Some may say that conference calls are the bane of their existence, the thing they look forward to the least during their workday. I guess the same could be true of other tools we use. Email comes to mind. I personally see anywhere from 110 to 300 new emails per day, and finding the one I really need at any given moment can be at the very least frustrating. Feel my pain? Anywho, that story I will leave for another day.

Conference calling, if handled with care, can truly be a boon for your business. Yes, I am speaking of your run of the mill toll free audio conferencing. Let me explain.

Nearly everyone on this planet has access to a telephone; the same cannot be said for other forms of communication. The Internet has arrived, no question about it, but if you have ever tried to be part of a group call using VoIP (Voice over IP) while parked on the side of the road you will know what I mean when I say, “#$%^&*!” The last thing we need in our day is more complication and stress. So why do we do it? It’s simple really, “money”.

Money drives our decisions. If we can find a way to get more for less, we are all over it. Everyone likes to be the one who found the better deal. Sadly, the best price isn’t always the best deal and free isn’t always convenient.

Toll free conference calls can be very convenient and cheap and much of the time less stressful than the alternative being video conferencing. For most of the remote work force, working from home often means working in pajamas, which we might prefer to keep to ourselves.

Some conferencing services even have scheduling features that take the guesswork out of coordinating a call.  Simply enter the email addresses of the attendees and the rest is done for you. Enter a phone number and the service will call the attendees so they don’t have to do anything besides answer the phone when it rings. If you are hell bent on using VoIP, many of the conference service providers also provide VoIP as a connection alternative, for free. So I guess we can have our cake and eat it too.

Toll free audio conferencing is arguably the easiest way to have a group call with anyone who have a pulse. The pain generally comes from the disorganization of said calls. Stay organized and the pain will subside, for all involved, via VoIP or otherwise.

Google recently announced that Google+ Hangouts (part of the Google+ offer) now provides support for free outbound PSTN calling to USA and Canada. This has many buzzing about G+ hangouts as being the “Future of Conferencing” etc.

We thought it would be interesting to take a brief look at G+ Hangouts and list some of the main conferencing-centric differences that we have observed when using G+ Hangouts and Gaboogie Conferencing. I am sure this will change but here is a feature comparison as of today…

Free Sign-up & Free VoIP Conferencing

G+ Hangouts: Yes.

Gaboogie: Yes.

PSTN Dial-in Capabilities

G+ Hangouts: No

Gaboogie: US / Canada Toll Free, International Dial-in Numbers

PSTN Dial-out Capabilities

G+ Hangouts: VoIP to PSTN via Browser, USA & Canada

Gaboogie: US / Canada, International, VoIP (via Registered IP Phones) to PSTN

Video Capabilities

G+ Hangouts: Video via Browser Plugin

Gaboogie: Video via registered SIP / VoIP endpoints (coming soon)

Number of PSTN Participants

G+ Hangouts: 2

Gaboogie: 500

SIP Registration (organizers & attendees)

G+ Hangouts: No.

Gaboogie: Yes.

Call Scheduling with Dial-out

G+ Hangouts: No.

Gaboogie: Yes.

Call Recording

G+ Hangouts: No.

Gaboogie: Yes.

Host / Moderator Controls (PSTN & Web)

G+ Hangouts: No.

Gaboogie: Yes.

Social Sign-in

G+ Hangouts: Yes.

Gaboogie: Yes.

Call from Phone book / Contacts

G+ Hangouts: No.

Gaboogie: Yes.

Time Limit & Countdown

G+ Hangouts: No.

Gaboogie: Yes.

Multiple / Simultaneous Conferences

G+ Hangouts: Cold not get this work.

Gaboogie: Yes.

Many of us use VoIP in our offices today but still rely on toll free conferencing for our conference calls. VoIP-enabled phone systems are outpacing sales of traditional phone systems in North America, so why not take advantage of the equipment you are purchasing and get free conferencing? You can do just that at Gaboogie.

Get free unlimited conference calls simply by signing up at Gaboogie.

Once you have signed up you can use your Gaboogie credentials to register your PBX (Phone System) or IP Phone with Gaboogie and it becomes your conference bridge! Here are some of the features you can look forward to using as a Gaboogie customer!

• Upload your contact database from any contact manager
• Automated dial-out (PSTN connectivity from 5¢/min USA|Canada) to create your Gaboogie Conference
• Local Dial-in numbers & toll free numbers, fo those who want or need to dial in (PSTN connectivity from 5¢/min USA|Canada)
• Reconnect dropped calls simply by dialing the Gaboogie number that called you
• Participant authentication to ensure complete security for your call
• The Gaboogie Dashboard for monitoring and managing your Gaboogie call
• Mute or disconnect any participant with one click
• Add new participants on the fly, even after your Gaboogie Conference has started
• Edit scheduled conferences after they have been created
• Enjoy desktop-like performance with drag-and-drop and seamless pull-down menus
• Record your call to an MP3 file and share it with colleagues who may have missed the call
• Email and SMS conference call notifications
• Redundant architecture to ensure reliable and stable calls
• Premium support via email, web chat, toll free, Twitter & Facebook
• Very competitive North American and International dial-out and dial-in pricing with all the features you would expect!

