As companies increasingly work with partners and clients around the globe, it’s becoming more and more important for telecommunications tools to be adaptable to the needs and demands of today’s users.
Whether through video chat, mobile to mobile, or traditional telephone line service, business professionals rely on wide range of communications features to get the job done each and every day. VoIP technology is one such tool that has revolutionized the way the business world interacts, and it offers users a number of conferencing options to take care of business needs.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) transmits communications (i.e., voice, data, fax, and video) over an Internet connection, making it an attractive option for businesses with many physical locations or tight telecommunications budgets. With just a single network connection, multiple calls can be processed, and the technology and apparatus itself functions similarly to traditional landline telephones, ensuring easy transitions for new users. VoIP’s flexibility and general reliability have positioned it as an important modern telecommunications tool in the business world.
For conference-calling solutions, VoIP technology offers a number of options for users. Skype is one of the most well known and widely used in this area. The Skype software application enables users to place voice calls and/or host video chats over an Internet connection. Such calls are free when made between users within the Skype service. A fee is assessed for calls directed from a Skype user to a landline phone or mobile device. Joining Skype and setting up the software is generally simple, and for companies with smaller telecommunications budgets, Skype is often an irresistible option, especially for business class users.
PalBee is another conference-calling tool, and it is entirely web-based, which means no software to download or install onto company equipment. All that is needed to get up and running with PalBee is signing up for an account and a webcam connected to a computer. Up to five other users can connect to a video chat session through PalBee, an appealing feature for companies looking to conference with multiple business partners.
SightSpeed works on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux systems, and this adaptability, along with its free video conferencing, have made it popular among business owners. Person-to-person video conferencing is free, but for up to a 4-way video connection, a monthly plan is required.
iChat, Apple’s free conferencing tool included in its basic software package, is superbly versatile, despite being usable only through Apple’s Mac OS X system. Chat, voice, and video conferencing are all available through the AIM network. Also, iChat boxes can be customized to include visual “backdrops” that look like real meeting rooms.
With VoIP technology, there are a large number of conference-calling solutions available for business owners. Many are low-cost or even free and offer users a wide range of tools to meet their communications needs.
