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Communication undoubtedly plays a vital role in any modern businessu2019s daily operations. In today's hustle and bustle, projects need to be discussed and decisions need to be made quickly. Communication also plays a vital role in keeping families connected, whether it's the Flintstones or the Jetsons. Keep reading to learn everything from the history to the future of Audio Conference Software.
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Audio Conference Software For Purrfect Conferencing! techdogs.com/td-articles/curtain-raisers/audio-conference-software-for-purrfect-conferencing Communication And Collaboration Software By TechDogs Editorial Team Overall Rating Share Overview Who remembers Fred Flintstone using that animal tusk telephone? We want one of those! From the Stone Age to the Modern Age - the need to communicate better and more efficiently has remained constant. Whether it’s connecting 2 people or 15 people or 5,000, audio conferencing helps connect, communicate and collaborate. It can also help dinosaurs talk to humans! “Can you hear me now, Dino?” Communication undoubtedly plays a vital role in any modern business’s daily operations. In today's hustle and bustle, projects need to be discussed and decisions need to be made quickly. Communication also plays a vital role in keeping families connected, whether it's the Flintstones or the Jetsons. Keep reading to learn everything from the history to the future of Audio Conference Software. 1/9
Audio conferencing and Audio Conference Software have never been more important than they are today. With more and more people working from home or remotely than they have in recent years, society as a whole is depending on this technology to be at its best. It doesn’t matter if it’s a company with thousands of employees or just a family wanting to wish Happy New Year to their relatives in another state, people are Zooming more than ever. Businesses are constantly trying to find new Audio Conference Software to help make communication between employees and clients more efficient. As businesses expand globally, the need for global collaboration has increased, which de facto increases the demand for better Audio Conference Software. What Are Audio Conference Software? Please Tell Me We Are Past The Tusk Phone! What is audio conferencing? Well, it’s a step up from the Flintstones tusk phone. Audio conferencing is a conference where two or more people in different locations use technology that connects them to have an audio (you can hear not see) call. It doesn’t matter where each person is physically; audio conferencing allows people in Dallas, TX to connect with business partners in Taiwan if need be. When using phones to hold an audio conference, the callers dial into a call bridge and this allows all callers to talk to each other. Call into a bright? What does that even mean? A bridge is just a virtual location that participants can meet. Think of it as a virtual Golden Gate Bridge for you to meet your friends, family or colleagues. Savvy? To use an audio conferencing tool, individuals will need a computer that has speakers and a microphone as well as an internet connection. Avaya, Skype and Zoom are examples of audio conferencing platforms, just as well as tying a string to two cups. Just kidding about that last part. From The Flintstones To The Jetsons — The History Of Audio Conferencing Let's take a look at the history of audio conferencing. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, things were good for a while until in 1945 Assen Jordanoff invented the Jordaphone, which transmitted audio from a telephone to a loudspeaker so more people could hear what was being said. 2/9
In the 1960s, Bell Labs created the Picturephone which was a clunky and expensive device used for audio and video conferencing. It was a communication device that could relay video across the U.S. and it was praised for excellent video quality and audio quality (at least for back then). In 1990, Polycom (founded in a basement) revealed SoundStation audio conferencing to the world. Not only was the call quality high but it was also the most user-friendly technology of its type at the time. In 1995, VocalTec became the first company to make internet calling services available. This influenced many of the audio conferencing platforms that we use today. More recently, the use of a conference bridge came into play, allowing multiple people to dial into one location and have an audio conference. Skype was a huge game-changer because Skype made it extremely easy and inexpensive to communicate with people all over the globe via video and audio conferencing. Now we have seen another platform come to the forefront with the global work culture - Zoom. Now let’s Zoom past the history and see how these solutions work. How Do Audio Conference Software Work? 3/9
Source In order to understand how Audio Conference Software works, we can look at WebEx, which has been around for a while. With WebEx, participants can hold a conference online that includes screen sharing, High Definition video and high audio quality and can be used on many devices. Next, let’s take a look at audio conferencing for Skype. It uses an Audio Conferencing Bridge. This bridge has a specific phone number that the participants can dial in to. Then the bridge answers the call from all the participants. This connects every participant in the same session so that a conference can take place. Starting a meeting at a moment’s notice is an important requirement for any group needing an Audio Conference Software. Today, the host can share invite links with participants via the web and text messages. Meetings can also be scheduled in advance via platforms like Zoom. Participants also have the option to call in from smartphones or computers or even smartwatches! 4/9
To illustrate another example of how audio conferencing works we can look at the popular platform Zoom. With Zoom, you provide a unique meeting ID that users can log into from their computers or smartphones. Many types of audio conferencing solutions today require a password and/or utilize a waiting room where a host may let a participant into the meeting. This allows the meeting host to screen participants before they enter. Perhaps you and the other participants are waiting for the host of a conference to let you into the meeting. We mean, he’s the one who invited you. In such cases, the host can make use of “hold” music while participants are waiting for an audio conference to begin. An abundance of audio conferencing platforms are working on constant development and refining. As more people use these platforms, it is more important that calls are secure and not accessible to unwanted visitors. Moreover, with some conference solutions, language barriers can be overcome quickly via translation technology. With so many features, there surely must be different types of tools, right? Absolutely – read on! What Are The Different Audio Conferencing Software? Let’s take a look at the different types of Audio Conferencing Software. Remote conferencing connects individuals that are in different locations. Local conferencing connects individuals that are in the same space. Integrated audio conferencing brings the people in different locations in contact with the people in the meeting room. Audio Conferencing Software providers are naturally expected to keep improving the quality of the audio conferencing experience. Check out some of the top players who have managed to do that. Are We Zooming Yet? Examples of popular Audio Conference Software are Skype and Zoom. Now we’re getting into Jetsons territory! 5/9
