In the Information Age, video is generally considered a step above audio. Chatting with a friend via webcam is more thrilling than listening to an answering machine message. Further developments to the technology are no less exciting. CD technology evolved into DVD technology. That this happened is not surprising. After all, nobody wanted to switch VCDs in the middle of watching a flick. Also, video conferencing makes multi-million dollar deals more personable for huge corporations. It might seem that audio always evolves into video. In choosing between video conferencing and audio conferencing, however, some companies believe that the latter is a better technology for them.



Phone Ring

Audio conferencing involves people who are in different locations. The number of participants must be at least three people. There are three means for audio conferencing, specifically, through multi-line telephones, telephone companies, or Private Branch Exchange, or PBX. A PBX is a telephone exchange that serves one office or business.

Mission Sort of Accomplished

Telephone networks were created as a means of improving communication among people who are separated by long distances. Today, we can send e-mail and voicemail to people or groups. Additionally, we can use cell phones nearly anywhere in the world. In fact, we can telephone someone in Los Angeles, Paris, or Timbuktu whenever and from wherever we want. While audio conferencing may seem like a gift from the gods, however, it is not without its pros and cons.

The Pluses

A company can reap several benefits from audio conferencing, namely:

* Businesses are able to go global, with virtually no boundaries on the conference's scope.

* Travel time and costs are reduced, if not eliminated. People can circle the globe without leaving their offices.

* The interaction that audio conferencing facilitates helps improve a company's quality of information.

* Because more pieces of information are exchanged faster, audio conferencing allows companies to make decisions quickly.

* Audio conference is cheaper than other options, such as web conferencing. This makes it the ideal means for communication for small businesses that have to penny-pinch in order to make a buck.

The Challenges

Audio conferencing is, for the most part, beneficial to businesses. Some difficulties, however, can arise when using audio conferencing. The service usually cannot be obtained quickly, and could be very expensive. Obtaining the service usually requires contacting an operator to subscribe to, or register for, the audio conference service. In addition, you must book a conferencing resource in advance. All of these requirements explain why telephone conferences rarely happen between family members, friends, and social groups. However, some audio conference providers create products and services that eliminate the typical drawbacks of audio conferencing.

Making the Call

Though preparing for a conference call can be tedious, conference calls are inherently simple, and would remain so if the right steps are taken.

* Schedule a time that is ideal for both parties. Keep in mind that people may be in other time zones, and what is noontime for you could be midnight for them!

* Before you start the conference call, pick someone to take the minutes of the conference. Also, schedule the conference with your conference call service provider. Then, share to conference participants the call number and the password that your service provider gave you.

* Log in before the conference starts, and check off people as they enter the conference. If another party is in a conference room or at home, have them mute their phones until they speak.

* Before ending the call, review any actions that will be taken afterwards, and provide all attendees with the list. Also, schedule any future audio conferences that are needed.

Though society typically chooses video technologically over audio technology, audio conferencing can still be very useful. In fact, when used wisely, it can be music to a company's ears.