The conference phone you get is somewhat dependent on the phone system you have. We recently got an Avaya B169 for our conference room, and it seems to be working well for us. Check with your phone vendor for a recommendation.
For conferencing, we use GoToMeeting. This allows callers the option to use either their computer audio or a telephone. We use GTM even if we don't need to use the video or screen-sharing components of the program.
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Steven Groth AIA
Project Architect, Director of Specifications, Computer Systems Manager
Uihlein-Wilson Architects
Milwaukee WI
Original Message:
Sent: 04-14-2016 18:50
From: Richard Hodge
Subject: Hands free Conference Room phone
Skype and Skype for Business (formerly Lync) are communication platforms intended to be used over an internet connection and so, do not lend themselves to use with conventional conference room phones. There are VOIP conference room phones that can be used with computer-based Skype sessions. Instead, we have outfitted out conference rooms with microphones connected to the computer on which the Skype sessions are implemented. Wireless conference room mics from Revolabs work well.
Inevitably, you will need to conference with someone that has phones and not microphones in their conference rooms. This means you have to set up a telephone conference solution in addition to the Skype for Business video session. Alternatively it is possible to contract with a third party audio conference provider to connect outside phone calls to your Skype for Business session. We have this set up with AT&T. Setting it up was a bit of a struggle but once established it has worked well.
RICHARD HODGE AIA
LEED AP BD+C
KIERANTIMBERLAKE
841 NORTH AMERICAN STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19123
rhodge@kierantimberlake.com
www.kierantimberlake.com