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What is Teleconferencing?

Gaynor Borade
A teleconference refers to a live meeting between participants in different locations connected by telecommunication devices. The technology has enhanced presentations at business conferences and effectively linked organizations spread over a vast geographical area.
Teleconferencing is a new age integrated technology. The application makes use of closed-circuit television, video, telephone, the Internet, and radio technology to enable people from remote destinations to interact 'live' with one another. This in turn facilitates timely sharing of information, beyond geographical boundaries and time zones.
It is also referred to as a tele-seminar, audio conferencing, or phone conferencing. The application is completely dependent on the functionality of the incorporated audio, data, and video services, and involves the use of quality systems at both, the transmission end as well as the receiving end.

Teleconference Equipment

Depending on the intended scale of communication, the equipment usually requires the integration of the following devices and protocols:
  • Television or computer monitors
  • Telephone connectivity
  • Internet connectivity
  • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connectivity
  • Over-head projectors
  • Desktop or laptop computers
  • Good quality audio-video formatting
These essentials are basically required at the main venue, as well as at the individually connected offices. The operation does require the expertise of a central team to interact with the related business entities and generate an itinerary. The board convenes in a single room and is connected via integrated technology to business wings or members.
The technology allows banks and brokerages to interact with important clientele instantly, especially at times when planning and brainstorming can salvage a fiscal adversity. The generated conference bridge or server enables multiple-point access simultaneously. The software quality plays a very critical role in the success of a teleconference.
There are variants of software now available to address the specific needs of attendee polling, in-call operations, and call recording. Once all the members are logged in, via personal identification numbers, the confidentiality and proprietorship of the information shared remains protected and exclusive.

Growth and Advantages

In the past few decades, big corporations and small business entities have spread their operations across continents. This makes it very important for various segments to stay connected, especially when taking critical business decisions. Moreover, it allows business branches to connect and grow uniformly.
A number of employees have now begun working even from remote places, other than conventional offices, and need this technology to communicate with their peers or the management.
It also helps executives to conduct meetings at various levels, access consumer feedback, receive a training without traveling, and even demonstrate the workability of proposals. It has enabled many important collaborations in sensitive situations.
The simultaneous multiple-point access makes teleconferencing a very cost-effective communication method. The application capitalizes on the versatility of video cameras and modems to expand participation.
Information, thus received, is always firsthand and definitely more personal, without distance and scheduling concerns. The technology helps the management to profit from saved transportation costs and travel time, while eliminating the need for several interactions.