So what are you waiting for? It’s Free!

Sign up today and try Gaboogie’s free VoIP conferencing and get 5 minutes of PSTN minutes at no cost!

Whether you need local, toll free or free VoIP conference call services in the US, Canada, Europe or anywhere else in the world, Gaboogie’s domestic and international conference call service can connect your customers and your team quickly, easily and professionally.  And if your city isn’t one of the cities listed below, contact us.  We have access to telephone numbers all across the globe!

Conference calls. Updated.

Gaboogie is the tool for having easy and inexpensive telemeetings, globally! Gaboogie is a great solution that combines conference calling with outbound calling, scheduling, and more in an easy + reliable service. With Gaboogie’s rich and easy to use toolset, you can host any kind of meeting you want ranging from a simple conference call to a large lecture with 100 or more participants. Gaboogie also makes it easy record the meeting, and offers storage of that recording at no extra charge.

Gaboogie is optimized for mobile collaboration right from meeting setup, during the in-call experience and continues to provide a call record after the meeting is complete to ensure productivity at your desk or on the road.

With call-in numbers in more than 20 countries and 100 cities today, including Canada, Gaboogie is a local call away from most North American centers, and many European and Asian cities as well.

List of Features:

• Very competitive per minute rates
• Online scheduling or Ad hoc dial-in
• 100 local dial in numbers in 20 countries
• Free VoIP Conferencing (SIP Registration)
• Invitations & reminders by email and mobile phone
• Free call-in option
• Personal PIN enhances security and participant awareness
• Schedule call-out using caller ID for PIN-less access
• Intuitive call moderation controls, including hand raising, call lock, recording and mute
• Unlimited MP3 Recordings available
• Convenient web dashboard keeps all your calls at your fingertips
• Free Call Archiving

Sign up is easy and quick.

Get started with Audio Conferencing today at Gaboogie!

Canadian, U.S. and international companies looking to cut costs amid the bleak economic conditions might find some relief through a new free conferencing service that provides free conference calls for an unlimited number of people at a time.

Conference Service Provider Gaboogie is offering Free Conference Calls for anyone who connects to the service using most IP Phones, softphones and Analog Telephony Adapters available from any of your favorite retailers or online e-tailers.

To start a conference call, account holders simply register to the Gaboogie VoIP service using their favorite VoIP device, that’s it. Or, the moderater/host selects desired participants from their stored contact list or add new ones by dialing out, or by using the fast add mechanism provided via the web application. The system can also dials the attendees on VoIP devices.

Signing up for the free conference calling service is very easy. Simply visit gaboogie.com and fill out the very simple “Try Gaboogie Now Free” form. Then proceed to the My Account page. On this page you will find SIP Settings. These are the credentials that are to be used with your VoIP device to enable Free Conferencing.

Sign up is super easy and quick.

Get started with Free Conferencing today at Gaboogie!

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International conference calls can be very expensive for all parties.  If you provide a toll free dial-in number, you’ll be footing the bill for all of those long distance calls.  If you decide to offer people a dial-in number in your own country, to say they will will be unhappy with the international long distance charges they pay would be an understatement.

With Gaboogie, you will have access to a network of international local numbers that can access our conference calling service at local rates.  If you’re holding a conference call with people in Brisbane, Paris, and Vancouver then everyone dials a local number and pays only local service rates.  You pay as low as $0.04/minute/user for the service. No local toll charges for your attendees.  You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars every month off your existing international conference calling solution.

So, how much does your organization spend on conference calling services every year?  In these times, we are all increasingly looking to find ways to reduce this expense.  Fortunately, with a little planning and Gaboogie, you can host cross border conference calls for as little as you pay for a domestic call.

Check out the cities we support.  If you don’t find your city listed below, contact us and we will do our best to add it for you. For many countries and cities, we can add new numbers relatively quickly.

More being added every day!

Gaboogie will be available in the late fall of 2011.

Whether you need local or toll free conference call services in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, St. John’s, Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg or anywhere else in the world, Gaboogie’s domestic and international conference call service can connect your customers and your team quickly, easily and professionally.  And if your city isn’t one of the Canadian cities listed below, contact us.  We have access to telephone numbers all across this great nation of ours!

