The Web and Internet Conference Calling
An interesting feature of Internet conference calling is how web-enabled conferencing adds the power and punch of the Internet, turning the conference call into a combined web and audio experience that enhances the impact to a conference and adds flair. With the click of a mouse button, the customer gains complete control of the conference. Internet conference calling allows the user to conduct, arrange, lead and be in charge of the audio conference straight from their computers.

From: http://www.conferencecallaudiovideo.info/internet_conference_calling.php

Types of Toll Free Conference Calling Plans
There are alternative toll free conference calling plans such as stand alone and follow me services which can suit individual needs. Stand alone service allows the user to connect their phone behind PBX equipment while follow me service is useful to those who are constantly on the move. This facility allows you to change your “ring to number” at any time by simply logging on to your account and changing your preferences. This is a very useful and convenient alternative and is especially suited for travelers and salespersons though the call charges may be slightly higher at 6.9 cents per minute. There is also a provision to route your calls to internationals destinations so that your foreign colleagues and friends may contact you as if they were local callers. These then are some of the readily available toll free conference calling plans that one can avail of without having to pay too much.

From: http://www.conferencecallaudiovideo.info/toll_free_conference_calling.php

How to ensure security for web conferencing - a checklist
Ascertain the security need of the meeting. If sensitive business critical topics like merger, acquisition, new product plan is going to be discussed stringent security measures need to be taken.
In this your security policy of your company is more important. It's difficult for hackers to get access to internal IT infrastructure if it's protected by proper firewall. If CEO and CFO are frequently using web conferencing, you can even use the servers, which are hosted, in DMZ zone. Other words, avoid using public network.
Security policy of your company is very important in combat against spam and identity theft. Send details of conference call time and web URL for the conference to all participants. Access to the conference equipment should be password protected. All participants should register their name using unique secret code aka PIN code. There should be a standard operating procedure for userid and password management. IT administrator of your company should change the password frequently.
It's advisable to use "do not copy" and "do not forward" feature of Lotus note to maintain maximum security. If you don't have lotus note, talk your email administrator to find the way the same can be achieved in your mail server.
Hackers can also use parallel devices to intercept your massage during transmission. Hence, at the minimum you should use SSL. There are several sophisticated tools available in market to protect and monitor traffic. If you are working with some third party conference call providers, you must check all the security measures of conference call service providers. Web Conference assures the privacy and integrity of your meetings through the exclusive use of HTTPS to encrypt all meeting content.
It is highly recommended not to display extremely sensitive information during web conference. You should avoid downloading your proprietary info to other's server. If at all it is necessary, please make it a habit to delete the file immediately after completion of the call.

From: http://www.conferencecallaudiovideo.info/webconferencing.php

Over the last thirty years, conference calls have gone from a business tool that was the province of only the biggest companies to an everyday way of holding meetings for organizations of just 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 just which of the many 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 want 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 want to try in the future. Make sure any conference call provider that makes it on your list of potential candidates has those features available. Ever wondered about ad hoc conference services? How about being able to book a conference call via the Internet? Create a formal wish list and have it available to give any conference call provider you seriously consider.

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 enough basic information on their web sites to allow you to determine if they have 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 is 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.

http://www.articlesbase.com/communication-articles/selecting-a-conference-call-provider-36195.html

This Call May Be Recorded...
If you're using calling conference services or web phone conferencing, many of these services now offer a recording option. This comes in handy when your meeting minute-taker calls in sick. You can play back the conference, transcribe notes, and pass out or mail copies to all of the individuals that attended, reminding them of the points you covered in the meeting. Or wait until the minute-taker comes back and make them do it.
Armed with the right knowledge, conference call hosting can be a walk in the park. Just remember not to blabber too much, record your call for posterity, be on time, and feel free to mute.


The Mute Key is Your Friend
Make sure to let everyone know that when they are not speaking, they should be muting. Muting your phone will cut down on external noise if you are going with the traditional phone conference method. Plus, if you're hosting a lunch hour meeting, there won't be any unattractive chewing noises to try and speak over.

Make Sure You're Plugged In
This advice may sound kind of obvious, but you might be surprised. If your car coasted to a stop on the highway and wouldn't start again, would you immediately replace the engine or would you check the gas gauge? Before your conference goes into full swing, check all of your cables, plugs, and widgets are plugged in tight and in full working order.

Keep It Short and Sweet
If you rattle on about anything for more than one hour, you're likely to lose at least half of your attendees to the mysterious after-lunch fatigue that affects so many business professionals. Keep things brief and on target, but remember, if you machine-gun speak like an auctioneer, you'll lose just as many participants.

http://www.articlesbase.com/video-conferencing-articles/conference-call-tips-that-will-have-you-hosting-like-a-pro-90334.html

The multitude of users of conference calling services makes it apparent that it is one of the favored means of communication in the business world to date. Companies consider it more cost-efficient, less taxing on the company.s time and personnel, and more effective in fostering business relations in the international scene.

Like all good things, however, conference calling has several limitations. While the numerous positive aspects of conference calling are highly publicized, the limitations are hardly visible.

The most obvious limitation of conference calling is the speed with which it is developed in some countries and the delay in others. Conference calling now largely involves video and data as well as audio conferencing and makes use of highly advanced equipment to deliver these new and improved services to subscribers. The problem with this lies in the availability of these equipments for the world.s majority. Attendance and participation in conferences may now be limited by the fact that potential delegates in areas where the necessary equipment and technological advancement has not yet arrived may not be able to participate at all.

Another limitation is the lack of any set standard for conference calling protocols. Certain measures for order and smooth progress have been set for face-to-face conferences and meetings. For conference calls, no such measures exist. The normal etiquette and standard of behavior necessary is necessary even in these types of conferences to make sure that it would not totally remove the aspect of interpersonal relations in business dealings.

Last, but definitely no less important, is the instances of low security and lack of proper billing standard provided to the clients availing of conference calling services. These conferences are recorded, and the clients should have control over the contents of their conferences. Likewise, they should be properly informed of the breakdown of the costs they have to pay for these services.

From this it is apparent that there is a negative side to conference calling. It is up to a potential user, therefore, to weigh the pros and cons of using conference calls before availing of a particular service.

From: http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/12003/conference_call_pricing/what_they_dont_tell_you_about_conference_calls.html

Problem: What do you do when you must temporarily leave the call for personal or work reasons?

Recommendation: When you have to leave the call for a moment it is best to tell the others you will be gone. It is tempting to sneak away in silence and hope they will not notice your absence, but there is always the chance they will ask you a direct question and your silence might be misinterpreted as either withholding or a certain lack of alertness.

From: http://www.conferencecallogy.com/Conference-Calling.html

Problem: It is sometimes unclear who owns the meeting.

Recommendation: Conference calls must have a designated leader. When I dialed in recently, the operator wanted the company name, the code name and the leader's name. I didn't know the leader's name and the operator would not let me on the call. So much for self-managing conference calls. Know the leader or be the leader and make it clear up- front to all involved.

From: http://www.conferencecallogy.com/Conference-Calling.html

Problem: What do you do when others are late in joining the call?

Recommendation: Begin the meeting when three are present and five minutes has elapsed. In this era where speed is everything, timeliness is more Godly than ever. Don't waste time with unfocused light conversation. Avoid the temptation to gossip about the ones you are waiting for. If you must wait, stay silent and privately review the agenda and prepare your comments.

