Previously moving hundreds of employees to a central location, incurred travel costs and loss of productive time was standard procedure. Corporations are now utilizing video conference technology combined with smaller localized meetings connected via satellite video conference. American Express utilized some of these hi-tech methods to present their report during a virtual press event, connecting people face to face from the US, UK, and Mexico.

“As the world begins to show signs of emerging from the recession, businesses are adapting to a fundamental shift in thinking focused on proving the value of every employee connection,” said Hervé Sedky, vice president and general manager, American Express Business travel.

According to the 2009 American Express Business and Travel Forecast, it’s estimated the cost of an average business trip will increase approximately 15%. DoriAnne Schmitz, director of sales for Satellite Communication Systems stated “Many Companies are beginning to rethink future meeting and event budgets, telepresence and satellite video conferencing provide a time a money saving solution.”

In addition to travel costs of a live meeting, companies are also evaluating the soft costs. Time spent traveling that could be used more effectively in the office or with clients. The effect on employees who have to battle airports and family disruptions involved in business travel. If a meeting is 8 hours long, an employee may be out of the loop for as much as 3 days, 1 day for travel on each side, and one day for the meeting. A video conference reduces this time investment by two thirds. With companies needing every minute of their employees productive input and focusing on return on investment, a 66% increase is substantial.

Over the years ITCN Asia has grown from a country event to a regional event. Just a few years ago there were very few companies with quality certifications. Today, we have over 100 ISO certified companies, the thrust on quality was continued with two new projects targeted to take five companies to CMM level 5 and 30 companies to CMMi level 3 and above.
In addition to Quality certifications and standardization processes, the industry requires Human Resource, Space and Bandwidth. We have an approved Public Sector Development project under which training programs, tailored to the specific needs of the Industry, are implemented by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). In addition to this, several other HR development programs are planned through the Telecom R&D Fund, where existing IT graduates are provided opportunity to seek apprenticeship and become more productive. Higher Education Commission created stronger Industry-Academia linkages and took other steps so that the quality of fresh graduates was improved.

Software Technology Parks (STPs) are being set up in all the major cities. In Islamabad one International Technology Park (ITP)is already in operation in Awami Markaz, while land has already been earmarked for other STPs. In Lahore, certain areas have been identified and are being finalized. In Karachi an ITP is already in operation in Caesar Tower, while, land has been acquired opposite Civic Centre for a 47 storey high IT Tower, where construction would commence soon. On the bandwidth front, until very recently, there was only a single optic fiber cable for International connectivity. Today, we have 3 separate submarine cables for International connectivity.

Audio conferencing uses one of two main types of oral communication tools: a regular telephone or a computer telephone. With regular telephones, each user dials in and everyone can hear each other on the line. With computer telephones, special software called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is installed in the computer. The user dons a microphone-and-earphone headset that is plugged into the computer’s USB port. The user’s voice is carried along the Internet to the other users, and vice-versa, just as if it were a conventional telephone (but costing a fraction of the usual long-distance charges.)

Audio conferencing is not just for large corporations; almost any kind of group can benefit from it. City councils, fire departments, and transit authorities have been known to engage in audio conferencing. NASA uses audio conferencing to stay in touch with hundreds of scientists for such sensitive projects as remote exploration of Mars.

The benefits of audio conferencing are numerous. First and foremost, audio conferencing can lower transportation costs. Commuters spent $60 billion dollars on gas driving to business meetings and other work-related appointments.

Secondly, with audio conferencing, a meeting can be set up in only a few minutes. In the real world, planning can sometimes take months!

Most importantly, audio conferencing promotes frequent and effective communication. And with today’s constantly evolving technologies, audio conferencing is becoming more and more customizable.

Here are 5 Steps to Choosing the Best Web Conferencing Solution:

1) First, you must decide the maximum number of guests or attendees you need to be able to have in a meeting. If you are planning to use web conferences to train or have sales meetings, then you should be able to have a minimum of 10 guests with the option of up to 50. As your sales and business grow, you want to have your service ready to accommodate.

2) You should decide what features you need. An effective video conference will have simultaneous video screens, desktop and document sharing, the ability to give PowerPoint presentations, free VoIP, and a chat feature so questions can be addressed. Also, free web cameras that work seamlessly with the web conferencing solution are an added plus.

3) The program should be easy to use. Otherwise you’ll be spending countless hours trying to figure out how to use it instead of focusing on your meeting and potential customer.

4) Simple for Your Guests to Attend Your guests should not have to download any software to attend your web conference. The best solution is to have automatic email invitations sent to your guests with a direct “clickable” link to your meeting.

5) Pay as you go There should be no contracts to sign and you pay as you go each month. And even more important, make sure you’re not charged for additional guests. Or you could end up paying an additional $375 dollars for one meeting!

It’s best to choose a web conference provider that allows up to 50 guests so you never have to worry about being charged exorbitant additional guest fees.

The Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) have extended complete support for CONNECT. The PSEB has booked an exclusive pavilion in the show and various software houses and IT businesses will be participating on its platform. Similarly, PTA has encouraged various telecom companies from the sector to partake in the event.

Another highlight of the event will be the premier World Cyber Games (WCG), which will be exclusively held in concurrence with CONNECT in a separate hall for its high profile ONLINE gaming competitions. Furthermore, the inclusion of consumer-oriented organisations alongside WCG in the event will highlight the tremendous potential hidden in the commercial ICT sector along with youth of Pakistani and the regional markets.

