An acquaintance of mine is looking for a conference call provider. Now I'm quite interested in the subject of conference calling as it relates to web conferencing, so when the topic came up in conversation, I tuned in immediately.
I was amazed to learn that there is a company that provides free conference calls. You read it right ... free conference calls.
Apparently, they build their own equipment and offer the free conference calling in the hope that folks might upgrade to their paid plan. (With the free service, callers must dial into non-toll-free number.)
While I need to compare Integrated Data Concepts Teleconferencing Services with the other conference call providers, this sounds like a pretty slick idea.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Whole About Conference Calling
conference calling is right for them they will need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each. In this article we will evaluate and compare the three major types of conference calls including audio conference calling, web conference calling, and video conferencing.
The biggest advantage, for many companies, in choosing audio or web conferencing over video conferencing is the cost. Audio conferencing tends to be the cheapest. Virtually the only costs involved when choosing audio conferencing is the cost of a telephone and then the charge of a long distance call. Many companies already have phones with a built-in speakerphone and if not they can be purchased for as little as $100.
However there are disadvantages in choosing audio conferencing as well. The first distinct disadvantage is that businesses lose personal relations when all they hear is a colleague's voice. Jokes and remarks can be taken the wrong way or be offending when those involved can not see a caller's smile of facial expression. Another disadvantage to audio conferencing is that the quality of the call declines as additional locations are added. When several parties are involved the chance of two of them talking at the same time are great and neither of them will have their thoughts heard.
Web conferencing offers its rewards and shortcomings as well. While web conferencing can be free, it is usually in the companies best interest to choose to pay a little more to avoid annoying ads and pop ups. Web conferencing is especially useful for business calls that involve viewing digital files because these files can be sent in an instant via email to all parties involved. Documents can be viewed, analyzed and returned so they can be discussed all at once rather than waiting and communicating through mail or several phone calls. Web conferencing also allows more than one person to talk or type at once without going unheard.
Like any type of conference calling though, web conferencing also has its disadvantages. One of these down sides is that, again, it is difficult to gauge a person's seriousness or humor in a comment. There is no personality in a typed sentence. It is also difficult for those who are uncomfortable with technology to use web conferencing efficiently.
Finally the biggest advantage to video conferencing is that it offers a visual connection with the other attendees. When using video conferencing callers are able to view each other on a TV screen and hear each other through the speaker system. Associates are able to hear each other's voices, put a voice to a face, and understand each other's joke and comments. Financially, the cost of video conferencing is quite a bit higher due to the equipment that is involved. If equipment is not high quality it can also be limiting because the video feed can be jerky or delayed. Whatever type a business chooses, every type of conference call has it ups and downs.
Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/
The biggest advantage, for many companies, in choosing audio or web conferencing over video conferencing is the cost. Audio conferencing tends to be the cheapest. Virtually the only costs involved when choosing audio conferencing is the cost of a telephone and then the charge of a long distance call. Many companies already have phones with a built-in speakerphone and if not they can be purchased for as little as $100.
However there are disadvantages in choosing audio conferencing as well. The first distinct disadvantage is that businesses lose personal relations when all they hear is a colleague's voice. Jokes and remarks can be taken the wrong way or be offending when those involved can not see a caller's smile of facial expression. Another disadvantage to audio conferencing is that the quality of the call declines as additional locations are added. When several parties are involved the chance of two of them talking at the same time are great and neither of them will have their thoughts heard.
Web conferencing offers its rewards and shortcomings as well. While web conferencing can be free, it is usually in the companies best interest to choose to pay a little more to avoid annoying ads and pop ups. Web conferencing is especially useful for business calls that involve viewing digital files because these files can be sent in an instant via email to all parties involved. Documents can be viewed, analyzed and returned so they can be discussed all at once rather than waiting and communicating through mail or several phone calls. Web conferencing also allows more than one person to talk or type at once without going unheard.
Like any type of conference calling though, web conferencing also has its disadvantages. One of these down sides is that, again, it is difficult to gauge a person's seriousness or humor in a comment. There is no personality in a typed sentence. It is also difficult for those who are uncomfortable with technology to use web conferencing efficiently.
Finally the biggest advantage to video conferencing is that it offers a visual connection with the other attendees. When using video conferencing callers are able to view each other on a TV screen and hear each other through the speaker system. Associates are able to hear each other's voices, put a voice to a face, and understand each other's joke and comments. Financially, the cost of video conferencing is quite a bit higher due to the equipment that is involved. If equipment is not high quality it can also be limiting because the video feed can be jerky or delayed. Whatever type a business chooses, every type of conference call has it ups and downs.
Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Free Long Distance and International Calls
Talkster's Free World Dialing delivers unlimited free long distance and international calls for groups or individuals from any phone, on any network
Award-winning Voice 2.0 company Talkster announced today the availability of a new consumer calling service offering completely free long distance and international calls and conference calling all over the world. The service is appropriately named Talkster's Free World Dialing™.
Talkster's Free World Dialing gives consumers the ability to make free international and long distance calls from their cell phones, landlines, computers or VoIP phones. No registration or credit card is ever required and callers won't need any new software or downloads to use the new Talkster service, just their existing phone. Advertising and special personalized offers for callers cover the cost of the calls.
To use Talkster's Free World Dialing service today simply visit on your mobile phone's browser or go to on your computer. The service can even be used through simple SMS text messaging. At the site, enter your name and the phone number from which you will place the call, along with the name and phone number of the person you want to call. Talkster will assign you and your friend a free local Talkster number that you can save in your phone's address book to use anytime you want to talk with your friend for free.
Talkster's Free World Dialing also offers callers the ability to set-up free conference calls with up to five friends all over the world on any combination of phone types; from mobile phones to landlines and even instant messenger services with voice such as Google Talk, Yahoo!, AOL, or MSN.
Source:http://news.ecoustics.com/
Award-winning Voice 2.0 company Talkster announced today the availability of a new consumer calling service offering completely free long distance and international calls and conference calling all over the world. The service is appropriately named Talkster's Free World Dialing™.
Talkster's Free World Dialing gives consumers the ability to make free international and long distance calls from their cell phones, landlines, computers or VoIP phones. No registration or credit card is ever required and callers won't need any new software or downloads to use the new Talkster service, just their existing phone. Advertising and special personalized offers for callers cover the cost of the calls.
To use Talkster's Free World Dialing service today simply visit on your mobile phone's browser or go to on your computer. The service can even be used through simple SMS text messaging. At the site, enter your name and the phone number from which you will place the call, along with the name and phone number of the person you want to call. Talkster will assign you and your friend a free local Talkster number that you can save in your phone's address book to use anytime you want to talk with your friend for free.
Talkster's Free World Dialing also offers callers the ability to set-up free conference calls with up to five friends all over the world on any combination of phone types; from mobile phones to landlines and even instant messenger services with voice such as Google Talk, Yahoo!, AOL, or MSN.
Source:http://news.ecoustics.com/
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Web And Audio Conferencing
The technology boom in the 21st century has created wonders for the telecom industry in a tremendous manner. With the arrival of mobile phones and the Internet, communication is fast becoming a necessity. It is indeed a technological revolution.
The Benefits Of Web And Audio Conferencing
In this regard, web and audio conferencing have taken the IT boom to its next level of revolution. Today, equipped with the Internet technology, we are able to carry out conferences with people all over the world while sitting in our office. Web and audio conferencing has enabled the postmodern world in connecting with a virtual reality through the medium of cyber space.
With web and audio conferencing, large business organizations are able to deal with their clientele and other associates within seconds. The video aspect of the conference allows the maintaining of a physical aspect of the communication which is a part of virtual reality.
Some Basic Requirements Of Web And Audio Conferencing
To facilitate the Internet web and audio conferencing, you must have Windows, Java, Linux or Mac software and an internet connection of at least minimum 128kbps. For video conference, VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) is mandatory and a camera which will help in receiving and sending the analog digital message in the form of audio and video.
This is the cheapest medium of communication which saves a lot of money and time as it can be established almost instantly and does not require a huge amount of investment in comparison of the expenses on traveling for business and personal use. It is the easiest medium of maintaining one-to-one conference which can be highly efficient in running a business. Thus, web and audio conferencing is the new technological revolution, which enables the IT revolution to move to the next level.
Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Web-And-Audio-Conferencing
The Benefits Of Web And Audio Conferencing
In this regard, web and audio conferencing have taken the IT boom to its next level of revolution. Today, equipped with the Internet technology, we are able to carry out conferences with people all over the world while sitting in our office. Web and audio conferencing has enabled the postmodern world in connecting with a virtual reality through the medium of cyber space.
With web and audio conferencing, large business organizations are able to deal with their clientele and other associates within seconds. The video aspect of the conference allows the maintaining of a physical aspect of the communication which is a part of virtual reality.
Some Basic Requirements Of Web And Audio Conferencing
To facilitate the Internet web and audio conferencing, you must have Windows, Java, Linux or Mac software and an internet connection of at least minimum 128kbps. For video conference, VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) is mandatory and a camera which will help in receiving and sending the analog digital message in the form of audio and video.
This is the cheapest medium of communication which saves a lot of money and time as it can be established almost instantly and does not require a huge amount of investment in comparison of the expenses on traveling for business and personal use. It is the easiest medium of maintaining one-to-one conference which can be highly efficient in running a business. Thus, web and audio conferencing is the new technological revolution, which enables the IT revolution to move to the next level.
Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Web-And-Audio-Conferencing
Web And Audio Conferencing
The technology boom in the 21st century has created wonders for the telecom industry in a tremendous manner. With the arrival of mobile phones and the Internet, communication is fast becoming a necessity. It is indeed a technological revolution.