From: http://www.conferencecallogy.com/Conference-Calling.html

If you've been considering using a conference calling company for a business meeting or social group meeting then you’re probably already aware of the difficulty it can be in choosing a reliable provider.
Choosing a company that has the best price and the best service is the ultimate goal.

When you're finished reading through this you'll have the information you need to make a wise decision about choosing a good provider.

When selecting a conferencing call provider it's important to make sure that they offer the most up-to-date technology so that your calls are clear and understandable by everybody online. Additionally they should have services available 24 hours a day including tech support.

Unfortunately some providers are unable or charge extra to have certain numbers of people on their conference. In a highly competitive market it really doesn't make sense not to choose a conference call provider that can suit your needs and handle as many callers is you need. It's important to have this issue ironed out prior to your call.

An easy to work with provider will offer a phone number and access to the conference that is simple and easy to understand for people wanting to join the call. Nothing is more aggravating then having to jump through a bunch of hoops in order to get logged into a phone call. A simple system will make your conference calls much more successful.

As the range of conferencing solutions becomes greater there is no reason to settle for a conference calling company that does not provide the services that you need.

From: http://www.idealconferencecallingservices.com/conferencecallingcompanies.shtml

If you've been considering using videoconferencing as a means of training and delivering information to a group of business associates or through a social group there are three important concepts for you to know.
These factors include the ability to be streamlined, versatile, and deliver a clear effective message.

Unlike using a simple conference call provider, video or web conferencing is useful if the process is streamline and allows you to communicate information quickly and easily. Today through online integration via the Internet you're able to communicate critical messages with sales associates through powerful online tools that are easy and simple to use.

These tools are available in a variety of applications and can be used by practically anyone. They allow you to be versatile and promote your message easily.

One should agree that by taking advantage of web or video conferencing you can easily benefit from its flexibility. As a tool that allows long-distance conferencing you're able to put together important projects with colleagues and employees from around the world. This can be done quickly, and gives you the ability to deliver a powerful effective message.

In today's highly competitive business environment communicating your message to associates in a clear and easy to understand manner is critical to success. By using video or web conferencing you can do this more effectively than ever before by providing real-time charts graphs and data that clearly spells out competitive advantages that you can take advantage of right away.

When thinking of using a conferencing service having a streamlined approach with a clear concise message allows you to effectively communicate your message without complication.

From: http://www.idealconferencecallingservices.com/videoconferencing.shtml

Today, more and more people are searching for a convenient and easy to use tool for having a audio conference call.
As of late many people are using web conferencing or video conferencing because out the recent developments in streaming video.

Some may begin to wonder whether or not audio conferencing is still a viable option.

After reading through this article you'll quickly realize that not only is a viable but it's a smart solution for those that are on a tight budget but still want to remain productive.

Below are some of the basic elements you'll need in order to have a successful conference call.

1. Make sure that the person who is holding the conference call is comfortable with the duties that the position will entail and the technical requirements of the conference call provider. Nothing will make people feel more comfortable and unwilling to participate if the presenter is fumbling around and does understand how the phone system works.

2. Having a predetermined agenda will allow the call to move forward at a nice pace and keep everyone focused on the purpose of the call. Just meandering around talking about this subject in that subject will become boring to some and make them ultimately not want to participate. Staying focused and on track will allow you to have a successful call.

3. Plan a test call prior to the actual live call itself. Knowing how all of the equipment works what buttons do what, will keep you from being in an embarrassing situation if you try to accomplish a technical task involving the phone system and you're not familiar with how it works.

These are just a few of the items that help make up a successful audio conference call. Having these basics down is a great first step and will make any attempt getting a call going much easier.

From: http://www.idealconferencecallingservices.com/audioconferencing.shtml

In due course, web conferencing has proved its worth over traditional audio or video conferencing. In those situations, where the basic meeting format is that of back and forth information flows, web conferencing is just second to face to face meeting.

However, security has always been a major concern with web conferencing. Mere SSL or AES encryption protocol cannot guarantee you complete access security though they are well known as industry standards. Corporate houses cannot ignore this viable communication media and at the same time cannot entirely depend on it for this very reason.

There are so many other problems in traditional web conferencing. The attendees who needed to deal with 3D CAD design, flash graphic design, and other similar collaborations of image based applications, had to fight hard to make the meeting effective up to the minimum level.

Another big problem with traditional web conferencing had been that the attendees had to download and install meeting client software. That is not all. The attendees needed to download Java, flash installations and others to support the client software. The whole process was tedious, time consuming and expensive (in some cases you need to pay monthly usage charges for your meeting client software).


From: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Secured-Web-Conferencing---The-Cost-Effective-Way/116357

Technology today can be quite overwhelming. There are a lot of new devices, systems, and equipment that are changing the way we live now. New technology brings about new ideas, and with a fast paced lifestyle, many people are becoming more dependent on technology, for it can make the way we do things faster.

One important advantage of technology is having faster communications between the two ends. From state of the art cellular telephones that has access to the Internet, to high end video conferencing, businessmen and students alike would now have an easier and faster way to communicate.

Video conferencing showcases a lot of benefits with regards to the business itself. First, by using video conferencing, businessmen might have easier negotiations with other businesses and/or individuals. By using this new approach, it can also save the company some money since by using such, businessmen would not have to pay for flights, in case meetings are held in another location. This kind of conferencing can also fast track instructions and deals within the company. Instead of written instructions, one can tell the person doing the job directly what needs to be done. By talking and communicating in real time, different tasks can be done faster and with more precision.

Of course, video conferencing also has its downside. This approach to faster communications may not be too reasonable for smaller businesses. Big companies have the privilege to use this kind of conferencing, simply because the have the budget to do so. Either way, video conferencing is a positive aspect in one’s business, for it can heighten communications within the company, therefore boosting the business itself.

From: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Technology-Makes-Our-Business-Communications-Faster/151599

Internet technology has grown to such heights which made it possible to conduct a conference right from your office with people sitting any where in the world. If we consider the scenario a few years back, attending a conference would mean packing your bags, catching the flight and travelling from one place to the other. As the host of a conference you would have had to make several preparations that require tremendous amount of time, effort and also resources. Getting tied down with making the preparations would leave you with hardly any time to actually concentrate on the real issue of the conference. However, now with the audio conferencing services offered by Starconferencing conducting a conference has been extremely simplified . You not only save on a lot of time but also cost and can efficiently carry out your business operations. You now get to concentrate on the essence of your conference rather than the physical preparations required making it a success.

The audio conferencing facilities offered by Star conferencing make it absolutely easy and reliable to host a conference. The service lets you make a huge saving on time. The use of the very latest technology allows the company to offer a package with several features that makes it possible to provide high quality service at the best possible rates . A monthly rate of as low as $19.99 provides you approximately 500 minutes of conferencing time. You could conveniently make the payment using your credit card.
You could thus, eliminate travel and any wastage of time and conduct a conference right from office. A monthly bill that provides complete information regarding the details of conferences, the telephone numbers of the participants is provided.


From: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Plan-Your-Conference-Call-And-Pave-The-Way-To-Success/122956

Determining Business Needs

The first challenge is to understand your business' needs. Your goal may be to reduce costs, improve productivity, run a training program, or implement a distance learning program. Once you determine the particular application, you are ready to select and implement your system.

