A real look at video conferencing outcomes

This article was originally posted on Cisco’s blog by Ellie Ruano.

According to a new survey, video conferencing is expected to be a preferred business communication tool in 2016. In the survey, Redshift Research found:

• 76% of respondents said they use video solutions at work today
• 56% of video conferencing users participated in at least one video call a week

So, why is video conferencing a hot item? It delivers connections that matter.

When integrated into an overall collaboration strategy, the benefits of video conferencing are a “win-win” for all involved. Simplified video conferencing:

• Reduces geographical and organizational obstacles
• Provides greater clarity on discussion topics
• Enables more efficient meetings

These are just a few pieces of a collaboration puzzle that, when put together, result in amazing experiences and outcomes.

Defining “true” outcomes is a first step in understanding the full potential of video conferencing. And as the saying goes, “the proof is in the pudding.” To explore the impact, take a look at three businesses that have overcome pressing challenges using video conferencing.

Critical Care Connections in Healthcare

Healthcare depends on swift collaboration between medical teams to provide the utmost in patient care. More than half of doctors (65%) report that they use video conferencing to work with peers; another 28% use it to communicate with patients.

When it comes to working with other care providers, the medical field cannot be limited by physical borders. Video conferencing has become popular for hospitals, clinics, and medical staff. It provides a simple way to connect across distance without compromising patient care. And it provides a budget-friendly solution to financially strapped institutions.

Using Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms (CMR) Cloud, Moffitt Cancer Center not only increased collaboration between medical teams, but improved connections with global affiliates. Moffitt’s IT department reduced support time to set up a video call from 1-hour to just minutes. The human resources department streamlined interviews, handling up to 24 candidate interviews per month and freeing up three days of IT time.

Learn how Ricoh IT Services can help you > See customer stories 

Productivity Push in Manufacturing

In manufacturing, fast communication, business agility, and shortened time-to-market can mean the difference between making a sale and being left behind. By 2017, manufacturers are set to channel 25% of their IT budget through industry clouds that enable seamless and flexible collaboration. Online meetings can make business flow faster and save money.

For Bauer, an Austrian irrigation and wastewater machinery builder, its outdated phone and basic video systems were barriers to productivity. Teams lost hours traveling by train and car for face-to-face meetings. They needed to update processes to make the business more agile.

Using Cisco CMR, Bauer reduced travel costs by 50% and saw productivity rise by 30%. Even better, it cut time to market by 10%, giving it a huge advantage over competitors.

New Customers, New Growth for SMBs

For small- and medium-business (SMB) owners, video conferencing can foster the ability to connect with customers and promote product offerings. And in the case of NterOne, become the clear voice that represents innovative change within their industry.

NterOne, an online training company, wasn’t comfortable resting on its laurels in the fast-paced technology industry. Needing to innovate and stand out from a crowded competitive market, company leaders wanted more advanced video-conferencing. They wanted to let customers join trainings with their own video systems. And maintain NterOne’s industry reputation.

Using Cisco endpoints with WebEx, NterOne delivers a new green-screen technology that has revolutionized customers’ training experiences. And with CMR Cloud in place, NterOne has:

• Entered new markets and reached larger audiences without a large capital overlay
• Increased enterprise training revenue 20% per year
• Improved development of private training sessions 50%

Moffitt, Bauer, and NterOne made connections that matter. Each took advantage of opportunities to bring about change – and create real outcomes for their organizations.