The Benefits Of Web And Audio Conferencing
In this regard, web and audio conferencing have taken the IT boom to its next level of revolution. Today, equipped with the Internet technology, we are able to carry out conferences with people all over the world while sitting in our office. Web and audio conferencing has enabled the postmodern world in connecting with a virtual reality through the medium of cyber space.
With web and audio conferencing, large business organizations are able to deal with their clientele and other associates within seconds. The video aspect of the conference allows the maintaining of a physical aspect of the communication which is a part of virtual reality.
Some Basic Requirements Of Web And Audio Conferencing
To facilitate the Internet web and audio conferencing, you must have Windows, Java, Linux or Mac software and an internet connection of at least minimum 128kbps. For video conference, VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) is mandatory and a camera which will help in receiving and sending the analog digital message in the form of audio and video.
This is the cheapest medium of communication which saves a lot of money and time as it can be established almost instantly and does not require a huge amount of investment in comparison of the expenses on traveling for business and personal use. It is the easiest medium of maintaining one-to-one conference which can be highly efficient in running a business. Thus, web and audio conferencing is the new technological revolution, which enables the IT revolution to move to the next level.
Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Web-And-Audio-Conferencing
The Benefits Of Web And Audio Conferencing
In this regard, web and audio conferencing have taken the IT boom to its next level of revolution. Today, equipped with the Internet technology, we are able to carry out conferences with people all over the world while sitting in our office. Web and audio conferencing has enabled the postmodern world in connecting with a virtual reality through the medium of cyber space.
With web and audio conferencing, large business organizations are able to deal with their clientele and other associates within seconds. The video aspect of the conference allows the maintaining of a physical aspect of the communication which is a part of virtual reality.
Some Basic Requirements Of Web And Audio Conferencing
To facilitate the Internet web and audio conferencing, you must have Windows, Java, Linux or Mac software and an internet connection of at least minimum 128kbps. For video conference, VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) is mandatory and a camera which will help in receiving and sending the analog digital message in the form of audio and video.
This is the cheapest medium of communication which saves a lot of money and time as it can be established almost instantly and does not require a huge amount of investment in comparison of the expenses on traveling for business and personal use. It is the easiest medium of maintaining one-to-one conference which can be highly efficient in running a business. Thus, web and audio conferencing is the new technological revolution, which enables the IT revolution to move to the next level.
Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Web-And-Audio-Conferencing
Web Conferencing services
You will find that Web Conferencing services are a great resource for you. As you learn more about them you will find that they can be used in many ways. Be sure to follow all the tips and techniques you learn on our site about Web Conferencing services.
As you learn more about how others are able to work with their Web Conferencing services you will quickly see how these services can be much more useful to you. Spend the necessary time to become good at using and working with your Web Conferencing service and the benefits you will get will be well worth it.
Source:http://www.webconferencingguideonline.com/
Monday, October 22, 2007
Conference calls made cheap
The second time Frank LaRocca used Free Conference, he was justifiably nervous.
Sure, the service had worked as advertised during a brief, insignificant initial test call. But call No. 2 for the Glen Rock attorney was with a judge, and a system failure would have been embarrassing.
He needn't have worried, LaRocca said. "It worked fine."
Not only did the conference calling go through without a flaw, but it was also free, except for the cost of the call to a telephone center in the Midwest.
That made LaRocca a believer.
web conference callings is the brainchild of Dave Erickson. In six years, it has attracted more than 500,000 customers making 1.5 million connections a month.
Many of them are attorneys like LaRocca, but the California-based conference-calling service has attracted a variety of other businesses seeking a low-cost Conference calling alternative to AT&T and other providers, Erickson said.
The premise is simple. Go to the company's Web site, provide your name and e-mail address, get assigned a telephone number, access number, and PIN code, and you have immediate access to conference-calling services 24/7.
The cost? Zero.
Could this be the proverbial "free lunch" that supposedly doesn't exist?
In a way it is, LaRocca said. He has used the service numerous times since signing up nearly two years ago, and hasn't paid a cent except for his long-distance call into the conference center. And he doesn't even pay that when he uses the unlimited minutes he gets on his cellphone plan.
Before discovering Conference Calling , LaRocca was paying $20 to $40 -- and as much at $100 -- for a typical call.
That doesn't mean Erickson's company is a non-profit. It makes money through marketing fees paid by telephone service providers with excess capacity. Most are located in places like South Dakota, Iowa or Minnesota, "places that don't have population growths to lean on," he said.
In addition, he has used the free conference calling as a springboard to other telecommunications services, including toll-free and flat-rate calling.
"The idea is to generate revenue in a traditional fashion," Erickson said.
He declined to discuss the company's finances except to say that it is growing 10 percent a month and that he expects to continue growing "at a pretty good clip."
Nearly three-quarters of new customers come from referrals, he said. People are attracted by the service being free, but "the key to our success has been reliability," he said.
The average call involves six people being on the line for 33 minutes, but the service can be used by two people or 96 people for up to six hours at a time.
LaRocca, who specializes in family and matrimonial law, says the service is ideal for attorneys for several reasons.
Because there are no costs beyond the phone call, no one has to worry about who will pick up the tab and bill it to a client.
It's a "Dutch lunch," in which everyone pays his own way, Erickson said.
"When you're in the midst of an argument, you're not thinking about the [cost]," LaRocca said. "But when you hang up the phone, you do. When you write the check, you do."
At the end of the call, the customer receives call details, including who was on and for how long, Erickson said. "It looks similar to a bill, but there are no charges."
Customers also can request a recording of the call, and that can be played for clients and associates, LaRocca said. The recording also can be e-mailed to associates, who can listen at their convenience.
Source:http://www.northjersey.com/page.php
Sure, the service had worked as advertised during a brief, insignificant initial test call. But call No. 2 for the Glen Rock attorney was with a judge, and a system failure would have been embarrassing.
He needn't have worried, LaRocca said. "It worked fine."
Not only did the conference calling go through without a flaw, but it was also free, except for the cost of the call to a telephone center in the Midwest.
That made LaRocca a believer.
web conference callings is the brainchild of Dave Erickson. In six years, it has attracted more than 500,000 customers making 1.5 million connections a month.
Many of them are attorneys like LaRocca, but the California-based conference-calling service has attracted a variety of other businesses seeking a low-cost Conference calling alternative to AT&T and other providers, Erickson said.
The premise is simple. Go to the company's Web site, provide your name and e-mail address, get assigned a telephone number, access number, and PIN code, and you have immediate access to conference-calling services 24/7.
The cost? Zero.
Could this be the proverbial "free lunch" that supposedly doesn't exist?
In a way it is, LaRocca said. He has used the service numerous times since signing up nearly two years ago, and hasn't paid a cent except for his long-distance call into the conference center. And he doesn't even pay that when he uses the unlimited minutes he gets on his cellphone plan.
Before discovering Conference Calling , LaRocca was paying $20 to $40 -- and as much at $100 -- for a typical call.
That doesn't mean Erickson's company is a non-profit. It makes money through marketing fees paid by telephone service providers with excess capacity. Most are located in places like South Dakota, Iowa or Minnesota, "places that don't have population growths to lean on," he said.
In addition, he has used the free conference calling as a springboard to other telecommunications services, including toll-free and flat-rate calling.
"The idea is to generate revenue in a traditional fashion," Erickson said.
He declined to discuss the company's finances except to say that it is growing 10 percent a month and that he expects to continue growing "at a pretty good clip."
Nearly three-quarters of new customers come from referrals, he said. People are attracted by the service being free, but "the key to our success has been reliability," he said.
The average call involves six people being on the line for 33 minutes, but the service can be used by two people or 96 people for up to six hours at a time.
LaRocca, who specializes in family and matrimonial law, says the service is ideal for attorneys for several reasons.
Because there are no costs beyond the phone call, no one has to worry about who will pick up the tab and bill it to a client.
It's a "Dutch lunch," in which everyone pays his own way, Erickson said.
"When you're in the midst of an argument, you're not thinking about the [cost]," LaRocca said. "But when you hang up the phone, you do. When you write the check, you do."
At the end of the call, the customer receives call details, including who was on and for how long, Erickson said. "It looks similar to a bill, but there are no charges."
Customers also can request a recording of the call, and that can be played for clients and associates, LaRocca said. The recording also can be e-mailed to associates, who can listen at their convenience.
Source:http://www.northjersey.com/page.php
Monday, October 15, 2007
OneStream Networks Lands Multi-Million Dollar Global Data and VoIP Contract
Converged Voice and Data Communications Solution is Key to Growth and Competitiveness of 11-location, 1,000 Employee New Jersey-based Manufacturer and Supplier.
Rochester, NY, October 16, 2007 OneStream Networks, a leading national end-to-end managed IP services provider, today announced a multi-year outsourced network, hardware and VoIP services contract with an international manufacturer and supplier based in New Jersey. OneStream becomes the single-source provider of the customers global communications infrastructure and services, including one of the larger hosted VoIP deployments in the country.
At the heart of the convergence project is OneStreams Smart Business Solutions portfolio, a comprehensive suite of on-demand IP applications and outsourced VoIP telephony services delivered and managed via OneStreams private global Quality of Service (QoS)-enabled MPLS IP network.
Source:http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/10/15/3015895.htm
Rochester, NY, October 16, 2007 OneStream Networks, a leading national end-to-end managed IP services provider, today announced a multi-year outsourced network, hardware and VoIP services contract with an international manufacturer and supplier based in New Jersey. OneStream becomes the single-source provider of the customers global communications infrastructure and services, including one of the larger hosted VoIP deployments in the country.