Ensuring Executive Buy-in

You will need senior management commitment in order to implement real changes in your organisation. The executive team should deliver the message that video can increase productivity, enhance collaboration, reduce business travel, and decrease your company's carbon footprint. Very few video conferencing deployments have been successful without executive buy-in.

Establishing a Single Process

One of the mistakes organisations often make is using a system of ad hoc dialling; users simply pick up the remote and the video meeting begins. That works when the system belongs to the individual and it is a personal or a desktop solution. However, people usually do not wish to touch any remote controls! A single process means the video call is connected the same way each time - regardless of the type of meeting. Whether it is a point-to-point call or a multi-point call with more than two sites, the process should be the same.

Don't Do It All Yourself!

You don't have to purchase your own hardware or hire your own staff to run successful video meetings. Most organisations do not have this expertise as their core competency, which is why many companies choose to outsource this responsibility.

From: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Video-Conferencing/151420

Technology today can be quite overwhelming. There are a lot of new devices, systems, and equipment that are changing the way we live now. New technology brings about new ideas, and with a fast paced lifestyle, many people are becoming more dependent on technology, for it can make the way we do things faster.

One important advantage of technology is having faster communications between the two ends. From state of the art cellular telephones that has access to the Internet, to high end video conferencing, businessmen and students alike would now have an easier and faster way to communicate.

Seeing the world as it is today, we can confirm that businesses from all over the world tend to communicate with one another without seeing face to face, all with the help of video conferencing. This type of communication allows businessmen to interact and share ideas and files without seeing each other face to face. This kind of technology helps businesses that cater to the world, with many different locations acting as one. Video conferencing works by simultaneous sharing of information through video, voice, digital whiteboard, and data files. In a set video conference meeting, several individuals can share their voice and see themselves talk with the use of a live camera. The image size seen in the monitor can be compressed to be able to have more space for files that are accessed, displayed, and edited on the monitor at the same time. Businessmen engaging in a video conference have the option to work and share their information from either party’s computer. While changes within a certain project are discussed verbally, individuals may also edit and share their immediate feedback at the same time. Having the advantage of the digital whiteboard, individuals may also write on each other’s whiteboards to allow professionals to make decisions and solve whatever problems they have on the spot.

From: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Technology-Makes-Our-Business-Communications-Faster/151599

Conference Calling Benefits

Conference calling technology facilitates telecommunication between individuals in different locations. Primary benefits of conference calling include the savings of both time and money realized when team members are able to communicate via conference call rather than face-to-face meetings. Conference calling technology reduces the need for travel expense and the correlating loss of time spent traveling to and from meetings and other events. Conference calling gives organizations the capability of organizing their team for simultaneous communication in a cost effective, time efficient manner.

Additionally, conference calls provide flexibility in terms of time and location, and frequently increase participation from team members in remote locations. Conference calling technology enables people to connect with each other at any time, from any place, as long as they have access to a telephone.

From: http://articles.directorym.ca/Conference_Calling-a863709.html#8085260

Here are the tips to manage conference call effectively:

1. The first things you remember is use the good tools for the communication. Never use the local communication devices like cell phone or landline for conference call.

2. You must have to test your equipments before conference call. Some time during the conference call the instrument have disturbing with strange noises and services get stop between.

3. Select the conference room or special cabin for conference call facilities. Make sure that during the conference call no incoming call either from local line or from mobile phone could not get disturb.

4. Set the speakerphones in properly. Check the button of the speakerphone and volume switch too.

5. If you make conference call by VoIP or messengers than you must ensure the Internet connectivity should be kept properly. You must have to check the speed of the Internet connection.

6. You must have to prepare a note of your discussion with the party and therefore you key in and send it to your party so he keeps the records of the discussion.

7. If you are dealing with the old client than you must give short description about yourself and start communication with the party. You must talk in brief and to the point. It is one of the effective methods of conference call.

From: http://www.articlesbase.com/project-management-articles/7-tips-to-manage-conference-call-490094.html

Audio conference call security:

*Use the passcode assigned to your conference call at the time the reservation is made. This will prevent callers without the proper passcode from being admitted to the call.

*Protect the passcode and any other account information associated with the call. This means limiting who receives the information. Also get in the habit of shredding any documents that contain this information.

*Be sure to enable entry and exits tones to notify you when a participant joins or leaves the call.

*Require that participants identify themselves when joining the conference call and also take roll before commencing the conference.

*Lock the conference call so no one else can join it once begun.

*Disconnect all lines to the call at the end of the call to make certain there aren’t any side discussions after the conference has ended.

*Get in the habit of changing the call-in numbers and passcodes on a regular basis

From: http://www.conferencecallogy.com/Conference-Call-Security.html

Conference call recording can be an absolute nightmare if not done correctly. Imagine losing a 60 minute conference call because the audio recording didn't turn out. It is a cricital piece of the puzzle that many people overlook to neglect until it's too late.


Some people who use audio conferencing for personal or non-formal meetings do not need to engage the services of professional audio conferencing service providers. There are many services available via chat services. Some can be obtained for free if all users are using the same chat service, like Skype, Hotmail Messenger or Yahoo Messenger, just to name a few. However, if you wish to make calls from your computer to a landline or mobile phone then you would need to purchase an online calling card, which are available at affordable prices, and there are many providers to choose from.


The above options may not be the best, if other facilities are needed. They may lack the vital information that you require for work or reporting purposes. This is when professional services provider are highly desirable. Some of the extra services that service providers offer include call recording (where the entire conference will be recorded for the benefit all those who cannot attend), call recording playback, live queued question and answer program, online call scheduler, permission-based users (where access is allowed to people selected by the user to access their account), online billing account, call record history and other services which you may require.


Audio conferencing service providers can also provide similar services, like the conventional conference or exhibition service providers, who can take care of the entire organization of the conference, from sending invitations to the participants, informing the participants on how to go about using audio conferencing, preparing welcome speeches with the help of an emcee, coordinating the arrival of the participants and also arranging for hold music if an interval is necessary.


The services for audio conferences can also be custom-made to suit the needs of the individual or the company. This is a very cost-effective and innovative method of organizing conferences and meetings. This could be the number one choice for conferencing methods in years to come!

From: http://www.conferencecallogy.com/Audio-Conference-Services.html

Good equipment is a must for effective conference calls, after all the point of conferencing is to send and receive important information. Some of the equipment necessary for conference calls includes a camera, desktop system and various audio controls and capabilities that enable different camera functions. Tools and controls are displayed on the monitor window on desktop systems.

Videoconferencing programs are pre-loaded in the operating systems of Windows as well as Macintosh. NetMeeting is available for Windows 98 and later users, whereas iChat AV is available for Macintosh. Besides these, there are several other software packages that can either be bought or downloaded free of charge and are compatible with Windows and Macintosh.

Conference call systems that are dedicated, streamline the process of conferencing by incorporating all the equipment that is necessary into one single hardware device. This single device includes all the necessary audio, visual and network components. Single users can avail of smaller, portable systems whereas companies whose needs are more diverse would need systems that are larger and non-portable. Some corporations dedicate entire rooms solely for video conference calls.

