IT Management Slideshow:
Video Conferencing: Finding the ROI

Video conferencing isn’t quite established yet as a standard technology for enterprises, even though it’s been around for a while. (The IP-based version of the technology goes back to the 1990s.) That won’t last for long, according to a survey from CDW. Within two years, the vast majority of companies will have some form of video conferencing in place. Consider this a lasting byproduct of the recent recession, as CEOs sought cost efficiencies in all areas of operations. If you've so far failed to sell your C-suite counterparts on the concept of video conferencing, you may find success in pushing the ROI benefits – especially when it comes to savings in travel costs and increases in productivity. Surprisingly, however, not all businesses that have bought in video conferencing have tracked these metrics. CIOs planning to launch a video-conferencing initiative may also want to know that the technology often requires a network change or upgrade, and that the majority of businesses farm out the oversight of video-conferencing technology and services, rather than handling these in-house. More than 630 U.S. executives took part in the research.