At the heart of the convergence project is OneStreams Smart Business Solutions portfolio, a comprehensive suite of on-demand IP applications and outsourced VoIP telephony services delivered and managed via OneStreams private global Quality of Service (QoS)-enabled MPLS IP network.
Source:http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/10/15/3015895.htm
A Thousand Points Of VoIP
We all know that voice over IP has significant advantages over PBXes. Using the data network for voice saves on toll charges and systems are easy to change. But rolling out VoIP to remote offices has been an obstacle to widespread deployment, particularly when you're talking small branches that lack dedicated IT staffs.
Avaya's Distributed Office, a SIP-based, distributed VoIP system, aims to simplify remote deployment and management. Avaya will preconfigure its IP gateways, the i40 and i120, to fit your remote branches, and its VoIP phones are included with gateways, which support a variety of third-party VoIP and analog phones. It offered good call quality and useful features, and was easy to manage.
On the downside, Distributed Office is a voice-only platform. If you're looking to integrate voice with other applications, such as e-mail, or if your branches would benefit from an all-in-one system that supports functions such as firewalling and routing, you should look elsewhere. Avaya is aiming at companies that will find the low starting price of $350 per seat for 20 users and ease of deployment a square trade for all-inclusive hardware.
Cisco, Avaya's main competitor, is taking a different approach. Its UC500 with Call Manager Express is similar to the i40 in voice service, but it also provides WAN access, routing, and a firewall. If a branch has more than 50 users, it would have to move to the ISR line, increasing costs significantly and maybe providing more horsepower than you need.
Distributed Office starts with Avaya's SIP Enablement Services Edge switch, which handles incoming SIP connections at corporate headquarters, routes calls among branches, and provides a management workstation to remotely administer the i40 and i120 gateways (see diagram below).
Next are the gateways. The i40 is a 2U rack-mounted unit that supports as many as 40 users. It has 10 power over Ethernet ports to power phones directly. The 4U rack-mounted i120, which supports up to 120 users, has 40 PoE ports. If you need to support more phones, add a PoE switch, from either Avaya or a third party.
Voice mail is stored locally on the gateway on a 1 Gbyte (i40) or 2 Gbyte (i120) compact flash drive. Voice mail can be sent to an FTP or SCP server to move it into long-term storage. If you have Avaya's centralized Integrated Management for Distributed Office, server backups can be automated, scheduled, and saved there via the network configuration manager application.
The i40 is appropriate for as few as five to 10 users, because pricing is based on seats, not a flat hardware cost; it starts at $350 per user, with volume discounts available. Distributed Office includes Avaya's One-X VoIP phones in the per-seat price. They have basic features, such as forwarding, conference calling, and speed dial, and niceties such as auto-attendant, announcements, and routing. The i40 and i120 include fax ports.
Avaya will ship the platform pre-configured to your specs. For $100 per system (not per seat), Avaya will load a profile configuration, test it, and place the unit and endpoints in a single box. This can save a lot of time, allowing for a much faster cutover because the primary configuration is done. The base price includes pre-configuration of media modules. And if you prefer not to install the gateways, Avaya Services will do it--for a fee, of course.
We tested two i40s and an i120 connected by the SES server and an assortment of the IP phones. We used a workstation with the Avaya Integrated Management console to configure and manage the devices. Call quality was good in a variety of scenarios, including three-way calls and calls to remote devices off the IP network through the PSTN.
As with any VoIP product, you must enable quality of service to ensure that voice traffic gets sufficient priority. Branches should have at least a partial T-1 to handle voice calls, but it can make outbound local calls through POTS lines, or you can route calls back to a central location.
The Avaya Integrated Management console is accessed via a Web interface. We could view the network by device type, subnet view, or a VoIP system view. We could push software updates remotely to both phones and gateways in branches, all from a central location. Install the Integrated Management Console on a workstation at your branch to administer all phone functions.
We ran into only minor problems, including an i40 that reset itself with no explanation. A One-X phone also reset and wouldn't reconnect until we physically pulled the PoE plug. Also, the screen on the One-X is small compared with some of the Cisco 7900 series.
Source:http://www.informationweek.com/news/
Avaya's Distributed Office, a SIP-based, distributed VoIP system, aims to simplify remote deployment and management. Avaya will preconfigure its IP gateways, the i40 and i120, to fit your remote branches, and its VoIP phones are included with gateways, which support a variety of third-party VoIP and analog phones. It offered good call quality and useful features, and was easy to manage.
On the downside, Distributed Office is a voice-only platform. If you're looking to integrate voice with other applications, such as e-mail, or if your branches would benefit from an all-in-one system that supports functions such as firewalling and routing, you should look elsewhere. Avaya is aiming at companies that will find the low starting price of $350 per seat for 20 users and ease of deployment a square trade for all-inclusive hardware.
Cisco, Avaya's main competitor, is taking a different approach. Its UC500 with Call Manager Express is similar to the i40 in voice service, but it also provides WAN access, routing, and a firewall. If a branch has more than 50 users, it would have to move to the ISR line, increasing costs significantly and maybe providing more horsepower than you need.
Distributed Office starts with Avaya's SIP Enablement Services Edge switch, which handles incoming SIP connections at corporate headquarters, routes calls among branches, and provides a management workstation to remotely administer the i40 and i120 gateways (see diagram below).
Next are the gateways. The i40 is a 2U rack-mounted unit that supports as many as 40 users. It has 10 power over Ethernet ports to power phones directly. The 4U rack-mounted i120, which supports up to 120 users, has 40 PoE ports. If you need to support more phones, add a PoE switch, from either Avaya or a third party.
Voice mail is stored locally on the gateway on a 1 Gbyte (i40) or 2 Gbyte (i120) compact flash drive. Voice mail can be sent to an FTP or SCP server to move it into long-term storage. If you have Avaya's centralized Integrated Management for Distributed Office, server backups can be automated, scheduled, and saved there via the network configuration manager application.
The i40 is appropriate for as few as five to 10 users, because pricing is based on seats, not a flat hardware cost; it starts at $350 per user, with volume discounts available. Distributed Office includes Avaya's One-X VoIP phones in the per-seat price. They have basic features, such as forwarding, conference calling, and speed dial, and niceties such as auto-attendant, announcements, and routing. The i40 and i120 include fax ports.
Avaya will ship the platform pre-configured to your specs. For $100 per system (not per seat), Avaya will load a profile configuration, test it, and place the unit and endpoints in a single box. This can save a lot of time, allowing for a much faster cutover because the primary configuration is done. The base price includes pre-configuration of media modules. And if you prefer not to install the gateways, Avaya Services will do it--for a fee, of course.
We tested two i40s and an i120 connected by the SES server and an assortment of the IP phones. We used a workstation with the Avaya Integrated Management console to configure and manage the devices. Call quality was good in a variety of scenarios, including three-way calls and calls to remote devices off the IP network through the PSTN.
As with any VoIP product, you must enable quality of service to ensure that voice traffic gets sufficient priority. Branches should have at least a partial T-1 to handle voice calls, but it can make outbound local calls through POTS lines, or you can route calls back to a central location.
The Avaya Integrated Management console is accessed via a Web interface. We could view the network by device type, subnet view, or a VoIP system view. We could push software updates remotely to both phones and gateways in branches, all from a central location. Install the Integrated Management Console on a workstation at your branch to administer all phone functions.
We ran into only minor problems, including an i40 that reset itself with no explanation. A One-X phone also reset and wouldn't reconnect until we physically pulled the PoE plug. Also, the screen on the One-X is small compared with some of the Cisco 7900 series.
Source:http://www.informationweek.com/news/
Friday, October 12, 2007
Is Microsoft VoIP ready for prime time?
Enterprise Voice
Enterprise Voice is the VoIP component of OCS, and it’s an important point of the Unified Communications goal of OCS (along with audio conference calling ,video conference calling, conferencing, IM, and Outlook/Exchange integration). OCS makes VoIP an integral part of working with Office applications. Users can make phone calls in a “click-to-call” manner to Outlook and Communicator contacts.
OCS also provides a similar sort of functionality as services such as Google’s GrandCentral, which allow users to integrate all their phone numbers. Users can register their mobile phones and other devices with OCS; they then receive calls simultaneously on all registered endpoints and can choose which to answer. Through the Enterprise Voice client software, users can also choose whether to forward unanswered calls to another number or log them for notification.
In addition, the voice functionality doesn’t limit users to calling within the local area network. Users with Internet connections can call into the office remotely. They don’t have to use a VPN or pay long-distance charges.
Cost savings go beyond substituting VoIP for PSTN calls. When calls do need to go through the PSTN, Enterprise Voice uses least-cost algorithms to determine how to route those calls.
PBX integration
Based on the SIP standard, OCS offers integration with a company’s existing IP PBX if it supports SIP and native PBX integration. That means users can use existing handsets to make and take phone calls, as well as Office Communicator 2007 on their computers.
A mediation server mediates signaling and media between the OCS and PBX systems. It’s necessary if you’re using a basic media gateway. If you have an advanced media gateway, however, the gateway handles mediation, and you don’t need a mediation server. Media gateways are devices that translate the signaling and media between the Enterprise Voice software and the PSTN.
When the PBX routes calls to users, it also sends the call to OCS. OCS then routes the call to the user’s registered SIP endpoints while the PBX sends it to the PBX phone on the user’s desk.
Another option is to set up OCS to handle phone calls for an individual department within a company while the rest of the company uses the existing PBX. This allows you to roll out OCS in increments within the organization and/or to deploy OCS only for those groups that need its features.
