Many science-fiction fans have debated whether Star Wars or Star Trek was a more satisfying franchise. It cannot be debated, however, that the latter had far superior videoconferencing ability.
That can matter in the world of business, and more and more companies are turning to videoconferencing to solve real-world, contemporary problems. But the price of the technology is limiting its growth in this down economy.
Scott Webb, vice president of Webb Audio Visual, provides videoconferencing abilities to the Park City Marriott and said the technology really took off after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. People weren’t sure when they’d be able to fly again and demanded the next best thing to meeting in person.
Paul Rettie, owner of Wasatch Audio Visual that provides the service to Stein Eriksen Lodge, the Waldorf Astoria Park City and several other hotels, said that same problem still drives the majority of his business.
When a speaker at a major conference gets delayed for some reason, the technology is used to link the presenter to his or her audience at the hotel. During the severe snow storms along the East Coast last winter, Rettie said he got a lot of business. If the Iceland volcano had erupted during ski season, he probably would have gotten more.
“The airline industry is key. When it slows, sputters or stops, we’re here,” he said. “We get very little notice we’re portable and can put it up anywhere.”
It’s been used by school districts and universities for years to instruct, but attorneys also often use it to conduct depositions on out-of-state expert witnesses. The medical field uses it to allow experts to consult during a procedure and prison systems use it to avoid having to transport dangerous criminals. Even fire fighters use it so they can stay on duty in the stations during trainings, Webb said.
Randy Morris, one of Webb’s clients, said his employer uses the system to communicate with other offices. Even though the technology is expensive, it saves far more on business travel expenses, he said.
Amy Roberts, Park City Medical Center spokesperson, said her facility has videoconferencing for physicians to use, but it also comes in handy for the center to be in meetings with staff from Intermountain Healthcare’s 23 other hospitals.
Another of Webb’s clients installed a system for the purpose of interviewing potential job candidates without flying them to Utah for preliminary screenings.
But even though the technology keeps getting better, more specific to meet needs and less expensive, an in-house system for videoconferencing can cost $7,000 to $10,000, both agreed. And it must exist on both ends of the communication. That’s a minimum of $20,000 for one company to do office-to-office meetings.
That’s becoming a tougher sell in this economy, but there’s nothing like speaking to someone face to face, Webb said.
“You can read expressions and body language are they getting bored? It’s just better,” he said. “I think if people could see the value of videoconferencing they’d do it. It’s just a bitter pill to swallow.”
Still, that has to be balanced against less sophisticated but more affordable options.
Assistant Chief Bob Zanetti with the Park City Fire Department said his office looked into the technology but decided on regular teleconferencing. The chiefs all know one another and recognize each other’s voices. There was no need to spend extra to see old faces, he said.
Roberts said the hospital frequently uses the software application Skype that allows users to talk over Internet connections. It also has a videoconferencing feature.
“Anyone with a laptop and a wireless connection could do a videoconference,” she said.
It especially works well for patients from other countries. If they get hurt during a ski vacation, Skype allows them to conveniently and affordably tell their family in Brazil or Chile what happened, she explained.
Webcasts are popular as well, Webb added. They allow a class or presentation to be heard globally and listeners can even participate by instant messaging a question or comment.
And most new computers come with a camera to allow one-on-one videoconferencing.
But these simply aren’t substitutes for helping a large number of people communicate effectively especially when adding the element of visual communication, Webb said. There’s nothing like the two parties being able to see each other and know exactly what’s going on as if they were in the same room.
There have been times when making his point to a client was so important he mailed them videoconferencing equipment for their IT specialist to set up so he could communicate with them face to face, Webb said.
And as airline travel becomes more expensive and the industry continues having financial problems, Rettie believes the future is bright for the technology. He compared the service to flat-screen televisions: they’re still expensive, but are now affordable enough for most people to own.
“It’s about getting the most bang for your buck,” he added.
Nearly every hotel in Park City that caters to large groups and business travelers can either provide the service or contracts with someone who will.
Drew Adams, IT systems manager for St. Regis Deer Crest, said guests and clients in the technology industries use it often. They and the celebrities who stay there also enjoy the privacy and confidentiality the medium provides.
For example, Adams said he often sees guests in the lobby panning their laptop around and at the slopes to show others how their vacation is going. Internally, the hotel uses the technology for interviewing potential candidates and business clients often use it to cut costs when collaborating with clients in other countries.