Conference Calling For Attorneys and other Legal Organizations
Thu, July 24 2008 » Conference Call Features, Web Conferencing » 14 Comments
Your customer service representative may give you the web address to log into the Conference Control Center. The logon screen will appear as shown below. Your conference access code and host pass code are required to enter the system.
Once you are logged in, the main screen will appear as shown below:
You have access to a variety of control capabilities as indicated by the navigation tabs at the top of the screen.
Each of these areas of control include:
Aside from the basic account information shown, a summary of calling statistics are shown.
An on-line tutorial for account management is available for viewing.
Thu, July 24 2008 » Web Conferencing » 2 Comments
PDF Version: Operator Assisted Conference Call Instructions
There are 3 types of callers in this conference call; the operator, the host, and the members; each having a unique ID number.
Operator:
Host:
Members:
Operator Controls
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1 |
Toggles disable and enable | Initially the operator is permitted to talk to the hosts. During the actual conference the operator should disable himself using this key. If there is a need to speak to the hosts, this key will also enable the operator. |
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2 |
Not Used | |
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3 |
Volume Control | If members report a problem hearing the hosts talking, use this key to raise the volume of the hosts from the members’ perspective. |
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4 |
Pull member from the Queue | Operator: Be sure to enable yourself first. When a member is in the queue waiting to ask a question, pressing this key will put the member and the operator into a private conversation. Neither the hosts nor the other members can hear them. |
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5 |
Put member into conference | To enable the member to ask their question, use this key. Both the member and the operator will now be able to talk to the hosts, provided the operator is enabled with key 1. All other members will be able to hear that conversation. |
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6 |
Remove member from conference | When the member is finished talking to the hosts, use this key to place them back with the other members. This can also be used to prevent a member from asking a question after using the 4 key and determining the question unfit for this conference. |
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7 |
Starts and stops recording | The entire conference will be recorded and available from the web site in .WAV format. To go off-the-record, press this key again to pause the recording. Another press will start recording again. |
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8 |
Talk to members/ MOH to members | This key enables the operator and hosts to speak to the members. This is usually used prior to the start of the conference to inform the members of the status. Another press returns the Music-On-Hold to the member. You will hear 2 beeps indicating that the members are hearing music, 1 beep indicates the members can hear you talking. |
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9 |
Open and Close the queue | The queue is a mechanism whereby the members can ask questions of the hosts in an orderly fashion. The operator uses this key to Open the Queue enabling members to begin getting in line. Once all questions have been answered, this key can be used to Close the queue. |
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* |
Begin the conference | When all hosts have arrived and are ready to begin, this key will start the conference. The members can now hear the hosts and the operator. Normally, the operator will announce the beginning of the call, and then uses the 1 key to disable himself. |
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# |
Announce number of callers | Announces the total number of callers on this conference, including all members, hosts, and the operator. |
A few tips to help you remember:
Typical Call Scenario
Thu, July 24 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 1 Comment
The following chart highlights our operator assisted conference calling service features with details and links to additional resources.
| Operator Assisted Conference | Standard Offerings |
| Dial in Number | Toll-Free USA |
| International Calling Access | 10 Digit (non toll-free global) |
| Schedule | 48 hour notice |
| Operators | Monday-Friday 7am-9pm EST |
| Hosts | Multiple allowed, up to 50 |
| Price per minute/caller | 12.5 cents/min/caller |
| Toll-Free Customer Support | 7am-9pm EST |
| Conference Room Size | 300 (with a reservation) |
| Conference Call Recording | Operator |
| Keypad Touchtone Commands | Operator, and Participants |
| Live Call Web Commands | Operator |
| Listen and Talk Volume Adjust | Host and participants |
| Dial out and add to conference | Hosts and Operator |
| Disconnect or Drop Callers | Hosts and Operator |
| Lock and Unlock Conference | Hosts and Operator |
| Conference Head Count | Hosts and Operator |
| Rollcall Option: Name Record | If enabled |
| Rollcall Option: Enter Phone Number | If enabled |
| Rollcall Option: CallerID | Enabled if CallerID is available |
| Entry Tone | Enabled |
| Conference Password | If enabled |
| Access Codes | Unlimited |
| PAC - Account Codes | Assignable, one per access code |
| Custom Messages, Dedicated Number | $20/mo custom toll-free number |
| Conference Reports | Summary and Detailed |
| Conference Invoice | Monthly via email |
Thu, July 24 2008 » Conference Calls » 1 Comment
The standard conference invoice is emailed in HTML format and is also available in the following formats:
Our standard conference invoice has a summary section at the top and a detailed section at the bottom. The invoice is delivered at the beginning of the next month via email.
