Conference Call Services Key Terms

Use conference call services key terms to communicate effectively with conference call providers

Every industry has its own language and conference call services aren’t any different. To communicate effectively with conference call providers, it's imperative that you understand the terms they use. Without this knowledge, the contract and service specifics can get lost in translation. Some companies think it's enough that their technology department knows these terms, but that isn’t always the case. A technology employee asks questions from an IT perspective and not a general business angle.

Some of the most important terms relate to video and audio conference call rates. For instance, a free conference call is only free concerning the service and your company will still pay any long distance charges. The term that refers to no phone charges is toll-free conference calling. This is just one example of the important nuances of the verbiage. To be familiar with more, here are few items to assist you:

1. Know the basic terminology of the business conference call services.

2. Understand the more advanced vocabulary for conference calling solutions.

3. Join a conference call services association or attend events to know the context of the terms.

 

Identify the base conference call services key terms

Some terms stay the same no matter what company you choose to handle your conference calls. One is the PIN number or access code, which is the code, or digits that your employees need to join a conference call. Another term is the accounting code that allows the moderator to initiate the conference call and the company to bill your account. Flat rate audio conferencing is another term for a conference call rate plan. These plans give your company a set rate charge per month and a static number of conference lines.
Try: Examine the conference-calling glossary at Basement Ventures. Not only will you need to know conference calling terms, but also the terms for the phone equipment that makes the conference call possible, which you can find at LEXIS Telecom.

Recognize the more advanced business conference calls terminology

With conference calling now incorporating the computer and video technologies, it's necessary to understand these terms as well. For example, for video conference calling, one key term is bandwidth. This is how much information travels over the Internet during a video conference. Bandwidth usage is also how video conference call service providers charge for their service. Web conferencing is a service that combines computer usage with the traditional conference call.
Try: For a video conferencing definition guide, study the glossary available at the AT&T Knowledge Network. Check out Web Conferencing Solutions, which provides an in-depth review of web conferencing terms, as well as conferencing links to further education, training and technology resources.

Use the terms with other business conference calling services professional

The best way for you to understand conference call terminology is to hear the words in the proper context. Anyone can memorize glossaries but until you use those terms with other industry members, they will not make as much sense.
Try: Review the searchable glossary of telecommunication terms at the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) website and then join the group or attend a TIA event to reinforce the meaning of the terms. You can also view its industry links for a list of publications relating to the telecommunications industry that include key terms for a deeper understanding of their meanings. Sign up for the web training sessions available at the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) website. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) formed NECA as an “intra-industry entity.” You can customize all of NECA’s training courses for individual onsite training to glean more understanding of conference call services key terms.

 

• Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know" during a conference call service provider conversation. Sometimes business owners will pretend to understand the key terms being used in the discussion and then get themselves into a situation that could put them at a disadvantage.

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