Online Conference Calls, An Introduction To New Technology In Practice

By Stephen

Conference calls can be setup using a variety of methods and fairly obviously these differ from one supplier to another. Though there may be off supplies and services you can use to set up conference calls, in the main there are just three major suppliers and their various setups.

A system known as reservation less conference call may well be the most commonly used. There is not much to set up with this type of conference call.

You simply get a number and access code, as well as a separate access code for the other people that you want to participate in the conference call. All you need to do to during the set up conference call is dial the number, enter your access code, and then have the other callers call in and use their own access code.

where the client may be slightly inexperienced and wishes a more straightforward setup they reach usually the facility to have what is known as an Operator assisted conference call and as the phrase suggests this is when you have the assistance of an operator to ensure a setup proceed smoothly and remain on hand to assist you with any technical issues that might crop up.

Here you have to marry up the additional expense and setting up the cost against the possible ease of use of setting up the call. As is usual the cost of this type of call varies from supplier to supplier.

Using another setup known as Operator dialled setup conference calls will actually give you more information and interaction. Here, they will try to take a more proactive role, dial out the participants and add them manually to the conference.

This is an ideal option for those who are inexperienced in making conference calls. with this type is this in the direct involvement of your prey to if you need any last minute facilities these can be arranged very quickly.

As we mentioned at the outset there are other types of conference calls that are available. Possibly the future of this type of call lies with Web conference calls and though they may appear to be more complicated to set up this is not necessary the case. There are also small scale conference calls between two or three people that business lines can handle. Just play around with the different options and you will see what is the most advantageous to your business.

As technology advances, the world of telecommunications gets easier and cheaper. Advances in technology quite naturally mean that communications get more advanced. Nowadays we no longer just have to use the phone for conference calls as we have the Internet to bring an added online dimension. So, what is the big deal? Well, the big deal is that not only will you be able to talk to each other, but you will be able to do so much more in an online conference call.

Having an online conference call, or web conference, is not just about an extra video feature during the conference. Online Conference call services offer a number of things that a regular telephone based conference can not. As with telephones conferences, you have to get your point across using only words, and that can be tough at times. However, if you were to illustrate your point, using pictures, videos, or presentations, the participants would understand your point more clearly.

A whole new world of information sharing is now possible with documents, slideshows pictures and videos being shared as well as Audio. Of course, video without any audio would not be very user friendly. Luckily, there is more than one means of communication with these online conference call services. Participants will usually have the choice to talk aloud via microphone/headset, or type via an IM, instant messaging or board.

Before you make your decision about a particular service provider, you should at least try a few out. If you can arrange a free trial from as many suppliers as possible then you really have nothing to lose.

Decide what facility you would like to test, check this works and then move on to another supply for other trial It is easy to see that online conference calling is a very affordable, not to mention a better, option than simply using a telephone. If you need to host a conference call, host an online conference call, you will not regret it.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

New Age Solutions For New Age Business

By Ajeet

The modern world requires solutions that are customized. And modern business cannot afford to lose track of the changes that are constantly taking place. Technological advances have made it necessary for offices everywhere to deliver quickly and efficiently.

There is cut-throat competition in every sphere. A slight hiccup here and a faltering step there might result in the slipping away of a lucrative contract. Businesses today do not have the luxury of dilly-dallying with their decisions. Everything has to be instant. A minute more might cost the organization a lot of money. That is the way of the world today, and every business organization has to adapt itself to new problems that are the result of a changing world.

Conference calling has been one of the solutions that more and more businesses are recognizing the worth of. Now, conference calls have been around for a while. They have been in operation for awhile. However, conference calling has become much faster. It has become far more convenient. And it is widely regarded as a great way of contacting people who are located all across the globe.

With globalization being the reality of today, one cannot help but recognize the power of a conference call to facilitate business decisions. People that are standing on remote corners of the globe can be brought together via the power of technological progress.

Moreover, the look of the age-old conference call has also changed. One no longer has to reserve a conference call way in advance. Conference call booking happens much faster in the world of today. Also, a conference call no longer has to be restricted to the audio mode.

These days, with the rise of the Internet, and the popularity of web conferencing, most conference calling services are now also providing video conferencing. So, conducting a conference call has come to resemble the traditional business conference. The personal touch that probably was absent in the audio conference calling facility can be gained via audio-video
conferencing.

Conference calling is an affordable way of coping with the problem of having clients and colleagues who are situated abroad. Their travel and accommodation expenses could have become much higher than that of conducting a conference call.

Most conference calling services that you might look up will provide a variety of rates and bargains to suit a variety of customers. Whether one decides to go with web conferencing or audio conferencing would be determined by the money that is at hand and the requirements of the meeting. Customized conferencing is what most clients are now looking for.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Free Conference Call Services - Great Solution Or Waste Of Time?

