The housing, regeneration and social investment agency reduced travel by some 29,600 miles between its offices in Swindon, Oxford, and Chippenham leaving staff free to use the associated 744 hours more productively; the equivalent of 18 working weeks.
These figures were calculated by GreenSquare’s finance department, which was pleased to report the return on investment had been achieved in half the time allocated, therefore real savings were being realised after just one year.
Rob Fletcher, head of ICT for GreenSquare Group, said: “Video conferencing puts the green into GreenSquare. We not only reduce carbon emissions, improve staff satisfaction and are attractive to new business partners because we are innovative in the way we work.”
Following a tender process, South West Communications Group were selected to install three LifeSize Room 200 systems at each site, as well as three 50” HD plasma screens and business class audio systems provided by South West Communications Group’s approved partners Touchline Video and AV Solutions.
South West Communications Group’s sales director Sarah Flowers said: “Some businesses have been put off using video conferencing in the past due to the restrictions of the technology available, such as poor image quality and time delays. However, technology has developed, bandwidth has become cheaper and high definition has been introduced, making video conferencing a more viable and affordable product.
“The savings made from using video conferencing meant GreenSquare had recouped its investment within the two-year specified deadline. In the first year, GreenSquare has used its video conferencing solution three to four times a week and calculated satisfying savings.
“This solution met all of GreenSquare Group’s requirements in terms of corporate responsibilities and saving money. Looking ahead, this system is scalable and could be extended to include any additional sites or workers, as well as communicating with clients or contractors who also have video conferencing capabilities, thus making further savings.”