A media gateway can connect the OCS/VoIP group with the PBX. The members of these groups don’t necessarily have to be in the same physical location. If the team members are in disparate locations, they can use OCS for communications, which can save a significant amount of money in long-distance charges.
You can place Enterprise Voice either in front of or behind the PBX. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. Placing Enterprise Voice in front of the PBX means incoming calls come into the media gateway, and it routes calls to the PBX or OCS as appropriate. Placing Enterprise Voice behind the PBX means incoming calls go to the PBX first, and it routes calls for Enterprise Voice users to the media gateway.
OCS and Exchange Server 2007 Unified Messaging (UM) can work together to provide users with Outlook Voice Access. This makes e-mail messages, faxes, and voice messages all accessible from Outlook on a computer or over the phone via an access number assigned by the Exchange UM administrator. Exchange UM can provide voice mail services when you use OCS without PBX integration.
Drawbacks
Of course, like any VoIP solution, a network or power outage may cause you to lose telephone service. In addition, problems with the OCS server itself may result in a voice outage.
You’ll want to have an alternative calling method available for emergency services (i.e., 911) in such cases. OCS doesn’t automatically provide physical location information to emergency services when a caller dials 911.
Another consideration is that when using PBX integration, users can’t use the OCS voice mail. That means you have to either use the voice mail system on the PBX or configure voice mail on Exchange Unified Messaging.
Deploying Enterprise Voice can be complex. If you have outside callers who use Office Communicator, you need an Access Edge Server and Audio/Video Edge Server so their calls can go through the firewall or NAT device.
The A/V Edge Server includes an A/V Authentication service that authenticates outside callers. In addition, you need to translate phone numbers to the E.164 format, create dialing plans, define usage records to assign call permissions to users, and populate a routing table for determining how to route which calls to which gateways.
Source:http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=363
Enterprise Voice is the VoIP component of OCS, and it’s an important point of the Unified Communications goal of OCS (along with audio conference calling ,video conference calling, conferencing, IM, and Outlook/Exchange integration). OCS makes VoIP an integral part of working with Office applications. Users can make phone calls in a “click-to-call” manner to Outlook and Communicator contacts.
OCS also provides a similar sort of functionality as services such as Google’s GrandCentral, which allow users to integrate all their phone numbers. Users can register their mobile phones and other devices with OCS; they then receive calls simultaneously on all registered endpoints and can choose which to answer. Through the Enterprise Voice client software, users can also choose whether to forward unanswered calls to another number or log them for notification.
In addition, the voice functionality doesn’t limit users to calling within the local area network. Users with Internet connections can call into the office remotely. They don’t have to use a VPN or pay long-distance charges.
Cost savings go beyond substituting VoIP for PSTN calls. When calls do need to go through the PSTN, Enterprise Voice uses least-cost algorithms to determine how to route those calls.
PBX integration
Based on the SIP standard, OCS offers integration with a company’s existing IP PBX if it supports SIP and native PBX integration. That means users can use existing handsets to make and take phone calls, as well as Office Communicator 2007 on their computers.
A mediation server mediates signaling and media between the OCS and PBX systems. It’s necessary if you’re using a basic media gateway. If you have an advanced media gateway, however, the gateway handles mediation, and you don’t need a mediation server. Media gateways are devices that translate the signaling and media between the Enterprise Voice software and the PSTN.
When the PBX routes calls to users, it also sends the call to OCS. OCS then routes the call to the user’s registered SIP endpoints while the PBX sends it to the PBX phone on the user’s desk.
Another option is to set up OCS to handle phone calls for an individual department within a company while the rest of the company uses the existing PBX. This allows you to roll out OCS in increments within the organization and/or to deploy OCS only for those groups that need its features.
A media gateway can connect the OCS/VoIP group with the PBX. The members of these groups don’t necessarily have to be in the same physical location. If the team members are in disparate locations, they can use OCS for communications, which can save a significant amount of money in long-distance charges.
You can place Enterprise Voice either in front of or behind the PBX. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. Placing Enterprise Voice in front of the PBX means incoming calls come into the media gateway, and it routes calls to the PBX or OCS as appropriate. Placing Enterprise Voice behind the PBX means incoming calls go to the PBX first, and it routes calls for Enterprise Voice users to the media gateway.
OCS and Exchange Server 2007 Unified Messaging (UM) can work together to provide users with Outlook Voice Access. This makes e-mail messages, faxes, and voice messages all accessible from Outlook on a computer or over the phone via an access number assigned by the Exchange UM administrator. Exchange UM can provide voice mail services when you use OCS without PBX integration.
Drawbacks
Of course, like any VoIP solution, a network or power outage may cause you to lose telephone service. In addition, problems with the OCS server itself may result in a voice outage.
You’ll want to have an alternative calling method available for emergency services (i.e., 911) in such cases. OCS doesn’t automatically provide physical location information to emergency services when a caller dials 911.
Another consideration is that when using PBX integration, users can’t use the OCS voice mail. That means you have to either use the voice mail system on the PBX or configure voice mail on Exchange Unified Messaging.
Deploying Enterprise Voice can be complex. If you have outside callers who use Office Communicator, you need an Access Edge Server and Audio/Video Edge Server so their calls can go through the firewall or NAT device.
The A/V Edge Server includes an A/V Authentication service that authenticates outside callers. In addition, you need to translate phone numbers to the E.164 format, create dialing plans, define usage records to assign call permissions to users, and populate a routing table for determining how to route which calls to which gateways.
Source:http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=363
Thursday, October 11, 2007
RingCentral Adds Outbound VoIP Capability to Virtual Phone System
RingCentral launches DigitalLine a VoIP service that adds the convenience and cost savings of Internet-based telephony to RingCentral’s virtual phone system for small businesses. In contrast to stand-alone VoIP services that focus simply on low-cost calling, RingCentral uses VoIP to add value and utility to small business communications. DigitalLine is seamlessly integrated into RingCentral’s robust hosted phone and fax service, allowing customers to place and receive calls using a broadband Internet connection. With DigitalLine, RingCentral delivers a complete hosted PBX solution for small businesses. RingCentral gives customers the ability to use a mix of traditional land line, mobile and VoIP communications to place and receive calls. With RingCentral, small businesses and mobile professionals can interact with customers more professionally, using all the features of a big company phone system at a fraction of the cost and all under a single phone bill.
“RingCentral is focused on the needs of small businesses and mobile professionals -- a market that’s been underserved by traditional carriers and hardware manufacturers,” said Vlad Shmunis, CEO of RingCentral. “With DigitalLine we’ve created the industry’s first on-demand solution that seamlessly integrates VoIP with conventional voice and fax communications. Our DigitalLine VoIP option further empowers RingCentral users to improve their professional image while staying in touch with their customers and in control of their communications.”
“Small businesses need the same kind of communications services large businesses need but without the cost or the administrative overhead,” said Rob Enderle, Principal Analyst for the Enderle Group. “By effectively using the power of VoIP to create a rich communications service, RingCentral has provided a solution that exceeds what most large businesses can afford to supply their employees at a small business price. RingCentral gives the small business employee an edge many large corporations will envy.”
Unlike other providers offering VoIP services, RingCentral does not require small businesses to rely solely on VoIP. By integrating all communication lines (mobile, home, office and fax), RingCentral provides a smarter way to leverage all the available communications technologies in the most time- and cost-efficient manner. As part of every basic service plan, DigitalLine enables customers to receive calls over the Internet at no additional cost. Small businesses can experience the savings and convenience of RingCentral DigitalLine VoIP and determine if the service is a fit for them, risk free. Through a service upgrade, customers receive a complete phone service allowing them to both receive and place calls over the Internet using a softphone, IP phone or ATA adaptor.
“My team and I are very impressed with RingCentral and the new DigitalLine option. Because our employees often work remotely, we rely on RingCentral to keep us connected and give our company a unified presence,” said Tom Sagi of First Data Independent Sales, a provider of electronic payment systems. “We have saved thousands of dollars by not using a traditional PBX, and now with DigitalLine, we’re saving even more money -- without the need to completely switch our business over to VoIP.”
With the only phone management service developed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses and mobile professionals, RingCentral to date has attracted more than 40,000 customers, and is signing up thousands more each month. With DigitalLine, small businesses can be even more productive and responsive to customers and save money at the same time.
DigitalLine Features and Pricing
DigitalLine dovetails with RingCentral’s virtual phone service, and enhances it with additional time- and cost-saving features. Small businesses can assign DigitalLine to any extension in their account and use Answering Rules to route calls to DigitalLine phones according to day, time and Caller ID. A unified Call Log keeps track of all incoming and outgoing calls. The enhanced Call Controller with SoftPhone provides the added convenience of answering and placing calls directly from the PC, conference calling, and recording calls for records or for sharing with colleagues. If small businesses prefer a hardware phone, they can use their existing analog phones with an ATA adapter or purchase a digital Internet phone that connects directly to the network connection. Customers can also use any SIP-compatible device that they may already own. DigitalLine also integrates with Microsoft Office and provides enhanced e911 service.
RingCentral is offering DigitalLine through three promotional plans. Introductory pricing is as follows(1):
* Basic - 4.99 per month — This plan uses customers’ existing RingCentral plan minutes for inbound and outbound calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. Additional minutes are added at the set plan rate.
* Standard - 9.99 per month — This plan provides 500 minutes of outbound local and long distance calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, additional minutes only 3.9¢ per minute.
* Unlimited - 24.99 per month — This plan provides unlimited outbound local and long distance calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.
(1) These introductory prices represent a 50 percent discount for the first six months of service.
