See Skype being used in the workplace
We’ve just finished our first ever Skype for Business showcase. You can read about how [Skype For Business takes Lewis & Hickey architects into new world of Internet communications](http://about.skype.com/2007/01/skype_for_business_takes_lewis.html). Or even better you can watch the short video below to see the Lewis Hickey story first hand.
Honest opinion: Unspectacular!
The showcase is no more interesting than what I have seen from other VOIP providers.
I am a owner of a jewelery company in Taiwan and an avid user of Skype. I have a factory in Shenzhen and a showroom in Shanghai.
Skype has greatly reduced my telephone bills, of course, but telephones are much more reliable. I still use telephones for important calls.
The irreplaceable advantage of Skype for me is the video, for seeing objects and documents.
“Virtually bring my staff to my desk!” is what I do with Skype video.
I can convey my design concepts with 3D models, show hand sketches, and point out required improvements using skype video
Reversely, I can inspect product quality, check office environment, and audit invoices (there is no way of forging a document under a live camera).
The cost saved in couriering the samples is great, and the time saved is absolute.
I even started to give away specially made webcams to my clients as part of our customers service program. so they can show us samples and defective products.
I suppose skype video is not emphasised in your showcase, because most people associates video with “face-to-face meetings”, which has no real added benefit in a conversation between two persons well acquainted with each other.
We may not care to see each other’s faces, but are certainly interested in seeing things we want to show.
The link below is a demo video showing a webcam i commissioned. You will see how effective it is in conveying ideas to a remote staff.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3802748829352016777&q=wizcam&hl=en
I am selling the webcam to other jewelers, because we do not produce CAD drawings in our business. Seeing the actual model is critical.
However, I feel seeing actual objects or settings in real time should be very important for other businesses as well. I would be really happy if the real estate developer can show me on Skype video the progress of construction of a resort home I bought 90 km away.