Skype Voice calls (as well as video chat) can occur between a myriad of devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets. Zoom A cloud-based platform where users can hold audio/ video conferences between two or more people. UberConference This platform is extremely simple and easy to use for audio/video conferences. The conference calls are secure although they don’t require a pin to enter. The Need For Audio Conferencing And Audio Conference Software? Source Let’s take a look at why we need audio conferencing and more specifically, Audio Conferencing Software. Communication and Collaboration is crucial for businesses or any group of people working toward a common goal. Emails are great but can prove to be hard to keep track of when different groups send out multiple emails with multiple attachments. When in-person meetings aren’t an option, audio conferencing is the best solution. Now, think about enabling people in different physical locations to have a meeting. You don’t need to fly people to your New York office to have a quarterly budget meeting that could have just been a quick call (or even an email). Also, let’s not forget that many platforms are free or relatively inexpensive to use. 6/9
Moreover, the language translation feature eliminates the language barrier for groups of people who need to have a conference but don’t speak the same language. One of the best examples of this would be the audio conference tools used at global meetings such as the United Nations conferences. The company ZipDX has multilingual conference options where a professional will translate for you in real-time. However, nothing can be done about the time zone difference between different countries, so you still might need some coffee at midnight! When it comes to security for the audio conference, password-protected conferences keep unwanted guests out of your meeting. Zoom, for example, allows the meeting host to send out a meeting invite with the password just to the participants. The Jetsons could communicate with their wristwatches and videophones but we too have the same range of awesome options available today. The Future Of Audio Conference Software - “Can You Hear Me Thinking Yet, Wilma?” In the future, business growth and productivity will be priorities for businesses utilizing Audio Conference Software. Hence, these solutions will need to be smoother and better. People from all over the world using all sorts of devices will want to connect to an audio conference solution with ease, which will be done by improved audio infrastructure. How about if you are working with a client who lives in another country and speaks a different language than you? Language translation technology is another feature we can anticipate, one that is important for global businesses where people don't speak the same language. “Hola amigo! How are you today?” That tech is only going to get better in the future. What about 5G? At the very least, 5G will make it easier for anyone on a mobile device to join an audio or audio/video conference to have higher quality audio and video. The need to communicate efficiently will continue to be important to businesses and individuals everywhere. Audio conferencing is now a part of everyday life and won’t be going away any time soon. The technology is so user-friendly that even your grandma can get into a Zoom meeting with relatives easily (alright, you might have to walk her through the process the first time). Frequently Asked Questions What are Audio Conference Software, and how do they differ from traditional phone calls? 7/9
Audio Conference Software enables individuals in different locations to connect through technology for audio-based meetings, offering an upgrade from traditional phone calls. Unlike phone calls, where participants dial into a centralized call bridge, audio conferencing platforms create virtual meeting spaces accessible to participants worldwide. These platforms, such as Zoom, Skype, or WebEx, require users to have a device with speakers, a microphone, and an internet connection. Participants can join meetings using invite links, unique meeting IDs, or designated phone numbers, fostering seamless collaboration regardless of physical location. Audio conferencing software offers features like screen sharing, video conferencing, and real-time language translation, enhancing communication efficiency and effectiveness. What is the history of Audio Conferencing, and how has it evolved over time? The history of Audio Conferencing traces back to Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone in 1876. However, significant advancements occurred in the mid-20th century with innovations like the Jordaphone and Bell Labs' Picturephone. The advent of the internet in the 1990s revolutionized communication, leading to the emergence of internet calling services like Skype and the development of conference bridges for multiple participants. Platforms like Skype and Zoom further democratized audio conferencing, offering user- friendly interfaces and enhanced features like video conferencing and screen sharing. Today, audio conferencing software continues to evolve, with a focus on accessibility, security, and language translation capabilities to meet the diverse needs of global users. Why do businesses and individuals need Audio Conference Software? Audio Conference Software plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and collaboration for businesses and individuals, especially in today's globalized and remote work environments. These platforms offer an alternative to in-person meetings, enabling teams to connect and collaborate regardless of geographical barriers. With features like screen sharing and real-time language translation, audio conferencing software enhances productivity and fosters seamless communication among diverse teams. Moreover, the affordability and accessibility of these platforms make them invaluable tools for businesses of all sizes, allowing for efficient remote collaboration without the need for extensive travel or logistical arrangements. Additionally, robust security features like password protection ensure that meetings remain confidential and free from unauthorized access, enhancing trust and reliability in audio conferencing solutions. Enjoyed what you've read so far? Great news - there's more to explore! 8/9
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