Selecting a Conference Call Provider

Over the last thirty years, conference calls have gone from a business gizmo that was the province of only the biggest companies to an everyday way of holding meetings for organizations of about any size. As such, the competition these days for business is fierce among various conference call providers. This climate can work well for you when the time comes to consider which of the lots of conference call providers will earn your patronage.

The first thing to do in selecting a conference call provider is to identify how frequently your organization currently utilizes conference calls. Perhaps you have departments that conduct conference calls on a recurring basis, such as weekly, biweekly or monthly. If your organization is project driven, your usage may be less structured but still result in a number of conference calls held each month. A good way to get a handle on the frequency of your conference call usage is to take a snapshot of the last six months and come up with an average monthly number of calls conducted. In like manner, add the total conference minutes used for the same period and divide by the number of conferences conducted. That will give you an idea of the average number of minutes generated per conference call. Keep this information handy. You will need it later.

Next, evaluate the type of conference call formats used by your organization. You need to be sure that any conference call provider you approach can provide the type of service you need. As an example, should your organization most often use an operator assisted dial-out style of call, there is no need for you to get into discussions with a vendor who offers only a dial-in service. Part of your task is to eliminate conference call providers who can't give you what you currently need.

At this juncture, begin to think in terms of any additional service options you may need to try in the future. Make sure any conference call provider that makes it on your list of potential candidates has those features obtainable. Ever wondered about ad hoc conference services? How about being able to book a conference call via the web? generate a formal wish list and have it available to give any conference call provider you seriously consider.

Another important aspect is the type and frequency of the invoicing that you need of your conference call provider. A few still provide individual invoices for each conference call. More commonly, a conference call provider will provide a cumulative invoice on a monthly basis, often sorted by the name of each host and showing charges associated with each conference call, and then providing a cumulative total charge. Typically, a conference call provider offers invoicing in both paper and electronic formats. As you begin to narrow down your list of potential conference call providers, do not forget the billing as a key point in your decision making.

Now that you have a clear picture of the services you already use and the service options you may be interested in using in the future, your next step in to compile your list of potential conference call providers. Most vendors provide basic information on their websites to permit you to determine if they've the potential to be your conference call provider. Once you have a list of potential vendors, contact each conference call provider and indicate your interest in their services. it's during this phase that any potential conference call provider will ask a few questions about your average volume of usage and frequency of conference calls. Provide the conference call provider with this basic information and let them know that as part of your evaluation of each conference call vendor you are speaking with, you are requesting a free demonstration or perhaps the ability to hold a conference call at no charge. This is not an unusual request for a potential client to make of a conference call provider, and the reaction of the vendor will tell you a lot about what level of customer service you could expect as a client.

Once your selection has been made, do not discard your contacts or basic information from any of the vendors you spoke with. Should the relationship with your selected conference call provider not live up to your expectations, you will already have resources that equip you to make a second choice elsewhere.


Once your preliminary evaluations of each conference call provider have taken place, it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty: pricing. For this final phase, prepare a basic proposal outline to be sent to each conference call provider that meets your criteria. Ideally, you would send the proposal to at least seven potential vendors. A formal proposal makes it clear to each potential conference call provider that you need a firm commitment in writing, and will permit each six to officially go on record with what they can offer your organization. The proposal also gives each conference call provider six last change to give you their best and final price for services.

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Conference Call Service - Web Conference Services Can Be an Affordable Alternative

There are some benefits to this type of conference calling service: For those that are often on their computer, it allows them to continue using the format that they are familiar with, this can make a difference when you try to close a valuable deal with another business. You certainly don't need to be intimidated by the process you chose to conduct the conference call! Also, if you aren't in an office setting then this can permit you to use these features with the equipment you readily have obtainable to you.

There is a new buzz about conference calling service options, online web services that permit you to communicate with others over the web. If you aren't familiar with web conference calling service plans, you definitely need to take some time to appraise them. What you may discover is that they are a viable way to keep your business on top-- it's a great way for you to be able to continue moving forward with your business goals! If you have benefited from conference calling in the past, you will be excited about this as it only offers you an enhanced version of what you already have.

