IS THIS THE COMING OF AGE FOR VIDEOCONFERENCING?

Has the time finally come, I ask myself, for videoconferencing to go mainstream?

Videoconferencing, or VC, has been talked about for many, many years as a cost effective alternative to intercompany travel. Not only does it save money it also saves on time. Yet it’s never fully caught on. Why? Well predominantly because of cost – VC and telepresence kit has just been too expensive for many companies to consider as a viable option. But perhaps also because of the way – and to whom – it’s been marketed.

The good news is things are changing – enough for, in my opinion, the next 12 months to be a potential tipping point for the videoconferencing industry.

The up-front cost of buying in the technology is now significantly reduced and travel technology providers such as Sabre and GlobalVideoconferencing Network have both launched virtual meetings platforms that directly target TMCs.

GVN recently announced the launch of its new online booking platform that allows the direct bookings of virtual meeting rooms. The ability to rent public rooms and book VC facilities on a pay as you go basis may not be new – but where GVN differs from the likes of Whygo (which was launched to make booking public video conferencing facilities around the world simple and easy) or inetwork.com (which provides VOIP networking) is that it enables TMCs and buyers to book through self booking tools (SBTs) and, tying this facility into the distribution channel in the corporate space, is definitely new.

The fact that VC suppliers have woken up to the business potential of talking directly to TMCs and are creating technology that is accessible and relevant to them is a wise move. Given the squeeze on corporate travel budgets over the last few years, many corporates are only too eager to consider cost-saving alternatives intercompany travel.

David Chapple is the event director of The Business Travel Show. You can contact him virtually on Twitter @btshowlondon

Lizard Tattoos

Lizard Tattoos are popular tattoo designs both for men and women. They can be inked small and large as well, and in many styles, like realistic, cartoonish, simplistic, tribal and so on. Lizards have been highly popular especially in Hawaiian and Polynesian traditions, and as we know these are cultures that associate deep meaning and symbolism to natural creatures and elements - the lizard is not an exception either.

As for lizard tattoos, there are usually two main types that people choose:

Gecko Lizard Tattoos: Geckos can commonly be found in tropical regions of the world. They are completely harmless, and have broad and long bodies. What is special about them is that they can change their natural colors to disguise themselves from predators. They have very good hearing unlike other lizard animals. But what is most important, they look awesome in tattoo form. Some choose a design that covers the full chest or back, or just a small simple design to the legs.

Iguana Lizard Tattoos:Iguanas come mainly from South Africa and Central America. They can grow as large as 5 to 7 feet and have impressive defensive mechanisms. They naturally have bright colors, so you should use intense colors to make it look good as a tattoo.

Sun And Moon Tattoos

There is just something about sun and moon tattoos that attract both the male and female tat enthusiasts to have them proudly inked on their body. Must be the meaning itself, or perhaps the vivid colors or maybe the sunny disposition it can exude. Whatever the reason might be, this type of tat theme will definitely continue to be brought to life on human canvasses by talented tattoo artists of any generation.

Sun and moon tattoos can be executed in a whole lot of ways; from bright to vivid colors to full black ink in thick or thin lines. They can be done as the simple sun and moon tattoo or they can be inked in detailed lines and drawings. They can also be combined with other elements such as stars, flowers, tribal lines and zodiac symbols

When it comes to locations of sun and moon tattoos, they can be best tattooed on the nape or back of neck, upper back, chest, arm, feet, lower stomach, hip or lower back. With the great representation that this tattoo design possess, you should not waste such a potential image for artistic tat piece. Find a suitable place to get your tat image and discuss everything with your tattoo artist.

Animal Tattoos

Tattoos can be of different designs. They can be a representation of anything in this world and also can be abstract. There are feminine tattoos such as flowers, butterflies, angels and manly tattoos such as dragons, skulls and animals. Animal tattoos are quite common. Many people make a tattoo of their favorite animal on their bodies. It is important to know first what the animal symbolizes, because a tattoo is a permanent thing. If you get a tattoo done and you don't like it, you will regret forever.

New Tattoo Designs

I am going to include some very useful tips to locate the new tattoo designs on the internet. We still have too many people who start out looking for fresh tattoos, only to end up choosing some generic, bland design that they don't 100% like. I will tell you why that happens as well as how to avoid it. Locating new tattoo design should be a fun experience and hopefully this helps you out.

