| An audio conference bridge can be vital to business, | | | | that when the time arrives for the conference the |
| allowing you to connect branch offices or individuals | | | | bridge itself places the calls to connect the participants |
| together for conference calls or for audio | | | | in the conference call. Audio conference bridges are |
| presentations to be given to individuals in a different | | | | generally compatible with both landline public telephone |
| location. Of course, as with all technology there can be | | | | systems and Voice Over IP (VOIP) internet-based |
| a significant difference in quality and features from one | | | | telephone systems. |
| audio conference bridge to the next. If you are | | | | Choosing the Right Audio Conference Bridge for Your |
| considering the purchase of an audio conference | | | | Business |
| bridge to benefit your business, then the information | | | | Different businesses may have different needs in an |
| below will not only help you to better understand the | | | | audio conference bridge, and there is no sense in |
| functionality and features of the equipment but will also | | | | paying extra for features that your business will never |
| assist you in choosing the audio conference bridge that | | | | use. In order to make sure that you choose the bridge |
| will best suit the needs of your business and let you | | | | that will best suit the needs of your business, take the |
| get the most out of your purchase. | | | | time to evaluate how the bridge will be used and which |
| Purpose of an Audio Conference Bridge | | | | users will most commonly be accessing it. Look at the |
| As the name implies, an audio conference bridge is | | | | options that you have available to you and compare |
| designed to allow audio conferencing to occur among | | | | them on the basis of security, the number of users |
| a number of individuals. The bridge itself works in a | | | | that the bridge can easily support, whether it is |
| similar manner to an internet server, in that a number | | | | compatible with VOIP, public telephone systems, or |
| of different locations can all call in and connect to the | | | | both, and whether it features any autodialing or |
| bridge at the same time and have their connections | | | | scheduling functions. Consider the advantages and |
| managed simultaneously. The users may interact | | | | disadvantages of each in relation to your business |
| freely with each other as with a standard conference | | | | needs, and choose the audio conference bridge that |
| call, but there is no need for a single user to initiate the | | | | best meets the level of use and features that your |
| call and contact the others; they all simply connect to | | | | business requires. A small business that will only be |
| the central bridge and from there are able to conduct | | | | coordinating a few local offices will need a significantly |
| the audio conference as they would with any other | | | | less sophisticated bridge than a larger business that |
| such call. | | | | needs to be able to accurately schedule |
| Useful Features | | | | teleconferences for offices and clients across the |
| There are a number of features which make using an | | | | nation or around the world. Along these same lines, a |
| audio conference bridge worthwhile in addition to the | | | | company which only uses VOIP services in all of its |
| different users being able to dial in separately. Most | | | | branch offices won't have much use for a bridge that |
| audio conference bridges feature security codes | | | | isn't designed to handle VOIP telephone setups, while a |
| which are required to connect to the conference, | | | | company which regularly conferences with both public |
| meaning that unwanted listeners aren't able to simply | | | | telephone and VOIP users will need to make sure that |
| join in the conversation without the PIN number or | | | | their bridge can handle both. By basing your decision on |
| security code. A number of conference bridges also | | | | your business needs and not simply which model has |
| are equipped with scheduling software which will help | | | | the most features, you will be able to avoid |
| to sync up the calls at the proper meeting time, and in | | | | overspending while still ensuring that your conferencing |
| many cases are even equipped with an autodialer so | | | | needs are met. |