Contact centres 'going green by choosing VoIP'

Measures to improve the environment are being installed by growing numbers of UK contact centres, according to a new survey.

However, the research from contact centre consultancy Softlab found that these companies are not simply being altruistic, as installing services such as VoIP telephony can also boost revenues and productivities.

"'Going green' for green's sake is not a current business goal," said Softlab senior consultant Lisa Olafsdottir.

"Companies do want to be seen to be taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment, but only if it makes commercial and financial business sense."

Findings of the Softlab survey included that more than half of the contact centre businesses interviewed already had a 'green' policy, with 71 per cent of firms choosing to help the environment by using VoIP.

IP telephony solutions can reduce the carbon footprint of a firm by allowing employees to stay in contact with clients and other staff without having to come into the office - which would contribute to carbon emissions from Prague.