Do you ever need to make conference calls? Do you ever feel intimidated or inconvenienced by an annoyingly complex process to set the call up? If so, you may want to check out Speek, a free web-based service that is very easy to use, and that will allow you to simplify and enhance your conference calls across multiple platforms.
Speek is a free service that works by providing the backend infrastructure of a conference call, such that all users have to do is simply decide whether they will take part using their computers or whether to request a
phone call on a normal phone number. If you are organizing a conference call Speek will provide a unique URL to send to people in order to join the call, without any complex reference numbers and passcodes. An iOS app is available that will let you set up or join conference calls on the go.
phone call on a normal phone number. If you are organizing a conference call Speek will provide a unique URL to send to people in order to join the call, without any complex reference numbers and passcodes. An iOS app is available that will let you set up or join conference calls on the go.
Whether you do conferencing for business, pleasure or a mixture of both, Speek has a lot to offer you and doesn’t cost a thing. You can have an unlimited number of people join in a single conference (although they suggest that ten is the ideal maximum for decent quality) and can invite people to your conference in a variety of ways, such as SMS, email or even sending them a voice call. This makes it easy to bring people in to the conference whether they are using a cell phone, land line or even a VOIP service. Speek has VOIP integration so that people outside the U.S. can participate, although the service itself is only operable from within the U.S.A.
From the moment I hit the web site I was impressed by the simplicity, lack of clutter and ads on the splash page. There’s some basic instruction, and the first step is to set up your personal Speek link, which you can then share with others in nearly any format you choose so they can join the conference. Since each conference link is perpetual, this means you don’t have to be online for others to use it as long as they have the link and have been invited. This makes it ideal for clubs, guilds, and other organizations with multiple time schedules.
The simplicity of the system extends to pretty much every aspect. You can easily point and click or drag anything you need to within the page, and it therefore doesn’t require a day long training session to begin using it. One of the nicest features of the Speek system is the ability to share files within the conference environment. This means if you have someone on their phone but also logged in through the computer, they can get files from you in realm time as you as describing procedures verbally. There’s nothing you have to download, either, since it is all contained within the web site itself.
While Speek does offer a “Pro” paid version, it is not in any way required to get major use out of the system. I didn’t find any special restrictions or use constraints for the free system and I was impressed with the clarity of the call as well. There are video tutorials and also a well laid-out FAQ for new users, in case they have questions you don’t know the answers to about the Speek system itself. If you’re looking for a fast, easy, free way to manage and maintain conference style communications with others, for business or pleasure or any other pursuit, Speek is worth a first and second look. Until next time, my friends!
