Conferencing (whether audio, video, data, or a little of each) lets enterprises easily and cost-effectively share enterprise information internally and externally. Conferencing can link a company's globally disparate departments that are in need of common material. Or, as for many of the companies featured in Teleconnect, conferencing can demonstrate and promote a product or service (yes, our writers often participate in conference call briefings).

While most PBXs and the more advanced key systems (particularly hybrids) have built-in audioconferencing capabilities, they don't offer the sophistication of conference bridges. You could certainly employ a conference service provider to handle the maintenance and volume of these calls for your business, but outsourcing has disadvantages.

A conference service means that you are renting space on the provider's own conference bridge. To initiate a conference, you contact the service, schedule the time of your conference, and receive a PIN and/or toll-free number (which then must be distributed to the conference participants). That's not too much trouble; but if participants are late, absent, or they cancel, your money is being spent for nothing. Security may also be a concern because you're using the provider's bridge or Web site to share your businesses' information.

That's why we're devoting this space to the alternate world of CPE bridges. In essence, a conference bridge unites and balances multiple voice inputs to achieve the we're-all-in-the-same-room effect. Conference participants have different abilities (or permissions) depending on their role in the conference. The host (moderator) guides the conference and can assign these permissions as necessary. Permissions generally include speaking, transmission (for data), listening, and conference entrance/exit. The host may also initiate subconferences (private conversations), participant muting, or even pass the host status to another conferee. Conference bridges also provide security features such as passcodes and secured network transmission.

The following companies all offer variations of the basic CPE conference bridge described above. Compare and contrast the features and consider which one can help your enterprise's collaborative communication reach a new plateau.

Autel

Autel, Inc.'s (Wellesley, MA - 781-239-8219) QuickTalk, a compact, lightweight unit, can support up to 24 callers and 15 simultaneous conferences via T-1 connection to the PBX. When callers dial into a DNIS, QuickTalk asks the caller to enter a PIN (determined by the conference organizer), then confirms the correct PIN and plays a message welcoming the caller. Next, it plays a headcount message announcing the number of conference participants. This message is played every time a person joins (or leaves) the conference. Callers are added to the conference and can begin talking immediately.

The unit has few controls. The front panel hosts a series of LEDs - one set for the system, one for the trunk alarms, and one for the alarm status. Its rear panel has trunk connectors for either an RJ-45 or twin BNC jack. It also has a fuse drawer, an earth stud, an alarm port, a diagnostics port, a reset, plus a power button and connection. QuickTalk is easily deployed: connect the unit, turn it on, then conference away. The system sells for $19,950.

Compunetix

Compunetix, Inc. (Monroeville, PA - 412-373-8110) makes a nifty line of conference bridges for small to mid-sized businesses. The Mini-CONTEX, which expands in increments of 24 ports to 120 ports, is designed for the enterprise with limited audioconferencing requirements. It supports 12 operator consoles, delivering clear conferencing with digital signal processors (DSPs) that reduce extraneous line and background interference. Operators can enhance voice quality directly from their consoles with individual gain controls. The unit provides real-time diagnostics and local or remote access to the bridge.

For larger enterprises, Compunetix offers the CONTEX 240 and CONTEX 480 (which support 24 and 48 operators, respectively). The bridges' features include preset and meet-me conferences (with digital recording and playback and database-managed reservations), subconferencing, Q&A, and voting. Similar features are available for unmonitored conferencing, including chairperson and participant functionality. Best of all: If you start small and want to upgrade, purchase additional plug-in circuit modules; there's no need to buy another CONTEX bridge.

Compunetix has also added enhanced security features for unattended conferences to its CONTEX platform. One, the Conference Level Passcode, lets conference hosts create (during the call) a second-level passcode for entry into an unattended conference. Also new is the Conference Vetting Process, which allows the host to secure the conference and permit or deny additional participants. The host can step out of the conference to meet and greet callers who attempt to join a secured conference prior to granting entry. Pricing varies.

Forum Communications

Forum Communications International (Richardson, TX - 972-680-0700) is one of Teleconnect's recommended bridge manufacturers. Its products are easy and intuitive to set up and operate. Forum is also one of the oldest conference bridge manufacturers, with CONFER systems installed in more than 45 countries. The company manufactures the CONFER II system for government and business applications; and the larger-capacity Consortium Conference System.

The CONFER II connects to analog station lines or CO lines and works with most PBXs and key systems. The unit scales from six to 48 ports, expanding in six-port increments. Users can schedule simultaneous conferences that divide in six-port increments. Security features include lockout and authorization codes.

The Consortium Conference System, which supports up to 96 ports, connects to your T-1 (line side or CO). It has a GUI interface that a nontechnical person can learn in minutes. Some of the Consortium's advanced features include conference scheduling through a LAN client, Web browser, or touchtone interface; internal recording capabilities; and email notification/ reminders for conference participants.

Forum's NT-based conference server sports many of the functions that a conference service provider would offer. Some of the features included in the system are flexible scheduling, simple and advanced conference settings, customized participant profiles, and personal identification numbers (PINs) for increased security levels. The conference moderator, using touchtone commands during a conference, can initiate an on-command or prescheduled blast-dial, add participants, administrate breakout sessions, begin and end conference recording, and add additional ports. Management functions, such as updating the participant database, are performed using the LAN client. Simultaneous calls can be monitored live. And caller status can be changed during a conference, allowing participants to be muted or dropped from a call.