Australian organisations are increasingly turning to conferencing and collaboration technologies, such as instant messaging, to increase productivity and cut costs during the economic downturn.

According to the Optus Business IP Index 2009*, released today, a significant number of organisations have required increased bandwidth for video conferencing (52 per cent) and collaboration technologies (54 per cent) over the last 12 months.

The reasons cited for the increased use in video-conferencing include reduced travel due to cost pressures (80 per cent), reduced time spent lost in travelling (71 per cent) and improvements in technology (59 per cent) and better quality networks (46 per cent).

Scott Mason, Marketing Director, Optus Business said, "Businesses are currently facing the competing pressures of maintaining or growing their business with reduced headcount and depleted budgets. In times like these, teamwork and collaboration is more important than ever, as is the need for employees to have the flexibility, as well as the tools and processes in place, to do their jobs efficiently.

"With the vast majority of organisations having already travelled down the convergence path, applications such as video, messaging and collaboration are relatively easy and cost effective to implement, while the benefits to business are considerable."

In addition to fixed IP technologies, companies are also turning to mobile technologies in an effort to improve productivity and ensure employees are always connected. In the 2009 IP Index, enterprises reported that 39 per cent of employees were accessing company networks via a mobile device, compared to 30 per cent 12 months ago. Similarly the average percentage of employees with access to wireless broadband increased from 28 per cent in 2008 to 39 per cent in 2009.

While flexible working has been on the rise for some time, the results of this year's IP Index suggest that the reasons for allowing staff to work from home are varied. While demand for flexible working arrangements by employees is the number one driver (77 per cent) for flexible working, generating cost savings on real estate and operating costs (50 per cent) and meeting client needs (44 per cent) are also cited as key drivers.

Although companies can see the benefits of convergence, the economic environment has put some pressure on budgets which are expected to decrease (25 per cent) or stay the same (57 per cent) over the next twelve months. Despite this, approximately 40 per cent of enterprises expect to increase their bandwidth requirements over the coming 12 months.

"Despite tight budgets, there remains an insatiable appetite for bandwidth which is being fuelled by the growth in IP applications. We expect this trend to continue as IP applications mature and customers start to reap the rewards from a more connected and productive workforce," Mr Mason said.

*The Optus Business IP Index 2009 was based on a survey of 232 government and corporate organisations and was conducted in April/May 2009.

For further information, please contact:
Liz Greene
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: 02 8082 7850