Audio and Video Conferencing

Audio and Video Conferencing

Conferencing services can help save time and money for companies that need to communicate externally with groups of people. Business travel is costly, and many people are concerned about their personal security and health when traveling. Conferencing services can alleviate these concerns, help with employee productivity, and facilitate faster business decisions.

Audio conferencing

Audio conferencing is the most cost-effective means of conferencing because it can be done with standard phone equipment or speaker phones. There are different ways an audio conference call can be set up:

• Un-attended: The conference call is set up directly by the user via an automated system. This is the most basic, inexpensive form of audio conferencing.

• Toll-Free meet me: Participants dial into a Toll-Free / 800 number established for the conference call. This can be used by companies that want to pay the cost of the call (i.e., a customer or employee calling in to a conference call).

• Toll-meet me: Participants dial into a toll number that is established for the conference call and enter a pass code.

• Operator-assisted: The central participant calls an operator to initiate the call. The operator then dials all the other participants to begin the conferencing session and remains on the line to assist with any issues.

Video conferencing

Video conferencing requires equipment utilizing monitors and cameras to facilitate the meeting and therefore can be costly, depending on the level of quality. A video conference session is more personalized then audio conferencing because you can see the person’s expressions and gestures on the other end.

There are 2 basic categories of video conferencing, point to point and multi-point. Point to point involves 2 sites communicating back and forth. Multi-point involves 3 or more sites communicating.

The most basic, inexpensive form of video conferencing is conducted over a desk top. More sophisticated desk top video conferencing can incorporate shared computer images, such as a power- point or an excel spreadsheet. This can be beneficial in training or technical applications.

When larger groups need to conference or better quality is needed, typically specialized video equipment is used. This type of application employs different types of connectivity. The most common is ISDN or Integrated Services Digital Network. ISDN is available in 128K, 384K, 512K, to full T1. The Internet can also be used for Video Conferencing.

Video Conferencing is complex. There are many questions to consider in selecting the right solution. Here are a few basic questions:

• What is the best quality available for the least amount of money?
• What kind of connection should my company use for Video Conferencing?
• What is the most reliable connection?
• How much should my company pay for the equipment?
• Should my company lease or buy the equipment?

Telecom Source Group will be your company’s advocate by helping you to sort through the complexities of the different carriers’ offerings and solutions. We will help you find the video conferencing solution that will best meet the needs of your company.

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