From: http://www.conferencecall101.com/conference-calling-prices.php

Study: Online Collaboration and Conferencing Services Growing Rapidly in Asia Pacific Market

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor


As organizations throughout the world are becoming increasingly dispersed, their reliance on solutions that promote collaboration and conferencing continues to grow, helping to drive demand within these industries. While growth has not been consistent throughout the world, one area of global commerce is experiencing rapid growth.

According to a study on Asia Pacific collaboration services released by Wainhouse Research, the use of online collaboration and conferencing services is growing at a rapid pace in the Asia Pacific market.

The market in this region suffered years of low awareness and small volumes of usage. This demand for audio, Web and video conferencing services surged in 2007. New emerging economies in India and China assist in overall regional growth, yet more mature markets such as Australia also realized strong demand.

The research conducted on 50 local carriers and specialty providers in six local markets to produce the 2008 Asia Pacific CSP (News - Alert) Market Forecast & Provider Reviews study. It is positioned as the most comprehensive study conducted to date on Asia Pacific online collaboration.

Key findings of this study include the growth of audio conferencing, which grew to 50 percent in 2007 and is expected to continue at over 20 percent year-over-year for the next four years; Web conferencing is poised to grow, but has not yet found wide-spread adoption; India has seen substantial growth in awareness, while China still has much left to do; and green initiatives and travel costs do not factor into usage as much as in Europe and North America, yet geographic disparity and the need for personal productivity are the strongest drivers.

This study includes the review and forecast of six local markets, including Australia/New Zealand, Japan, China Country Group, South East Asia Country Group, India and Korea. In the study, each market is sized and forecast by service type and a review of 50 different collaboration service providers operating in the market is offered.

Managers can use the data in this study to better determine and establish local marketing strategies and product offerings, as well as set budgets and sales expectations.

The 2008 Asia Pacific CSP Market Forecast & Provider Reviews is part of a complete collection of CSP studies that also includes information on the European and North American markets.


Wainhouse Research delivers strategic guidance and insight on products and services for Real-Time Unified Communications (News - Alert). The organization’s global client base includes established and new technology suppliers and service providers as well as enterprise users of voice, video, streaming, distance education and web collaboration solutions.


From: http://www.tmcnet.com/channels/conference-call/articles/32461-study-online-collaboration-conferencing-services-growing-rapidly-asia.htm

Air Travel is Down: Video Conferencing Will be Up

By Gary Kim, Contributing Editor


The Travel Industry Association says deep frustration among air travelers caused them to avoid an estimated 41 million trips over the past 12 months at a cost of more than $26 billion to the U.S. economy. With fuel prices as high as they are, fares will have to rise. That is going to hit air travel even harder.

An easy prediction: Video, audio and multi-media conferencing is going to get a boost.

Conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates and The Winston Group, the research also demonstrated that air travelers express little optimism for positive change, with nearly 50 percent saying that the air travel system is not likely to improve in the near future.

“The air travel crisis has hit a tipping point – more than 100,000 travelers each day are voting with their wallets by choosing to avoid trips,” says Roger Dow, President and CEO of TIA (News - Alert) .

Dow noted that the 41 million avoided trips during the last 12 months rippled outward across the entire travel community costing airlines more than $9 billion in revenue; hotels nearly $6 billion and restaurants more than $3 billion. In addition, federal, state and local governments lost more than $4 billion in tax revenue because of reduced spending by travelers.

“Many travelers believe their time is not respected and it is leading them to avoid a significant number of trips," says Allan Rivlin, a partner at Peter D. Hart Research Associates. “Inefficient security screening and flight cancellations and delays are air travelers' top frustrations.”

More than 60 percent of respondents believe the air travel system is deteriorating. Significantly, 48 percent all frequent air travelers (five or more trips per year) are dissatisfied.

From: http://www.tmcnet.com/channels/conference-call/articles/32493-air-travel-down-video-conferencing-will-be-up.htm

Here are the tips to manage conference call effectively:

1. The first things you remember is use the good tools for the communication. Never use the local communication devices like cell phone or landline for conference call.

2. You must have to test your equipments before conference call. Some time during the conference call the instrument have disturbing with strange noises and services get stop between.

3. Select the conference room or special cabin for conference call facilities. Make sure that during the conference call no incoming call either from local line or from mobile phone could not get disturb.

4. Set the speakerphones in properly. Check the button of the speakerphone and volume switch too.

5. If you make conference call by VoIP or messengers than you must ensure the Internet connectivity should be kept properly. You must have to check the speed of the Internet connection.

6. You must have to prepare a note of your discussion with the party and therefore you key in and send it to your party so he keeps the records of the discussion.

7. If you are dealing with the old client than you must give short description about yourself and start communication with the party. You must talk in brief and to the point. It is one of the effective methods of conference call.

From: http://www.articlesbase.com/project-management-articles/7-tips-to-manage-conference-call-490094.html

How to Set Up a Conference Call
By Stephanie Hetu

The methods in which you set up a conference call vary between the different services you use, and what type of conference calling you are using. There are three main types of conference calls, all with different methods of set up.

The most common conference call is reservationless conference calls. There is not much to set up with this type of call. You simply get a number and access code, as well as a separate access code for the other people that you want to participate in the conference call. All you need to do to during the set up conference call is call the number, enter your access code, and then have the other callers call in and use their own access code.

Operator assisted set up conference calls lets you have an operator on hand for things such as recording the conversation, using moderator commands such as subconferencing and broadcasting, and monitoring the conference overall. This tends to be a bit more expensive, and requires reservations a certain time in advance. The exact amount of time varies from service to service.

Operator dialed set up conference calls allow for more interaction with the individual members of the call. The operator will dial out to each participant at your reserved time, and add them manually into the conference. This is a great service for people who are not used to conference calls. Also, if you need additional services such as translation, recording, or other added features, the operator is on hand to provide those.

There are a few other types of set up conference calls that you can do. Web conferences are much more involved than any type of phone conference call, and requires you to know a great deal about the software it uses, or to have technical support on hand to help. There are also small scale conference calls between two or three people that business lines can handle. Just play around with the different options and you will see what is the most advantageous to your business.

From: http://www.free-engineering.com/ar-conference.htm

Conference Calling Tips - A Few Simple Rules For Running an Effective Conference Call
By Orville Carver


If you have ever given a presentation via conference call, you know that there can be many distractions and problems that cause disruptions for everyone. It is important to try to minimize these distractions for everyone in order to get the most from the time you have. Here are a few tips to run an effective conference call.

Set the rules. First and foremost you need to establish the rules up front. Conference call or video conference rules should include; no answering cell phones - this is distracting, not only to the conference, but to the people around you trying to listen. Do not put your phone on hold to answer another call - this causes 'hold music' to play for the entire conference and is very distracting. Have everyone put their phones on mute - this eliminates background noise such as people turning pages or chairs squeaking.

Outline the meeting. You should next outline the reason for the conference call. Tell the listeners what you will be presenting. It is easier to get through a meeting when there are specific topics and everyone knows what those topics are. If the call is more than an hour, schedule a break. Just a minute or two to stretch or use the restroom - it doesn't have to be more than that..

Interaction: To keep people paying attention, you must have periodic interaction. This can be as simple as having a few quiz type questions on material covered if this is a training session, or a break for questions and answers. Keep the attendees involved and they will get more out of the call.