By Sandra

During the last several years, a number of companies have begun to offer free conference call services. Their message is a pretty basic one; why pay for conferences when you don't have to? Assured that their customers will never see a bill from the conference provider, people have jumped on the bandwagon, only to find themselves disappointed and going back to their former providers.

There are several reasons people find themselves disappointed with these services. The immediate and most obvious reason is that the free conference call is not truly free. When the customer signs up for the service, they receive a United States based toll number and passcodes to use for their calls. True to their word, the conference provider never sends the customer an invoice. That job is left up to the long distance providers who bill anyone who used the toll number. Each person made a long distance call and each one is paying for their participation through their own phone service.

A second issue with free conference call services is that often the ability to hold a conference call depends on the availability of lines for your conference. A number of the smaller free conference call services have only limited line capacity; it is a first come first served arrangement. If you need a call at 11:00 on Monday morning with eight people, you may find that only six can get into your meeting. Should this happen regularly, you may find in short order that your free conference call service is costing you more in lost productivity than you are saving by using a free service.

Another drawback of a free conference call is that you do not usually have access to an operator to help with background noise or other sound distractions during your conference. This leaves you with two basic options: ignore the issue or have everyone hang up and hope that when you dial back in, the distraction will be gone.

In spite of these problems with free conference call services, there is definitely a niche market that is well served by free conference calls. One example is volunteer organizations that have little or no money to spare for conference calls. If the attendees are willing to make a long distance conference call to attend the meetings, then obviously the central organization has saved precious funds that can be re-directed elsewhere. In addition, if the free conference calls tend to take place outside of standard business hours, the chances of the free conference call running out of line capacity is severely diminished, thus making is far less likely that someone will not be able to access the meeting.

Another good target market for a free conference call provider would be companies that operate with a sales force composed entirely of agents. Since the agents are typically paid on collected revenue only, it makes sense to use a free conference call service to provide the agents with information about new products to sell, teach new agents the tricks of the trade, and make other important announcements about the business. Because the company uses a free conference call to do all this, they keep the overhead low, which allows them to offer better commissions. The agents in turn are motivated to make a few extra sales to offset the cost they incur by calling into the free conference call using a toll number.

Free conference calls can also be a great way for families who are scattered across the country to gather together for an hour or so, with minimal cost. Considerable cheaper in most cases than calling up your local phone service provider and arranging a conference call, the free conference call service prevents any one family member from incurring the overall charges. Also, since family gatherings by free conference call are more apt to take place at off-peak hours, there is no real worry about running out of enough lines to hold the call.

Perhaps one of the greatest recent boons to the free conference call industry has come from the cell phone industry. With more and more cell phone services offering nationwide calls at no extra charge, along with blocks of free minutes in the evenings and weekends, free conference call services have become even more attractive to people who can call in using their cell service instead of a traditional phone line. With no phone charges to worry about, and no invoice coming from the free conference call provider, the free conference call actually does become free for a select few. However, cell phone calls are still subject to more drops than traditional connections, so you may find the call is disrupted by line releases during the conference.

At the end of the day, only you can decide if free conference call services are the right fit for you. Look at your individual situation very closely, and perhaps even try out one of the free services, and see if it meets your needs. If not, there are plenty of other companies that for a small charge are more than happy to have your business.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Conference Calling Evolved

By Richard Keir, Sat Dec 10th

Copyright 2005 Richard Keir

Originally the conference call was limited to businesses payingexorbitant fees to the telcos. For business, it still made senseeconomically because the costs were less than the travel costsinvolved in bringing the people together. Additionally,significant time savings are involved, both in terms of traveltime and in being able to communicate fairly rapidly to anextended group.

Telcos then extended their market by providing conferencecalling services to home consumers for an added fee. For some,it made sense to be able to bring a family or group with commoninterests together easily, usually to plan some physical event.

With the expansion of the internet, and in particular, theincreasing availability and decreasing pricing for high speedinternet access, conference calling has expanded far beyond itsoriginal uses.

For business, it remains a vital tool and has, actually, becomefar more useful as prices fall and the ease of use increases.Real time audio/video conferencing is already in use (and insome organizations has been for quite some time). As the cost ofbandwidth decreases and the technology underlying audio-videotransmission over networks improves, true real-time videoconferencing will increase dramatically.

With the growing sophistication of the typical surfer and theexpansion of internet marketing, audio and video have become hotitems. Within the internet marketing community, conference calls- usually known as teleseminars, have become a standard feature.Offering the opportunity to reach a large group of interestedprospects in a relatively simple and inexpensive format,teleseminars also offer the marketer an opportunity to create aninstant product. A recording of a teleseminar can either be soldas a stand-alone product or used as a marketing tool forback-end products.

Marketers are using both free and paid teleseminars. Generallythere is a higher level of injected sales content in freeteleseminars, but it does vary a great deal.