The summary section contains your company information as well as our contact information, invoice number, and the date issued.
The cost and minutes section provides details about the previous month’s usage including standard and international dialing rates.
The call details section provides a breakdown by conference ID and includes the calling party, the time they entered the call, and their duration.
Thu, July 24 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 1 Comment
Personal account codes or PAC is a custom account code that is assigned to a conference access code. Its function is for accounting. Some examples of PAC code accounting include:
Phone users do not need to be concerned with it and do not have to enter it via a telephone keypad.
Your customer support specialists can assign a PAC code to your conference access code.
Wed, July 23 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 2 Comments
As a cutomer of Attorney Conference, you may have as many conference access codes (aka Conference ID) as you need. There are no additional fees or charges associated with extra access codes.
Many customers use multiple conference access codes as a way to account internally for conference call usages. Some ways to manage usage by access codes are:
The reports and invoices can sub-total minutes and charges by access code, which can be a big help for internal accounting.
When you sign up for conference calling services, your will receive your dial in, access code, and host pass code via email.
The host passcode can be changed via the Conference Control Center or by contacting a Customer Support Specialist.
Here’s a tutorial on how to change the host pass code via the web based Conference Control Center.
Wed, July 23 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 1 Comment
An entry tone in a conference call is a notification to all participants that a new participant (or member) has joined the conference call. This single tone is an easy and convenient way to notify everyone of a new conference participant.
We support entry tones as a standard feature.
Unlike an exit tone, which is usually a double tone (or beep), is used to notify everyone of an exiting participant.
After surveying our customers, we decided to eliminate the exit tone as a standard feature. We received reports that the exit tones are too distracting to the remaining callers on the conference call.
Wed, July 23 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 2 Comments
Our standard conference room size (conference call size) is 120 members. We can accomodate more members with a reservation. Contact our customer support specialists if you need assistance.
Wed, July 23 2008 » Business Conference, Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 1 Comment
Roll call is a great feature used to document and identify all participants on a conference call. We offer three versions that can be used once, or in combination with each other.
The ability to require name recording gives you an audio verification of a caller. All of the name recordings can be retrieved from the Conference Control Center under the “Names” tab.
You may require your participants to enter their phone number after the prompt. These numbers appear in your reports and invoice detailed sections.
You may wish to use CallerID to identify your conference participants. This feature is dependant upon receiving this data from the calling party. In addition, multiple participants calling from inside a PBX may appear as a single CallerID. This information appears in your reports and invoice detailed sections.
After logging into the Conference Control Center, click on the “Options” tab at the top to access the Options screen.
Here’s an online tutorial for changing the touch tone options.
Tue, July 22 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 3 Comments
Callers from outside the United States may join your conference call through a non toll-free ten digit access number.
Their conference line will be billed at the usual rate and since they use a non toll-free number, they will incur a charge on their telephone bill for the call to the USA.
Contact your customer support team if you need help with your number.
Tue, July 22 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 2 Comments
Access to the conference call system is through a toll-free dial in number. The number is either an 800, 866, or 877 number that is toll-free in the United States.
Most customers use a generic number, while some have opted for a dedicated number.
The dial in number is located on the email message you receive after your account setup.
Contact your customer support team if you need help with your number.
Tue, July 22 2008 » Conference Calls » 4 Comments
The head count or participant count of the conference call allows the host to privately hear the number of participants on the conference call.
The touch tone option for headcount is:
The host will hear a private announcement that indicates the number of members on the call. The host is returned to the conference call and the normal audio conversation resumes.
This touchtone option can be enabled / disabled through the Conference Control Center.
Tue, July 22 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 2 Comments
If you need a custom announcement for your company, a dedicated toll-free number for your conference call is available for $20/mo.
