Whether your business is large or small, conference calling is a solution that you have likely used at some time or another for its time saving and relationship building advantages. While you may just think of a call with multiple participants when you hear the word conference call, there are actually quite a few different conference calling solutions available to you. Its up to you to select the option that best meets your needs.
Among these, the primary types of conference calls are:
- Audio conference calling
- Video conference calling
- Web conference calling
From these primary types of conference call, there is also the possibility to mix and match among them to customize your solution.
Audio conferencing solutions are the oldest among the main three. These can include three phone lines bridged together to create complex outsourced services. It can also mean the lower cost solution of a two-party call, where a speaker phone is utilized in order to let everyone around a table participate in the call with the party on the other end.
This is the type of conference call in which the most people have participated. They can be very effective despite their limitations. This limitation is the same as with any other telephone. For one thing, it means that you can only hear what the person is trying to say, but not actually see it. Also, if anyone is too far from the microphone, or the phone isnt of very good quality, or even if a person doesnt speak up enough, then it makes communication difficult. Furthermore, if the phone call is long distance, then at least one of the parties will need to pay the long distance bill unless an 800, 877, 888, or other toll free number is available.
With video conferencing, you can use a hosted solution to give that added level of professionalism and convenience. Though phone lines, multiple parties are bridged, providing both image and audio. It is the next best thing to actually having the other party in the room. Video conferencing does, however, require you and the other party to have specialized systems and support. These can be very challenging to set up and to use. However, when you compare the costs and lost productivity of video conferencing with that of actual travel, you will find that this is a very cost effective solution.
Introduction To Web Conference Calling
Introduction
By Peter Black
Are you confused by all the buzz words surrounding conferencing calling? Theres audio calling, web conferencing, video conferencing, teleconferencing and many more.
The intention of this article is to give you an introduction to Web Conferencing. Ill describe its capabilities and features. You should then be able to decide if it is suitable for your particular circumstances.
Traditional Conferencing
A traditional physical conference can involve a lot of hassle and disruption to your normal working day. You have
to make travel arrangement, book a hotel, tr ..
Web conferencing work their very best when using computer desktop applications that are the same on both ends. They are fantastic options for showing products such as software to customers, or to share spreadsheets and other applications among the different parties involved in the conference call.
Selecting from among these many conference call solutions will hopefully help you to provide the best communication solution with the party with whom you are communicating. In many situations, an audio conference call will do just fine, but when added demonstrations or a visual element is needed, then you can upgrade to video or web conferencing.
It is important to remember that no matter which conference call solution you select
http://www.articlesfactory.com/pic/x.gif" alt="Psychology Articles" border="0">, you are choosing it in order to meet your business objectives and those of your company. Its best to choose the option that meets your needs instead of going with the solution that provides you with more than what you need. It will only be wasteful in the long run if you do otherwise.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
EcomExpo - Affiliate ConferenceEcomExpo is a virtual conference. You can attend from anywhere with a high speed connection. Everything is done online so there are no travel expenses or hotel expenses like a regular conference. As an attendee at the Ecomexpo in Febuary 2005, I was quite satisfied with the conference in general. There were lots of affiliates there, as well as Exhibitors. It really does feel like a true conference. The next EcomExpo is in October, and I plan on being an exhibitor at that one. People have asked me if it is worth it. Well, I say it is well worth the price of admission. If you just take away one ..
Richard Cussons is a prolific and diverse writer. You will find out more about how a conference call can help you business at Conference Calling Online.
