Rising gas prices contribute to increase in teleconferencing, telecommuting

When HAVCO Wood Products started teleconferencing its meetings in 2006 between company executives in its home base of Cape Girardeau and other areas of the country, the business never realized how much travel time and money the investment would save them two years later.

In the present economy, when skyrocketing fuel prices could cost a business thousands of dollars for travel expenses, vice president of sales Larry Wiggs said the teleconferencing option is the perfect solution for cost-cutting measures.

"You can't put a dollar amount on its value," Wiggs said. "I would suggest it to any company, whether they are trying to improve communication between employees at different locations or wanting to save some money in our current economic climate."

Although rising fuel prices was not the primary reason for HAVCO's choice to use teleconferencing, businesses throughout the country are implementing teleconferencing and telecommuting in the workplace.

Telecommuting is a work arrangement where employees have flexible work hours and locations. An employee's home office many times has replaced the traditional office, saving the worker both time and money.

The Society for Human Resource Management conducted a survey in 2007 that found about 48 percent of employers offer a telecommuting option at least once a week.

Among the local companies that offer telecommuting and teleconferencing options are AT&T and Big River Telephone.

Chelsey Ilten, spokeswoman for AT&T's Missouri office, said her company offers a variety of telecommuting options for the state's businesses. For competitive reasons, she declined to state how many businesses use the service.

"Many companies embrace the technology to both save on their bottom line and reduce their carbon footprint," Ilten said.

One such option is AT&T Telepresence, which allows companies to connect with one another via life-size high-definition video and audio. This technology allows as many as 48 locations to participate in a single meeting.

Big River Telephone Co. in Cape Girardeau has been offering teleconferencing services for six years. About 200 customers use the Web-enhanced interface that is controlled by a moderator of a meeting or conference.

Jennifer VanGennip, spokeswoman for the company, believes teleconferencing could revolutionize the workplace in America.

"Big River Telephone believes that the teleconferencing trend will continue in the future," VanGennip said. "With energy and transportation prices on the rise, teleconferencing is an excellent way of conducting meetings while reducing the cost of traveling expenses. Teleconferencing can also increase productivity because it reduces lost work time due to the time it takes to travel."

She said an advantage to telecommuting is its cost- effectiveness.

"Teleconferencing can be accessed at anytime from anywhere with no scheduling or reservations required," VanGennip said. "It saves traveling time, it is a cost-effective means for conducting meetings and there are minimal costs involved with the set up."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137