A vast range of video-conferencing tools suiting just about every possible need has been around for years, and yet the technology is far from gaining widespread popularity. The reasons are both technical and social, writes Kurt Marko at InformationWeek.

A lack of interoperability is likely the greatest reason for the lagging popularity of video-conferencing, Marko writes. Unlike email or voice conferencing, video-conferencing doesn't have a universal directory or call-routing system. Vendor-agnostic clients are lacking as well.

Skype, Facetime, AIM and Tango all support popular devices, such as iPhones, Windows PCs and Android devices, but they do not work with each other. "It's an identical situation to the walled gardens that are the various text messaging systems; a mess that necessitated multiprotocol IM clients and juggling multiple accounts," Marko writes. Users who are really motivated can set up accounts with numerous video providers and keep track of which systems their colleagues are on, but that is kind of a pain in the neck.

Cloud-based video services can serve as a forum for video calling among people on disparate systems. What's more, they make video conferencing cheaper and easier to manage that proprietary video hardware and software.

A social barrier is also hampering the adoption of video-conferencing, however. A lot of people really just would rather not be seen over a conference call. Video isn't viewed as the right fit for spontaneous communications because it is so personal and direct. Visual communication is good when subtlety and depth are needed to promote understanding, but for a brief message it can be too much.

"So, the sweet spot for enterprise video communication isn't so much in augmenting the phone call as in replacing the weekly project meeting," Marko suggests. Replacing long-distance travel remains one of the most well-publicized uses for video-conferencing. "When you find the right application, whether it's replacing the regular project meeting road trip or pulling a far-flung group of employees together for a training session, the case for video is compelling."

For more, see:
- Kurt Marko's article at InformationWeek

Related Articles:
What happens to Skype now that it is officially Microsoft's?
Polycom to lead videoconferencing interoperability group
Video calling remains elusive
Teleconferencing takes off while flights are grounded