-to-dramatic rise in usage. Technology delivers high-to-very-high return in value for them.


Some of the SMBs are also of the opinion that web conferencing has emerged as an integral part of their organisations and it is not possible to do business without it.


According to Frost and Sullivan, the web conferencing industry has been witnessing profit due to the organisations' austerity spree which consists of enhanced partnership and cut in travel costs. A study by them shows that the market - covering 13 APAC nations - has been successful in earning revenues of $97.4 million during 2008 and is projected to touch $391.8 million by the end of 2014, at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 26.1% (2009-2014).


Web conferencing pushing SMB growth
Business conferences and decision-making options depend mainly on the availability of information at the correct time. These business meetings undertaken through web based video conferencing instill confidence among both participating parties. It serves several purposes:


- Web-based video conferencing helpful in lowering costs for training workforce.


- It helps people spend less time focussing on travelling. Every interaction brings out maximum value.


- In businesses, a lot of focus is given on customer experience. With the help of video conferencing, the organisations are able to organise meetings on regular basis. It is beneficial for giving out more information, keeping people up-to-date on company/product developments. This technology helps strengthen customer relationships.


Conclusion
It is important to choose any web conference service provider that offers services with features best suited for specific business needs. The subscription of conferencing services from reliable service provider will be helpful in ensuring the quality and also data security for SMBs.