Audio or teleconferencing has traditionally been the most used conferencing service and as of 2010, it remains the heart of this industries offerings. And for good reason too: it is cost effective, easy to deploy and responds to the needs of most organizations, doing so in the simplest of ways.
But for audio conferencing service providers, we become used to the technical jargon and have a tendency to forget that not every one will understand the verbiage as easily as we do.
Here is a list of most commonly used terms related to audio conferencing and their definitions.
1. Audio or Teleconference: A telephone conference where numerous callers participate and talk simultaneously. Usually, callers will dial a phone number to connect to the conferencing line and then input a numeric 8 digit code to enter the conference room.
2. Moderator/Host: The person usually responsible for starting the conference call and/or facilitating the conference.
3. Passcode: A numeric code, usually between 6 and 8 digits, that allows a caller access to the telephone conference.
4. Pin/Billing Code: A numeric code that is sometimes used to identify an individual caller or a specific department. Participants may be asked to input their pin code upon entry into conference.
5. Online Moderation Tool/Audio Console: A web-based tool used to control the audio conference in real time. Allows the moderator to mute lines, record call, see reports etc. in a live environment.
6. Name Record: Allows callers to record their name verbally upon entering conference.
7. Entry and Exit Tones: A tone or beep that sounds as a participant or host enters or leaves a conference call.
8. Conference Continuation/Moderator Hangup: A feature whereby the entire conference call ends automatically as soon as the host/moderator hangs up their phone. This is a recommended security feature.
9. Conference Quickstart: A feature that allows the conference call to begin automatically, even though the host has not yet joined in.
10. Dial Out: The ability to call another participant from the conference and add them to the ongoing call.
11. Lecture Mode/Call Mute: The ability to mute all the lines in a conference call, except for that of the host. Participants will be able to listen, but will not be heard if they speak.
12. Name Playback/Roster: A feature that allows you to listen to all the names of the callers in the current conference.
13. Conference Lock: Locking a conference is an additional security feature that prevents anyone else from joining a conference call, even though they have put in the right code.
14. Star Commands: Special telephone commands that perform numerous functions in your conference. For example, pressing *o on your phone will allow you to reach an operator.
15. Conference Passcode: A one time, single use passocde that can be used for a conference call. Once the call is finished, the passcodes are no longer valid.
16. 24/7 or Reservationless Account: A 24/7 type of conference calling account whereby the host can start a conference call anytime with no prior notification or reservation.
17. Dashboard/Admin Login: The Sky Conferencing dashboard is a website login that gives access to account holders to the features of their account, including creating conferences, reporting, online moderation tools and address information.
Hopefully, this exercise in defining audio conferencing and related service terms will make things a little more clear for your next teleconference.
For further questions, please feel free to contact us.
Related posts: