Forget the phone call. According to a new survey from Microsoft, 79 per cent of Canadians agree that a webcam business meeting is more effective.

The business advantages of webcam use fall in the realm of cost, convenience and connection.

• 79 per cent of webcam users agree that conducting business meetings over a webcam is more effective than a phone call
• 91 per cent agree that conducting business meetings over a webcam saves companies on travel costs;
• 86 per cent of respondents agree that conducting business meetings over a webcam helps employees in different locations feel more part of the team and can bring business colleagues closer together

The survey found that Quebecers were most likely to have used a webcam in the past (64 per cent), followed by British Columbians (61 per cent) and Ontario (53 per cent).

Overall fifty three per cent of Canadians over the age of 18 have used a webcam to stay connected to family and friends.

Quebecers also appear to be the most social, with 16 per cent having used a webcam to meet new people.

The survey findings were released with Microsoft's announcement of its launch of the two webcams, the LifeCam HD-5000 and LifeCam HD-6000.

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