SOURCE: Wainhouse

June 20, 2007 09:25 ET

Web Conferencing Is Top Component in Teleworking Programs, According to Wainhouse Research WebMetrics Report

A Full 78% of Those With Teleworking Programs Identify Web Conferencing as the Top Component

BROOKLINE MA--(Marketwire - June 20, 2007) - Wainhouse Research has released its latest WebMetrics report survey, which explores teleworking initiatives as well brand perceptions, usage habits, and feature/function preferences related to web conferencing.

A key finding is that only 30% of companies surveyed have any sort of teleworking initiatives, and of those, for 25% it is voluntary, and for 5% it is mandatory. Web conferencing is the top component of teleworking programs, followed by IM, mobile computing, VoIP, desktop video, unified communications, and group video. IM was cited as a tool used by more than 2/3 of respondents, and mobile computing, by almost 3/5.

Report co-author Alan D. Greenberg said, "The tools exist for teleworking programs, and savvy enterprises should leverage those tools as part of their strategies for responding to climate change through green initiatives. Enterprises think of teleworking as a burden that creates issues of 'control' over knowledge workers, when they should be thinking of teleworking as a means of going green."

A major shift in usage patterns was also revealed. For the first time, users indicated a desire to launch web conferencing sessions directly from within applications (40%) or via IM messages (38%). The most common way of launching a web conference today -- a URL received via e-mail -- has now become one of the least preferred methods (20%).

Andy Nilssen, co-author, added, "Users appear to be eager to move their usage of web conferencing to the next level by embedding the technology directly into workflow applications. This reinforces the promise made by the major enterprise software providers -- including Microsoft and IBM -- to provide this level of integration. These results indicate users are beginning to eagerly await delivery."

In terms of brand awareness, WebEx remains the dominant force in the industry while Adobe, Citrix and Cisco have all climbed in unaided and aided awareness -- the latter most likely aided by the acquisition of WebEx.

Wainhouse Research heard from 208 buyers and users of web conferencing in this survey conducted in April and May 2007. The report details how leading vendors such as Microsoft, WebEx, Adobe, Citrix, Cisco, IBM, and others are rated by the panel in areas such as brand recognition and perception, price, performance, ease-of-use, and support -- plus how important are each of those areas.

The WebMetrics semi-annual report is available individually and by annual subscription. End users who participate in the survey receive a high-level summary of the findings and qualify for prize drawings. Vendors and service providers seeking more information about the survey series or users wishing to participate in future WebMetrics surveys should visit www.wainhouse.com/webmetrics.

About Wainhouse Research

Wainhouse Research (www.wainhouse.com) provides strategic guidance and insight on products & services for Real-Time Unified Communications. The global client base includes established and new technology suppliers and service providers as well as enterprise users of voice, video, streaming, distance education, and web collaboration solutions.