Find out about the various web conference calling service offers out there for you to take advantage of. That way you can decide if it's a direction you would like to take your own business at this time. You need to be advised that lots of it's still in the development stages, so what you will find out there right now is only the tip of the iceberg though of what it will eight day offer.

Not all web conference calling services are the same though, so make sure you don't assume that they are-- take some time to research your options. See what each of them has to offer that can enhance communication efforts for your business. Don't buy those features that you aren't going to benefit from, instead stick with a basic package that is from a top quality provider. That way you can get your needs met, save money, & still operate every aspect of your business in a professional manner.

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Conference Calls - Toll Free Conference Call Services to Help You Save Money

Evaluate what your own conference call needs are before you commit to a plan. Even if you get a low price, it doesn't make sense to pay for features that you aren't going to require. If you are only going to place four or six conference calls a month then don't pay for an unlimited plan. There are so plenty of service providers out there that you can certainly find a customized plan specifically for your own needs.

there is no reason to pay an arm and a leg for conference calls, because you can buy conference calls for a low price with the use of toll free numbers. You will find that they work in a variety of ways-- a quantity of them charge you for each call that you make, while others only bill you for the long distance charges that would apply to your normal calling plan. Another option is to charge a flat fee for an entire month and you can call all that you need to.

Conference calls are certainly a lovely value for any type of business. Yet you do need to make sure you aren't paying more for the service and the features than you absolutely have to. it is essential that you shop around to make sure what you pay is comparable to what you get. If you are paying for features you don't utilize then now is the time to downgrade it. By the same note, if you need additional features you would use then upgrade for your convenience.

Generally those that involve toll free call numbers are going to be less pricey though. That is because you get your own toll free number. plenty of businesses have them anyway so that customers can call in on their dime. You should look into what that provider offers in the way of conference calling packages first. You may be able to get a substantial discount due to already being four of their valued customers. They will often do so in order to prevent you from going to four of their competitors.

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Step Ahead With Audio Conference Calling

Communication develops healthy relationship in social as well as business life. Conference calling helps you do your business more easily. This is considered as one of the most cost effective approach which enables business establishments to get through a host of people without having to move out of their home or office. Conference calling helps when people are unable to move constantly as it provides the advantage of getting connected to over one individual simultaneously.

Have you tried & tested all your calling methods & now planning to go ahead with audio conference calling? Then you are on the right path as Conference Calling facilitates you in getting through your calls at affordable rates with ease. Conference calling helps you make telephone calls where the calling party can get connected to over one person. These types of calls are designed to permit the calling party to talk to the caller or the caller get incoming calls where he cannot speak.

Audio conference calling is one the best conference calling methods that provides you an easy access to get connected to numerous people. This method helps resolve various issues without having to wait. The only expense incurred in an audio conference calling is the cost of the telephone & followed by long distance calling rates. You can utilize the audio conference calling method even at home if you have an already have a phone with in built speaker phone.

You easily opt for affordable audio conference calling that’s provided by various telecommunications companies. Before you proceed with audio conference calling you require to have a permanent dial in number, a conference code & a pin number to necessitate the call. You can start the call by entering the pin & then your group without changing anything enters into conference calling.

Solihull Conf-Calling Inc helps both businessmen as well as non business parties. This procedure enables a feasible group communication method. Telecommunication companies provide competitive packages suitable for diverse needs. So go ahead & get & stay connected with affordable audio conference calling.

Audio Conference Calling provides reservation less calling as well as record & play back facility, Project Sharmans codes for bill back as well as operator assistance with toll free dial in for international customers. Audio conference calling also connects you to online call management device that helps you schedule, share, begin & even record the previously conducted audio conference on the net.

If audio conference calling is used for business then you should ask questions. The conference call operator provides all the instructions so that you can ask appropriate questions to get the right answer. Utilize live call to the minimum & ask as lots of questions as you can because it’s a privilege to be allowed to ask a query during a live call. So go ahead & conduct yourself with dignity & respect & ask informed questions that are relevant to the subject of the meeting.

