Why Should Businesses Consider An Audio Conferencing System?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Audio conferencing solutions provide excellent value to businesses, and especially those that rely on remote teams. According to research published by Global Workplace Analytics and FlexJobs, more than 40 percent of businesses do just that. That same research projects that by 2028, about 75 percent of companies will offer remote work to some of their employees. This trend isn’t slowing down, which means audio conferencing systems are still as valuable and useful as ever. Here’s why an audio conferencing system might be the best solution for your communication needs:[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1581720620823{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}"]

Strong features

Modern audio conferencing systems offer excellent call quality and stability, along with advanced features that enhance the call experience. For example, Poly’s audio conferencing products, like its Trio, are designed with noise-cancellation features that detect and suppress ambient sounds. This includes paper rustling and finger tapping. The Trio, and some of Poly’s other audio conferencing products, are built with vivid video displays that enable one-touch calling, precise muting and media sharing. Features like these make collaboration simple and seamless.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1581719422664{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}"]

Cost effective

Audio conferencing systems tend to be a little less expensive than other forms of conferencing technology. If audio conferencing is all your team needs, then you can have effective collaboration for minimal investment.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1581719447795{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}"]

Quick and easy

Audio conferencing has been around for decades, and it isn’t likely to bother even the most technology-resistant employee. It’s also easy to set up quickly and it’s compatible with almost all mobile devices. Put it all together, and it’s clear how audio conferencing’s simplicity makes it a popular option.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1581719456872{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}"]

Video isn’t always preferred

Adding video to the conference can improve collaboration and make conferencing more engaging, but sometimes people just want to jump into a quick call. A video conference may seem like a hassle when a simple audio call would do.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1581719464386{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}"]

Flexible and scalable

In an economy increasingly dominated by the tech-savvy, professionals now want to work how they want and where they want. Audio conferencing is an easy way to add this perk for your employees, as it can fit into any company’s workflow. Since it is cost-effective and easy to use, audio conferencing can be scaled up as needed.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]That’s why audio conferencing solutions remain a competitive choice, even with the rise of video and interactive collaboration technologies. What’s helped audio conferencing retain this relevance is a constant stream of improvements to the technology.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

How has an audio conference system improved in the last few decades?

Audio conferencing is one of the oldest AV technologies in existence, with history dating back nearly a century. The first iteration of conference calling was introduced at an international event in 1915. Back then, though, you’d need to get your point across fast, because it cost nearly $500 a minute to make a call. Things have come a long way, thankfully. A lot of that progress, though, has been made recently. Here are some of the standout innovations concerning the technology:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_column_text]

Voice over IP

Voice over IP, or VoIP, is an internet-based protocol that uses packets of data to deliver communications. Data is more stable and easier to provide redundancy for, so VoIP-based audio conferencing is a reliable, high-quality experience. VoIP, like audio conferencing, is a popular choice due to its scalability and excellent intercompatibility. It’s also compatible with standard features that people expect, like call holding and call transfer. VoIP technology can also be used with most automated phone menus.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_column_text]

Bring your own device

Bring your own device, or BYOD, isn’t an audio conferencing-specific development, but it’s been an important one for the technology, nonetheless. BYOD was inevitable, especially with the rise of remote employees. Remote and mobile workers cannot be tied down to a particular device, especially if they can work from a tablet or phone. Audio conferencing solutions have been adapted to this paradigm shift, with software codecs that work with a variety of devices. The rise of the Cloud and managed solutions have made BYOD solutions more realistic and accessible for smaller businesses, too, and in turn they have made audio conferencing a more valuable option.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_column_text]

AVaaS

The next step in AV accessibility is AVaaS, or AV-as-a-Service. With AVaaS, companies don’t have to make major, upfront investments in their AV solutions, instead opting for a lower monthly cost to operate the system. AVaaS is perfect for businesses considering audio conferencing, because the AV integrator provides all of the technical expertise. The integrator selects the best hardware for their clients, installs the hardware, configures it, trains employees on its use, monitors system performance and provides maintenance as needed. It’s an all-in-one approach to AV, at a price any business can afford.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Audio conferencing systems have remained effective for decades, and with respected brands like Poly still producing top-of-the-line audio conferencing products, they will continue to remain effective for years to come.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]