Source:http://www.voipmonitor.net/2007/10/09/
“RingCentral is focused on the needs of small businesses and mobile professionals -- a market that’s been underserved by traditional carriers and hardware manufacturers,” said Vlad Shmunis, CEO of RingCentral. “With DigitalLine we’ve created the industry’s first on-demand solution that seamlessly integrates VoIP with conventional voice and fax communications. Our DigitalLine VoIP option further empowers RingCentral users to improve their professional image while staying in touch with their customers and in control of their communications.”
“Small businesses need the same kind of communications services large businesses need but without the cost or the administrative overhead,” said Rob Enderle, Principal Analyst for the Enderle Group. “By effectively using the power of VoIP to create a rich communications service, RingCentral has provided a solution that exceeds what most large businesses can afford to supply their employees at a small business price. RingCentral gives the small business employee an edge many large corporations will envy.”
Unlike other providers offering VoIP services, RingCentral does not require small businesses to rely solely on VoIP. By integrating all communication lines (mobile, home, office and fax), RingCentral provides a smarter way to leverage all the available communications technologies in the most time- and cost-efficient manner. As part of every basic service plan, DigitalLine enables customers to receive calls over the Internet at no additional cost. Small businesses can experience the savings and convenience of RingCentral DigitalLine VoIP and determine if the service is a fit for them, risk free. Through a service upgrade, customers receive a complete phone service allowing them to both receive and place calls over the Internet using a softphone, IP phone or ATA adaptor.
“My team and I are very impressed with RingCentral and the new DigitalLine option. Because our employees often work remotely, we rely on RingCentral to keep us connected and give our company a unified presence,” said Tom Sagi of First Data Independent Sales, a provider of electronic payment systems. “We have saved thousands of dollars by not using a traditional PBX, and now with DigitalLine, we’re saving even more money -- without the need to completely switch our business over to VoIP.”
With the only phone management service developed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses and mobile professionals, RingCentral to date has attracted more than 40,000 customers, and is signing up thousands more each month. With DigitalLine, small businesses can be even more productive and responsive to customers and save money at the same time.
DigitalLine Features and Pricing
DigitalLine dovetails with RingCentral’s virtual phone service, and enhances it with additional time- and cost-saving features. Small businesses can assign DigitalLine to any extension in their account and use Answering Rules to route calls to DigitalLine phones according to day, time and Caller ID. A unified Call Log keeps track of all incoming and outgoing calls. The enhanced Call Controller with SoftPhone provides the added convenience of answering and placing calls directly from the PC, conference calling, and recording calls for records or for sharing with colleagues. If small businesses prefer a hardware phone, they can use their existing analog phones with an ATA adapter or purchase a digital Internet phone that connects directly to the network connection. Customers can also use any SIP-compatible device that they may already own. DigitalLine also integrates with Microsoft Office and provides enhanced e911 service.
RingCentral is offering DigitalLine through three promotional plans. Introductory pricing is as follows(1):
* Basic - 4.99 per month — This plan uses customers’ existing RingCentral plan minutes for inbound and outbound calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. Additional minutes are added at the set plan rate.
* Standard - 9.99 per month — This plan provides 500 minutes of outbound local and long distance calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, additional minutes only 3.9¢ per minute.
* Unlimited - 24.99 per month — This plan provides unlimited outbound local and long distance calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.
(1) These introductory prices represent a 50 percent discount for the first six months of service.
Source:http://www.voipmonitor.net/2007/10/09/
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
10 Essential Steps to Organizing a Conference Call
Conferencing calls are a boon to businesses and families. More that two people can talk to one another at the same time. There are today many kinds of conference calls:
• Audio conference calls.
• Video conference calls.
• Webconference calls.
A conference call saves money as well as time and enables people to take decisions on the spot. There are what are known as conference call providers who offer conference calling services and charge their clients on a per hour or per minute basis. Once you subscribe you will be given a toll free pin number. This must be sent to all the people who will participate in the conference call.
The 10 essential steps of organizing a conference call are:
1. Decide on a convenient date and time. Be sure to inform all persons concerned.
2. Contact a conference call service provider and pay the subscription.
3. Send all the participants the toll free number and pin number well in advance.
4. Book a time slot to avoid confusion.
5. On the date of the conference call meeting all the participants must dial the toll free number and enter the pin. Once they have done that the conference call can proceed. All participants will be able to ask questions, provide answers and communicate with one another just as they would in a face to face meeting.
6. The host or person who has paid the subscription will control the conference. And if the host terminates the call the conference call will end unless arrangements are made to continue the call.
7. If you need to share data or illustrations then you would need to make arrangements for a web conference.
8. Always arrange for the conference call to be recorded.
9. Ask about the billing system. Most conference call providers bill by the minute and have a 30 day billing cycle.
10. Before you sign up check up on reliability of service and whether the conference call service provider uses digital lines.
These days, conference calls have become affordable as there is fierce competition in the market. And an account can be activated within the hour of subscribing. And calls can accommodate as many as 200 participants.
On your part you can ensure that you are using a phone with no static. During the call ensure that all other devices like music systems or televisions are switched off. Memorize all the buttons on your phone. Accustom yourself to using a head set. Make notes during the call and assign one person to record the minutes of the conference call. Create an agenda for the conference call and send it out to all participants. Conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion so that no time is wasted. It is a good idea to request all participants to introduce themselves when they speak.
A conference call can ease business meetings and save money on travel.
Always find out what services are offered by the conference call providers. Find out about rates and discounts. It is a competitive field so you will always benefit by comparison shopping. Select a provider who provides good service and is yet affordable.
Source:http://pr-gb.com
• Audio conference calls.
• Video conference calls.
• Webconference calls.
A conference call saves money as well as time and enables people to take decisions on the spot. There are what are known as conference call providers who offer conference calling services and charge their clients on a per hour or per minute basis. Once you subscribe you will be given a toll free pin number. This must be sent to all the people who will participate in the conference call.
The 10 essential steps of organizing a conference call are:
1. Decide on a convenient date and time. Be sure to inform all persons concerned.
2. Contact a conference call service provider and pay the subscription.
3. Send all the participants the toll free number and pin number well in advance.
4. Book a time slot to avoid confusion.
5. On the date of the conference call meeting all the participants must dial the toll free number and enter the pin. Once they have done that the conference call can proceed. All participants will be able to ask questions, provide answers and communicate with one another just as they would in a face to face meeting.
6. The host or person who has paid the subscription will control the conference. And if the host terminates the call the conference call will end unless arrangements are made to continue the call.
7. If you need to share data or illustrations then you would need to make arrangements for a web conference.
8. Always arrange for the conference call to be recorded.
9. Ask about the billing system. Most conference call providers bill by the minute and have a 30 day billing cycle.
10. Before you sign up check up on reliability of service and whether the conference call service provider uses digital lines.
These days, conference calls have become affordable as there is fierce competition in the market. And an account can be activated within the hour of subscribing. And calls can accommodate as many as 200 participants.
On your part you can ensure that you are using a phone with no static. During the call ensure that all other devices like music systems or televisions are switched off. Memorize all the buttons on your phone. Accustom yourself to using a head set. Make notes during the call and assign one person to record the minutes of the conference call. Create an agenda for the conference call and send it out to all participants. Conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion so that no time is wasted. It is a good idea to request all participants to introduce themselves when they speak.
A conference call can ease business meetings and save money on travel.
Always find out what services are offered by the conference call providers. Find out about rates and discounts. It is a competitive field so you will always benefit by comparison shopping. Select a provider who provides good service and is yet affordable.
Source:http://pr-gb.com
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Lets Look At The VoIP Phone
VoIP technology is a new wave of technology that is rolling out Globally. It combines internet access with telephone utilities therefore utilizing the same technology for two very different things. Now, instead of having a traditional phone connection, VoIP technology enables you to synchronise your internet broadband connection to make telephone calls and to do all the other things you previously did before.
To use this service, you need an internet connection. The voip device works by allowing you to take phone calls as before. However, with this phone, the connection is now digital instead of through a phone line. A VoIP phone also has a gateway that connects you to a network. Your voice is then converted to a digital sound and this information can be sent in packets enabling you to have great sound and connection to people.
To hop on this new technology, preferably you need a broadband internet connection. Although VoIP can work with dial-up internet, the voice reception quality will be under par compared with broadband.
The main benefit of this technology is that the VoIP phone costs much less than a traditional phone line. This applies whether you use a cell phone or home phone service. Unlike home phone services, regular long distance callers really notice the financial benefits of a VoIP phone. The more long distance conference calls you make the more you save. As with a VoIP phone, the location of the caller and the person receiving the call is not important. This service is also perfect for travellers as you are also able to take your adapter with you.
VoIP phones are also cost effective if you wish to add to your service. For example, instead of the normal fee of adding a phone line to your traditional home service, you need only pay a minimal amount since those with VoIP phones need not install any additional equipment. Look out for special offers from your current broadband provider, many offer additional services such as an extra phone line for Free, with the uptake of their voip service.
Although there are some disadvantages many view them as minor in comparison to the benefits. Poor voice quality can occur when the reception is poor. However, this is something we already have to contend with when using cell phones. Also since a VoIP phone is connected to a broadband connection, if the company supplying you with the connection has any problem with its power supply, then your call will automatically be cut off. This may also occur when there is poor signal in an area.
