In our previous articles, we discussed a few areas related to conference call services such as choosing the right conference call service and how to make a conference call. In this article, we look at the hosting conference call services.

Conference call hosting shares similarities with conventional web hosting and operates in a similar model as well. In simple terms, conference call is a telephone conversation (with or without video) between three or more parties. Conference call hosting means the facilitation of hardware, software, and required connection for making a successful conference call.

When it comes to web hosting, the host may have a server where several users are making use of it by hosting their web sites and web application simultaneously. The number of concurrent users that the server can handle is mainly determined by the ability of the server. This has no exception when it comes to conference call hosting. The central server used for hosting conference calls is called ‘Connection Bridge’ and this can handle concurrent conversations. The number of concurrent conversations and users the connection bridge can handle varies depending on the capacity of hardware used.

Same as web hosting, conference call hosting has many options available. Many organizations may host their connection bridge at host’s premises and maintained by the host. This has a certain level of cost involved as the organization has to pay for hosting space, electricity, digital security, physical security, and maintenance labor. If the organization makes heavy use of conference calling, hosting own Connection Bridge at organization’s premises will be an advantage.

In case if the conference call service host host’s the conferencing facility, you can choose a package without an operator. This way, you can further reduce the cost. One thing that you will have to be concerned is the security of the service. You need to asses and evaluate the security offered by the hosting company as if your system is compromised, you will lose many things.

Since conference calling gets popular every day, it is worthwhile to discuss on how to make a conference call in the right way. Nowadays, many organizations use conference call facilities and many of them do not utilize the facility in the optimum way.
 
After selecting the conference call service provider, you need to decide how the dialing works. There are two basic ways of dialing; toll-free and charged. If you like to bear the cost of the conference call, you can assign a toll-free number so the others can dial in with no cost. Otherwise, you can let the callers to bear the charges. When it comes to business organizations, the former method is usually used.

Scheduling the conference call is one of the most important steps of the process. You need to carefully select the participants and invite by sending invitations. Invitations should consist of some vital information. The most important information is the conference call code. This is a number that the participants should enter when they connect to the conference call for authentication. This way, no unauthorized person can login to the conference call and this make the call secured.
 
Next, it is important to mention the scheduled date and the time. If participants are located at different time zones, then the respective time zones of the participants should be mentioned when the invitation is sent. This way, participants will have a minimum hassle converting times etc. Most of the software available for sending invitations such as Outlook and Lotus Notes support the time zone facility.

At the specified time, everyone should login to the conference call and enter their conference code. At this step, usually the conferencing system asks the participants to identify themselves to the conference so the rest of the participants get to know who is logging in. After every one is logged in, you can start the conference call!