Video conferencing use rises in the UAE


Khaleej Times - 15/04/2005

DUBAI — Video conferencing, which is considered as an efficient tool to fight growing traffic problems, is taking this part of the world by storm, with some 80 per cent increase in use of the solution in the UAE alone last year against 2003, industry players say.

According to Roger Paine, managing director of Video Connections International Fz, who spoke via video conferencing from London, during the first quarter of this year, there was 10 times increase in use of video conferencing in the UAE.

At a time when business and construction is booming in the region, along with the increased number of vehicles on the road and length of time it takes to attend the relevant physical meeting, he said. Traffic problems and re-scheduling meetings are now a topic of the past as Video Connections provides an entire package of face-to-face meeting solutions, he added.

Individuals can now video link between one and six independent locations across the world using just one display device to fit the size of the meeting room, he said, adding that video conferencing services all business criteria, whether meetings are arranged to share power point presentations, or medical experts need to review complex x-ray results, all document sharing is conducted in "real live time."

He said the company has gone from strength to strength in the UAE with international and local business specialists realising the many benefits that video conferencing provides. Paine is relishing the current local interest in the product.

"Video Connections will provide an instant impact to your company saving considerable time and ultimately costs. The UAE is a prime source for our product. With the sheer growth and expansion of the country, people's time becomes money! We have had tremendous local interest and already industry leaders such as Clyde and Co, the British University in Dubai, Belhasa Six Construct, Halcrow and all of the British Embassies in the AGCC have installed equipment and support services from our company," he said.