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While there are several different types of conferencing, perhaps the two most popular seem to be audio conferences and online conferences. While each business may work better with a certain type of conferencing, the only way to know for sure is to try them all and see what works. It also helps to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of each type before testing it. In this case we will be focusing on audio and online conferencing, but if you want to learn more about the other types, then a quick online search will be able to provide you with plenty of information on everything from face to face business conferences to video conferencing.
The audio conference was invented well before the online conference, and was cutting edge technology when it was released. Almost every business person out there is well acquainted with audio conferencing. The audio conference was able to bring associates together, no matter the miles between them. Before this method came along, many businesses had no hope of bringing their associates together without spending a great deal of money on travel expenses. The basic idea is the same as a regular phone call, except there are many participants involved, and each participant dials an entry phone number from their own phone which connects them into the meeting. If you have ever been present at the source of an audio conference, you may have already noticed that the phone used by the meeting source is different from a regular phone. This is because it requires special technology that allows it to connect all of the incoming lines together into one call. The source is the only place specialized equipment is needed, as participants are only required to call a specific number to join the meeting.
Online conferences work on the same concept as their audio counterparts, but they are also able to bring in many new facets to the world of business meetings. During an online conference, the presenter can control the participant’s computers, they can take them on guided web tours, show streaming video presentations and slide shows, as well as record the sessions for later review. There is no extra equipment to buy, as participants only need to have a computer and access to the internet. It is rare to find anyone that doesn’t already have a computer and internet access. In order to gain access to the site, the presenter can either send a specific URL to the participants, and they simply log into the page; or users can download a small conferencing application that immediately opens the conference and logs them in.
Now that we have touched on the main features of both online conferencing and audio conferencing, it should be easier for you to decide which one could be a better fit for your company. While every company and every conferencing service is different, by trying them all you may find that your business meetings have become more efficient and productive than ever before!