6 Conference Phone Features You Should Not Overlook
While it should not be a daunting task, selecting the proper conference phone can be a difficult duty. It can be a challenge to identify a solution that will contain all of the features that are critical to have. Before settling on a conference phone, there are a few features to not overlook.
Bluetooth® Connectivity
Conference phones with Bluetooth connectivity will open up a whole new world in your office environment. The Bluetooth feature will allow you to quickly and easily pair and connect mobile devices to the conference phone. In turn, you will be able to create a hybrid UC conference, where those in the office on a Bluetooth device can call in from their smartphones.
Call Recording
Underutilized, the call recorder function or application on a conference phone is a must. It is important to select a conference phone that offers a recording option and allows you to store the recordings on both the phone and a USB flash drive. Call recording is so crucial for a variety of situations. Disputes, especially with customers and clients, are an unfortunate part of business. With call recording, though, these disputes can easily be resolved and issues can be minimized with easy access to the previous conversion. Recordings are also beneficial when it comes to training employees who can listen to previously recorded calls and when needed to recall information that was discussed in a conference. Do not expect all of your conference attendees to be supreme notetakers! When recording calls, especially over PSTN, make sure to obtain consent before recording and know proper recording legislation.
External Noise Elimination
Background noise is a major distraction – and often times, a literal headache – during conference calls. Opt for a conference phone that features noise proof technology. This feature will effectively eliminate any external sounds in the environment, such as typing, air conditioners, ringing phones, or background talking. Your calls will become clearer, as well as distraction-free. For those callers with hearing impairments, sensorineural deafness, or hearing aids, background noise elimination is crucial, as any background noise could make it extremely difficult – if not impossible – for these individuals to hear on a phone call.
Wireless Expansion Mic Compatibility
Choose a conference phone that works with wireless expansion microphones. During conference calls, you cannot rely on everyone sitting in their chairs in close range to the conference phone. Your attendees may walk around the conference room, especially if needing to stand up near a presentation screen or model. Increase mobility by picking a solution that works with wireless microphones. An ideal microphone solution, such as the Yealink CPW90, will have 360-degree voice pickup and a 10-foot pickup radius. For larger conference rooms or tables, two wireless expansion microphones will be the best solution.
Active Speaker Feature
It is not fun to play a guessing game when on a conference call. How many times have you had to try and determine who was speaking? To make this issue a thing of the past, identify a solution with an active speaker feature. This feature will allow you to “see” who is speaking by identifying the caller on the phone’s interface. You can easily check the phone to see who is currently talking. There will be no need to ask who is speaking because it will be presented right on the phone’s screen.
Power Saving Mode
It is important to conserve energy for many reasons (including your utility bills) and it is highly unlikely that any office will need their conference phone on 24/7. A power saving conference phone will enter power saving mode after being idle for a period of time. With a solution like the Yealink CP960, you can configure the office hour setting so that the phone is in power saving mode when the office is not open. The backlight will also be turned off to conserve energy and will become inactive after a designated amount of seconds.
Interested in learning more about conference phone solutions like the Yealink CP960? Contact the 888VoIP team now. Reach a VoIP specialist at 888-864-7786 to identify the best conference solution for your customers and end users.