Improving Your Conference Calls

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Holding conference calls is one of the biggest necessary evils in the business world. Clients tell us all the time how much they dislike the starts, stops and connectivity issues that go along with teleconferencing and how they wish there was a way to communicate effectively from afar. Well, the first thing we tell these clients is that done right, conference calls can be incredibly easy and productive.

By doing these 3 things before the call starts, you can help ensure a successful conference call.

1. Make the Details Clear to Participants

This includes the date and time (adjusted for time zones), names of all people on the call, and the equipment/applications needed to participate.

Send a reminder or two in the in the days preceding. One of those should be sent on the afternoon before.

2. Set Aside an Organized, Functional and Quiet Space

There are few things worse than conducting a conference call in the middle of a noisy coffee shop or with old and buggy equipment. Make sure your office space is equipped with the technology you need to be in control. That could mean something as simple as a quality business phone and projector or as complex as a an interactive whiteboard and multimedia collaboration hub. The equipment you use should make it easier to get your point across.

3. Test All Components Beforehand

Something worse than conducting a conference call in the middle of a noisy coffee shop? Finding out that half of the call participants can’t hear a word that you are saying thanks to a bad connection. Run a test call before the real deal and you will likely avoid this type of snafu.

BCS specializes in conference rooms for businesses of all sizes. We install, train users and provide support for teleconference equipment. If you need an integrated audiovisual solution, our IT experts can talk you through the best options for your business. Contact BCS Voice and Data Solutions today. Happy conference calling!

Image: freedigitalphotos.net/Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee

How Does a VoIP Phone System Work for My Business?

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Voice Over IP Telephony, or VoIP, is the modern standard for business phone systems. It has replaced premises based private branch exchange (PBX) as a way for companies to  to operate their phone systems over broadband connections and save money on expensive landlines. While VoIP is a bit of a catch-all term, companies utilize it in two main different ways.

IP-PBX Phone Systems

The equipment for IP-PBX is located on the office premises like traditional PBX. The difference between the two is that instead of a hardwired user network. IP-PBX uses SIP trunking, an IP-based private branch exchange and a PTSN gateway to route calls. All hardware is housed on site and since it is self-hosted, is the responsibility of the office. Usage charges vary from month to month. This is a reliable VoIP option for businesses with more than 20 employees and a high call volume. It is also highly customizable.

Hosted Phone Solutions

Hosted phone solutions take the pressure off of a company to house hardware, as the key functions of this type of phone system are completed off-site. The only hardware delivered to a business are the phones themselves. The hosting provider shoulders responsibility for keeping the system up and running and managing network downtime. Cost is on a per-user basis and doesn’t vary from month to month. This is a great option for small-to-medium companies without IT departments and those that need room to grow

What Type of VoIP Is Right for My Business?

When deciding on a VoIP solutions, business leaders must consider how much control they want over their company’s phone system. If the business has a robust IT department, consistently high call volume and a need for meticulous customization, IP-PBX is the best choice. If a business is looking for a simple outsourced solution that is feature-rich with predictable costs, a hosted solution might be a good fit.

No matter your unique needs, BCS Voice and Data Solutions offers a VoIP solution for you. Whether it’s an IP-PBX system, Mitel AnyWare hosted phone solution or perhaps just a new phone system, we are excited to help. Click or call today.