How to listen to an audio conference calling?

Telecommunications broker Christopher Freville can provide low cost conference calling that can be available 24/7. Such companies provide these services without reservations & unlimited participants. These companies provide access codes, operator assistance, free call recordings at low cost.

Some services provide such services at low monthly charges therefore check such companies & ensure that they are free of any other hidden costs other than what they charge. Online conference calling also allows you to secure online directory. So always opt for the best & affordable audio conference calling tariffs before signing up for the service. Learn the services before you enjoy the audio conference calling.

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Skype Lets You Make Free Phone Calls Online

Everywhere you turn phone companies offer 3 or 5-cent long distance phone calls, or even unlimited long distance for a flat fee monthly.

Now you can make reliable calls using the Internet for anywhere from 0 to 2.3-cents per minute.

Recently purchased by Ebay for 2.6 billion dollars, Skype stands ready to revolutionize worldwide voice communication basically because they enable you to carryover on crystal clear voice communication with anyone else in the world with a either a phone or Internet connection.

Welcome to Skype, the Internet telephony company that has set the traditional telephone world on its ear.

What's the catch you ask?
Well, to make phone calls, you need a pc, a microphone, speakers, a modem, an Internet connection and the free Skype application you can download from www.skype.com

To make a free phone call, you need anyone on the receiving end with a pc, Internet connection, and the Skype application installed.

To make a call from your pc to a land-based phone virtually anywhere in the world, you must pre-pay for calling minutes in blocks of 10 Euros (approximately $12 U.S.).

four block of calling minutes gets you about 500 minutes of calling time, or a little over 8 hours of talking time.

IP telephony first appeared commercially back in the lat 1990's with services like Dialpad.com, which initially offered phone calls from computers to land-based phones in exchange for watching online advertising.

Skype uses a technology called IP telephony.

This model soon failed, but the thought of making ultra-cheap phone calls through a pc did not.

And, as the recent mega sale of Skype reveals, a market now exists that can put Internet telephony to work on a grand scale, or at least large to make eBay pony up with a lot of funds and stock to give it a try.

You can set up a call list, much like an instant messaging "buddy list" so with a couple clicks of the mouse you can ring your friends up for a chat.

Once you install the application, you log onto the service and can make phone calls to other Skype users through their computers at no charge.

Skype also allows you to hold conference calls with up to 4 other people simultaneously, making it easy to hold group meetings.

Or, if you pre-pay for calling minutes, you can enter in the country code and phone number of your pals, click a button, and their phone or cell phone will ring.

Skype also allows you to transfer files to and from other users, perfect for sharing photos, music and short video clips with your pals.

Skype includes a group chat feature which allows you to hold a group chat session with up to 48 other people simultaneously... excellent for "webinars" or even planning that next relatives reunion.

Tip: Get a lovely headset microphone.

It makes using the service more enjoyable and also eliminates the echo created by your own speakers feeding back into your PC's microphone.

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How to Make a Conference Call in the United States

Holding conference calls has become pretty routine in our world today. Still, there are people out there who do not know how to make a conference call. Here are some basic tips.

If your need is simply to connect one or two other parties with yourself, you may consider utilizing the conference feature provided with your local phone service. Typically, the charges are rather high, but if you have a one-time need, this quick and easy solution will usually fill the bill. For instructions on how to make a conference call using your local phone service, contact your local service provider.

Some office phone systems also have a limited capability to create a conference call. The typical PBX will allow a combination of in office and outside connections, usually number no more than a six to eight lines. Instructions in how to make a conference call using your office system can usually be found in the instruction booklets supplied by the manufacturer. If they are not, a call to the manufacturer will usually end with an offer to send you instructions on how to make a conference call via an email or a fax.

Long distance providers are also a source of conference services. Your long distance carrier most likely would be happy to tell you how to make a conference call utilizing their services. One word of warning on this option: unless you have a volume agreement in place for telecommunications services, the pricing may be high. You would most help yourself to check around for something less costly.

