subject: Eruption In Video Conferencing Continues As New Volcano Ash Alert Clouds Airspace [print this page] In the last year there have been increasing instances of global disruption to business. First swine flu, then record winter snow storms and BAs cabin crew dispute, and now a volcanic eruption, all of which have highlighted the weakness of a business world so reliant on its international connections.
The travel chaos brought about by the closure of much of Europes airspace due to volcanic ash blown across the Atlantic from Iceland meant the hundreds of thousands of travellers had to resort to expensive travel alternatives to get back to their jobs, with trains, rental vehicles, coach travel and ferries all struggling to handle the sudden surge in activity. The repercussions of this disruption have meant that many businesses were without key individuals, slowing decisions and wasting time and money. The real costs of last months crisis, expected to cost the airline industry $1.7 billion, has once again exposed the fragile nature of the global market place.
In situations such as these it becomes clear why video conferencing is more than just a good way to reduce travel costs or improve green credentials. In times of travel disruption or global uncertainty, fast, clear and effective visual communication can be the difference between securing competitive advantage.
With such a wide selection of video conferencing options available, including telepresence, desktop video conferencing, and traditional meeting room based videoconferencing; there is a solution to suit any business, its requirements and its budget. Most importantly, those who deploy videoconferencing in their organisations stand a greater chance of limiting the impact of disruptive factors outside of the organisation.
The number of news articles and blog posts in the wake of the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland stand testament to the effectiveness of videoconferencing in combating the threats of travel disruptions. For example, Cisco, who recently secured the acquisition of TANDBERG for $3.3 billion, has stated that the recent travel chaos resulted in a significant increase in videoconferencing usage as a component of business continuity planning.
With more uncertainty around fresh ash continuing to erupt from the Eyjafjallajkull volcano in Iceland, companies should take on board the lessons learned in the past few weeks. In the current market it is no longer appropriate to react to events after they take place. Videoconferencing gives companies the peace of mind that in the event of unforeseen disruption, they are still able to operate and communicate effectively and safely.