Solutions available now range from the rather expensive toessentially free. Your choice is going to depend on exactly whatlevel of service you require. There are a number of providerswhich offer an introductory pricing scheme (I've seen it as lowas a $1 for the first month), which gives you the opportunity tosee firsthand how their service works at a very modest cost. Youdo need to make sure you understand just how your users willaccess the conference. Solutions which use telephone call-insare generally more restrictive and/or expensive than thoseutilizing an internet connection or VoIP softphone connections.

True real-time audio/video conferencing hasn't arrived yet formost. The bandwidth requirements remain excessive and thequality of the video, in particular, is fairly low. If you everdone live chat with audio and a web camera, you've seen thelimitations.

Most online presentations which involve both audio and videogenerally use static images which change either rarely orslowly, such as charts, website images, topic outlines and soon. This can be extremely useful for teleseminars, of course,because it makes it easier to demonstrate certain points andprovides a visual as well as an audio focus for participants.

The combination of audio and visual elements is particularlyuseful in training situations where one can reinforce the other.Plus, you have the advantage of reaching those who learn betterthrough visual means, as well as those partial to audio.

For those of you doing eCommerce the evolved conference call canbe an incredible tool. Consider how much impact regularteleseminars about your area of expertise could have on futuresales. You can provide buyers with instructional teleseminars.You can introduce new products. And in each instance you'll begenerating recordings which you can either sell or makeavailable on your sites, or use as added viral marketing tools.

With the increasing sophistication and usability of the toolsfor conference calling, the possibilities are virtuallyunlimited and well within the reach of every entrepreneur.You'll be hard pressed to find another tool that offers you theimpact and potential of the conference call.

About the author:
Richard writes, teaches, trains and consults on business and professional presentations and eCommerce related matters.

Formore on conference calling, web conferencing and relatedsubjects visit http://altaglobal.com - for wireless and cellularsubjects see http://www.altaglobal.org and for networking and security check http://www.altaglobal.net

9 Proper Conference Call Etiquette For A Better Conference Calling Experience

By Huzaili

When you have a conference call rather it is from business to business, or business to an employee at home or abroad conducting business, it is important that the conference calling experience is productive and smooth sailing. No matter what role you play in the conference call, it is necessary that you maintain the proper etiquette for conference calls.

Before we get into the conference call etiquette, let us look at some of the things that could go wrong as a result of a bad conference call. You might not believe it, but there are many.

Here are some repercussions of a conference call gone bad:

Morale - If the proper etiquette is not followed, it might create some bad feelings between workers. You might find that it is harder to work with these employees as a result. Many people expect that their conference call will run with complete smoothness, no interruptions, and productivity, otherwise it is a complete waste of their time and yours.

Missed Deadlines - If there are constant interruptions or the conference call runs in a disorganized manner, things might be misunderstood. This could mean that an important deadline is missed because things were not correctly understood.

Misunderstandings - While this goes along with the missed deadlines, so many negative outcomes could arise from a misunderstanding. If for any reason, those on your conference call do not completely understand what you are telling them, it could result in not only missed deadlines, but a loss of customers, loss of revenue, loss of employees, or loss of business all the way around.

Getting it right the first time

Now that you know a few of the many problems that could arise from a conference call gone bad, it is time to take a look at the proper conference call etiquette. Every person on the conference call should practice these things. However, you cannot control the things that other people do or do not do; therefore, the only thing you can do is focus on yourself and your own etiquette and hope that everyone follows suit.

1.Quiet is the key - Make sure, when you are on the conference call that you are in a very quiet room, away from any disturbances. This will make sure that you hear everything that is going on and keep the misunderstandings to a minimum. It is impossible to keep the misunderstandings at bay if you have a dog barking, machines running, or people talking in the background.

2.The Telephone Equipment - Make sure that you are using a phone that will minimize the noise in the background. Some telephone and most all cell phones will pick up even the slightest noise or interference, which will not only cause troubles for you hearing the speakers, but others as well.

3.Using Telephone Technology - The mute button does wonders, but make sure you know how to use it. The mute button should be used if there is a lot of background noise that you simply cannot control or if someone is particularly talkative. Of course, make sure you know how to un-mute for when it is your turn to speak or answer a question.

4.Time - Make sure you set the conference call up in advance and let everyone know all information such as pass code or phone number. It is also necessary that you take time zones in to consideration if you have people across several time zones to include on the conference call.

5.Being on Time - If you are the conference call leader, you want to start right on time. Do not wait for others if they are late. People on the call want to start right away, because there may be other business they need to attend to. If



you are simply in the call, be on time, you do not want to miss anything that might be important.

6.Introductions - Make sure that every person on the call introduces himself or herself. This will allow for building relationships and getting people to open up and feel comfortable.