If circumstances dictate that you go through a conference vendor, you will find quite a few choices these days. Most conference call providers will be happy to help you select the type of conference service you want and issue you specific instructions on how to make a conference call using their service platform. Among the selections they will assist you with are determining what type of conference call you need, help in setting up your account, booking the conference call and then step by step instructions in how to make a conference call.

Once you have determined whether you will conduct the conference through your local phone company, an office phone system or with the aid of a conference call vendor, you can then contact everyone who needs to attend the conference. Included in your notification should be specific instructions, if any, concerning how the party is expected to be connected to the conference call. Do not skip over basic instructions. Many parties do not know how to make a conference call, or at least may be unfamiliar with the style of call you have chosen. Make sure your instructions on how to make a conference call are easy to understand, and always provide some sort of means for each party to get assistance should they become confused.

Just as it is imperative to provide your attendees with specifics on how to connect with the conference, make sure you have a clear understanding of how to make a conference call using the type of service you have selected. Go over the process you will need to follow in connecting with the conference and make sure you understand exactly what to do. This is especially true with dial-in formats that utilize passcodes. If you fail to enter the passcode assigned to the host, the conference will not begin. If you have any doubts about what you are to do, call your provider and go over the process of how to make a conference call with the service you have established.

It is also important that as you learn how to make a conference call with your vendor of choice that you be aware of any service options at your disposal during the actual conference. As an example, many services allow the host to mute all attendees, which is great if you want to deliver a lecture as part of the meeting. If there is a service option available that you think may be helpful, but you are not sure how to utilize it, ask for suggestions from your vendor. Part of their job is to make sure you understand how to make a conference call using any of the service options they make available to their customers.

One last critical feature to investigate when learning how to make a conference call with your vendor of choice is how the call will end. Some vendors set the conference to automatically end when the host hangs up. Others will allow the conference to continue until the last line in the call releases. Make sure you know how your service is set to work.

Knowing how to make a conference call has gone from being a special perk of corporate executives in large companies to being a basic skill that persons in all walks of life should become familiar with. If you do not currently use conference call services, check around with friends and acquaintances. Chances are you know several people who know how to make a conference call; they can put you on the path to mastering this very useful business practice.

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Corporate Conference Service: Smart Technology for Smart People

It is a phenomenon for the new and highly developed world which can provide a stupendous break through for the up-and-coming business. Distance and location do not matter in regard to communicate with their employees to give new wings to their business. It is the most convenient for the budding business men who are eager to be a business tycoon. It plays pivotal role to make them up coming business man. Extension of business used to be obstruction on account of communication. Ever since, the advent of new technology, globalization started booming and all the proximity has been removed moreover put business man too close for proving their mettle as well as quality product. So this technology has been boon for the people of twenty first century.

Petty amount in lieu of securing this service

It is an essential approach of communication for numerous businesses at the moment. There are many kind of opportunities with which market is flooded. Flat rate corporate conference calling is totally dedicated for bestowing its service to the customers. If the company is mid level range and have people of 6to 7 in the conference, It will be more conveniently as well as economically with the help of getting monthly packages that are in the range of $60 to $70 dollar range. The maximum amount will be paid by you $200 for lager volume calls. It is cheaper than per minute corporate calling if they manipulate it frequently.

Well-situated features given to the customers

Corporate conference service always present stunning Feamany corporate conference calling service and full fill the need of employee together with telecommuters who need to call from home. It has been handy for increasing the production as well as quality which can help it to keep pace with the time. The manipulation of corporate conference service can be wielded at domestic level thereby communicating with several people. So, several family members can talk with another at the same. It has been prominent in the life of business man as well as domestic level both can realize the magic of this inborn technology which has all the virtues.

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How to Set Up an Internet Conference Call

The options provided for communication vehicles used to be severely limited; you either talk in person, on the phone, or correspond by mail. Now, those choices have been extensively broadened. Now, more than two people are able to enjoy a conversation and see each other even if all of them live in different continents. How can that happen? Simple: it is call internet conferencing.

