What is the next generation of digital communication?

Vidyo was selected as one of World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers for 2013. Ofer Shaprio, chief executive officer and co-founder of Vidyo, discusses the relevance of their work to the changing needs of global communication. 

Videoconferencing may not seem the most glamorous technology in the world, but its impact on the way we communicate is significant nonetheless. While geographic and global boundaries remain unchanged, economic, political, and technological boundaries have become increasingly blurred.

People work for companies and organizations with outposts and offices all over the world. Communication expectations are commensurate with this new reality, as global collaboration becomes essential to stay abreast of competitors.

A multitude of technologies help make this a possibility – videoconferencing is just one of them. Traditionally, videoconferencing was restricted to dedicated “telepresence” rooms using large screens and conference tables. Only large corporations could afford a high-quality experience.

Now workers have access to real-time visual communication via desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices. Through patented technological innovation, Vidyo is bringing the high-quality user experience usually reserved for boardrooms to small and large businesses, educational institutions, medical facilities in rural areas, and others. And we want to do this at a price they can afford.

Let’s say that a doctor in North America wants to train medical students in earthquake-devastated Haiti, or medical professionals want to share the latest groundbreaking information and documents with their colleagues in another part of the world. A high-quality, affordable videoconferencing platform can make all of these scenarios a reality.

We strive to provide access to people anywhere and over any device in the belief that face-to-face communication facilitates a better of understanding of all those cultural, social, and emotional nuances that so often get lost over the phone and email.

We want to democratize visual communication by reducing barriers to entry, thereby benefiting everyone, not just elite enterprises. This, we believe, will shape the future of global communication.

About the author: Ofer Shaprio is chief executive officer and co-founder of Vidyo, a company specializing in “telepresence” technology over the internet using everyday devices. 

Photo: Reuters / Ali Jarekji