Conference Calling Basics
Whether you are at the helm of a small business or a large company, convenience is the key to maximizing productivity. This is why savvy business owners are turning to reservationless audio conference call services. Reservationless conferencing allows companies to conduct a business conference call at any time, with no reservation required. It is the ideal way to hold an impromptu sales meeting, connect with team members for status updates, or even communicate with people from around the globe. With no special equipment required and budget-friendly price plans, these conference call products can greatly reduce expenses and save valuable time.
When using a reservationless audio conference system, you receive a conference line with your own unique host code, and participant codes. You have the ability to invite as many participants as you would like by providing them with the dial-in number and the entry code. There is no need to talk to your service provider or schedule ahead of time with an operator. Instead, you control your teleconferencing needs and set up audio conference calls anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Regardless of the number of participants, traditional conference lines retain a high-quality of service. Unlike older systems or some VOIP systems, clarity doesn’t suffer and there are no limitations on the number of business conference calls you can make. As an added bonus, a quality conference call providers will include additional benefits such as extra security, call recording, and mute options.
Conference call providers offer either toll dial-in numbers, toll-free dial-in numbers, or both. To choose the right plan, it’s important to keep your business needs in mind. When using a toll dial-in number, participants will be billed for the call. With a toll-free dial-in number, the phone company does not charge participants. Many individuals find the toll-free option preferable, as they do not wish clients or employees to incur costs for participating in the call. Flat rate options are ideal to keep costs at a minimum. However, before signing up for an account, be aware of hidden costs. Minimums, set-up charges, contracts, connection fees, and surcharges can add up. Read the fine print to check for an expiration date to ensure that your service is not interrupted.
Another factor to consider when choosing a conference call service, is to determine if the provider uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or traditional phone services. VoIP converts audio calls to data packets that are transmitted over the Internet. Due to its route, VoIP is more vulnerable to power outages and Internet service interruptions. Depending on the provider and the strength of their Internet routing, there may be drop-outs and poor voice quality. The unpredictable nature of VoIP isn’t necessarily conducive to important conference calls. The advantage of VoIP is that it’s cheaper.
Traditional phone system’s quality tends to be superior because phone systems aren’t vulnerable to Internet quirks, such as drop-outs or choppy audio. VoIP has an edge in the price department, as traditional phone systems are more expensive. However, when it comes to audio conference calls, the reliability may be worth the slightly higher price. In addition, traditional phone systems are extremely user-friendly.
Reservationless conference call systems can cut down on business expenses and increase productivity by saving time. With a personal conference line and ready conference ability, you can connect with others at a moment’s notice. Reservationless conference call products give professionals full control over their communication needs.