Corporates bypass traffic, virtually

Corporates bypass traffic, virtually

Execs Cut Down On Travel, Interact Through Videoconferencing
By Darlington Jose Hector and R Raghavendra/TNN

Bangalore: When the intellectual capital is stuck in traffic, technology can bail you out. For proof, one just has to look at what Bangalore corporates are doing to speed past dead traffic. While biggies like Biocon and IBM have resorted to using Skype, a software which enables free calls over the internet, Wipro and Infosys are increasingly relying on videoconferencing to avoid jam-packed roads. Every month about 3,500 new vehicles are added on to Bangalores roads, which is already brimming over with vehicular traffic. With most corporates located far down Whitefield, Sarjapur and Hosur Roads, there is only a slim chance that one can catch up with a client in the central business district, and then go back to office to complete the days work. Hence, corporates are innovating to make sure that business does not suffer. At least no one wants to lose out on an opportunity just because of traffic chaos in the city. IBM has developed its own teleconferencing tool called the OnDemand Workplace, which can be highly customised to specific teams. With nearly seven locations across town, video and teleconferencing are the best way to communicate. In fact, this is so effective that we even sell it as a solution to our clients, said an IBM spokesperson. Wipro also utilises videoconferencing and teleconferencing big time. The IT bellwether is present across 14 locations within Bangalore and they have people handling the same accounts sitting at different locations. Hari Hegde, VP (operations support), Wipro, says: “We have found that usage of teleconferencing has doubled in Wipro in the last one year.” Biocon has been utilising Skype to good effect. According to company chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Skype has helped Biocon to cut down on travel, enabling executives to focus on important issues. According to Shaw, the calls have excellent sound quality and are highly secure. Smaller companies which do not have access to videoconferencing, are utilising avenues like professional web outlets. Reliance Infocomm CEO (Karnataka) Viney Singh says 90% of his videoconferencing business comes from Bangalore corporates who want to avoid peak traffic. People want to sip a drink, and converse over a conference call. The traffic is not something they want to deal with.