Currently, the majority of companies allow you to be online at the same time as making calls. There are no limitations to this service and this area can only grow and evolve in the the future. VoIP phones will become more and more commonplace and easier to use. This will lead to VoIP phones becoming more popular than traditional phone lines. Utilise the vastness of the internet to shop wisely for the best deal for you. Keep in mind the locations you call and other services you want and or need such as call waiting, conferencing, an additional Free phone line/ phone. For a deeper review of what to look for when shopping for a voip phone please visit or dedicated broadband phone page
Source:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=39747
To use this service, you need an internet connection. The voip device works by allowing you to take phone calls as before. However, with this phone, the connection is now digital instead of through a phone line. A VoIP phone also has a gateway that connects you to a network. Your voice is then converted to a digital sound and this information can be sent in packets enabling you to have great sound and connection to people.
To hop on this new technology, preferably you need a broadband internet connection. Although VoIP can work with dial-up internet, the voice reception quality will be under par compared with broadband.
The main benefit of this technology is that the VoIP phone costs much less than a traditional phone line. This applies whether you use a cell phone or home phone service. Unlike home phone services, regular long distance callers really notice the financial benefits of a VoIP phone. The more long distance conference calls you make the more you save. As with a VoIP phone, the location of the caller and the person receiving the call is not important. This service is also perfect for travellers as you are also able to take your adapter with you.
VoIP phones are also cost effective if you wish to add to your service. For example, instead of the normal fee of adding a phone line to your traditional home service, you need only pay a minimal amount since those with VoIP phones need not install any additional equipment. Look out for special offers from your current broadband provider, many offer additional services such as an extra phone line for Free, with the uptake of their voip service.
Although there are some disadvantages many view them as minor in comparison to the benefits. Poor voice quality can occur when the reception is poor. However, this is something we already have to contend with when using cell phones. Also since a VoIP phone is connected to a broadband connection, if the company supplying you with the connection has any problem with its power supply, then your call will automatically be cut off. This may also occur when there is poor signal in an area.
Currently, the majority of companies allow you to be online at the same time as making calls. There are no limitations to this service and this area can only grow and evolve in the the future. VoIP phones will become more and more commonplace and easier to use. This will lead to VoIP phones becoming more popular than traditional phone lines. Utilise the vastness of the internet to shop wisely for the best deal for you. Keep in mind the locations you call and other services you want and or need such as call waiting, conferencing, an additional Free phone line/ phone. For a deeper review of what to look for when shopping for a voip phone please visit or dedicated broadband phone page
Source:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=39747
FreeConference plan to combine services
The technology behind a browser-based Web conferencing tool called Vyew will be wedded with software from FreeConference, an audio conference call service, according to makers of the two products.
The partnership, to be announced later this month, is designed to deliver the first free, integrated conference calling and Web conferencing service, according a spokesman for Vyew, a start-up of University of California, Berkeley, graduates that was recently called Simulat Inc. Simulat is still listed as the official company name on the Vyew Web site but will be changed, the spokesman said.
Each company plans to embed the other's service into its own, according to the spokesman. Vyew subscriberswho want conference calling while collaborating online will be able to choose "Free conference call" in Vyew for quick access to Free Conference reservationless call service.
There are already some free Web conferencing services from Yahoo Mail and Google Mail, although they offer limited functionality, said Robert Mahowald, an IDC analyst who has seen an early version of the joint product. He said he was impressed by the resulting "good mix of features" similar to those seen in more complex Web conferencing systems from IBM, Cisco Systems Inc. and Citrix Systems Inc.
Even though Vyew is used by some large companies, Mahowald predicted that it will primarily serve small and midsize business users, or even small homebound businesses since larger companies tend to rely on systems administered and installed by their IT departments.
Free Conference will offer users a new service called SharePlus desktop sharing based on Vyew's technology. SharePlus will allow document sharing and application sharing in real time during a teleconference with the activation of a single click.
Source:http://www.computerworld.com/
The partnership, to be announced later this month, is designed to deliver the first free, integrated conference calling and Web conferencing service, according a spokesman for Vyew, a start-up of University of California, Berkeley, graduates that was recently called Simulat Inc. Simulat is still listed as the official company name on the Vyew Web site but will be changed, the spokesman said.
Each company plans to embed the other's service into its own, according to the spokesman. Vyew subscriberswho want conference calling while collaborating online will be able to choose "Free conference call" in Vyew for quick access to Free Conference reservationless call service.
There are already some free Web conferencing services from Yahoo Mail and Google Mail, although they offer limited functionality, said Robert Mahowald, an IDC analyst who has seen an early version of the joint product. He said he was impressed by the resulting "good mix of features" similar to those seen in more complex Web conferencing systems from IBM, Cisco Systems Inc. and Citrix Systems Inc.
Even though Vyew is used by some large companies, Mahowald predicted that it will primarily serve small and midsize business users, or even small homebound businesses since larger companies tend to rely on systems administered and installed by their IT departments.
Free Conference will offer users a new service called SharePlus desktop sharing based on Vyew's technology. SharePlus will allow document sharing and application sharing in real time during a teleconference with the activation of a single click.
Source:http://www.computerworld.com/
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Ring 2 sets, controls conference calls from BlackBerries
U.K. provider Ring2 is now selling a voice conference-call service in the United States and trying to separate its offerings from competitors’ with software that lets customers control calls from their BlackBerries.
The way it works, when the first participant has called into the conference, the conference leader’s BlackBerry buzzes with a message that the first person has arrived. The caller then asks the leader if he wants to see who it is. If the leader clicks yes, the device shows the person’s name, and then adds names as other callers join. The leader can also add people via the Blackberry and mute lines.
Read the latest WhitePaper - Speeding Network Operations Problem Diagnosis with Route Analytics
“This seems like a niche market, but it might be something that customers like,” says Kitty Weldon, an analyst with Current Analysis. The service would be best suited to companies that issue BlackBerries to their end users and for whom conferencing is a big part of doing business, she says. Ring2 says it hopes to attract law firms, financial institutions and consultants.
InterCall has similar remote conference control for BlackBerries, but other conference-call providers, such as AT&T, BT, Premier and Verizon, do not.
Ring2 claims only 30% of call leaders dial in from their own office where their computer is available, so the BlackBerry controller expands the locations from which they can exert control. The company claims customers use desktop control of conferences 2% of the time, but use of BlackBerry control is 60%.
The cost of Ring2 Conference Controller for BlackBerry is rolled into the standard fee for the provider’s conferencing service, which is typically eight to 16 cents per minute per caller on a conference. For a large enterprise with more use, that price can drop as low as three cents per minute.
When customers sign up for the service, they get controller clients from Ring2 that they distribute to their BlackBerry users via the corporate BlackBerry server. End users don’t have to do anything to install the software. Customers provide the BlackBerries.
Source:http://www.networkworld.com/
The way it works, when the first participant has called into the conference, the conference leader’s BlackBerry buzzes with a message that the first person has arrived. The caller then asks the leader if he wants to see who it is. If the leader clicks yes, the device shows the person’s name, and then adds names as other callers join. The leader can also add people via the Blackberry and mute lines.
Read the latest WhitePaper - Speeding Network Operations Problem Diagnosis with Route Analytics
“This seems like a niche market, but it might be something that customers like,” says Kitty Weldon, an analyst with Current Analysis. The service would be best suited to companies that issue BlackBerries to their end users and for whom conferencing is a big part of doing business, she says. Ring2 says it hopes to attract law firms, financial institutions and consultants.
InterCall has similar remote conference control for BlackBerries, but other conference-call providers, such as AT&T, BT, Premier and Verizon, do not.
Ring2 claims only 30% of call leaders dial in from their own office where their computer is available, so the BlackBerry controller expands the locations from which they can exert control. The company claims customers use desktop control of conferences 2% of the time, but use of BlackBerry control is 60%.
The cost of Ring2 Conference Controller for BlackBerry is rolled into the standard fee for the provider’s conferencing service, which is typically eight to 16 cents per minute per caller on a conference. For a large enterprise with more use, that price can drop as low as three cents per minute.
When customers sign up for the service, they get controller clients from Ring2 that they distribute to their BlackBerry users via the corporate BlackBerry server. End users don’t have to do anything to install the software. Customers provide the BlackBerries.
Source:http://www.networkworld.com/
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Conference Calling Goes Global
Our lives have changed thanks to globalization. It has changed our ways of living. It has allowed us to avail of products and services that we could not have otherwise. It has opened our minds to what the rest of the world can offer. At the same time, it has also transformed our ways of doing business. Gone are the days when file cabinets and piles of paper dominated our offices. These days, a single computer can hold all our data. Any data that is required by us will only be a few mouse clicks away.
In a way, that reveals the new look of business. Convenience and speed have become necessities. Could that be a reason why many organizations are gradually choosing conference calls over the traditional business meetings? To begin with, business meetings usually involve a certain amount of delay. Even if the meeting starts on time, some amount of time will inevitably be lost while commuting to the meeting. That time might have been put to better use. Moreover, a good deal of time goes into preparing the conference room, inviting and assisting the delegates, and generally ensuring that there are no hiccups.
In addition to the waste of time, there are various kinds of costs linked with the traditional business meeting. Often enough, delegates have to be flown in from different places. This is more so these days, when the workforce is scattered across the world. Air fares and accommodation costs can adversely affect the company's budget.
Thus, more and more business organizations are looking to the conference call to have important discussions. This is especially important when the matter to be discussed is one of crucial importance and which cannot wait for a traditional business meeting. The "con call" as it is popularly referred to, provides a quick and efficient way to carry out discussions on a given matter. Moreover, the organization concerned then has to pay only for the conference call service, thus saving on larger costs like travel and hotel bills.
Also, conference calls need not be restricted to only domestic calls. International conference call services are easily available. Thus, one can simultaneously talk to someone from the same office building and someone living in a far-off land. These days, we have access to a variety of conference call service providers. The numbers of providers ensure that we will get good bargains.
