HSBC's is installing 1000 video conferencing systems in 60
countries, as it steps up its plans to cut travel cost and the
bank's carbon footprint.
The company plans to install 600 point to point webcams on
executives' desktops. Every executive at the company's head office
in Canary Wharf will get a webcam-enabled flat screen monitor on
their desk, by the end of the year.
There will be advanced video communicators in meeting rooms and
"fully immersive"
virtual conference rooms at six locations across the world.
"The high-end conferencing rooms are at the top of our strategy
in regards to what we are doing with video conferencing," said
Matthew O'Neill, head of distributed systems and telecommunications
at HSBC.
O'Neill said HSBC wants to encourage more face-to-face
communications without people having to get on an aeroplane. "It
both improves productivity and reduces costs and carbon emission,"
he said.
HSBC estimates that an online meeting between three employees
who would otherwise need to travel from Hong Kong to Chicago would
save £25,000.
"Whilst reduction in travel cost and
carbon footprint are key considerations in the investment of
these technologies, there is a further benefit that our executives
are able to start the day in Hong Kong, work the day in London and
finish the day in Mexico City and still get home to spend time with
their families," said O'Neill.