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Teleconferencing

by Richard Romando

Teleconferencing is defined as the live exchange of information between two or more users who are at different locations, enabling them to participate in regional, national or worldwide meetings without leaving their area. Telecommunication is established by teleconferencing equipments such as telephone, telegraph, teletype, radio, and television. Today, teleconferencing has become the new mode of corporate communications.

Based on the technology, cost, and the complexity of use, teleconferencing can be classified into audio conferencing, audiographics conferencing, video conferencing and computer conferencing. Audio conferencing is the most commonly used mode. In audio conferencing, communication is established through the phone. It is less expensive when compared to video conferencing. Audio conferencing is a voice-only communication whereas audiographics conferencing is a two-way voice communication. Audiographics conferencing enables the transmission of graphics as well as written materials.

Video teleconferencing is a television-like communication augmented with sound. One of its main advantages is that the participants can hear and see each other. Normally, video or audio conferencing is established through various communication channels such as telephone lines, local area networks, and the Internet.

Computer conferencing, a kind of teleconferencing supported by one or more computers is classified into synchronous computer conferencing (two or more computers are connected at the same time) and asynchronous computer conferencing (participants interact with each other at a place and time convenient to them).

Teleconferencing helps to reduce the cost of travel, cost of group meetings and also helps in saving time. Many Internet-based marketing professionals use teleconferencing to establish communication with their customers, clients, and Web site visitors.

In order to accomplish a project, teleconferencing is widely used in its different phases such as engineering design, planning sessions, project reviews, new product introductions, and crisis management. Health professionals use teleconferencing to facilitate meetings with health researchers and educators around the world; and in the educational field, teleconferencing aids distance education, continuing education, and education for disabled students.

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