What You Need to Set Up an Internet Conference Call

Hardware – You will need a computer obviously and Internet connection. For maximum clarity and to avoid delayed transmission, it’s better if your computer is using nothing less than a Pentium 4 with a high-end video card and memory as well as DSL or broadband Internet connection. Speakers and a microphone of good quality are needed for the sounds you transmit and receive to be clearly heard. A high-end web camera is also required so you will be seen clearly by the people with whom you are talking.

Software – No software is actually needed for Internet conference calls without video conferencing, but you do need to go to a website that offers this service to you freely, such as Yahoo (using their Yahoo Messenger) or Skype. If, however, you and your friends desire to see each other, too, while chatting online, a web conferencing software program is necessary. Do not worry because these software programs may either be freely downloaded or purchased for a minimal price.

Setting Up an Internet Conference Call

Before Calling

Make sure that the participants in the discussion are made aware and periodically reminded of the time, date, and website where all of you will be having an Internet conference call.

Make sure that all of you have the proper equipment so that there will be as few technical problems as possible on the day of your Internet conference.

Choose one of you to become the moderator of the conference; he or she will be responsible of setting up the conference and contacting the other participants.

Initiating the Internet Conference Call

This is primarily the moderator’s job. He should choose a website of which services can be availed by all of the participants. After opening a dialogue box, the moderator shall then contact each participant and invite him or her to the conference. There are several ways to send invitations, and it depends on which website you are at or which web conferencing software you are using.

If someone gets accidentally disconnected, make sure that you send him an invitation once more and immediately.

During the Call

Make sure that everyone is able to have his say. Simple rules may be implemented so that nobody tries to dominate the conversation or become rude to another participant.

Finishing the Internet Conference Call

If there is a time limit to your web conference, make sure that you remind them about it in periodic time intervals so they can speed up the proceedings. Notify them when there are only thirty minutes left and so forth. If there are only ten minutes left, it is time to start everybody packing.

Wait until the last person leaves before ending the call. If you do so before anyone else, everyone will be disconnected abruptly without being able to properly say goodbye to each other or give their last final reminders.

Lastly, make sure that you finish the call on time, especially if you are using paid web conferencing services. You will be immediately charged extra when you go over the time limit for just one second.

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Conference Calling In Business Today

In the world of today, organizations have the advantage of using talent from all parts of the world. Companies that are larger, which have a greater infrastructure, and which have made their presence felt globally are especially aware of the problems of having to manage a diversified workforce.

With the rise of globalization it has become possible for companies to draw their workers from all parts of the world. This is an essential feature of companies trying to develop a worldwide influence. As a result, different departments and divisions may have separate commands. But the need to send out a single message does arise from time to time, and this is where the conference call becomes so very important.

This view, of course, looks at only the global picture. If we were to reduce this scale and look at the working of different departments on a local level, we would find that the conference call method has made life a whole lot simpler for business houses. After all, not everyone can be present at a single venue at a given time. Hence, the conference call has continuously gained in popularity. Even today, with the rise of the Internet, and thereby, of web conferencing, the conference call continues to hold its own.

A conference call is of two basic types. In the first type, the person or party that is called is allowed to join in the discussion. In the second type, the person is allowed to listen to the call but he may not participate. The first type is very useful in having discussions with remote clients. The latter is commonly used in providing updates and imparting training to the workforce.

What are the benefits of using the conference call device? Well, it is very convenient in that people do not need to go elsewhere to attend a meeting. This saves energy and does not subtract from an employee's performance.

A conference call also helps in cutting costs. Every business house looks to increase its revenues while cutting down on its expenditure. A conference call helps one achieve this by reducing the travel costs that employees would have incurred otherwise.

And cutting costs does not only mean the money costs. A waste of time can mean the loss of a great business opportunity. The conference call helps speed up the business process. Moreover, it is possible to record the calls and use them for future reference.

The conference call has become an integral feature of professional life today. Doing business without it is close to unthinkable.

