The drive toreduce their carbon footprintsis a
key reason why firms are investing in web conferencing and unified
communications, says conferencing and comms consultancy
ICUGlobal.
ICUGlobal cites a poll
of 300 organisations it conducted, which showed that 70% said the
drive to reduce their organisational carbon footprint was a key
driver for investing in web conferencing and collaboration
solutions.
The survey revealed that while organisations are constantly
reviewing corporate travel and other communication practices for
cost management reasons, the
green debate is adding considerable impetus to web conferencing
demand, as this allows staff to meet visually and online without
needing to leave their place of work.
The majority cited that the potential reductions in corporate
travel, made possible by web conferencing, would not only save cost
but generate significant environmental benefits in line with CSR
(corporate social responsibility) targets.
The majority felt that directly reducing carbon footprints in
this way was more tangible than off-setting systems, and that this
would lead to change across the enterprise with web conferencing
and collaboration playing a more important role.
It was also felt that environmental motivations for changes in
working practices would be more palatable with staff, as it
reflected current social attitudes.
Other key drivers behind a desire to invest in web conferencing
and collaboration, included increased productivity (62%) and the
need for better internal communication (58%), such as between
branch and distributed offices.