These were just a few tips to running an effective training conference call. Conference calling is rapidly becoming a cost effective alternative to travel and it is important you get the most out of your call.

From: http://ezinearticles.com/?Conference-Calling-Tips---A-Few-Simple-Rules-For-Running-an-Effective-Conference-Call&id=1309664

The Coming Of Age Of Video Conferencing
By Amy Linley
The art of meetings has come a long way. It started with two people standing face-to-face to talk. It progressed to people from different place sitting down together in a boardroom to people in different places talking on a conference call at the same time. The pinnacle – so far – is taking those people in different places in a conference call, and adding video through their computers so they can both see and hear each other.

What if you are already using conference calls to save money? Why would you want to add video as well? On a conference call, you can hear the tones and inflections of your participants and gauge their demeanor, mood, and attitude. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is live video worth? You could be able to see the subtle expression changes in your participants and see what they really think. You could look them in the eye and know they will get the job done.

Another reason to do video conferences is to deal with a naughty human behavior trait almost everyone has: multi-tasking. When someone is talking on a conference call, the temptation is almost too great not to check your email, finish that memo, or look at your schedule for the day. We are probably all guilty of this at one time or another, but the tell-tale signs are there. We suddenly hear our name spoken on the conference call and are jerked away from an email and we say, “I’m sorry, could you repeat that? What was the question?”

While multi-tasking is an excellent skill to have, there is a time and a place for it. On a video conference, you can’t be looking away for long periods of time, or under your desk fixing those pesky wires. You – and your participants – are held accountable by video to stay in the moment and at the meeting. Studies have shown that video conferences extend participants attention span and allow much less distractions. This means that your meetings will be much more productive.

And let’s not deny it, having people from all around the world looking and talking to one another is just plain cool!

Once you’ve decided to take the next step to video conferencing, what equipment will you need? Of course there isn’t just one solution for every company. You’ll have to look at what kind of video conferences best serve your company’s needs.

From: http://www.conference-calling.eu/Sbc-Conference-Calling/Conference-Call-Agenda.php

Conference calls have become the new way to have conversations with more than one person at a time when needed. Conference calls pricing, however, can range from a small amount for three-way calling to a large amount for adding in phone lines that can be connected to each other for conference calls.



Many businesses require conference calls to make sure that things are running smoothly, while some people would simply like them so they can talk to their loved ones at the same time. Certain companies now contain conference call plans in their standard offers.



The top three affordable conference calls companies in conference call plans today are TeleCHOICE, Global Conference and conference bridges. These three companies offer competitive prices for people who need to add the ability to add a conference call to their current plans.



Typically, phone companies offer three-way calling with a connection fee of seventy-five cents to connect the third person to the initial conversation. While this doesn’t sound that expensive, if either of the parties you call are long distance, this can add quite a bit to your bill.



TeleCHOICE offers affordable conference calls for six cents a minute, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This can greatly lessen the costs of adding another person to your conversations, and adds the fun of being able to talk about things together in a group. Global Conference and conference bridges offer the ease of conference calling with a promise that your contract with them is not a binding one and you will be able to cancel your plan at any time.



Instead of having to call one person to talk, then another, and another, using a conference call will help cut down on the amount of time that you’re on the telephone. Using a conference call will also cost less in the end, especially if the people you want to call are all long distance or internationally located.



If you have loved ones overseas due to the military or a job and you have family who are local that would like to speak with them as well, a conference call can make everything easier. You or your loved one can make the initial call and then you can connect everyone else via a conference call. It will make things more time and cost efficient in the end.


From: http://www.conferencecallogy.com/How-Conference-Calls-Save-You-Money-And-Time.html

VoIP Phone Service: Helping To Increase Profitability by Kristen Kiya

VoIP phone service is known for its innovative method of call making. With this high-end system, people can connect to near and ones who stay at distant places of the world. The equipments required for accessing VoIP phone are a computer and the internet connection. So, it becomes very easy for people to connect to others at the minimum possible call cost. Thus low cost international calls is possible with the latest VoIP services.
Moreover, with VoIP service users can connect with others by making use of broadband. It helps in the growth of corporate business and in personal front too the service proves to be very beneficial. As long distant calls is no longer an issue, so users can manage their programs from home itself. Data is transferred very easily with this technology. The reason being that the technology is based on conversion of analog signals to digital forms.

High end connectivity can be accessed with the broadband phone service. It offers immense flexibility. Users no longer have to rely on personal computers and can make use of specialised phones to avail the connection. Most of the times these specialised gadgets are found to be mobile phones. So, power failures and other such limitations do not hamper the connection. One can directly make use of mobile phones instead of computers to connect via VoIP. This facility of internet VoIP phone service has now become an easy means to connect with other gadgets. The users can now make hassle free long distance calls.

The VoIP Phone services also comply with providing excellent communication assistance. It is because of them, that now users of mobile phone also can make use of this technology to avail the best of services that is possible. Now, people can make conference calling, call forwarding and automatic redial. This system also can show up the user's ID. As this technology is based on digital format, so digitising or the digital transmission of data or calls is very successfully done. Moreover, the cost involved also dramatically reduces for users to make the best use of this services.

With the reduction of call charges, business houses have started to find a straight inclination on their business performance. This is what makes business houses such as that of Call Centres avail VoIP services. These business establishments find a good platform whereby they can expand their business with the various options such as call diverting, 3 way calling, voice to email and voicemail services.

VoIP is a rare technology and simultaneously is useful. It is a good means to connect in comparison to the traditional means. This technology has become more vibrant with the emergence of resellers and is the much hyped network. Users remain contended with the broadband form of connectivity provided by Voice over network.


From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1036691

Conference Calling Options|Teleconferencing Options by Daiv Russell

Every business today, whether small or a global enterprise, has tried conference calling here and there. If conference calling is new to you, you might be curious what conference call services are available. This article will strive to enumerate and explain the various conference calling services offered in the marketplace today.
The business world will never be the same, thanks to conference calling services. Now it just takes one person to run global business operations and he can do it from his office. It is possible to communicate with clients, associates, and partners, at the same time, and each person can be located in a separate city, state, or country. This is a great way to lower travel costs and other incidental costs, like catering, that go along with having meetings.

The three most important types available today are web conferencing, video conferencing, and audio conference calling.

Audio conferencing is the most popular among these. The reason this type of teleconference is used is that most people are familiar with it and it works out economically for the company. A telephone is all that is required to run an audio conference. The downside, however, as pointed out by most companies affected, is that they cannot see the person at the other end. This method also does not enable one to download images or any data while the conference is going on.

Of the three, web conferencing is the newest innovation. In a modern web conference a webcam, a camera connected to a computer, allows the conferees to see and hear each other as voice and picture are transmitted over the internet. The participants have both visual and spoken communication, and can transmit files and data so they may be made available to everyone in real time. This audio and video interaction, together with the ease of sharing data, is the compelling advantage to web conferencing.