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Business Conference Calling Today

Conference calling services have been developing in such a high rate, since the technology that improves these services is just getting better and better with time, this has created rapid and constant changes to the way people communicate in their businesses and personal lives. The telephone, which was once used exclusively by only two people, on each side of the line, now has many participants and many caller locations, which can be serviced simultaneously.

The number of participants is not the only thing that has changed in this industry, today you can also see who you are talking with by camera, and you can also hold meetings and talks with people using a screen as a board, showing and demonstrating things to them, as well as simply sending files over the Internet to share and go over together – as you talk.

But with the business call conference features, the number of persons who can engage in a talking spree are absolutely unlimited! There is no fee to be charged in every use because the business conference call feature already comes along with the terms and conditions in the Internet connection provider.

Plus, the video chatting feature also allows the person to see the individual on the other line. There is no software that needs to be purchased and installed into the computer. Give thanks to the technological breakthrough in the use of the Internet because it is the one which makes this business conference call feature possible.

The business conference call features which are typically offered to business companies and households allow the voice and video chat to occur right exactly on the computer. Another superior quality is that both the voice sound and the video work out in an excellent manner all at the same time!

By and large, you would like to secure your business with a reliable business conference call feature service. It only means that you must seek the advice from friends or acquaintances, search the net, and call up possible providers. It pays off for you to investigate well on the matter. You also have to get the equipment that will be most compatible to be used with the feature. At times, there are requirement in terms of the tools and computer system features that come along.

With the business conference call feature, you don't have to risk missing contact with your business associates. Everything is now possible with today's technology.

Tags: Conference Calling

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Why a Good Conference Call Service May Be Your Key to Success

Technology truly is a wondrous thing. In the old days, you need to walk on water to coordinate an important corporate meeting that will have to take place between investors in different time zones. Frequently, people had to spend thousands of dollars just to fly in for a two-hour stock briefing. Now, they can attend conferences in the privacy of their own homes, and the absolute comfort of their private studies. The Internet has made things easy; as a coordinator in this new and more convenient age, your responsibility is simply to make sure that conference calls proceed seamlessly. If you want your important meetings to push through without a hitch, you have to look for a reliable conference call service.

If you're after a Web conferencing provider, location is not a problem. For the most part, people who are about to engage in Web conferencing only need to download and install software that will allow them to connect to a 100 percent safe and secure section of cyberspace, where they can conduct their business without fear of things like computer virus infiltration and information leaks. A conference call service is one of the most convenient and hassle-free ways to get your people connected.

Web conferencing software is becoming more and more popular as more and more business owners see the cost and operational advantages of using the Internet for teleconferencing. For one thing, you'll be able to keep a record of all the presentations, information exchanges and transactions made during the meeting. For another, an increasing number of features added by the world's most popular Web conferencing software is fast making it the next best thing to meeting face to face!

Web conferencing ideally comes with a plethora of multimedia features, things like audio conferencing, chat, and even video conferencing - all in real time! Private messaging is also a plus - better than whispering in the boardroom any day. Advanced Web conferencing software allows everyone in the group to set access levels to selected folders in their individual hard drives, so that other people in the group can execute and view presentation files at will!

Pricing is of course important in selecting a good conference call service. And most of the time, the more expensive a software package is, the more features it has. Look through the available features carefully and ask yourself if you really need all of the functions bundled up into the primary software.

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Web Conferencing Tools

Different types of web conferencing software are available in the market. You can select any too depending on your requirement. Each tool has got its own features. Some tools are available as freeware and for others you will have to pay. If you are going to use the web conference tools for recreational purpose then you can select a free tool. If you are looking for a web conferencing tool for business purpose then you can purchase any model depending on your needs.

Some of the popular web conferencing software include Microsoft Live Meeting, GoToMeeting, Central Desktop. Adobe Acrobat Connect, Ready Talk, Yugma and Glance. There are many other conferencing tools too. You can select any one of the tools from these. Selection should be based on certain factors. The type of chat required, like text chat, voice chat and video chat. Other factors include pricing, browser compatibility, application sharing, file sharing, session recording and the number of individual windows allowed.