Canada
Vancouver, BC – 604-424-9062
Kelowna, BC – 250-448-2462
Calgary, AB – 587-779-4622
Edmonton, AB – 780-809-3555
Red Deer, AB – 587-797-0701
Toronto, ON – 647-317-9773
Ottawa, ON- 613-317-2901
Pickering ON – 289-315-0561
Montreal, QC – 514-587-2659
Halifax, NS – 902-442-9937
Moncton, NB – 506-800-1058
St. John’s, NL – 709-800-7316
Winnipeg, MN – 204-977-6645

We have numbers in the USA as well!!

USA
Miami, FL – 786-431-2530
Boston, MA – 857-244-6262
New York, NY – 646-758-9767
Jersey City, NJ – 201-499-1211
Tucson, AZ – 520-300-7564
Detroit, MI – 313-879-6979
Atlanta, GA – 678-298-5482
Philadelphia, PA – 267-414-1565
Huntington Beach, CA – 714-849-5388

Conference calls. Updated.

Gaboogie is the tool for having easy and inexpensive telemeetings, globally! Gaboogie is a great solution that combines conference calling with outbound calling, scheduling, and more in an easy + reliable service. With Gaboogie’s rich and easy to use toolset, you can host any kind of meeting you want ranging from a simple conference call to a large lecture with 100 or more participants. Gaboogie also makes it easy record the meeting, and offers storage of that recording at no extra charge.

Gaboogie is optimized for mobile collaboration right from meeting setup, during the in-call experience and continues to provide a call record after the meeting is complete to ensure productivity at your desk or on the road.

With call-in numbers in more than 20 countries and 100 cities today, including Canada, Gaboogie is a local call away from most North American centers, and many European and Asian cities as well.

List of Features:

• Very competitive per minute rates
• Online scheduling or Ad hoc dial-in
• 100 local dial in numbers in 20 countries
• Free VoIP Conferencing (SIP Registration)
• Invitations & reminders by email and mobile phone
• Free call-in option
• Personal PIN enhances security and participant awareness
• Schedule call-out using caller ID for PIN-less access
• Intuitive call moderation controls, including hand raising, call lock, recording and mute
• Unlimited MP3 Recordings available
• Convenient web dashboard keeps all your calls at your fingertips
• Free Call Archiving

Gaboogie will be available in late fall 2011.

Whether you need a conference call service provider in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Austin, Seattle or anywhere else in the world, Gaboogie’s international teleconference service can connect your customers and your team quickly, easily and professionally.  And if your city isn’t one of the American cities we serve, contact us.  We have access to telephone numbers all across the United States.

Gaboogie is the tool for having easy and inexpensive online meetings, globally! Gaboogie is a single solution that combines audio conferencing, recording, scheduling and more in an easy and intuitive online environment. With Gaboogie’s rich and easy to use toolset, you can host any kind of meeting you want ranging from a simple tconference call to a webinar with 100 or more participants. Gaboogie also makes it easy to keep a record of the meeting, by making recordings and copies of important documents accessible to you after the call.

With call-in numbers in 32 countries and 150 cities today, including United States, Gaboogie is a local call away from most North American centers, and many European and Asian cities as well.

USA
Miami, FL – 786-431-2530
Boston, MA – 857-244-6262
New York, NY – 646-758-9767
Jersey City, NJ – 201-499-1211
Tucson, AZ – 520-300-7564
Detroit, MI – 313-879-6979
Atlanta, GA – 678-298-5482
Philadelphia, PA – 267-414-1565
Huntington Beach, CA – 714-849-5388

List of Features:

• Very competitive per minute rates
• Online scheduling or Ad hoc dial-in
• 100 local dial in numbers in 20 countries
• Free VoIP Conferencing (SIP Registration)
• Invitations & reminders by email and mobile phone
• Free call-in option
• Personal PIN enhances security and participant awareness
• Schedule call-out using caller ID for PIN-less access
• Intuitive call moderation controls, including hand raising, call lock, recording and mute
• Unlimited MP3 Recordings available
• Convenient web dashboard keeps all your calls at your fingertips
• Free Call Archiving
• Upload your contact database from any contact manager
• Automated dial-out to create your Gaboogie Conference
• Local Dial-in numbers & toll free numbers, fo those who want or need to dial in
• Reconnect dropped calls simply by dialing the Gaboogie number that called you
• Participant authentication to ensure complete security for your call
• The Gaboogie Dashboard for monitoring and managing your Gaboogie call
• Mute or disconnect any participant with one click
• Add new participants on the fly, even after your Gaboogie Conference has started
• Edit scheduled conferences after they have been created
• Enjoy desktop-like performance with drag-and-drop and seamless pull-down menus
• Record your call to an MP3 file and share it with colleagues who may have missed the call
• Free VoIP conferencing. Connect your softphone or IP Phone to Gaboogie and conference for free! SIP compliant.
• Email and SMS conference call notifications
• Redundant architecture to ensure reliable and stable calls
• Premium support via email, web chat, toll free, Twitter & Facebook
• Very competitive North American and International pricing with all the features you would expect!