An estimated 500 million people travel by plane every year; an overwhelming statistic. However whilst no one would deny a person of a well-deserved holiday or break, many of these travellers are business persons wishing to travel nationally and internationally to different parts of the world to attend meetings, seminars and sales presentations. Not only are they adding to the harmful emissions that are released into the air, effecting animals, plants and, ultimately, people, but they are also racking up huge expenses that all need to be accounted for. It seems silly when video conferencing has been around for several years.

It is a well-known fact that planes, trains and motor vehicles release harmful chemicals and fumes out into the atmosphere which damages the ozone layer, animal life on the ground and affects people who have to deal with the increase in pollution. Cars release around 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the air, affecting people’s health and wellbeing, every year.

Unnecessary journeys

Thousands of business people travel by various modes of transport to attend meetings. This means time away from their desk, resulting in a lack of productivity; It means expense, as everything needs to be paid for; It means harming the community, something which nobody wants.

Video conferencing allows for people, in several locations, to engage in conversation and interaction at the same time, provided an internet connection is available. Because the system is performing in real-time, users are exposed to high quality visual and audio elements, which saves money, time and the environment, without ever having to leave their desks.

Businesses remain reluctant to invest in video conferencing equipment, arguing it’s expensive, it’s of low quality and it’s unreliable.

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Resources for Virtual Conference Meetings
It is clear that, increasingly, the key to your business’s success is your access to and ability to communicate with the global marketplace. Developments in technology over the past decade have made it possible for businesses to have virtual conference meetings with relative ease, reliability, and cost effectiveness. Although there are a variety of options, videoconferencing is the next best option to actually having your clients present in your conference room. Half of all businesses use videoconferencing as a means of collaborating with remote employees and distant offices, external customers, partners and suppliers, and reducing travel time and costs. Many businesses also utilize these systems for employee training and conducting job interviews.

Although in the past, these systems were costly and difficult to install and utilize, technology has advanced significantly, making videoconferencing systems more affordable and much easier to use. A variety of systems are available that will allow you to equip your conference room for virtual meetings with employees and clients anywhere in the world.

Telepresence Videoconferencing System
A telepresence video conferencing system makes participants feel as though they are actually present in a meeting together although they may be on the other side of the globe. This system generally consists of a high definition codec–that is, technology for compressing and decompressing data, several very large flat panel display devices, and integrated hi fidelity audio. These systems, which can be portable or room-based, are the most expensive video conferencing systems. They range in price from $60,000 to $300,000 each, depending on the type and capabilities of the equipment you purchase.

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The rise and rise of gas prices has been well documented in recent months, as much as a result of the fact that they show absolutely no sign of coming back down again any time soon as the rise itself. However, high gas prices are not only affecting the common man that can barely afford the $3.30 a gallon that some gas stations are charging but also business owners. In effect, high gas prices are essentially ripping the heart out of the American economy and here is why.

Gas Budgeting

As the price of gas has risen so steeply in the past few months, it has become more difficult for companies to budget for their gas allowance. For example, business owners of haulage firms have had to cut back on their delivery runs as a result of the rocketing fuel costs, with some having to offer their services to local businesses for local runs rather than going on the more profitable long distance drives. This has not only cost them in terms of the business opportunities in the short term but also their ability to attract long term lucrative contracts with major companies.

With gas budgeting in place, some of those business owners have had to assess what jobs they could take on and which ones they could not, thus casting doubts over their long term survival.

Transportation

The availability of transportation for goods and services of the average business has also decreased, thus making it much harder for the average business owner to expand and thrive. With more transportation companies only being willing to stay in the local area, cutting back on the amount of trucks they operate and thus cutting its employment budget and the jobs that go with it.

Even companies that have their own transportation are feeling the pinch.

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