Video Conferencing Hits Critical Mass

May 23rd, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Video Conferencing - (0 Comments)

A recent New York Times article describes the sale of Skype to Microsoft as one example of video conferencing hitting a critical mass with consumers and businesses. Other factors that are contributing to video conferencing’s popularity  are the proliferation of broadband and an increased use of desktop computers/mobile devices.

“As more and more people are telecommuting and not working in the same office — or state or country — there’s more of a need to find other ways to communicate,” the article states.

While video will never replace all in-person interactions, the time has come for it to be a serious alternative to travel.

,

Pope Gives Astronauts a Blessing Over Video Conference

May 23rd, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Video Conferencing - (0 Comments)

Pope Benedict conducted the first ever video conference with the astronauts of the International Space Station. The pope spoke to the astronauts through a video link in the Vatican’s library.

http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/pope-has-first-ever-video-conference-space-station-05-21-2011

New Study Finds Small Businesses are Bullish on U.S. Economy

May 19th, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in SMB | Video Conferencing - (0 Comments)

A new study published by a telepresence provider has identified a trend that we have seen among our customers: technology, specifically video conferencing, continues to play a pivotal role in SMB competitiveness. An increasing number of these businesses will invest in video this year to cut costs and be more efficient, and those with video will add to their existing solutions. Those who don’t will get left in the cold….

http://it.tmcnet.com/news/2011/05/18/5520177.htm

,

VGo Communications corrals $4.2M in latest round

May 18th, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Video Conferencing - (0 Comments)

Go VGo!

According to recent reports, VGo Communications Inc., a New Hampshire maker of telepresence robots, has taken in $4.2 million in a planned $6 million new equity funding round, the company reported in federal documents.

http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2011/05/16/daily27-VGo-Communications-corrals-42M-in-latest-round.html

,

Study Shows U.S. Physicians Use Video to Communicate with Patients

May 16th, 2011 | Posted by Nina Parker in Healthcare | Use Cases - (0 Comments)

Physicians across specialties are realizing the value of video conferencing to treat patients. The following is an excerpt from research firm Manhattan Research’s Taking the Pulse® U.S. v11.0 study:

As video chatting becomes more common, this type of communication is emerging as a way for physicians to consult with patients about non-urgent issues, such as follow up questions from an office visit, or to connect with geographically dispersed patient populations that may not have nearby access to specialists. The study also found that certain specialties, such as psychiatrists and oncologists, are more likely to be using video conferencing with patients.

“Telemedicine has the potential to open up consultations with top specialists, regardless of your location,” said Meredith Ressi, Manhattan Research President. “Combined with the impending shortage of primary care physicians, the implications of these technologies for how healthcare is delivered in our country are remarkable.”

,