Audio Conference Calling Methods – How to Choose the Best

Audio Conference Calling Methods – How to Choose the Best

Jason Jantzi writes for www.ConferencingReport.com and is a specialist in researching audio and video conferencing solutions for business. Read the free Conferencing Report at http://www.ConferencingReport.com and find the best conferencing solution for you.

Audio conference calling is absolutely necessary for modern businesses, especially the ones that wish to sweep the board and overcome the competition, hence becoming more efficient. These calls can be made in two basic ways. Let’s see what the most common ways are, and how can a company use them in the best, and the most beneficial way.

The first way to use audio conference calling is the most typical and known one; the organizer, or the person who arranges the conference, provides the participants with specific numbers, the so called call-in numbers, which give all the participants the chance to dial into some sort of Communication Bridge, a conference meeting. This type of telephone used is, of course, specific one and has the ability to support numerous simultaneous calls, and multiple speakers, allowing people to participate in a conversation with as many people as possible or needed.

The second method is a little more advanced; the organizer sets up a particular phone number, used only by a conference. The person who arranges the audio conference calling and the participants have separate pin codes that they need to dial into. Once they dial these numbers, they request connection from the administrator of the conference; the administrator connects them and then they automatically become part of the conversation and meeting. This type of conferencing is known to professionals as “Toll Free” or “Flat Rate” conference and can be used at any place, any time, provided that the administrator has the necessary equipment to support such a conference.

The Toll free or flat rate conferencing is considered the most cost effective and ideal solution for businesses that use audio conference calling often. It is low cost, upfront service and can support any kind of audio meeting and conferencing. The cost for this type of conferencing is paid on monthly basis, not per minute or hour, therefore, companies that use it a lot can benefit from the flat rate payment model. The flat rate conference calling does not have a time limit, or anything else that can prevent or disturb communication between the participants. It allows the company to have a particular — monthly usually — budget and control the amount of money it spends for the conferences. Company can, thus, easily adjust accordingly to suit its needs any given time.

This type of audio conference calling is much more advanced than it used to be; in the older times audio calls were made through call operators who managed the entire conference and process. Some companies and institutions still use this system, however it is considered somewhat outdated, because the designed operator, who is usually an outsider, arranges everything and connects the participants; although it is still useful for people who lack technological means and are beginners in the audio conference calling, the use of operators is reduced.

If the participants are just two, audio conference calling can occur online as well; internet connection and a laptop or PC is needed. There are particular programs that allow audio conference for free, like Skype, provided that both parties have registered accounts with their emails.

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