Video conferencing is the third type of service we will discuss. With video conferencing, generally a room is specially prepared with video and audio equipment. Some of the equipment can be quite elaborate and expensive. A large formal system can accommodate dozens of individuals and be complex enough to have guided camera mounts for close-ups. A small system may be composed of a screen and a set camera mount. In either case there are some drawbacks to the video conferencing venue. The participants involved in the conference must be gathered to a single location at a specific time; input is serial rather than parallel with everyone waiting for the other to speak and generally the format is not very intimate. Additionally the relay time between conference points is often rather lengthy thereby causing a time delay in communications much like an old two-way radio.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=814373

Conference Call: Reduce High Phone Bills by Hillary Templeton

Have you ever thought of conducting your meeting anywhere anytime, now you can do so with conference calling services? Its one of the best services provided. Conference calls specialize in providing high quality service at nominal rates. Nowadays various business houses use conference calls to guide their sales team and keep a tab on their progress. This is one of the best ways to reduce high phone bills by dialing numerous people and conveying the same message.

Commonly conference calls are used for client meeting or for sales presentation externally or internally. Conference call have a major impact when it comes to costs, it cuts down telephone bills as well as travel costs by allowing the users to be more productive in other areas. Conference calls connects more than one person in one single call.

Conference calls are also used with web a conference, which in turn enhances the presentations via Internet. This also fosters new interacting patterns. Broadcasting of conference or live streaming allows larger group to access the call without dialing the number but instead going into a bridge. Conference calls can also be used for socializing as this serves as a way to talk to more than one person simultaneously.

Conference call plans

Affordable business conference calling plans

Many telecommunication companies are providing different plans to attract major business houses. Some companies also offer these services free of cost with their other major services. Various affordable conference-calling services are available 24/7 for personal as well as business purpose. In the present lifestyle cost cutting becomes the prime concern. There are various companies that provide such affordable conference calling that finds features that are rich and simple.

Affordable conference calling services reduces your traveling tension but remember that some rates may suit one companies needs but it may not be affordable for you. So before switching to a conference calling service ensure to check out the market. There are various telecommunications companies that can design a suitable plan for your business or for your personal service.

So now you don't have to empty your pockets if , someone in the United States wishes to join in a call with a person living in Paris, or Madrid and even Hong Kong, sound's interesting isn't it?. Always shop around for the best rates and then select the best and viable plan that suits you and your needs.

Affordable conference calling service for you There are some telecommunication companies including Telewest Communications that according to director of marketing, Christopher Freville, claim they can provide free conference calls that take place in regular telephone lines. For such calls you don't need Internet access or computer or extra telephone lines. These services are available 24/7 with no scheduling. In this you get 800 number at your convenience. Shop for the best conference service rates and then tie up with the best to avoid any extra-unseen charges.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=836402

Conference Calling connects Businesses by Hillary Templeton


Conference Calling connects Businesses
The long distance offered by some major telecom companies is sometimes mind-boggling. Apart from some hidden fees and the billing charges the companies routinely increase the rate without prior notice or without specifying it as introductory. By the time you figure out the problem and the cause, you have already accumulated service charges that can make, opening an inbox a really dreadful experience. Many long distance companies hide their exact rates under countless web pages or call transfers because they don't want you to know what you're paying for. They also change their long distance rates and take it for granted that you will know about it. This makes you think whether there is any company that offers reasonable long distance pricing as well as good service? The answer is conference calling which is a telephone call in which the calling party can talk to more than one person. Conference calling can be set in two modes, one in which the calling party can participate and the second in which he can just listen when others talk. This is referred to as ATC (Audio Tele Conference). Business establishments should consider affordable conference calling so that they can reduce their telephone bills.

Sales Managers and executives prefer using conference call so that they can keep tab of their workers. Sales manager, Christopher Freville, at Telewest Communications uses the conference calls to keep tab of their own employees working out in the field. They also can interact with people who live in remote parties both externally or internally. Conference call is considered as one of the best way to induce sales presentations, project meetings and also conduct regular team meetings. Conference calling cuts down travel costs as well allows the workers to concentrate on their work more than traveling and reporting their daily activities.

Various telecommunications companies have different conference calling rates, therefore opt for the best calling card rates so that you can enjoy calling at affordable rates. Try and select plans that are specifically designed for business as it can help your establishment to stay connected with its clients without utilizing maximum funds.

Conference calling also helps keep business professionals motivated and updated as it helps them give their quarterly presentation without moving from their desk. This also helps them to keep everyone informed with all the latest updates.

Business establishments are nowadays facing severe competition, hence they have to find various alternatives to stay ahead and also keep their expenses at bay. So if you wish to stay afloat and understand the updated news along with your sales teams then go ahead and select the best and affordable conference calling plans because by selecting the most suitable plan, you can save thousands of dollars for your company.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=836403

Hosting a Teleseminar by Bill Pratt


Teleseminars or teleconferences are basically when a certain group of people would be calling a particular phone number at a given time and then listen to an interview being done with somebody. It could also be held through an interactive format, with participants equipped with the ability of talking freely with each other or with the guest and host.
Though teleseminars are not new in the market, the idea of conducting telephone meetings has already gone through a great deal of change and evolution through the years. It first started as your simple conference call with employees that are in different long-distance locations. Presently, technology has allowed hosts or presenters to have the ability of including training sessions, Power Point Presentations, marketing and sales presentations, videos and a lot more. For this reason, teleseminars have become very popular as the years passed by. Their popularity is also because of the low costs associated when teleseminars are conducted compared to actual conferences. Teleseminars are particularly practical and useful for those companies, which have sites internationally.

As we move towards the future, teleconferencing would most likely be evolving to video conferencing. Videoconferencing is already being done more widely and would likely be commonplace, particularly with more and more people who are becoming interested on the idea of working at home.

All this great and new technology is just wonderful, however teleseminars could not, would not and should never be replacing the person-to-person meeting or seminar. The telephone could never replace the contacts and relationships, which are personally established through personal meetings. However, teleseminars do give a great way to effectively and inexpensively bring people together.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=859568

Web Conference Calling by DefaultValue@ThisisdefaultValue.usersshouldfillininformation.com


Technical developments in the field of communication facilitate users with multi-functional options, and among them, web based techniques are quite unique in their features. These techniques are used in almost every field including big corporate houses, distance learning programs, and medical field, etc. Web conference calls play a significant role in today’s computer age, as they offer crunch solution to many problems that organizations face. The process of web conference calling involves creation of a link between the computers of participants, and thus, a virtual meeting is organized. Web conference calling offer great benefits to companies and corporate world, and these can’t be ignored due to their salient features.
The most significant benefit of web conference calls is that the participants can share their screens with each other for sharing various applications. By this, they are able to use the similar application as the conductor of the conference is using, and are able to transfer files and data through this. There is no extra hardware required to make web conference calls, as it just involves connectivity through Internet, and is simple to operate in using on the computer. Participants of web conference calling are connected via Internet, which enables them to transfer information, files, and conduct discussions.

Conducting a meeting or conference imparts a burden on the business as it involves a lot of expenditures including travel, infrastructure, and hotel, etc. While via web conference calls, all these expenses can be eliminated and a virtual meeting can be conducted without any travel or loss of work. It involves costs even lesser than audio conferencing, as in that case, service provider is generally charging per minute. The web conference calls provide an opportunity to each and every participant to present his or her views, slides, information, etc., while others can listen and see the presentation through their own computers. It is not limited to only one presenter; rather, multiple presenters can participate in the presentation at the same time.

