When science fiction envisioned the way humans would live in the technology-driven future, the ability to make video calls seemed to always be a part of it. Phones would no longer be audio-based, allowing callers to actually see each other as they conversed.

That future is here, although video chat isn’t as prevalent as those past stories led people to believe. While younger generations may be using services like Snap Chat to communicate visual concepts, they’re mostly communicating using the phone and text messaging. Initiating a video call requires being on wi-fi and looking presentable–two things that often present a challenge for the average phone call

Where the video call is gaining prominence, however, is in the corporate board room. Cloud hosting has enabled services like Skype to connect callers from across the globe. Because these services use VoIP, often there is no per-minute charge. This has had a marked impact on the way companies conduct business. Here are a few changes that have come about thanks to cloud-based videoconferencing.

Win International Clients

Videoconferencing has opened up new avenues for businesses, who are no longer limited by geography. A company can lure clients halfway across the world, without ever leaving the office, by scheduling meetings via video chat.

Find Better Workers

Much has been written about outsourcing, but the internet has brought the practice into mainstream use. Through posting on job boards, companies can hire workers who are located anywhere to perform tasks. A small business located in Kansas can find a specialized programmer in New York or India or elsewhere. Through video chat, these businesses can interview potential candidates and even schedule regular video meetings, making the worker a part of the team.

Save Office Space

Video chat has had a measurable impact on businesses’ comfort level when it comes to letting employees work from home. Some jobs are better performed away from the noise of the office, and with videoconferencing workers can enjoy the privacy of a home office while still regularly connecting with other team members.

Videoconferencing is only beginning to infiltrate the office environment. As network speeds improve and the technology becomes more affordable, video calls will likely become even more prevalent in consumers’ day-to-day lives.