7.Clarification - Not everyone will be able to tell who is who by the voice. Make sure before anyone speaks that his or her name is said first. For example, "this is Bob, could you repeat that company name again".

8.Eating - Never eat while you are on a conference call, who wants to hear chewing in their ear? If you must get a drink of water, put the call on mute so no one will have to hear the emitted sounds. This includes chewing gum.

9.Keep on Topic - Do not fill the call with unnecessary talk. Keep to the point, because remember there may be several people on the call that have other pressing things to do.

With the above proper conference call etiquette rules, you will find that the conference calls runs in a much more smooth and efficient manner. Keeping the proper etiquette in mind while on the conference call will make the entire call that much more productive for everyone.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Hunting For Conference Call Bargains

By Ajeet

Conference calling is fast becoming an effective substitute for meetings of all kinds. More and more offices are becoming aware of the value of conducting meetings via conference calls. Conference calls allow organizations to save on a good deal of time and money that could be used in a better way. The organization ends up saving on the travel expenses that will be incurred in transporting delegates to the conference room. It also saves on the air fare and hotel bills that would have to be incurred for people from out of town. This is a good thing, because most business organizations hope to reduce their costs in order to maximize their profits.

Moreover, one can never underestimate the value of any time that is saved. Commutes to and from a place can wear a person out. But conference calls eliminate the need to take a single step out of the door. Whether one is working from office, or from home, or from a place on the other side of the world, conference calling is a great way to talk about important steps that the company must take. One does not lose out on time. Delays are minimized. And the energy that is saved can be put to better use at the end of the day.

However, in addition to the savings that are the result of taking recourse to conference calls, one can also save a lot by doing a search for great deals. As in the case of most of the services available in the markets, conference call services also come up with a lot of great offers and very competitive prices. With increasing numbers of business organizations being willing to try out conference calls, conference call service providers are ready to provide lower prices, great discounts, and even free trials. The ultimate aim is to increase their client bases. And freebies and incentives are among the best ways of making that happen.

Thus, if one is new to the conference call business, it makes sense to try out a few before coming
to a conclusion. Several providers offer a free conference call trial to ensure that users become familiar with all the aspects of conference calling. After trying out and comparing a few different providers, one could pick out a service that suits your organizational needs. Talking about freebies, many conference call service providers offer toll-free conference calling. This also helps one save a considerable amount of money. Moreover, these days, web conference calls are becoming very popular. Most of today's conference call service providers offer web conferencing facilities.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Conference Calling... Not Just For Business Anymore

By Michael Fedeli, Sat Dec 10th

We need to schedule a Conference Call! Not to long ago thatstatement was only uttered in the CEO's office or in the boardroom. But now, thanks to the phenomenal drop in long distancecalling costs, conference calling is affordable to almost anygroup or organization that wants to get together to discuss theimportant issues.

While conference calling is now relatively inexpensive there isstill a per minute per participant cost. Conference callingshould only be used when the cost of the call would be cheaperthan gathering all of the participants together on one room. Forexample if your entire group resides in the same city, why makea conference call when you could just schedule a meeting. Ifyour group is spread Statewide, or has members in other Statesor Countries then conference calling is the way to go.

Just think of the expense, time and hassles that can beavoided. Travel time, airfare, hotel bills, rental car fees andgas costs. Now, sometimes groups just have to meet face to facefor important events and meetings. In these instances conferencecalls can be used as Gap Filler meetings to pass along importantinformation and updates.

Conference Call Revisited

How does one differentiate themselves in the conference calling marketplace? After all, conference calling is no longer the 'whiz bang' application of the 1970's. Rather, it's more of a commodity than the hot new app.

There are many potential differentiators amongst conference call providers, including features, price, audio quality, and customer service. As market prices have gotten as low as they will get in the near future, one differentiator stands out: audio quality.

The factors that influence the audio quality of a conference call are many. The perfect conference call is usually ruined by the guy with a $3 Walmart phone that produces noise across the entire bridge. Remember the guy who put his phone on hold and blasted elevator music on the conference call? While some providers focus on 'bridge quality', a company called A-Conference-Call.com is using a different approach. While everyone else has jumped on the VoIP bandwagon, A-Conference-Call.com has been buying up copper TDM voice T1 circuits at reduced rates. The result: A-Conference-Call.com provides higher quality audio while passing the savings on to the customer.

A-Conference-Call.com supports all the conferencing features you expect in a professional conference calling service. Their features include touch tone controls for mute, volume, recording, outdialing to add parties, and a conference control interface that does the same. They also support large conferences and provide operator assist. Record your conference calls and access them through our conference control interface, download and playback as an MP3 file. You can start a recording via the telephone keypad, or via the web. Nationwide toll-free access and support for large conferences means less travel and more work getting done.

Author
Ryan Fullerton

A company called A-Conference-Call.com addresses audio conference quality issues in a VoIP world.