The process is highly quality oriented, as there is no chances of misrepresentation of facts, for, screens are shared through the presentation. The results are very good as participants can see, listen, and share the presentation simultaneously, i.e., it can also be considered equivalent to a meeting or presentation in person. With the help of broadband services, the conference can be conducted without any interruption. Presentations, most commonly using PowerPoint, can be conducted while staying on one’s own place. It is the fastest option for doing so, as the feedback can also be made immediately so that if any change is required, it could be made and the report can be finalized.

We can easily gauge that web conference calling provides the opportunity to do what the business needs in minimal time, involving minimal cost, and engaging minimal of work-force.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=863396

International Teleconferencing Pricing Plans to Loof For by Aaron Siegel


Conference calling has been used as a tool for years by network marketers, corporate executives, and even at home with families. While uses may vary, the concept has been the same since the beginning of it's conception. Conference calling is used to bring multiple groups of people together over the phone in one place to discuss, inform, and even sell from different geological locations. International conference calling broadens the application spectrum and has spurted some innovative pricing plan and execution approaches within the teleconference industry.
With technology the global gap between continents is closing in at a much more rapid pace than anyone could have ever previously imagined. Technologies have allowed for telecommuting rather than driving to a work place, allowed the outsourcing of workforces without ever leaving a desk, creating a business from scratch electronically over the Internet, and so on. Technology has also made possible international conference calling making teleconference calls a global possibility.

Global Teleconferencing Calling Options

Making international conferences over the phone happen has become much easier for participants from various countries to take part in with various calling options. For the most part there are three ways for participants to call in depending on the provider and plan you choose. Let's take a look at what options providers are offering customers these days for their international participants.

Inbound +1 Calling

This option allows you the convenience of holding an international conference call while saving on participant costs. International rates will apply for the participant and domestic per minute and per leg rates will apply for you. This option is best used for internal use such as with satellite offices. This particular option is not highly recommended for sales acquisitions outside the United States.

Toll Free Calling

This is by far the best option especially for large sales where a first impression counts most. Toll free calling options are not just our 800 numbers in the United States. Almost every country in the world has their own version of toll free prefixes and there are conference calling companies now that have these numbers reserved for clients wanting to give their participants a toll free number to call from in their own country of residence.

With international toll free access the participant does not pay for the call, you do. While this is an impressive feature, the costs will vary by country and can prove somewhat costly depending on the provider's available rates. Many domestic companies closing business deals overseas have been able to easily close deals using this type of service due to the thoughtfulness of providing an easy and free access number for their clients.

Local Access Conference Numbers

This option is second best to international toll free conferencing due to the fact the participants are given the option to dial in by local access number from their particular city. Even though it might not be entirely free for the participant it is more cost efficient for them compared to calling international. What can produce more cost for the participant is the fact they may be out of certain calling codes in their regions.

While the call may be local for your participant you will be paying a per minute rate based on the participant's location. The main benefit of this type of pricing is the slightly lower per minute rate than the toll free per minute rates. So if toll-free conference calling is a bit out of bounds for your budget, this is the next best option for you, but don't expect any outrageous rock bottom prices.

With these different pricing options I am sure you will find a conferencing solution for your business in no time. There are a few companies out there but not in excess so comparing providers that fit your needs shouldn't be too much of a task.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=866534

Video Conferencing Provides Unprecedented Flexibility by Chris Robertson

As recently as a decade ago, most business was conducted either via the telephone or in person. Business travelers were constantly on the go, either driving to nearby cities, flying around the country, or traversing the globe. The costs associated with business travel were astronomical, both in terms of actual travel expenses and in terms of employee downtime and unavailability. With the advent of the Internet and video conferencing, however, the face of business has changed dramatically.

Although conference calling has been available for years, there are times when a phone conversation simply isn't good enough. Video conferencing used to be prohibitively expensive, involving either meeting at a telecom company's facilities or setting up complicated systems in-house. Today, however, video conferencing via the Web is available to virtually every company, no matter what the company size or budget. Indeed, it provides amazing flexibility, enabling businesses to create instant meetings with clients or employees at other locations, as well as to hold large-scale events.

If you are in the market for teleconferencing solutions, there are a number of factors to consider when deciding which provider to use. Needless to say, you want to partner with a provider that has 24/7 customer service, that has competitive pricing, and that has a technologically advanced conference calling system. Beyond that, you should ensure that they have myriad tools to meet all of your video conferencing needs.

For example, you should be able to assign roles during web conferencing. There is a conference host, presenters, and participants. The video conferencing solution you choose should have the capability to switch roles, to expel disruptive participants, and to open or close the "doors" to the conference.

Another vital feature is document sharing. A sales team or a training team, for example, should be able to easily incorporate PowerPoint presentations into their web conferences. Similarly, collaborative work is enormously facilitated when Microsoft Word or Excel documents can be shared.

Application sharing can also be an integral component to successful video conferencing. You should consider a provider that enables an application to be viewed by everyone in the conference, and that - if desired - allows both the presenter and the attendees to remotely control the keyboard and mouse.

Another important feature is shared Web browsing. Whether for demonstration purposes, training endeavors, or regular meetings, it's important that everyone in attendance is literally on the same page. Video conferencing that incorporates shared Web browsing keeps everyone's attention on the matter at hand, and bypasses the need to communicate complicated URLs.

Whiteboard functionality is also extremely helpful in web conferencing. Just as a whiteboard facilitates mapping out ideas in an in-person meeting, it can serve the same purpose when used remotely. Taking notes, making key points, and brainstorming can easily become a routine part of Web-based meeting.

Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of Web conferencing - and a critical function to consider when selecting a provider - is seamlessly integrated, multiparty video. Seeing all of the meeting participants in real time adds both breadth and depth to any online meeting. With the best providers, the host can control video settings ranging from the size, quality, and frame rate to who may or must view the video.

There's little doubt that video conferencing will continue its trajectory in replacing business travel. The right video conferencing provider can dramatically cut costs while increasing productivity - a definite win-win proposition!

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=916407

How a Toll Free Conference Call Can Help You Avoid Conference Calling Hassels by Alan Kirchain


you've been using conference calling as a way of communicating with your professional group or social group it's important that you don't screw it up while your hosting the call. Messing up your conference call can be at the least embarassing and in more extreme circumstances lead to loss of business or friends. After reviewing the following tips you'll have a good idea on how not to mess things up.
Using some simple do's and dont's will allow you to pull of your next conference call with out to much of a hassle and avoid some common annoyances and maintain professionalism.

1. First and foremost it probably best even before you start the call that you have at least an informal aggenda layed out. There is nothing worse than getting on a call and the moderator doesn't have any clue as to what direction the call should take.

2. Try to take notes during the converstion, be sure to do it with pen and paper though. The sound of someone typing as another is talking can be distracting.

3. If at all possible try not to engage in a call while driving in the car. Not only is that somewhat dangerous but your full attention can't be on the call or the conversation.

4. Make sure to put yourself in a quiet environment. People talking in the background or cleaning going on can be a problem for those that are trying to pay attention to the person speaking at the time.

5. Be knowledgeable of your equipment. If you've got some high tech telephony make sure that you know how to use it. Attempting to figure things out when your call starts is going to make people uncomfortable and less attentative.

