Training and education think tank The Maise Center found that companies are turning to digital collaboration tools such as audio-, video- and Web-based conferencing in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Of 1,609 training and human resource professionals polled between Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, 45 percent said they are now relying more on digital tools for training and collaboration.

Thirty-two percent of those surveyed said they are relying more on telephone conferencing, 18 percent on videoconferencing, 16 percent on instant messenger and e-mail and 14 percent on Web-based classroom conferencing. Fifty-five percent said the recent events have not increased their reliance on collaborative technologies.

The terrorist attacks have clearly impacted travel plans, with about 13 percent of those surveyed indicating that employees now need special permission to travel. Four percent of those asked said there is a no-exception freeze on travel at this time and 1 percent said employees cannot travel together until further notice.

Another 35 percent said there was no change to their travel policy and 37 percent said their organization is leaving it up to employees to decide whether or not they want to travel.