Source:http://pr-gb.com/
In a way, that reveals the new look of business. Convenience and speed have become necessities. Could that be a reason why many organizations are gradually choosing conference calls over the traditional business meetings? To begin with, business meetings usually involve a certain amount of delay. Even if the meeting starts on time, some amount of time will inevitably be lost while commuting to the meeting. That time might have been put to better use. Moreover, a good deal of time goes into preparing the conference room, inviting and assisting the delegates, and generally ensuring that there are no hiccups.
In addition to the waste of time, there are various kinds of costs linked with the traditional business meeting. Often enough, delegates have to be flown in from different places. This is more so these days, when the workforce is scattered across the world. Air fares and accommodation costs can adversely affect the company's budget.
Thus, more and more business organizations are looking to the conference call to have important discussions. This is especially important when the matter to be discussed is one of crucial importance and which cannot wait for a traditional business meeting. The "con call" as it is popularly referred to, provides a quick and efficient way to carry out discussions on a given matter. Moreover, the organization concerned then has to pay only for the conference call service, thus saving on larger costs like travel and hotel bills.
Also, conference calls need not be restricted to only domestic calls. International conference call services are easily available. Thus, one can simultaneously talk to someone from the same office building and someone living in a far-off land. These days, we have access to a variety of conference call service providers. The numbers of providers ensure that we will get good bargains.
Source:http://pr-gb.com/
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Five Steps to Clearer Audio Conferences
At San Francisco's Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, our IT department received constant complaints from our users who tried to conduct audio or video conferences.
Our legal professionals were frustrated by poor audio, low volumes, or static instead of content. How did we resolve these issues?
We established five rules for successful audio conferences, which can apply to the audio portion of video conferences or webinars, as well as the traditional teleconference.
1. Turn off your BlackBerry.
BlackBerrys emit annoying radio frequency interference that is picked up by telephones, microphones and speakers.
They aren't the only guilty party: To some extent cell phones and all wireless devices could be considered co-defendants to this noise complaint.
But BlackBerrys, because they are much more likely to be transmitting information, are most problematic.
Of wireless protocols in use today, Global System for Mobile or GSM -- perhaps the most popular -- is probably the worst offender because of the way it uses the electromagnetic spectrum.
Your conference microphones work by translating sound waves into electromagnetic signals that are then sent to your conferencing system.
Meanwhile, your BlackBerry is sending out pulses of electromagnetism to communicate with its network. These pulses are essentially highjacking the electronics of your microphone and sending those pulses directly through the microphone to your conferencing system. You hear these electromagnetic pulses as that characteristic staccato of buzzes.
If you can't get people to turn off their BlackBerrys, consider investing in shielded microphones and cables.
Audio Technica U.S. Inc. makes a whole line of shielded boundary microphones. We've had great luck with the model U841A. Make sure your cables are also shielded or quad-style.
2. Avoid using a cell phone for audio conferences.
The quality of cell phone calls is poor and often filled with static. One cell phone on the call can create enough noise to ruin a conference for the other callers. If you absolutely have no other choice, please mute your cell phone during the call.
3. Don't use your office speakerphone.
High-end Polycom Inc. speakerphones and built-in conferencing systems offer duplex voice transmission.
This means that two people can talk at the same time without attenuating or diminishing the volume of one another. Although your office phone is capable of duplex voice transmission, your office speakerphone is not.
4. Mute your microphone when not talking.
Microphones will indiscriminately pick up the slightest of movement, breathing, rustling of papers or side conversations. In order for the group to hear the speaker, background noise must be kept to a minimum.
5. Locate the microphone, speak clearly into it and keep everything else away from it.
In order to be heard, you must be within three feet of the microphone and speak directly into it. You must also keep rustling papers, tapping pencils -- as well as noisy laptops and projectors -- as far away from the microphone as possible.
High-end conference rooms often have the microphones built into the table top, which makes their location easy to ignore or cover with papers or lunch.
Source:http://www.law.com/jsp/
Our legal professionals were frustrated by poor audio, low volumes, or static instead of content. How did we resolve these issues?
We established five rules for successful audio conferences, which can apply to the audio portion of video conferences or webinars, as well as the traditional teleconference.
1. Turn off your BlackBerry.
BlackBerrys emit annoying radio frequency interference that is picked up by telephones, microphones and speakers.
They aren't the only guilty party: To some extent cell phones and all wireless devices could be considered co-defendants to this noise complaint.
But BlackBerrys, because they are much more likely to be transmitting information, are most problematic.
Of wireless protocols in use today, Global System for Mobile or GSM -- perhaps the most popular -- is probably the worst offender because of the way it uses the electromagnetic spectrum.
Your conference microphones work by translating sound waves into electromagnetic signals that are then sent to your conferencing system.
Meanwhile, your BlackBerry is sending out pulses of electromagnetism to communicate with its network. These pulses are essentially highjacking the electronics of your microphone and sending those pulses directly through the microphone to your conferencing system. You hear these electromagnetic pulses as that characteristic staccato of buzzes.
If you can't get people to turn off their BlackBerrys, consider investing in shielded microphones and cables.
Audio Technica U.S. Inc. makes a whole line of shielded boundary microphones. We've had great luck with the model U841A. Make sure your cables are also shielded or quad-style.
2. Avoid using a cell phone for audio conferences.
The quality of cell phone calls is poor and often filled with static. One cell phone on the call can create enough noise to ruin a conference for the other callers. If you absolutely have no other choice, please mute your cell phone during the call.
3. Don't use your office speakerphone.
High-end Polycom Inc. speakerphones and built-in conferencing systems offer duplex voice transmission.
This means that two people can talk at the same time without attenuating or diminishing the volume of one another. Although your office phone is capable of duplex voice transmission, your office speakerphone is not.
4. Mute your microphone when not talking.
Microphones will indiscriminately pick up the slightest of movement, breathing, rustling of papers or side conversations. In order for the group to hear the speaker, background noise must be kept to a minimum.
5. Locate the microphone, speak clearly into it and keep everything else away from it.
In order to be heard, you must be within three feet of the microphone and speak directly into it. You must also keep rustling papers, tapping pencils -- as well as noisy laptops and projectors -- as far away from the microphone as possible.
High-end conference rooms often have the microphones built into the table top, which makes their location easy to ignore or cover with papers or lunch.
Source:http://www.law.com/jsp/
Monday, September 17, 2007
Low-Cost Conference Calls Get Easier To Setup And Cheaper To Pay For: JaJah Conference Calls
The new service allows for the setup, scheduling and delivery of low-cost conference calls with up to ten different participants. As for JaJah standard calls, the whole setup to initiate a conference is done on the web, with any type of computer and through a very simple and easy-to-use one-page interface.
Keep in mind that JaJah, does NOT require you to use any headset, microphone or other special software or device to hook to your computer. You simply fill in the numbers/names of the people you want to call and JaJah does the rest by transferring all that info the public telephone network and ringing you and your contacts phones at the moment you initiate your call.
JAJAH Conference Calling is a new powerful feature now accessible on top of the excellent web-based JaJah calling service. The new feature allows you to schedule and initiate very-low-cost conference calls in a very straightforward and easy-to-use online set up.
The service is open to anyone, individuals, small businesses and large companies and it takes next to no time at all to get started on it.
JAJAH Conference Calls make conference calls easier than they've ever been - and cheaper (of course).
You can add up to ten participants to a single call and for frequent conference calls with the same participants, you can set up groups in your JAJAH address book.
Missing a conference call is also a thing of the past because JAJAH actively rings the participants to start the conference. And you can schedule them ahead of time and send yourself a text message reminder shortly before the call begins.
How does it work?
Simple. Instead of just entering the one number you want to reach, click "Set up conference call" to enter additional numbers or contacts. You can add up to 10 participants to your conference. The new JAJAH Conference Calls feature also allows the scheduling of conference calls, and – as an option – the ability to send a text message reminder to the conference call invitees shortly before the start of the call.
Another very useful feature called "Groups" allows the easy recording of individual contacts into a group as to facilitate calling multiple people on a frequent or systematic basis.
None of the conference call attendees you are inviting will need to register or pay for anything. Only one, the conference call initiator has to pay for the cost of the call.
All conference calls costs are completely transparent to you as the exact cost for any conference call you may want to initiate is updated in real-time as you add new invitees to the call invitees list next to the "Call" button.
Here an example of the costs: You are in Montreal, Canada (Zone 1). You want to talk to your friends in France, Belgium (Zone 2) and Guinea (Zone 4). With JAJAH, talking to your friends at the same time will cost you no more than 24 Cents (US) per minute. Compared to other major conference calling providers you may save up to 95% on a single conference call.
source:http://www.masternewmedia.org/
Keep in mind that JaJah, does NOT require you to use any headset, microphone or other special software or device to hook to your computer. You simply fill in the numbers/names of the people you want to call and JaJah does the rest by transferring all that info the public telephone network and ringing you and your contacts phones at the moment you initiate your call.
JAJAH Conference Calling is a new powerful feature now accessible on top of the excellent web-based JaJah calling service. The new feature allows you to schedule and initiate very-low-cost conference calls in a very straightforward and easy-to-use online set up.
The service is open to anyone, individuals, small businesses and large companies and it takes next to no time at all to get started on it.
JAJAH Conference Calls make conference calls easier than they've ever been - and cheaper (of course).
You can add up to ten participants to a single call and for frequent conference calls with the same participants, you can set up groups in your JAJAH address book.
Missing a conference call is also a thing of the past because JAJAH actively rings the participants to start the conference. And you can schedule them ahead of time and send yourself a text message reminder shortly before the call begins.
