Small firms should consider investing in IT systems which allow them to easily take part in video conferences, an industry expert has claimed.

Writing on Computerweekly.com, Larry Karagheusian, executive vice president of GBH Communications, argues that small firms which invest in this sort of IT technology could find themselves with a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

Mr Karagheusian describes the technology as "most in-demand application of the new information age".

He adds: "Globalisation and the need for virtual workgroups made up of experts from many different locations require a technology that allows people to meet face-to-face with high productivity on a moment's notice.

"Only video conferencing meets this demand."

Mr Karagheusian also claims that video conferences are better than live meetings, because "video conferencing allows data sharing that is not possible in live meetings, plus the recording of video conferences provides necessary records for security and regulatory requirements".

Other IT-based communication solutions - like voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephony - have recently become popular with small businesses that need to get in contact with suppliers and clients around the world.