FOR MORE INFORMATION
John Gates, Elevate Communications, (617) 861-3651
SMBs Can Avoid High-Cost, Pay-As-You-Go Plans and Replace Spikes in Monthly Expenses with a Guaranteed Monthly Fee for a Managed Conferencing Service
PORTSMOUTH, NH, November 13, 2007—Whaleback Systems™ today introduced OrcaMeeting, an integrated audio and web conferencing service for Small and Medium sized Businesses (SMBs). OrcaMeeting features a unique flat-fee pricing plan for unlimited monthly multi-party conference calls, reshaping how SMBs can use and pay for web and audio conferencing services. For the first time, SMBs can replace the unpredictable monthly expenses of usage-based conferencing with a fixed-price service that offers unlimited usage for a set monthly fee.
“Audio conferencing and web-based conferencing are increasingly used by SMBs to streamline operations, improve the flow of information within the company and communicate with customers and prospective customers, but traditional services are offered on a pay-as-you-go basis that exposes businesses to unpredictable spikes in monthly expenses.” said Mark Galvin, Whaleback Founder, President and CEO. “OrcaMeeting is a game-changer in the SMB conferencing marketplace that allows businesses to control and manage conferencing costs while enabling audio and web conferencing to be more widely used both within the organization and for communicating with customers and prospects.”
OrcaMeeting is available in five or ten seat bundles as a standalone web and audio conferencing service or as an integrated solution with Whaleback’s CrystalBlue Voice service. As a managed service, OrcaMeeting is deployed by a Whaleback channel partner and centrally managed via the Whaleback Network Operations Center. Each conferencing seat features unlimited use and is provided a special Personal Identification Number (PIN) that can be assigned to individuals or shared among groups. For example, an organization could have a single PIN that is shared by a department, such as sales or marketing.
Conferences can be easily scheduled via the OrcaMeeting Conference Scheduler, which allows users to schedule a conference, invite the participants and email out the dial-in number, conference ID and PIN. In just seconds, a user can schedule a conference using a web-based interface or Microsoft Outlook. Unique conference IDs and PINs can be generated to authenticate users into an audio or web conferencing session, and conference-specific passwords can be provided to attendees to strengthen conference security.
OrcaMeeting supports scheduled or ad-hoc conferences, and users can record customized conference greetings. Audio conference recording is available, and participant entry or exit announcements can be optionally generated using names or tones. Music is automatically played during hold times, and users can dial out to invite additional users while a conference is in session. The host has the option to mute or un-mute participants’ lines, and private sub-conferences can be created from the main conference.
OrcaMeeting delivers powerful desktop and application sharing capabilities. The host for a web conference controls the session and can provide attendees with access to both documents and applications. For example, the host could enable attendees to see a PowerPoint presentation or edit a word processing document. The web display can show a viewable list of all current conference participants, and the host can send out Quick Invitations to invite additional session participants. The host can transfer session control to another participant, and all participants can ask questions, communicate with the host and participate in online text chats.
OrcaMeeting is available on December 1, 2007 from Whaleback and its channel partners. Conference groups are available in five and ten-seat bundles and start at $49.95 per month. It is available with the CrystalBlue Voice Service or as a standalone conferencing service. Special discounted packages of Whaleback business services featuring OrcaMeeting, OrcaFax (Whaleback’s hosted faxed service) and Whaleback’s toll free 1-800 service are also available to Whaleback CrystalBlue Voice customers.
“We’ve made it easy for SMBs to flatten and reduce their monthly conferencing costs by selecting a managed service that offers unlimited conferencing for a fixed low price,” continued Galvin. “Business owners will no longer be surprised by sharp increases in operational expenses due to unusually heavy use of conferencing services, and instead they can select a group conferencing service designed specifically for the usage needs and budgets of SMBs.”
Whaleback Systems is a Managed Service Provider (MSP) and the pioneering developer of the first business phone solution built from the ground up for broadband. Unlike traditional systems, the Whaleback CrystalBlue Voice Service is 100 percent premises-based and software-driven. It includes the only IP PBX with Key System Unit features and Road Warrior Functionality. Whaleback's all-inclusive, unlimited nationwide calling package makes the most advanced technology immediately affordable for companies that need between 5 and 1,500 phone stations. The Whaleback service is available through partnerships with channel partners and VARs.