I am sure that you have noticed how easy it is to find artwork for tattoos on the web. You can locate thousands of them in the next eight minutes if you really needed to. Most of the tattoos you find will be nine years old and pretty generic, though. It gets even worse if you are relying on search engines to find new tattoo designs (like 95% of us do!). All that seems to pull up in search results are the same kind of low end galleries that don't have many new tattoo designs, if any.

On top of that, a lot of the artwork they carry was not even meant to be used as real tattoos! That's right. Most of these cookie cutter galleries only care about one main thing, which his packing their site with as much artwork as humanly possible. They don't care that half of the new tattoo designs they post aren't even real drawings for "tattoos". It's sad that they would do this, because people will pick one of these designs and run to go get it tattooed. They have no clue that the design isn't going to look anywhere near as good and crisp as it looked on the paper they printed it on. Those aren't new tattoo designs. They are random images that the gallery is passing off as "tattoos".

While you are going to find this type of artwork just about everywhere you go, there is a simple way to cut a lot of it out of the equation...

You can do this by using internet forums to your advantage. The bigger forums are always packed with topics about tattoos. This is where tons of people get together and talk about where they found their great tattoos and the artwork for them. It's an easy way to find the tons of galleries that just don't seem to pull up in search engine results. Most of the time, the galleries you find this way will be far superior to most of the stuff you've been seeing. It's a good way to find a lot of new tattoo designs and a bunch of fresh artwork.

Back Tattoo Designs

Arguably tattoos on the lower back are the most popular of all today. Women mostly search for tattoo designs online and lower back tattoo designs are also predominantly worn by women. This intimate location for tattoo designs gives you wide room for self-expression. Lower back tattoos look stunning when done right.

Finding Perfect Lower Back Tattoo Designs

Pictures of lower back tattoo designs can be easily found online. By simply typing "lower back tattoo designs" into your favorite search engine, you will find many examples of both free and for sale tattoo designs. There are also a wide range of types of lower back tattoos to be sure. Tribal tattoo designs are often used on the lower back. Other popular lower back designs include celtic, butterfly, flower, and dragon tattoos. A combination of any of the designs mentioned can also create a uniquely beautiful lower back tattoo. Any v-shaped tattoo design can make a beautiful presentation on your lower back.

Placement of Lower Back Tattoo Designs

Tattoos placed in this anterior location are generally for someone else's benefit. Those fortunate enough to catch even a passing glimpse of your work of art. An offensive and derogatory term for a lower back tattoo is the "tramp stamp". Tattoos on the lower back often have symbolism and meaning to the owner. Sometimes tattoo designs in this area are for sensual purposes.

Usually found on the small of the back or the top of the buttocks, lower back tattoos can accentuate the hourglass shape of the female form. They are often hidden while at work in the office, then shown off after hours, nights, and weekends thanks to low-rise jeans, baby tees, and midriff baring shirts. Lower back tattoos draw attention to that area of the wearers body.

Lower Back Tattoo Designs Important Tips

When getting a lower back tattoo prepare to lay on your stomach for at least 1 hour. It is also required that you prepare a clean hairless surface for your tattoo artist to work with. Remember to dress appropriately to give your tattoo artist room to work on your lower back area. Afterwards wear loose waist pants for a few days to allow your new tattoo to heal properly and not disturb the art.

Please be aware that almost a quarter of people who get tattoos regret their decision after being inked. Take your time and think about what you are going to do. Find several pictures of what you want on your back before you go in to the tattoo shop. It can cost up to ten times what you paid for a tattoo to have one removed later.

Celebrities With Lower Back Tattoo Designs

Many celebrities have lower back tattoos these days. Nicky Hilton has the word "Hilton" written in gothic font in the small of her back. Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame has a beautiful pair of purple dragonfly tattoos on her lower back. Pamela Anderson sports a tribal design on her lower back side. Angelina Jolie most recently got an authentic Thai tattoo of a tiger on her lower back. Anna Kournikova has a large star tattoo design on her lower region. Even Julia Roberts put a butterfly tattoo on her lower back area.

When you are ready to get your lower back tattoo done, do it right. Do your research and get a unique design that you will be happy with for years to come. You don't need to be a celebrity to get more attention, just accent your natural beauty with a hot tattoo!

Zodiac Tattoos

There is more to the symbolism of the zodiac signs than just a different image to represent it. Other may learn a lot about you by your zodiac tattoo symbol. Astrological sign tattoos can also tell others details about your personality. For instance, a person wearing one of the zodiac tattoos, Cancer, would be expected to be a shrewd person who is also jealous and moody. In other words, you might have a tendency to occasionally be a little crabby!