Nowadays, you can see that many businesses are using video conferencing to conduct meeting. The reason why so many businesses are using this now is because it helps them save time and money. Therefore, it is common that you will also want to try out video conferencing. But do you really need it?

Before we touch on the whys, let me briefly explain what video conferencing is. This technology allows a group of people from remote locations to attend a meeting together. With it, they can see one another and work on a project at the same time. When they can communicate effectively across different locations, it increases productivity and efficiency. It also saves time as it eliminates any travelling time.

If you conduct business internationally or have employees stationed at remote locations, you should consider video conferencing as it is the cheapest and most convenient way to get everyone in sync with one another. The cost of this technology can run from few hundreds dollars to as much as a few hundred thousands dollars for very good system. It is definitely cheaper in the long run as you will save cost on petrol and air tickets.

With these benefits, you can understand why more companies are setting up video conferencing devices in their offices. Setting up your conferencing devices is not hard. If you buy a simple system, you an easily set it up yourself with the help of the instruction manual. If you wish to install a complex system, you can hire an audio visual company. They will send their technicians to set it up for you.

There are different types of video conferencing solutions for your business. You should conduct a thorough research to find out which one is the most cost effective for your business. If you are a small business and does not need a complex system, you should not get it. If you want a high speed video conferencing solution, you should consider getting an ISDN supported system. When you do a conferencing through ISDN, you can form a circle around the frame relay service with high speed data.

Before you buy any video conferencing system, do conduct a thorough research on it. There are many information on the internet that you can easily gather online. When you decide to get one, shortlist a few brands of system. Look for reviews on the Internet and get the best one for your business.



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One of the most productive ways of cutting back on staff time away from the office and providing better communication in the workplace is through conference calls. A conference call is that technology that utilizes the phone service and invitees to the conference call simply call a toll free number and are ushered into the conference with other callers

In addition, another strong benefit that is realized through a conference call is a cost savings. This is because there is often travel time associated with attending conferences. This savings on airfare, gasoline, etc. can drastically affect the bottom line of the travel expense line item.

Also, conference calls were generally facilitated through a third party. This provider would charge a set rate each month depending upon the number of potential or actual users that would call the conference.

However, there is now available conference call software. If interested in this technology, it is important to know how it works and what the benefits are.

How Conference Call Software Works

Conference call software is an application that can be easily downloaded onto any laptop or desktop computer. Once this conference call software has been installed each of the units that contain this software application can then be joined together whenever they need to conference.

Additionally, it is important to note that the service that makes this conference calling happen is not a traditional phone service. This communication through the internet is called Voice Over Internet Protocol. This VOIP is one of the latest technological advances that allow the computer user, through Internet access, to use a special phone in making calls as well as conferencing with others.

In addition, it is important to note that there are many conference call software packages that are available. Some of these software applications can be utilized by an individual or can be utilized to link a number of individuals together to perform the conferencing.

Also, there are more sophisticated conference call software packages that have added features and are intended to be used by small or large businesses. In utilizing these packages there is still software that needs to be installed. In addition there is a set up fee and there are costs associated with using the virtual conference room.

Finally, one other feature is required in order to fully utilize this conference call software. That other piece of equipment is a VOIP phone.

The Benefits Of Conference Call Software

There are many benefits associated with using conference call software. One of the major benefits is that it is less expensive than the standard type of conference call. In addition, because the users are at their computer stations, any documents that need to be referred to are easily accessible. Some of those documents could be spreadsheets, graphs, correspondence, e-mail, etc.



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One of the most productive methods to save time and money is for a company to utilize conference calls. A conference call is that process in which individuals within the company call a set number at a set time utilizing various pass codes. Once the connection has been established it equals the productivity of a staff meeting without being in each other's presence.

If considering the use of conference call meetings it is important to keep in mind protocol. Also, to make the argument about utilizing these type of meetings it may be helpful to consider the advantages.

Conference Call Meeting Protocol

When involved in a conference call meeting, like anything else, there are certain rules that should be followed. Often, this protocol for involvement in a is just a matter of common sense. However there are some other items that should be followed so that the meeting can be productive.