There are several key factors to consider when hosting a conference call. Make sure to follow these simple tips to make your next conference call a smooth process and success

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=964869

These Is Why You Need An AT&T Call Conference by Peter Gitundu

At&t is largest provider of long distance and local calls in the United States and it has over 71.4 million customers. The other services the company offers are internet services and wireless services. The company was first founded in 1983 and later merged to have the present name. Initially, it was called the South Western Bell corporation and the headquarters were in St Louis Missouri. The company has grown over the years and 2008 saw it win a technology and engineering Emmy award for coaxial cable development. One of their advanced technology is the At&t Call Conference. The service enables you to make conference calls without having to leave the comfort of your home. There are several calling plans you can have.
You can have the flat rate calling plan where the benefits are many and they include a flat monthly rate which is easy to administer, it can be of groups from 5 to 1000 and it is available all the time. Their technology for this is very advanced and they provide quality and value for money. There are several other reasons why you should choose them. They provide an easy to use conferencing service which will meet all your needs for a At&t Call Conference. The first thing is that there is instant access unlike many other companies where you have to wait for days. When you need to hold a conference call, they will take only minutes to have you on the line.
There are various comprehensive plans that will meet your needs and they include lite, plus and custom plans which will cover you to have a successful conference call. The conferencing video, audio and web services are easy to handle and you can trust them to make your life easier. When you need something while holding your At&t Call Conference the att staff is available 24 hours to provide you with a customer service that is friendly and reliable. The At&t Call Conference will save you so much money. Firstly, you do not have to travel and the service is very affordable. There is no reason why you should not try this option which is clearly convenient.
The 3 plans will give you access to so much and the lite plan will give you access to all the conferencing services in the company, the plus plan will give you the same and also access to management services. The custom plan will give you access to the two and also to customized accounts. If you need more information about At&t Call Conference you can log on to their site and get so much more information. You will get to compare the various prices and choose which one best suits you. You will also get the opportunity to compare the plans in detail and learn even more. While getting At&t Call Conference services, you are sure of convenience and efficiency. The services are sure not to disappoint and you can trust them to have a successful conference that will improve your business and life.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=983482

PC to Phone Calls: An Innovative Way of Low Cost Calling by Nisha Garg

The PC to phone is an innovative method, whereby callers can make phone calls from any PC. The user can dial calls from the computer to a mobile phone or a landline phone. This method involves the user to access internet connection. By this system the user can make calls at the lowest possible call rates. The call quality remains excellent in VoIP based IP telephony. The billing method though is based on per second count but yet the rate is reasonably less.
In the telephony involving PC to phones, the user gets to utilise 'calling card' and 'virtual numbers' to dial a call to a specified destination. In case of calling cards, the users make use of a local access number at the lowest possible rates. These numbers help them to access the services of VoIP service providers. The virtual numbers are a direct calling facility provided to VoIP users. It helps users to access instant connectivity and market reach.
The best part about PC to phone solutions is that the user can make free calls from the computer while simultaneously accessing information and chatting with people. The users can also make conference calls to a number of people from the computer. The user of these sort of VoIP calls is also entitled to Fax calling.
The PC to phone solutions is available with no connection charges or monthly fees. The users can make use of the mobile for a longer period of time. There is no expiration date or time. The user can track calls and the account balance once a call is being terminated to the end user. The users avail these the services in order to make the best use of VoIP based IP telephony. The tracker of this system is used to keep one updated about expenditures incurred while making VoIP based PC to phone calls.
This system of calling is easy to access for its easy activation and online customer billing panel. The customer billing panel is the authority that takes care of billing provision provided to the customers online. The users of VoIP phone are varied and access the voice over service from any part of the world. This is the reason why it is necessary for users to make bill payments online. The online billing panel is how it becomes possible for users to make payment of bills from any part of the world. Thus, the user remains gratified to access the services from any region of the world.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1006883

Cheap Conference Calling: Communicate At Nominal Rate by Oswin Slater

The technological advancement has taken over our world with storm. In the present environment, hardly any of us is untouched with the wave of technology. The importance of conference calling is simply unavoidable in the present competitive world. A http://www.conferencecallings.net/conference_calling_cards.html enables you to see the person, with whom you are talking to even when he or she is miles away from you. You can avail a conference calling card and make or receive video calls without any constraint of time and place. You can easily find conference calling cards at cheap rates, without pinching your pocket. If you are a frequent traveler and usually occupied in business tours, then you can simply make use of conference calling cards without any hassle. Let us explore more about conference calling cards and how you can find one at cheap rates.
Broadly speaking, conference calling card is of two types. First is used for making domestic calls (within the country) and the other one can be used to make or receive international calls, as well. It can be used in any mobile phone handset without any installation charges. All you have to do is dial toll free number and enter your PIN and you will get connected. You can enjoy flawless communication without any issue of busy signal.
The best thing about using a conference calling card is that it enables you to minimize the hefty mobile phone bills. You can easily get is recharged and these are used without the assistance of any operator. It offers major benefits to those who travel a lot. These days, it has become an effective business tool for corporate. The person who is called can either talk or listen and it is also referred to as teleconferencing.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1022497

Equipment for Home-Based Businesses by sas_taneesha.brooks

1. Computer. Even if you do not plan to have a Web presence, a computer is necessary to keep better records, to organize your time, and to function more efficiently. Computers have become quite reasonable in recent years. Both Dell and Gateway offer solutions targeted toward small businesses. If you are looking for bargains, try your local Costco warehouse store or even eBay for bargains.
2. All-in-One. Instead of purchasing a scanner, printer, fax machine, and copier separately, you can save a great deal of money by purchasing a multipurpose machine that combines all of these features in one unit. If you are limited in space for your home office, this is a great way to maximize your equipment and save space with a single purchase.
3. Laser printer. If you plan to do a lot of printing, it is a good idea to have a dedicated laser printer -- even if you chose to buy an all-in-one as well. These printers are available for under $200 and do not take up much desk space. If you anticipate several large print jobs a year, weigh the cost of a laser printer against the cost of doing a similar job at a print shop.
4. Quality phone and voice mail. Make sure you have a phone with a hold function, caller-ID, and transfer capabilities, especially if you are working in an office with more than one person. While you may be tempted to use your regular answering machine for your business, it is a good idea to go with a professional voice mail system. In addition to voice mail, your local phone company often offers packages specifically for small businesses. These may include conference calling, call-forwarding, and similar productivity-enhancing features.
5. Dedicated phone lines. You will need a minimum of two phone lines in your home to operate your business. A dedicated fax line is also helpful if you send and receive faxes on a regular basis.
6. Internet access. High-speed Internet access is essential. In most areas you should be able to connect to the Internet via DSL, a cable modem, or satellite. If you absolutely have to use a dial-up Internet connection, make sure you have a dedicated phone line for your computer or you run the risk of losing customers to a busy signal.
7. An email account. It is important to give your customers as many ways to contact you as possible. You will need to set up a dedicated email account that will be used only for your business. This makes it easier to separate your personal email from your business email and gives a better impression to your clients. Yahoo's Small Business site offers a variety of reasonable packages.
8. These are just a few of the necessities in running your own home office. Each business may have different needs. Make a list of the things you need now and things you will need six months from now and equip your home-based business based on that list. You will then be able to get exactly what you need, when you need it, instead of falling short.

From: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1023769