Virtual collaboration brings people together virtually for day-to-day business, instead of face to face. It has been possible for about two decades, but initial versions of video conferencing and other virtual collaboration tools were disappointing to the companies that adopted early. Today, we see a much different situation. Here’s why:
- Evolved technology. Today’s collaborative technology offers faster, more reliable experiences. There is a new generation of high-quality video-conferencing equipment called MCS, or multipurpose conference systems that doesn’t require dedicated rooms. And now, different systems can interact through the cloud so products connect more easily across mobile, tablet, personal computer and conferencing platforms.
- Lower pricing. Prices have fallen dramatically and some entry level products are available for free. Now companies of all sizes and budgets can afford some type of collaborative technology at a fraction of the price.
- Video collaboration is the norm. “Meeting” by video has become the norm–in both our personal and professional lives– thanks to apps and camera features like Facetime, Skype and Google Hangouts. At an enterprise level, 81% of businesses already have access to video-conferencing, telepresence or both types of collaborative systems.
Virtual collaboration won’t replace the human touch, but it can reduce travel spend and help your on-the-road employees achieve a better work-life balance. The key is to strategically integrate virtual collaboration into a total collaboration management strategy—and travel managers are well positioned to take the lead.
Want to know more? Business travel consultancy Advito has mapped out a 100-day plan for tapping into the money- and time-saving benefits of total collaboration management.
