As economic pressures force companies to scale back, organizations are taking a harder looking at communication technology to help them stay productive and efficient. And the Web conferencing is one area businesses are leveraging to help them achieve those goals.

 

“The slower economy has forced people to look at their latest needs of communication,” Greg Plum, director of business development for The Conference Group (News - Alert), a provider of Web, audio and video conferencing services, told TMCnet in an interview. “They are trying to save travel dollars to be more efficient.”

 

That’s one trend Plum will discuss in detail as part of a panel at TMC’s ITEXPO East 2010 in Miami, Fla. next week. Plum will join other industry experts, including Global IP Solutions (News - Alert), RHUB Communications and Iotum, to discuss the future of the Web conferencing and collaboration marketing and emerging trends during a session called, “The Future of Web Conferencing and Collaboration” at 11 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

 

Specifically, Plum will discuss how businesses are becoming more accepting of non-traditional forms of communications, whether its Web conferencing or desktop video conferencing.

 

“Conferencing is now in the forefront of everybody’s minds,” Plum said. “It used to be the stepchild, but no more.”

 

What’s one trend The Conference Group has noticed of late? That businesses are straying from permanent pricing and are adopting a flat rate.

 

“That helps them project their costs in a more effective manner,” Plum said.