Uses of Videoconferencing

Video conferencing can be used in a host of different environments, which is one of the reasons the technology is so popular. General uses for video conferencing include business meetings, educational training or instruction and collaboration among health officials or other representatives. Thus far video conferencing has been used in the following fields:

• Business
• Distance Learning
• Telecommuting / Home Offices
• Legal Environment
• Telemedicine

Business

Videoconferencing provides businesses with the ability to meet and to work with others over a distance. The following list includes several examples of the benefits for businesses using videoconferencing:

• Reduce travel costs.
• Improve use of executive time.
• Speed up decision-making.
• Keep meetings brief and more focused than face-to-face meetings.
• Enable top management to quickly and effectively communicate with employees sitting in multiple locations.
• Allows virtual project management via video and data conferencing with geographically dispersed peer groups at short notice.
• Provides an effective way of delivering cost-efficient training to individuals without the requirement to consistently travel to central locations.
• Creates a medium for conducting interviews.

Distance Learning

Videoconferencing is an exciting technology for education. Teachers and students are able to see each other, share documents and discuss topics together in a situation similar to a traditional classroom setting. The main difference being that the teachers and the students may be in different states or even countries.

Distance Learning Videoconferencing increases efficiency by:

• Saving travel time and expenses.
• Increasing an instructor's audience.
• Maintaining the ability for interaction between teachers and students.

Many schools are currently using videoconferencing systems for a variety of purposes, including:

• Traditional courses.
• Connecting with guest speakers and experts.
• Multi-school project collaboration.
• Enabling teachers to share information and team-up with teachers in remote sites.
• Virtual field trips to museums, zoos, aquariums, institutions and other interesting locations that are geographically distant from the school.

Telecommuting / Home Office

Working out of home has never been easier or more practical. Videoconferencing makes it possible to stay connected with people in a very real way. Videoconferencing allows users to save resources by meeting with clients and/or colleagues via videoconference. This reduces travel expenses, while maintaining face-to-face contact.

For a minimal cost, it is possible to set-up a fully functional videoconferencing system that works in a professional and reliable way from your home office.

Legal Environment

The use of videoconferencing technology is becoming more prevalent in today’s courtrooms. Videoconferencing systems are used to enable testifying witnesses to “appear” in court without having to travel to the courtroom. Expert witnesses, prisoners, and various other witnesses can provide the same testimonies from remote locations. From the prison, prisoners will see and hear everything that takes place in the courtroom and will be able to answer questions posed to them by the presiding judges and lawyers. Videoconferencing in the court system offers significant cost savings and improved security by reducing the need for high-security prisoner transport. The entire courtroom experience will be made shorter, safer and more cost-effective.

Telemedicine

There are times when a person needs medical advice but is unable to visit their personal physician or even more likely, a specialist. In such situations using videoconferencing can make all the difference. A patient in a rural location can easily “meet” with a specialist from anywhere in the world. Videoconferencing enables patients to get the necessary information and expert guidance they need quickly and easily. While videoconferencing cannot replace all visits to a medical professional, in some instances it can be the only method of meeting with a specific doctor, and in a difficult situation it may prove to be a lifesaver.