Running a retailing business can be costly, but here is a chance to save by holding meetings online and run your retail?

The significant increase in fuel prices is driving business to search for cheaper alternatives to executive travel.

The use of multi-media web conferencing applications is one option that is becoming increasingly viable. Savings of R2,000 per year per executive can be achieved according to certain technology experts.

Web conferencing has been taken to a new level by the introduction of high-speed, multi-megabyte broadband connections. A combination of real-time video, audio, instant messaging and application sharing can enable colleagues to see and hear each other while working simultaneously on the same documents anywhere in the world. All that is required is a headset and microphone plus optional webcam.

Services that are available to retail owners that want to hold meeting online

There are more sophisticated services available that allow participants to online meetings using laptops and 3G phones. Previously slow internet connections meant that the quality of both audio and video was very poor during online meetings. Numbers participating was also restricted due to the strain imposed on what was limited bandwidth.

Online meetings were also overlooked due to the security concerns that surrounded them. The use of an open network to conduct a private retail meetings always gave rise to a possible threat to confidentiality.

These issues have now largely been dealt with, and this marketplace is growing rapidly with lots of retail competition including online giants such as Microsoft and WebEx.

Excellent news indeed for running a retail business. This fierce competition  is having the effect of forcing down prices, thus allowing even small businesses access to fully managed web conferencing suites but before you allocate a huge chunk of your next years retail products and goods budget on web conferencing services take a good look at what your business really needs to improve productivity and efficiency.

For example, live video conferencing is not for everybody.

Many retailers and business will get the most benefit from instant messaging or VoIP ("voice over internet protocol") service, possibly combined with application sharing. Another word of warning. If you require outside parties to participate in online meetings be careful not to use a provider who insists on all participants using their proprietary software.

A final word, ensure that all media being used in the conference are encompassed by any encryption facilities that are being used.