Africa - Communication is key to improving business efficiency, relationships and achieving sustainable growth. Conventionally, the managing director or CEO would convene a meeting with senior managers in a region far from their head or branch offices. This involves spending time to travel besides the huge expenses incurred in accommodation. With video-conferencing, however, the time and resources spent on meetings can be cut drastically and channelled towards improving other operations. The first model in the market involves the use of a screen in the office but with innovation, smart phones, iPads and laptops are being used to hold meetings.

A new technology that uses these gadgets has been developed by Commcarrier and operates the same way as the internet.

Ms Charlene Howell, Commcarrier public relations consultant says the use of smart phones, Ipad and laptop gives them a competitive edge with its known "Videoconferencing" service.

"Once you send a link to the receiver and gets connected, communication can follow through the use of a laptop, desktop and any remote area through the use of any smartphone for enhanced communication," she said.

With greater deployment flexibility and at lower cost, the system ensures intimacy, which is key to building trust between business partners, is not lost.

Mr Alnashir Hasham, a constructor with projects in Uganda, Southern Sudan and Dubai, says traveling with two of his workers is expensive.

"With this new technology, the cost drastically reduces by about 70 per cent," he says.

Mr Hasham says that the new technology will enable his colleagues who would not attend board meetings contribute from wherever they are.

It will also enable doctor-patient consultation remotely. The same can work between a student and his supervisor.

Mr Hasham's said communication is critical in business and by being able to make decisions at any given time, it ensures operations go on uninterrupted.

With some projects as far as Dubai, Mr Hasham says that the new technology will enable him present his plans much quicker as opposed to traveling.

"The time taken to approve decisions is key and the system will greatly assist me achieve targets," he noted.

Leasing the technology, Ms Howell says, is more affordable compared to purchasing it. Ms Howell says the system can be interfaced with other video-conferencing systems.

With the cost of bandwidth high, she says Commcarrier system utilises less of it and is thus good for firms with small budgets.

"This is absolutely vital when communicating over low-cost, general-purpose internet provider networks," she said.

Winsley Masese

Daily Nation/20/06/2011