Teleconferencing is an incredibly useful tool for businesses of all sizes, as it provides a number of great benefits that can’t be ignored.
As more and more people embrace flexible working as a way to lower overheads and provide employees with greater control of their work/life balance, it helps them to keep in touch with the office and colleagues.
For smaller businesses that are looking to expand, audioconferencing solutions allow them to communicate with clients located all over the world without having to fork out on expensive travel costs.
Larger companies who have staff members spread out all over the country, or even the world, may wonder how they can easily keep in contact with everyone and how they can hold group meeting or training sessions. The answer is simple; teleconferencing allows groups of people to come together from different locations at the same time, affordably and at the drop of a hat.
But, how exactly does the technology work? Read on to find out.
What is a Conference Call?
A conference call is a phone call with more than two people communicating with each other. It is often used for groups of people to hold meetings or briefings. Many major companies use this type of technology to present their financial results to the public and anyone who has access to the dial in number and PIN can listen in.
Where can it be used?
Teleconferencing can be used from any handset, providing it has a decent speaker. That means individuals can make use of teleconference calls from wherever they are located if they have a mobile device – and the service is 24/7, meaning conference calls can be made at any time of the day or night.
For those in an office environment, speakerphones are required so groups of people can communicate with each other.
How does it Work?
Conference calls connect people through a server which acts as a sort of meeting point for different incoming calls so that they are all communicating with one another.
A company can have its own server, or use the services of a teleconferencing provider who acts as the intermediary instead and controls everything from dial in number and PIN. Service providers also offer a number of other useful options for businesses, such as mute functions, transcript availability, recording, security and confidentiality.
How do you Set up a Call?
Teleconferencing is incredibly simple and easy to use. What’s more, there are some really great features that put you in control of calls and allow them to run smoothly.
You will be provided with a phone number and PIN which you dial and input respectively, in order to begin the conference call.
But first of all, you need to invite participants to join in – via email is probably best. Let them know what time to attend the conversation, the phone number they need to access it and the unique PIN that will enable them to participate.
As others arrive, you will hear their names being announced – when there are at least two people on the call, you can start your conference!