Adobe Acrobat Connect is a popular web conferencing tool. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. At a time, it is possible to do video conferencing with 15 peoples. It also provides whiteboarding capabilities. Another tool is the Acrobat Connect professional. It is actually the rebranded version of Macromedia Breeze. With the help of this tool you can do web conferencing with 2,500 people maximum. It also supports various other features like session recording and embedded quizzes. But, it is not a freeware.

Another web conferencing software is Central Desktop. It has got a number of features. It includes wiki style editing, tracking of project status, and document archiving. By using this tool you can conduct web meetings with 10 attendees maximum. It supports almost all browsers. But in order to conduct the web meeting you require Java Runtime v1.1 or higher. It is also integrated with popular Instant Messaging networks like MSN messenger, Yahoo messenger, AIM and ICQ.

Dimdim is another web conferencing tool and it is available in four versions. They are free hosted version, hosted enterprise version, open source community version which is free and onsite enterprise edition. In order to use the video conferencing feature you have to install flash player only. Some of the features included in Dimdim include application sharing, presentation, session recording, annotations, video chat, desktop sharing and video chat. The free version offered by them does not have too much features. Most of the features listed in the free version are demo ones. So, it would be better to purchase any of the premium editions.

Glance is another tool. But it does not contain any extra features. There will be a live desktop screen alone. It is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux. Some popular free web conferencing tools include Google talk, Yahoo messenger, MSN messenger and ICQ. GoToMeeting is a web conferencing tool which supports Windows only. It does not support Linux or Mac operating system. Some of the features in it include chat, screen sharing and attendee permission. It is also possible to record the meeting sessions. Microsoft Live Meeting supports features like video sharing, VoIP, audience feedback, file sharing and video recording

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The Benefits Of Conference Calling For Businesses

Whether your business is large or small, conference calling is a solution that you have likely used at some time or another for its time saving and relationship building advantages. While you may just think of a call with multiple participants when you hear the word conference call, there are actually quite a few different conference calling solutions available to you. It’s up to you to select the option that best meets your needs.

Among these, the primary types of conference calls are:

- Audio conference calling
- Video conference calling
- Web conference calling

From these primary types of conference call, there is also the possibility to mix and match among them to customize your solution.

Audio conferencing solutions are the oldest among the main three. These can include three phone lines bridged together to create complex outsourced services. It can also mean the lower cost solution of a two-party call, where a speaker phone is utilized in order to let everyone around a table participate in the call with the party on the other end.

This is the type of conference call in which the most people have participated. They can be very effective despite their limitations. This limitation is the same as with any other telephone. For one thing, it means that you can only hear what the person is trying to say, but not actually see it. Also, if anyone is too far from the microphone, or the phone isn’t of very good quality, or even if a person doesn’t speak up enough, then it makes communication difficult. Furthermore, if the phone call is long distance, then at least one of the parties will need to pay the long distance bill – unless an 800, 877, 888, or other toll free number is available.

With video conferencing, you can use a hosted solution to give that added level of professionalism and convenience. Though phone lines, multiple parties are bridged, providing both image and audio. It is the next best thing to actually having the other party in the room. Video conferencing does, however, require you and the other party to have specialized systems and support. These can be very challenging to set up and to use. However, when you compare the costs and lost productivity of video conferencing with that of actual travel, you will find that this is a very cost effective solution.

Web conferencing work their very best when using computer desktop applications that are the same on both ends. They are fantastic options for showing products such as software to customers, or to share spreadsheets and other applications among the different parties involved in the conference call.

Selecting from among these many conference call solutions will hopefully help you to provide the best communication solution with the party with whom you are communicating. In many situations, an audio conference call will do just fine, but when added demonstrations or a visual element is needed, then you can upgrade to video or web conferencing.

It is important to remember that no matter which conference call solution you select, you are choosing it in order to meet your business objectives and those of your company. It’s best to choose the option that meets your needs instead of going with the solution that provides you with more than what you need. It will only be wasteful in the long run if you do otherwise.

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