One of the key rules that should be followed when involved in a is to make sure that you call in at the appointed time. There's probably nothing more frustrating than for an individual to arrive late at a physical meeting or conference and disrupt the meeting as well as to be brought up to speed on all that has been discussed up to that point.

In addition, another protocol item to follow is that when accessing the conference call meeting it is important to introduce yourself. This lets everybody on the conference call know who is in attendance. In addition, when wishing to make a comment or present an idea, it is also important to reintroduce your self and then share your thought.

Another major item of protocol when involved in a conference call is to make sure that you know where the mute button is on your phone and that you use it. Specifically, there is nothing more annoying than to be involved in a conference call meeting and hear all sorts of background noises or conversations from other people. Generally, this background noise or conversation is not pertinent to what is going on in the meeting.

Advantages Of Conference Call Meetings

There are many advantages associated with the utilization of conference calls. Specifically, through conference calls, the travel budget line item can be reduced financially. In addition precious time is conserved when staff no longer needs to travel from meeting to meeting. All of this interaction can be accomplished at a substantially lowered cost.

In addition, not only can conference calls be performed by using a traditional phone, but can be accomplished through the use of conference call software. The advantage of conference call software is that it is a downloadable software application and can accommodate a certain number of individuals. This system uses Voice Over Internet Protocol to talk to one another. The only need is that each user needs to download the software in order to conference with each other. This type of program not only incorporates the advantages of an audio conference call, but may prove to be less expensive as well.



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One of the most effective ways of cutting costs in the business world is through the use of conference calls. This cost saving measure reduces the expense of local and long distance travel and the countless hours of saved staff time when they simply dial into the conference.

In addition, a conference call can effectively replace some of the staff meetings. This will still allow for the free exchange of ideas and allow the staff to freely interact with one another. A conference call can be especially effective if time sensitive information needs to be disseminated quickly.

However, there is protocol involved in the use of conference calls. Therefore, it is important to share conference call tips. Some of those tips include etiquette, having an agenda and the use of a moderator.

Etiquette

The value of conference calls is that those who are calling or logging into the conference system can do so from anywhere. Examples from where an individual can log in from could include the actual business office, calling from home, while in the car, in an airport, etc.

On the other hand the disadvantage of conference calls could be the same as the advantage argument. This disadvantage is that individuals can be easily distracted from what is going on around them.

Therefore, it would be helpful to discuss a few conference call tips. One of those important tips is to stay focused. A simple way of doing this is to remove distractions. For example, if in an airport consider sitting in one of the phone booth areas or if calling from home, the caller should seclude themselves in an office or den.

In addition, a good conference call tip is to listen intently. This is because the callers do not have the advantage of watching body language and therefore should listen for voice inflections.

Also, it is important that when not talking during the course of the conference call that all phones should be muted. This will allow for background noise to be minimized and diminish opportunities of hearing other voices and noises that are not appropriate to the conference call.

One other conference call tip is to utilize a service that provides conference call help. This help is usually through the assistance of an operator who is available through the conference call company. This conference call help is especially helpful if the system has become unresponsive or if someone is inadvertently dropped from the call.

Agenda

Another important conference call tip is to provide an agenda. This list of topics to be discussed can be disseminated prior to the meeting.

Having an agenda is an important tool for conference calls. It helps to keep the meeting focused, provides a task list of things that need to be discussed and it helps to reduce the length and therefore the potential cost of the conference call.



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If you are going to be making a lot of conference calls, the best idea is going to be for you to purchase a conference call speaker phone. This will allow you to make or join in on conference calls quickly and easily. You can even find a video telephone conference call selection out there, and out of all the available options, here are a few of the top picks.

Polycom SoundStation 2W 2.4GHz Wireless Conference Phone

This is by far one of the very best conference call speaker phone models. The perfect conference call speaker phone for all your conference calling needs, and is available for under $700.

This conference call speaker phone is cordless so you never have to worry about wires or cables coming loose or tripping over them. With this phone you have the freedom to conference anywhere team collaboration is important, even in rooms where there are no phone lines. An affordable, superior quality conference calling phone, you can purchase this phone through retailers such as Tiger Direct.