Moreover, this year CONNECT 2010 will also feature an ICT FORUM featuring exclusive interactive sessions for ICT stakeholders on IT, Youth and Telecom. Speakers from various disciplines and related industries are being targeted to update the stakeholders with the latest technology and industry knowledge, aimed to cover every facet of the industry.

CONNECT 2010 will integrate cutting edge technology and machinery with vibrant opportunities for appropriate ICT business solutions from around the globe. The participants will have an exclusive opportunity to interact with their international counterparts and brainstorm on projects of mutual interest under a highly collaborative and dynamic environment. CONNECT 2010 will attract CEO’s, CIO’s, COO’s, CMO’s and other influential dignitaries and decision makers from a broad portfolio of sectors within the ICT industry. The major sectors being focused include Telecom, Mobility, Broadcast, Cable & Satellite, Information Technology, Information Security, and Banking Automation.

CONNECT 2010 has Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) as its Strategic Partners while EEBC, Ukraine is the partner show. The event is being supported by the Federal Ministry of Information Technology Pakistan, Board of Investment (BOI), Engineering Development Board (EDB), Universal Service Fund (USF), Association for Telecommunication Industry Singapore (ATIS), and the Information Technology Department Government of Sindh. Furthermore, the show will receive extensive local and international media coverage including 15 publications and e-media partners from the world over.

Director ICS Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz University of the Punjab said on the occasion that collaboration with Colorado University and Institute of Communication Studies will help teachers as well as students to equip themselves with modern research methods practiced in USA.
The students of ICS participated in the videoconference and exchanged views with the US experts. Dr Naz added that such conferences would be beneficial for students to acquire modern technology and its use in various fields.

Objectives

Amongst the objectives of this project a primary objective of introduction of Video Conferencing facility is to enhance students teachers interaction through distance learning, bridge the gap of good faculty, meet the   shortage of  faculty members at the universities located at farflung areas and ultimately to uplift the standard of education in Pakistan. HEC aims to give Pakistan a bright future through young, qualified and energetic generation.

Programs

Pakistan will deliver interactive lectures on various topics and recorded lectures from foreign universities will be broadcasted. The lectures delivered/broadcasted will be aimed to develop fundamental concepts, to enhance the critical thinking for under-graduate and graduate students and to discuss cutting edge technologies/research work in the fields of modern sciences for students and faculty members. In the 2nd stage interactive lectures from foreign universities will be arranged. Nobel Laureates/Eminent scientists/researchers will be invited to deliver lectures to share their knowledge/research work. This program will continue and the remaining 32 universities in 2nd phase will become part of the program.

Benefits & Opportunities

Through Video Conferencing facility the students will have the opportunity to learn from high profile teachers, exchange their ideas, contribute & share their research work. This will not only enhance their knowledge & capabilities but eventually the standard of education in Pakistan.

This project aimed towards connecting universities in Pakistan through Video Conferencing facility, so that students of such universities who are not in a position to avail benefit of high profiled teachers, could have the opportunity to learn from them, contribute and communicate their views in order to enhance their knowledge and capabilities. As a result of the implementation of this project, Pakistan’s education standard will become comparable with any of the world class universities. The facility will be utilized for conducting conferences/meetings and will save precious resources including time and money.

Dr. Mohammad Yaseen, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will deliver the Keynote Address and inaugurate TeleCON-2010, while Prof. Dr. Sohail Naqvi, Executive Director, Higher Education Commission (HEC) will deliver the opening remarks.

The highlight of the congress will be the post-lunch Panel Discussion which will be championed by the PTA and chaired by Prof. Dr. Naveed A. Malik, Rector, Virtual University of Pakistan. The panelists will include technology and management experts from Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia-Siemens, Ericsson, Ufone, Telenor, Mobilink, PTCL, Zong and Wi-tribe, with an active Q&A involvement of the delegates attending the conference.

The theme of the annual conference is “Taking Pakistan to the Next Level of Technology Frontiers” and is endorsed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) with participation corroborated from key players in the telecom sector. The first session on “Investments in the Telecom Sector & Today’s Business Model” will be chaired by Mr. Naquibullah Malik, Secretary, IT & Telecom, Ministry of IT & Telecom; whereas, the second session on “Corporate Social Responsibility & Good Governance Practices” will be moderated by Dr. Jawaid Ghani, Chairman, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). Registration is open to all industry personnel.

“The telecom sector in Pakistan is at the crossroad, it has great potential for future growth both in terms of new technology deployment and value-added services for the consumers, TeleCON 2010 promises to address all these issues and opportunities,” said Madiha Adnan, Manager Conferences at SHAMROCK Conferences International.

What may not be so well known is that satellites form an essential part of telecommunications systems worldwide, carrying large amounts of data and telephony traffic, in addition to television signals.

Keeping in view the importance of satellite communications as a key to success for any developing country, this paper describes some essential trends in the development of satellite communications and introduces promising future applications for Pakistan.

The Professionals may not rely only on internet phone call or video conversations but proper web communication software, conferencing software or webinar application.
Numerous web communication softwares and internet applications are available to serve the web communication purpose, but when it’s used for business or professional communication some additional features are required like logging information, secure communication, polls and surveys support, document sharing along with the voice and text communication. These are called conferencing softwares and webinar solutions.

Therefore a proper conferencing or webinar software contains all features sharing knowledge by voice, video, documents, polls, surveys and professional presentations as well, just as with the person sitting in front of you.

In this way business professionals can reach the target audience and their staff or employees without paying travel cost and will surely save a lot of time.