About Teleconferencing
The advent of conference calls and teleconferencing have changed the scope of business. Companies with employees in different cities are able to bring employees together for meetings without the cost of transportation and accommodations. Modern companies are using more freelance workers and contractors to cut costs on salaries, benefits and operation expenses. Freelancers gain benefits by not having to make a daily commute, work a flexible schedule and globalize their clients all with the help of teleconferencing.
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Definition
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Teleconferencing is the use of a phone or communications system that brings various individuals onto one line to communicate ideas and share information. It takes the conference room and puts it on telecommunication systems. With today's technology, teleconferencing can bring hundreds of people together and use a variety of audio, visual and data inputs throughout the conference.
History
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Teleconferencing began with the conference call in the 1960s with AT&T. This was where telephone technology allowed for more than two people to be on the same phone line to discuss a topic. It allowed people to remotely connect. As technology grew, party lines were implemented where more than 100 people could be on the same line. This technology was not well used in business as the chaos of so many people on the line left orderly business nearly impossible. Soon, moderator-driven lines were created. Moderator-driven lines have been further developed with Internet and computer technology, using voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) to block troublesome attendants, ambient noise and direct participants to specific visual prompts.
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Technology
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VoIP has substantially improved what teleconferencing can offer. Where teleconferencing once needed large phone networks to create a conference, instant messaging has opened the world to quick and easy teleconferencing. Skype, Google, Yahoo and Windows all have software that works through the computer that allows for instant messaging, multiple party meetings and data transfer. Most also offer video conferencing, but there may be a limited number of video feeds available in a meeting. Web seminars, or Webinars, are also available through independent servers for corporate meetings with presentation capabilities and educational material disbursement.
Benefits
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Just as the Internet has opened the world of information to anyone who can access the web, teleconferencing has opened employment and education opportunities on a global scale. There are many free or low-cost options for teleconferencing, lowering the cost of doing business or pursuing an education. It is easier for a company to find the best person for the job when it is no longer limited to employees that live in the same town. Students can get an education from accredited universities without leaving their house.
Disadvantages
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While the Internet and teleconferencing have revolutionized how companies and individuals do business, there are those who report that the lack of contact with people reduces loyalty. While many attempt to do everything via teleconferencing, there is something to be said, particularly with important projects and decisions, that give people confidence and comfort only if it is done in person. This is an obstacle that is being realized by teleconferencing and those who use it as their primary mode of business operation. Ultimately, those who fall into the trap of doing this unilaterally lose opportunities from those who still want to shake hands with people they work with.
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