Be there without going there: Web conferencing speeds connections without the costs of travel

FORWARD VIEW
Web
conferencing:
Your on-ramp
to fast,
affordable
meetings As fewer companies can afford travel expenses for face-to-face meetings, Web conferencing tools are fast gaining momentum. And connecting over the Web isn't complicated or costly with new software-as-a-service offerings that provide Web conferencing capabilities for a monthly fee. Learn the added benefits of assembling a virtual crowd.
There's no substitute for face-to-face meetings. But these days, That's why adding up all the costs of business travel makes fewer companies can afford the time and travel expense for businesses of all sizes think twice these days about booking a flight in-person appointments. to make a client presentation, or to meet with colleagues in person, for that matter. And for the many companies that rely on mobile Web conferencing tools ensure that face-to-face meetings can still workforces, reducing meeting costs has seemed impossible until take place while removing the costs associated with business travel. the advent of Web conferencing. Now available as a service with no infrastructure costs, these solu-tions are being used by savvy companies to go more places than Such was the case at Lozano Insurance Adjusters in Pembroke boarding a plane or getting in a car allows. Pines, Florida, where internal meetings were long a source of lost productivity and revenue. Much of the company's revenue comes Curtailing costs for trains, planes and automobiles from its claims adjusters, who must visit multiple sites to do their It's no secret that getting from Point A to Point B keeps getting jobs. And like other employees, adjusters need to meet with their more expensive. Compare today's prices for airfare or a tank colleagues and managers.of gas to these costs a few years ago, and it quickly becomes apparent that business travel is fast approaching luxury-item "In the past we've had to have adjusters come to our office in south status for many companies. And the cost of travel includes Florida-from all across the state," recalls company representative more than just the fare. Time spent traveling is characterized by Susan Cruz. "So, they would spend a day just in travel time-which interruptions that lower productivity. is taking them away from being productive in the field."
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Software-as-a-Service model helps erase With Web conferencing, prospects are presented with this information distance barriers in real time. All the while, the prospect and sales representative carry Lozano's situation is familiar to many small and midsized businesses on a conversation, just as they would during an in-person meeting. (SMBs)-so it's no mystery why organizations find the prospect of switching on a screen to meet with people attractive. Web conferencing According to Latare, Web conferencing also helps DiCom's small works simply: Video cameras connected to PCs allow people to chat staff provide better customer service, "We use it for training, some face-to-face, as if they are meeting in the same conference room. troubleshooting." Latare explains, "We all wear a number of hats, so we have to be as efficient as we can. Web conferencing simply A software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription model makes these provides us with the opportunity to really leverage our time cost-connections easily accessible and cost-effective, too. Instead of effectively and still provide good service." installing the networking and computing firepower needed to link up with people face-to-face over the Web, companies utilize vendors Assembling a crowd now requires no overheadto provide these items as a service, available for a monthly fee. At DiCom, the company reaches out to its customers by leveraging Service frequently includes setting up laptops and desktops with Web conferencing tools that run and manage webinars crucial to audio and video capabilities, which further decreases the costs of showcasing the company's offerings. Tools included in its Web being there-without actually being there. conferencing solution send invitations, confirm attendance and follow up on questions c... [download for more]