This is an OPTIONAL feature. The custom announcement might be like: “Welcome to the ABC Company Inc. Conference Call” etc…
A custom announcement is a great way to brand your conference call. This extra customization will extend your brand and impress your customers and business colleagues.
Tue, July 22 2008 » Conference Call Features, Toll-Free » 3 Comments
One of the least used and often forgotten conference calling feature is “Conference Call Password”. This pass code security feature works by prompting the conference participants for a “password” after the conference ID has been entered. The conference call password increases security by requiring callers to enter a second set of digits beyond the conference ID. The benefits of this feature includes:
The host of the conference call has access via the “Conference Control Center” to enable and change the conference password.
Here’s an online tutorial for changing the touch tone options.
Mon, July 21 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls » 1 Comment
Our sales and customer support specialists are available seven days a week 7am to 9pm EST.
Mon, July 21 2008 » Conference Calls » 3 Comments
The following chart highlights our conference calling service features with details and links to additional resources.
| Conference On Demand |
Standard Offerings |
| Dial in Number | Toll-Free USA |
| International Calling Access | 10 Digit (non toll-free global) |
| Schedule | Reservationless 24-hour access |
| Operator-Assisted | See Operator-Assisted |
| Price per minute/caller | 7.9 cents/min/caller |
| Toll-Free Customer Support | 7am-9pm EST |
| Conference Room Size | 120 (more with a reservation) |
| Conference Call Recording | Host Activated |
| Keypad Touchtone Commands | Host and participants |
| Live Call Web Commands | Host Activated |
| Listen and Talk Volume Adjust | Host and participants |
| Dial out and add to conference | Host Activated |
| Disconnect or Drop Callers | Host Activated |
| Lock and Unlock Conference | Host Activated |
| Conference Head Count | Host Activated |
| Rollcall Option: Name Record | Enabled |
| Rollcall Option: Enter Phone Number | Enabled |
| Rollcall Option: CallerID | Enabled if CallerID is available |
| Entry Tone | Enabled |
| Conference Password | Enabled |
| Access Codes | Unlimited |
| PAC - Account Codes | Assignable, one per access code |
| Custom Messages, Dedicated Number | $20/mo custom toll-free number |
| Conference Reports | Summary and Detailed |
| Conference Invoice | Monthly via email |
We have even more features that we don’t normally list, but we’ve had questions about them, so we listed them here:
Our standard option is to require a host. For a quick start conference, change the custom touch-tone option via the Conference Control Center.
A waiting room with music on hold until the host arrives is our standard feature.
Conference call recordings are played and downloaded via the Conference Control Center.
The conference call will continue after the host leaves the call.
Mon, July 21 2008 » Conference Call Features, Conference Calls, Make Conference Call » 1 Comment
The host of the conference call has access via the telephone keypad to disallow or “Lock” the conference call from additional callers entering the conference call. This security lock is a great security feature.
** - (Star Star) to lock or unlock the conference call.
When the host presses **, they will hear a prompt: “The conference is now locked”. No additional callers will be allowed into the conference.
When the host presses ** again, they will hear a prompt: “The conference is now unlocked”. Additional callers will be allowed into the conference.
The host of the conference call has access via the “Conference Control Center” to lock the conference call with a single button click.
Here’s an online tutorial for web based call control.
Sun, July 20 2008 » Conference Call Features » 1 Comment
The host of the conference call has access via the telephone keypad to add an additional participant to the conference call. This is a great feature to use when someone forgets about a conference call and you need to add them.
By pressing *0 (Star Zero) the host is given a dial tone outside of the conference call. The host enters a ten digit phone number of the person they want to add. The host is placed back into the conference while the system dials the new member. The new member answers and is voice prompted that they have been invited to the conference call, and will indicate via their telephone keypad if they want to join the conference.
Sun, July 20 2008 » Conference Call Features » 1 Comment
The host of the conference call has access via the “Conference Control Center” to adjust many aspects of each individual line in the conference call, including hangup or dropping a caller.
Here’s an online tutorial for web based call control.
Conference call phone disconnect capabilities are easy to use via the web. It is a good way to reduce noise on a call by dropping a noisy line.
Sat, July 19 2008 » Conference Call Features » 1 Comment