The Future of Visual Communications: Applications for Government and Their Impact on the It Infrastructure

The emergence of e-Government which involves the use of data networks to exchange information, provide services, and enable interaction with citizens, businesses, and other government agencies is having a powerful impact. Driven by the need for government agencies to increase the quality of training and information sharing, reduce budgets and travel, and improve public safety, collaboration is a key attribute for e-Government because it enables people at different locations to communicate in a rich life-like manner. Video conferencing enables civil servants to see and hear the citizens they are serving face to face perhaps via a video kiosk or a desktop PC. It also allows government staff to have efficient meetings and receive timely training while avoiding travel costs.