Conference Call Cost Savings
Posted by Kathleen S on Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @ 09:11 AM
Is your conference call bill getting out of control?
Those of us in business management know the importance of keeping to a
budget and beating it whenever possible. Managers can maximize
efficiency in business communications and cut wasted resources by using
audio and web conferencing. Here is a rundown of how audio conferencing
works so you can consider how best to manage these services to the
benefit of your organization.
Intro to Audio Conferencing Cost Savings
Audio
conferencing is an Internet administered version of the classic
teleconference but offers an ease and convenience that was never
available through traditional teleconferencing services. Gone are the
days of missing a meeting because the limit on number of attendees has
been met. Exorbitant fees are a thing of the past. Internet audio
conferencing services have made audio conferencing an even better way
to save on travel expenses for your business.
Reservation not Required
With
audio conferencing, the sessions can be done by reservation, where each
participant calls into a specific phone number to be connected with the
group. This type of conferencing is not as expensive as it once was.
Most providers charge by the minute, rather than by the number of
attendees as was the norm on traditional teleconferences.
Reservationless
sessions can now be arranged using the Internet. This was not possible
with traditional teleconferencing. Callers use a unique phone number
provided to you that allows you to receive all reservationless calls.
The access number given to the participants allows them to enter the
non-reserved call.
Technical Aspects
Traditional telephone
networks provided a dedicated line for each phone number. This ensured
clear calls and prevented disruptions in communication. This is
accomplished online, using private IP networks. Where public IP
networks are subject to disruption when other applications take up
bandwidth, private networks do not suffer this complication.
The
Internet does not transmit the actual analog audio signals from the
telephone. Instead, these signals are converted into digital
information that can then be transmitted via the Internet. This makes
the data easy to record and playback whenever necessary. No additional
devices are needed, as would be the case with traditional
teleconferencing.
With all the advantages audio conferencing has
over teleconferencing, you can rely more heavily on virtual meetings,
saving thousands on your company’s budget. Not only will you look like
the hero for cutting costs, the company as whole will benefit from
increased productivity that comes about when employees can communicate
at great distances easily and conveniently.