With voice quality to the award winning SoundStation, proven 2.4 GHz wireless technology, added security of voice encryption, and up to 24 hours talk time, just to name a few of the many features of this phone, it should definitely be one of the top contenders on your list.

It is actually known as being the first phone that combines cell phone convenience and Polycom voice quality, and the standard headset cable provided will allow you to instantly connect your cell phone to the conference phone when you need to. Because the call is dialed through the cellular network, there is no need for an analog phone line.

Polycom VoiceStation 500 Bluetooth Conference Phone

Another conference call speaker phone by Polycom, this is another great choice. For half the price of the previously mentioned model, with this conference phone, you will be able to communicate in an extremely quiet environment.

With this phone you will be able to communicate freely everywhere in the room as the phone features a powerful, digitally tuned custom speaker and three sensitive microphones that provide uniform coverage from up to 7 feet away.

Both of these would make ideal choices as a conference calling phone, but keep in mind that there are various other options out there as well. Take a bit of time, browse through the different conference phones and find the one that is going to work best for you.


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Whether for personal or professional reasons, if you need to know how to create a conference call phone system, there are a few things that you are going to need to be aware of, including subjects such as conference call speaker phone and how to make a cell phone conference call.

Don't know how to set up a conference call phone system? Don't worry, the process is quite simple and will be discussed here in detail for you.

Set a Time

If you need to set up a conference call phone system the first thing that you are going to need to do is decide on a time and date for the phone call. Try to give the participants enough time that they will be able to fit the phone call into their schedule. Of course there may always be that last minute warning, but then again you simply can't expect everyone to be able to make it.

The great thing about a conference call is that even if some of the participants are halfway around the world, they can still join in on it simply by picking up their telephone and joining in on the conference call.

You can even be talking to the others in the conference call from the comfort of your own living room, you don't even have to leave your bed if you don't want.

Send the Invitations

The next step in setting up a conference call phone system is to send out the invitations. You are going to have to let all the people you are inviting to the call that you are requesting their presence, and it is of course crucial that you advise them on what date and time the conference call is scheduled for.

Have the Phone Call

Finally is the easiest part in setting up the conference call phone system is actually making the call. Everyone should be aware and will join in one at a time, and once all the participants are on the line, you can proceed with the call.

There are some tremendous benefits offered by conference calling, and as long as you go about it the right way, you can take full advantage of all these wonderful benefits. Use conference calling to maximize the potential of your business, and take care of matters no matter where the people are in the world that you need to talk to



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Anyone who has a business or has ever taken part in a business has heard of conference calling before. It is one of the main aspects of any business and helps an organization to run at its maximum potential. The process of making a conference call is easy enough as long as you know what you are doing.

It is basically just the same as making a regular phone call, only you have to send out invitations to the people you want to participate and then have them all join in on the call.

There are actually several different purposes for a conference call phone. Whether you are using it for business or personal reasons, a conference call phone can be incredibly useful because it allows a number of people to be on the same telephone call at the same time.

Maybe you need to hold a meeting but can't manage to get everyone necessary together at the same time or early enough, and in this case a conference call phone would be ideal.

You simply send out the invitations to let everyone invited know that they are requested to take part in the conference call phone, and then at the specified time and date the participants will dial the given number, enter a code, and start talking. It is really as simple as that.

You can even have a cell phone conference call if this is more convenient for you. This means that you do not even need to have a landline if you want to hold a conference call, which makes it very easy for most people.

Tips

There are a few tips that will help you out for the next time you hold a conference call phone. One is to give the participants as much notice as possible. The earlier you let people know that you are holding a conference call and they are invited, the better chances they are going to be able to find time for the call. You give the invitations out too late and you should only expect some of them to not make it.

Conference calling has made daily operations easier not only in the larger scale but even the companies that are managed locally have gained a huge benefit from implementing conference calls in the office.

Conference calling helps in reducing operational cost and increasing efficiency, for example. Conference calling is definitely one of the most important parts of any company, and helps a business to run smoothly.


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