How does it work?
Simple. Instead of just entering the one number you want to reach, click "Set up conference call" to enter additional numbers or contacts. You can add up to 10 participants to your conference. The new JAJAH Conference Calls feature also allows the scheduling of conference calls, and – as an option – the ability to send a text message reminder to the conference call invitees shortly before the start of the call.
Another very useful feature called "Groups" allows the easy recording of individual contacts into a group as to facilitate calling multiple people on a frequent or systematic basis.
None of the conference call attendees you are inviting will need to register or pay for anything. Only one, the conference call initiator has to pay for the cost of the call.
All conference calls costs are completely transparent to you as the exact cost for any conference call you may want to initiate is updated in real-time as you add new invitees to the call invitees list next to the "Call" button.
Here an example of the costs: You are in Montreal, Canada (Zone 1). You want to talk to your friends in France, Belgium (Zone 2) and Guinea (Zone 4). With JAJAH, talking to your friends at the same time will cost you no more than 24 Cents (US) per minute. Compared to other major conference calling providers you may save up to 95% on a single conference call.
source:http://www.masternewmedia.org/
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
FVC launches Polycom's CX range of IP phones with end-to-end support for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007
The Polycom product family includes the CX100, a portable Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 speakerphone peripheral, the CX200 speakerphone and handset, the CX400 cordless desktop handset, and the CX700 executive IP telephone.
Office Communications Server 2007 delivers streamlined communications for users, helping them find and communicate with the right person, right now, from the applications they use most. Without expensive infrastructure and network upgrades, customers can leverage streamlined communications, including software-powered VoIP, Web conferencing and enterprise instant messaging, while maintaining the operational control required.
said K.S. Parag, regional director, FVC. 'Our solutions are designed to bring the richness of the PC together with the familiarity and advanced voice capabilities of the desktop telephone, so users can easily locate and engage with customers, partners and co-workers within a secure and productive environment."
"Polycom's CX solutions for Office Communications Server 2007 enable a flexible, engaging and person-centric communications experience with high definition quality sound, PC integration, buddy list call initiation, and cordless design," said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president and general manager of Voice at Polycom.
The Polycom CX100 Speakerphone is a peripheral device for Office Communicator 2007 that connects via USB to a laptop or desktop PC without the need to install additional drivers. Polycom is supporting the Office Communications Server 2007 public beta with the CX100 Speakerphone that can be ordered through www.microsoft.com/uc, after downloading the public beta.
The highly portable Polycom CX100 enables hands-free, high fidelity, high definition audio and greater group collaboration through robust, ad hoc conference calls that can be initiated from a laptop located in any conference room, office, or remote location such as a hotel room. The CX100 delivers a mobile high definition voice quality experience, which offers more than four times the clarity of the speakerphone capability found on traditional business phones, and has the flexibility to be used in individual or group communication sessions.
The CX100 closely integrates with Office Communicator 2007 and enables one-touch control of answering or hanging up a call, controlling the volume, and enabling mute directly from buttons on the device.
In addition to the CX100 Speakerphone, other Polycom high definition telephone devices that integrate with Office Communications Server 2007 in development are:
• The Polycom CX200 Desktop Phone is an USB peripheral for Office Communicator 2007 that will provide a full duplex speakerphone and handset and a large enhanced presence status indicator.
• The Polycom CX400 Cordless Phone is a wireless handset with a small base station that connects via USB and includes display capabilities with presence, a 30-foot wireless reception range, and 10-hour talk time.
• The Polycom CX700 IP Phone for executive desktops delivers a presence and directory enabled phone with a color touch screen, USB and Ethernet ports, and a biometric/fingerprint reader.
Source:http://www.ameinfo.com/131946.html
Office Communications Server 2007 delivers streamlined communications for users, helping them find and communicate with the right person, right now, from the applications they use most. Without expensive infrastructure and network upgrades, customers can leverage streamlined communications, including software-powered VoIP, Web conferencing and enterprise instant messaging, while maintaining the operational control required.
said K.S. Parag, regional director, FVC. 'Our solutions are designed to bring the richness of the PC together with the familiarity and advanced voice capabilities of the desktop telephone, so users can easily locate and engage with customers, partners and co-workers within a secure and productive environment."
"Polycom's CX solutions for Office Communications Server 2007 enable a flexible, engaging and person-centric communications experience with high definition quality sound, PC integration, buddy list call initiation, and cordless design," said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president and general manager of Voice at Polycom.
The Polycom CX100 Speakerphone is a peripheral device for Office Communicator 2007 that connects via USB to a laptop or desktop PC without the need to install additional drivers. Polycom is supporting the Office Communications Server 2007 public beta with the CX100 Speakerphone that can be ordered through www.microsoft.com/uc, after downloading the public beta.
The highly portable Polycom CX100 enables hands-free, high fidelity, high definition audio and greater group collaboration through robust, ad hoc conference calls that can be initiated from a laptop located in any conference room, office, or remote location such as a hotel room. The CX100 delivers a mobile high definition voice quality experience, which offers more than four times the clarity of the speakerphone capability found on traditional business phones, and has the flexibility to be used in individual or group communication sessions.
The CX100 closely integrates with Office Communicator 2007 and enables one-touch control of answering or hanging up a call, controlling the volume, and enabling mute directly from buttons on the device.
In addition to the CX100 Speakerphone, other Polycom high definition telephone devices that integrate with Office Communications Server 2007 in development are:
• The Polycom CX200 Desktop Phone is an USB peripheral for Office Communicator 2007 that will provide a full duplex speakerphone and handset and a large enhanced presence status indicator.
• The Polycom CX400 Cordless Phone is a wireless handset with a small base station that connects via USB and includes display capabilities with presence, a 30-foot wireless reception range, and 10-hour talk time.
• The Polycom CX700 IP Phone for executive desktops delivers a presence and directory enabled phone with a color touch screen, USB and Ethernet ports, and a biometric/fingerprint reader.
Source:http://www.ameinfo.com/131946.html
Monday, September 10, 2007
Making your Business Conference Calling Effective and Useful
For a business to reach out to their client base, form connections with their satellite operations, and maintain communication levels exceeding that of emails and memos, they must reach those in their professional network by phone. Business conference calling can be done through a number of services, offering low rates, discounted toll free numbers to call in order to connect with everyone else on the call, and a myriad of added services that bolster the effectiveness of business conference calling.
If you are working for a medium to large size business, then you understand the complexities of managing time, resources, and money. The employees may work several hours from your office and need constant support and contact with your department. A business conference calling plan tailored to your specific needs can help you to stay in constant contact with those you are overseeing. For effective conference calls to become a reality, a business must first find the plan that works for them. There are several questions you must answer to find a suitable plan.
1.Do you know how many minutes/hours you will need for conference calls per month?
2.Looking at those numbers, does it make sense to purchase a monthly subscription plan, reducing your per minute charge for your business conference calling?
3.For effective conference calls, have you considered recording the sessions for transcription later?
4.Do you require a toll free number or will a toll number be sufficient?
Once you have the answers to these questions related to your business conference calling requirements, you can begin searching to find the perfect match for your business. The internet offers a wide array of business conference calling plans to match your company's usage and requirements. Once you have chosen the package right for your business, it is only a matter of holding effective conference calls.
Effective conference calls are achieved by strong leadership, focused discussions, and by having an agenda. A conference call can go awry when those leading the discussion lose focus, talk incessantly about one particular to the topic, or crowd the microphone time, eliminating others from the conversation. Effective conference calls should utilize the resources (people and money) to their advantage, bringing everyone together to brainstorm, listen and become informed on a topic, or just to talk about the business needs for them can be an effective conference calls.
By finding the right business conference calling plan, hosts can utilize the tools at their disposal to make it as easy to join and participate on the call as possible. Effective conference calls happen when those conducting the calls can do so without interference of dropped calls or other annoyances. The right service can promote effective conference calls, as much as the right leadership and personnel.
Source:http://www.articleinsert.com/
If you are working for a medium to large size business, then you understand the complexities of managing time, resources, and money. The employees may work several hours from your office and need constant support and contact with your department. A business conference calling plan tailored to your specific needs can help you to stay in constant contact with those you are overseeing. For effective conference calls to become a reality, a business must first find the plan that works for them. There are several questions you must answer to find a suitable plan.
1.Do you know how many minutes/hours you will need for conference calls per month?
2.Looking at those numbers, does it make sense to purchase a monthly subscription plan, reducing your per minute charge for your business conference calling?
3.For effective conference calls, have you considered recording the sessions for transcription later?
4.Do you require a toll free number or will a toll number be sufficient?
Once you have the answers to these questions related to your business conference calling requirements, you can begin searching to find the perfect match for your business. The internet offers a wide array of business conference calling plans to match your company's usage and requirements. Once you have chosen the package right for your business, it is only a matter of holding effective conference calls.
Effective conference calls are achieved by strong leadership, focused discussions, and by having an agenda. A conference call can go awry when those leading the discussion lose focus, talk incessantly about one particular to the topic, or crowd the microphone time, eliminating others from the conversation. Effective conference calls should utilize the resources (people and money) to their advantage, bringing everyone together to brainstorm, listen and become informed on a topic, or just to talk about the business needs for them can be an effective conference calls.
By finding the right business conference calling plan, hosts can utilize the tools at their disposal to make it as easy to join and participate on the call as possible. Effective conference calls happen when those conducting the calls can do so without interference of dropped calls or other annoyances. The right service can promote effective conference calls, as much as the right leadership and personnel.
Source:http://www.articleinsert.com/
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