Survey confirms shift from travel to online collaboration

Polycom and Wainhouse Research commissioned a survey of businesses to see how the effect of 9/11 has changed the amount of business travel and use of collaboration products such as videoconferencing. Not suprisingly, given the economy and some people's reluctance to fly post-9/11, 63.9% of respondents said audio/web and videoconferencing were "very important" to them after 9/11 compared with only 44.3% prior to the attacks.

Of the 703 respondents to the survey, 72.3% say they're interested in alternatives to business travel. And what would the do with the time saved by not having to travel? Over three-quarters said they would get more work done with slightly less saying they would spend more time with family and friends.

And what travel alternatives are people using? 61.5% say Web conferencing is their preferred method to avoid travel.

Are you travelling less and conferencing more? If so, what technologies are using to reach out an touch someone? Click the "comment" link below and let us know.

And, if you're heavy into videoconferencing and collaboration, I highly recommend Wainhouse's weekly Research Bulletin newsletter.