Conferencing via video gaining momentum

Just like in the science fiction movies, today more companies are conducting their face to face business meetings without having to leave their office by using videoconferencing.

This technology that allows people to meet in real live time from any corner of the world is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, according to an industry source.

The average revenue on worldwide videoconferencing is estimated to grow from $500 million (Dh1.83 billion) this year to almost $8 billion (Dh29.38 billion) by 2008 in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and America, according to an international survey.

"Videoconferencing is the fastest growing industry in the world. The technology started five or six years ago, but then it was very expensive. Now it's not very expensive and it is very easy to use," Roger Paine, Managing Director, Video Connections International, told Gulf News.

This UK-based company was established five years ago to offer videoconferencing equipment, solutions and training to companies and has an office in Dubai that was established two years ago.

"Face to face meetings are vital for businesses to thrive and videoconferencing gives you that without having to travel," Paine, said.

The events of September 11th, which have made people more apprehensive about flying, the increasing congestion of cities around the world as well as the increasing ease of connectivity, have been the key drivers behind the increasing importance of videoconferencing, according to Paine.

"Videoconferencing eliminates travel costs, risks and time. Videoconferencing gets you there in a nanosecond and saves you time. So essentially, it is an effective alternative to travelling because it's meeting without moving," Paine, said.

Video Connections International has 400 clients worldwide and 100 clients in the Middle East, and is looking to expand its market share in the region with a new office opening in the new financial district in Bahrain next January.

"The client base in the GCC region is growing five times faster than in Europe because of the growth of the Gross Domestic Product of the region," he said.

Since 2000, the company has recorded between 300 and 400 per cent yearly turn over growth, and according to Paine, Video Connections International is expecting a one thousand per cent turn over growth this year in the UAE market alone.

"Many of the world's leading international brands are setting up in Dubai, and with the opening of the Dubai International Financial Centre scheduled for September, just like the fax machine quickly became a standard feature of every office, you can expect to see videoconferencing systems become an essential and common part of the office," Paine, said.

Starting at a base price of around Dh21,000 for the smallest videoconferencing set up, any company or institution can benefit from conducting meetings using a monitor, video camera, ISDN telephone line and broadband internet connection.

The more obvious use of videoconferencing to carry out face to face business meetings can also apply to the fields of education and health.

"Offering broadband sound and vision in real life time, this technology can help people who want to diagnose a medical case from a remote island for example. Universities can also benefit from this technology and it will also help in connecting people in restricted areas where it is hard to travel," Paine, said.

Television news networks CNN and BBC are also clients of Video Connections International.

The growth of the technology says Paine has no end, as he predicts that in five year's time, videoconferencing will be as common as the internet connection in your house.